Witchcraft Exposed (Part 1) was my first real attempt at writing a book. Being somewhat controlled by a natural fear of what I had been told was ‘evil’, I proceeded with the sort of caution that any child might have done, in response to similar cautionary words express by a concerned parent. However, my childhood grooming was in part the product of 11 years of parental guidance, teacher’s wisdom and the voice of my peers; followed by the deceptive whispers of the wayward wind and then the thundering voice of the mainstream conservative religion. Perhaps if I had heeded the words of the French Physicist Marie Curie “Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood”, I might have spared myself the humiliation of being criticized for what I did not yet understand. Of course once my own fears had been allayed, I began a careful re-examination of the subject. (one which is considerably more vast that my existing beggarly scrap!)
At first I naively forced my opinion upon the regulars at apologetics.com but eventually joined The Celtic Connection where I was granted some first hand information. Yet it would take a few more years and a journey to England, to re-awaken my interest in getting to the heart of the matter.
Slightly over a year before I left for England, I joined Theology Web Campus and coupled with what I was reading at ‘The Celtic Connection’ and the responses of some of the members, it became obvious to me that I needed to begin re-examining the subject in greater detail. Prior to requesting a ‘banning’ (refer: Forum Addiction ) I left the following post in the ‘World Religions Dept’:
What’s it all about?
Some years ago, I wrote a book about ‘Witchcraft’. That was before Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia, and so I pretty much read what I had in my book shelf, and what I could get from the Internet, and then did my very best.
Around about the same time, I met a Wiccan, and as we sat outside with a marvellous view of the ocean below us, we eventually got around to talking about our very different beliefs. I discovered that my ideas about Wicca and Witchcraft were seriously flawed, and visa versa.
As I have set myself the task of re-writing the book, I was wondering if anyone would be interested in directing me to a book, which you believe best explains a) Witchcraft, and b) the Wiccan Religion, or both.
Or, of course, you can just break it down, over as many comments as you deem necessary. (keep in mind the forum rules about the limit to the length of quotes, etcetera.)
From: Witchcraft ‘n Wicca @ Wicca , Neo-pagan Religions – World Religions Dept. - Forum – Theology Web Campus
But what is it all about?
Over the next few days I am going to present you with some of ideas expressed by those at apologetics.com , wicca.com and theology web campus. So hang on tightly, for this might completely change the way you think about Witchcraft ‘n Wicca.
According to apologetics.com
Before I settled down to reading some of the books that are looking at me from the shelf, I thought I’d quickly scan some of the old discussions at Apologetics ‘Discuss’ and just a light read of some of my rubbish ( six year old trashy posts – when I was a thoroughbred King James Onlyist and a wooly-headed-conspiracy-theorist-jerk ) gave me cause to post up a post titled: ‘SAINTS, SPIRITS, MEDIUMS AND SORCERY?’ (Basically asking if it was really all right for us to be asking for help from those who are dead) I know it’s a discussion on a forum, but I really could not let go of this one. I think it’s really relevant to this reexamination of ‘Witchcraft’, but I shall take a back seat and see if anything comes of it. If not, I shall do my own reading and research. Probably what I should have done in the first place. Oh humbug!
Update: It’s turning out to be a really blessed discussion, as we began considering Jesus’ words in John 14.
According to theologyweb.com
Thinking back through all the discussions I had on related subjects, there is nothing that compares with what you will find in the first few posts/the last page/page 4 (circa. 2005) to this forum (Wicca | Neo-pagan Religions) I see my old pal Technomage (what was his first alias ‘Silent Runnings’ ?) dedicated considerable time and effort to explaining his beliefs.
Though there were some really excellent topics unpacked by SR (Technomage), with regard to his understanding of Wicca on pg. 3, I am definitely going to read his thread titled: Ask A Wiccan!
According to wicca.com
From the beginning I was very upfront about my reasons for being on TCC Forums and as a result I found them to be very friendly but cautious because of trolls.
After a quick introduction I visited the Arts, Literature and Music forum and then opened up a post which generated more than enough information on the subject of Wicca ‘n Witchcraft.I asked three questions.
Is Wicca a religion with a set creed ?
If no, what is consistenly believed among Wiccans ?
If yes, what is the creed ?
What follows is only a summary of the responses and replies to my questions, as the forum is for members only.(Private)
Though I am not going to go into the details of our friendly discussion, I am happy to share my list of 9 possible topics which I gleaned from our discussion, topics which I think might be helpful in understanding Wicca.
1. Wiccan Belief.
2. Wiccan Principle.
3. Working Tool Association.
4. Working Tool Use.
5. Magical Responsibility.6. Wiccan Rede.
a. It’s Meaning
b. Basic Practical Guidelines.7. The Personal Self-Dedication Rite.
8. Details of the further training.
9. A description of the three degrees.Apart from a colossal list of books that I was referred to, it was indicated that I “seek” for “Wicca is a seeking religion.” I was also informed that there were three books that might be helpful in giving me a better understanding of ‘Wicca’
1. “A Witches’ Bible” by Janet & Stewart Farrar
2. “Drawing Down The Moon” by Margot Adler
3. “Wicca” – A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (Includes Author’s Book of Shadows)There was also mention of Raymond Buckland’s “Complete Book of Witchcraft” and a general consensus that ‘Wicca’ was started by Gerald Gardener in the early nineteen fifties. (I’ll try to add more details about this and others in subsequent linked posts.) I’m hoping to start separate posts, discussing each of the 9 topics.(above)
In the meantime the video series “Witches”, might suffice.
More of the same here: Janet Farrar
Now to the business of “seeking”
I think I shall begin reading Scott Cunningham’s book and see how I get along.
I had a look at some of the discussions I had with the gang at Pagan & Christian Moot, but I’m not really sure if there is any connection between this (Wicca ‘n Witchcraft) and ‘Shamanic Journeying’, ‘Shamans’, or the thoughts of a folklorist by the name of ‘Joseph Campbell’.
I’ve still got