The Truth About Wicca And Paganism

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about Wicca,
most of which are perpetuated by people who (a) don't know

What's the difference between a Wiccan and a Pagan?

any better and (b) have never taken the time to learn the
truth. Let's talk about some of the most common bits of

Nearly all Wiccans are Pagans, but not all Pagans are
Wiccans. As if that wasn't puzzling enough, there are some

misinformation people hear about Wicca and modern Paganism.
Is Wicca some weird cult?

people who are witches, but not Wiccan or Pagan. Confused
yet? You're not alone. Bascially, "Pagan" is an umbrella

No, it's not, no more so than any other religion. Sure,

term for a group of different spiritual paths. For more on
how this works, read What's the Difference?.

there are some "weird" Wiccans, but there are also people in
other religions who are "weird." Wicca is actually a

Why do people become Wiccans?

religion, albeit a fairly new one, which is based on ancient
practices. Although it was founded by a guy named Gerald

The reasons are as varied as the people. Some find
themselves drawn to Wicca because of a dissatisfaction with

Gardner back in the 1950s, it is still a legally recognized
religion. Wiccans have the same religious rights as people

other religions. Others study a variety of religions and
then realize that Wicca is the most compatible with what

of any other spiritual path. Some people do tend to get
confused, though, because the word "occult," which means

they already believe. A few people who are practicing
Wiccans and Pagans today were raised in Pagan families.

secret or mysterious, is often associated with the Wiccan
religion.

Regardless, nearly every Wiccan will tell you that they came
to Wicca because they knew it was the right path for them.

Do witches worship the Devil?

How do you recruit new Wiccans into your religion?

No. Satan is a Christian construct, and Wiccans don't
worship him. Even the Satanists don't actually worship

We don't. Although we'll happily share information with you
and answer your questions, we're not interesting in

Satan, but that's a whole 'nother conversation.
You guys have sex orgies, right?

collecting new recruits. Here's why: Do Wiccans Recruit?
Aren't you worried that you're going to go to hell?

Nope. However, most Pagans and Wiccans are pretty liberal

Well, no. Much like Satan, the concept of Hell is a

when it comes to sexuality. We don't care who you sleep
with, as long as everyone involved is a consenting adult. We

Christian one. It's not really even on our radar. However,
there are a few people -- typically those who have come to

don't care if you're straight, gay, transgendered,
polyamorous, or anything else. Who you have sex with, and

Wicca from a Christian background -- who do worry about this
very issue. For the rest of us, we know that the future of

how often, and in what manner is your business. We just hope
that whatever you're doing, you do responsibly. There are

our soul does not depend on salvation or acceptance of deity
as a savior. Instead, we focus on doing good things, because

some Wiccan groups who practice skyclad, or nude, but that's
not really sexual in nature.

we know that what we do in this lifetime will echo upon us
in the next.

How come you use that Satanic symbol with the star on it?

Do you believe in God?

You mean the pentacle? That's a symbol, for many Wiccans and
Pagans, of the four classical elements: earth, air, fire and

Wiccans and Pagans are typically polytheistic, which means
we believe in more than one deity. If you look at "god" as a

water, as well as a fifth element of Spirit or Self.
Do Wiccans cast spells?

job title rather than a proper name, we believe in a variety
of gods and goddesses, rather than One Single God. Most

Yes. In Wicca, and many other Pagan paths, the use of magic

Pagans and Wiccans acknowledge the existence of thousands of
deities, but generally worship or honor only the gods of

is considered perfectly natural. It's not the same as the
magic seen in Harry Potter, but for Wiccans, magic is part

their own tradition.
So what do Wiccans do and believe, then?

of the natural world. Some spells take the form of prayers
to the gods, and others are based on direction of will and

Excellent question, and not a simple one with just a single

intent. Most Wiccans will tell you they use spellwork for a
variety of things -- healing, personal empowerment,

answer. To learn about what Wiccans do and believe, read
Basic Principles and Concepts of Wicca and Ten Things To

prosperity, etc. Magic is a tool that is typically used in
tandem with the mundane, or non-magical, world.

Know About Wicca.