Myth vs Reality (Jesus Christ, rituals, Earth, blood, creation)

[Prima]

Please add more, or correct things you disagree with!

Wiccans sacrifice animals

Most Wiccans frown upon doing this - or forbid it outright! Wicca is primarily a religion of caring for the Earth, yourself, and others. True Wiccans know it is never necessary to sacrifice blood.

Wiccans hate and oppose Jesus Christ

Many Wiccans, while not accepting Jesus as God, believe that Jesus was a truly good and wonderful person. Many of Jesus's teachings are in line with Wicca - caring for the Earth, caring for others, and caring for yourself are three main points that both religions agree on.

Wiccans wear black robes

I personally prefer my pajamas Some Wiccans do put quite an emphasis on robes. But the primary reason for this is not 'black magic' - it's the fact that, well, robes are comfortable, and make you feel special and important! when going to a dance, you wear a dress that's comfortable and makes you feel beautiful. In fact, most religions promote 'dressing up' for a religious service - the only difference is, we'd much rather wear a nice robe than a collared shirt and tie!

Wiccans practice voodoo

Wicca and voodoo, as religious practices, are not related. While some people may practice both, the majority of Wiccans do not practice voodoo.

Wiccans curse people they don't like

This is utterly untrue! The main rule of Wicca is: An it harm none, do as ye will. This means that as long as it doesn't hurt anyone, we do what we want. Curses are intended to hurt someone, and as such, violate our ideas.

Wiccans can cast love spells forcing you to do what they want

Well, not really. Is there a Wiccan love spell? Sure. But one of our main ideas is to not control others. The typical Wiccan love spell does not force someone to be in love with the caster. What it does is asks our Goddess to find someone who we would be compatible with. The spell can even help the Wiccan and the other person meet up! but it will never, ever FORCE the other person to be in love.

Wiccans cast spells

Tricked ya! This is a yes-and-no answer. What we call spells, you call prayers! Find it easier to talk to God with your hands folded, kneeling down at church? Well, we find it easier to talk to the Goddess sitting in front of an altar with a candle and some yummy-smelling incense! A spell is just a form of a prayer.

Wiccans ride broomsticks

While that might be very useful...no, sorry. I have yet to find a wiccan capable of riding a broomstick. But when I do, I'll be sure to patent her idea and notify you

Wiccans do rituals naked

Not usually. While some of us may find it easier and more comfortable to be nude, most of us prefer to be decent. Can you imagine the scene, if we were caught naked doing a ritual in our backyard?! screaming neighbors and cops can be very distracting. Doesn't make much sense to do that, now does it? That's what we think

Wiccans do drugs

No, no, no, no, no! Wiccans in general frown upon using illegal substances. We try to take care of our bodies, and doing drugs doesn't move us towards that goal! As always, there are exceptions. But most wiccans that you find who have spent a long time practicing Wicca do not do drugs of any kind, because they realize the detrimental effects.

Wiccans will try to convert you

Nope. That's not our thing. We will never, ever stop anyone from trying to be Wiccan, and if someone wants to be, we'll help them out in whatever way we can. But we don't go around trying to find converts. If you're happy with your religion, we're happy with you!

Wiccans do things on dark, stormy nights

Now you've just been watching too many movies. Are you telling me that you only pray when it's raining? Boy, that could be rough during a drought! There's no reason for us to confine our work to dark, stormy nights. A lot of us like storms, because, well, they're cool. A lot of us might do spells during storms because we like them, and because we're stuck inside anyway. Storms are powerful, too - seeing a storm probably makes you think how strong and amazing God is. Same for us with our Goddess! Storms can put you in touch with nature, and make you realize just how powerful the Goddess is. But in a movie, a Wiccan doing a spell in the bright daytime while birds are chirping just would have the same effect, would it?

[cfer]

Thank you for that. I've kind of been unclear on Wiccans even after having been on this site for a few months now.

Here's a question I do have, though. Why would a Wiccan cast a spell? I understand what you mean by saying it's praying, but it's a little more specific than that, isn't it? When you cast a spell, you're hoping for something specific to happen, correct? Again, I know I could be way off-base on this, and I apologize if I am.

What are typical spells that a Wiccan might cast? I was always under the impression that it was to try to control something/someone. I'm glad that is not the case.

[linwood]

Why would a Wiccan cast a spell? I understand what you mean by saying it's praying, but it's a little more specific than that, isn't it? When you cast a spell, you're hoping for something specific to happen, correct?

I don`t believe this is always the case.
often when a Christian or Muslim prays he/she is asking for something specific as well.

However there are prayers that are said to honor a time, event, person, thing, as well as there are spells to achieve these things

I think.

[cfer]

Originally Posted by linwood

I don`t believe this is always the case.
often when a Christian or Muslim prays he/she is asking for something specific as well.

Very good point. I forgot that most Christian and Muslims are praying for something specific as well. Thanks for correcting me.

[Unedited]

Thank you Prima! That was very well written and informative!

[Prima]

Wiccans always use candles, incense, and other weird things

Now this one makes little or no sense to me. We've already looked at the prayer metaphor. So what good would it be if when you felt like praying, you followed this sort of routine
- unpack huge bag of supplies
- arrange candles in strange shapes
- don black robe
- light incense
- remember that you forgot to turn off the smoke alarm
- smoke alarm goes off
- explain to your boss why exactly three fire trucks are parked outside

By the time this was done, you wouldn't even remember what your prayer was - and you might be out of a job!

However, things like candles can be useful. You might find it easy to focus on praying if you're looking at a cross - that's the same deal with using something like candles. Ever gone into that happy state after you smell cookies just out of the oven? it makes your day! same deal with incense. I personally loooove wild berry. It reminds me of picking blackberries at my Papa's house. We associate a lot of things with smells, and we Wiccans have found that things like incense or scented candles help a lot when we 'pray'!

Wiccans get together in the middle of the night around fires

...and promptly get eaten by mosquitos. Hel-lo?! who thinks of these things?!

I'm going to take this in a few parts.

One - yes, wiccans do get together. Know what a congregation is? it's what you call the people who go to the same church. Similarly, a 'coven' is a group of Wiccans who decide to practice together. Just like study groups, things are often done better with others

Do we meet in the middle of the night? Eh, every once in a while, I guess. The truth is, a lot of us have jobs or school we have to get to. However, being outside in the middle of the night is absolutely lovely. Ever stood outside and admired the moon and stars? As with storms, it helps you see just how incredible God/the Goddess is.

As for fires...well geez, how else are we supposed to stay warm?!

Wiccans disagree with modern science

Actually, a lot of scientific theory is distinctly Wiccan! The butterfly effect, for example, is something that wiccans tend to believe in. (if you don't know what it is, look it up. Pretty cool stuff) And I'm sure you are familiar with how wiccans mix herbs. Well - what exactly is the difference between mixing basil and salt water (or the like) and putting hydrochloric acid on litmus paper? Wicca is based on very scientific methods. If this, then this, and the like. And there are also serious no-no's - don't cause an explosion in the lab, and don't drink a cup of that nasty basil-and-saltwater mixture you just made on an empty stomach!

Wiccans have a set of bizarre rules and regulations

Hey! You! your robe is too short!

Just kidding

Actually, there is really only one 'rule' of Wicca, which I've already mentioned - An it harm none, do as ye will. (which, like I said, is a fancy way of saying 'if you ain't hurting someone, you can do it')

Sounds simple, no? But the other main point of Wicca is COMMON SENSE! Think back to the last question. There is no rule anywhere that says "Do not drink a cup of basil and saltwater on an empty stomach" But the average person will listen to their common sense and say to themselves "Self, if I drink that, I will probably have an upset stomach" Wicca is a religion of responsibility. We don't set out a ton of rules - we help each other be smart cookies and use our common sense! For example, Wicca doesn't say "THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY!" but we (hopefully!) realize that if we do that, we're not only breaking a promise (no! bad bad bad!) but we're also causing a lot of pain, both to ourselves and others.



Please feel free to add more questions if anyone has them

[Circle_One]

I'm going to add a few specifics to those you've already mentioned Prima, if you don't mind.

Wiccans sacrifice animals

Most Wiccans frown upon doing this - or forbid it outright! Wicca is primarily a religion of caring for the Earth, yourself, and others. True Wiccans know it is never necessary to sacrifice blood.

Furthermore, there are spells that call for such things as "Dove's blood" and such. These are rare, but they do exist. A Wiccan will never kill an animal for said ingredient, as Prima stated, they will either 1)find an already dead dove (but even this is rarely done) more often than naught, they will substitute red ink for whatever blood of whatever animal is said to be used.

Wiccans can cast love spells forcing you to do what they want

Well, not really. Is there a Wiccan love spell? Sure. But one of our main ideas is to not control others. The typical Wiccan love spell does not force someone to be in love with the caster. What it does is asks our Goddess to find someone who we would be compatible with. The spell can even help the Wiccan and the other person meet up! but it will never, ever FORCE the other person to be in love.

This goes along with the "An' it harm none, do what ye will." By "harm" they do not only mean physical harm. Casting a love spell on someone is manipulating their free will and this in turn is "harming" the person and so goes against the only rule Wiccan's pride themselves on following.

Wiccans ride broomsticks

While that might be very useful...no, sorry. I have yet to find a wiccan capable of riding a broomstick. But when I do, I'll be sure to patent her idea and notify you

Nope, don't ride them, but they do come in handy in some spell working.

Wiccans do rituals naked

Not usually. While some of us may find it easier and more comfortable to be nude, most of us prefer to be decent. Can you imagine the scene, if we were caught naked doing a ritual in our backyard?! screaming neighbors and cops can be very distracting. Doesn't make much sense to do that, now does it? That's what we think

Um, I've actually got to slightly disagree with you on this one Prima. I know many, many people who spell cast and perform rituals Sky Clad (for all who don't understand this--clad with only the sky--naked). I am one of them. And it's not due to comfort, it's due to the fact that it spiritually brings me closer to nature and closer to the Goddess..without anything between me and her creations.

Here's a question I do have, though. Why would a Wiccan cast a spell? I understand what you mean by saying it's praying, but it's a little more specific than that, isn't it? When you cast a spell, you're hoping for something specific to happen, correct? Again, I know I could be way off-base on this, and I apologize if I am.

What are typical spells that a Wiccan might cast? I was always under the impression that it was to try to control something/someone. I'm glad that is not the case.

Actual spells are things Wiccans and other magick practictioners take EXTREMELY seriously and so do not perform them as often as some people like to think. While our evocations and blessings to the Gods and Goddesses (like your prayers) are often a daily thing, spells are not. They are (usually and should only be) used as a last resort. Many people think Wicca and other religions whose practitioners practice magick are solely about magick and spells, but this is untrue. For the most part (there are exceptions to every rule) magick and spellwork are on the back burner. We are not only about the spells, we are not even majorly about the magick..it's just sort of an added perk, which even some choose not to use.

[Prima]

Heh. Thanks, C1, I love it when people disagree with me.

(and no, I'm not being sarcastic about that )

[kreeden]

Magic is many things to different people .

BTW C1 , there are old spells { pre-Wiccan } that call for human blood or fat . I think that in most cases , the recipes were over dramatic and any blood or fat could have been used { pig's fat was often used } . But you don't get much blood out of a dead Dove . And yes , I realize that usually a spell doesn't call for much , but I think most would substitute these days . Urban Wiccan perhaps more so ?

* sees a drastic decline in the pigeon populations ... *

[Prima]

Um, I've actually got to slightly disagree with you on this one Prima. I know many, many people who spell cast and perform rituals Sky Clad (for all who don't understand this--clad with only the sky--naked). I am one of them. And it's not due to comfort, it's due to the fact that it spiritually brings me closer to nature and closer to the Goddess..without anything between me and her creations.

For those who are reading to learn, let me explain why C1 and I disagree (at least, why I think we disagree)

I said that it is more 'comfortable' There are two sides to this - physical comfort and spiritual comfort. Physically, it makes me more comfortable to be nude (or skyclad, since you now know what it means ) But spiritually, it is very uncomfortable for me. I'm a pretty self-concious person, and it distracts me from what I'm doing (hey, I'm workin on that! )

Also, nude rituals I think are more popular among those who have been practicing the Craft for a relatively long time. Few newer witches are comfortable doing so

But we still don't do them in sight of the neighbors!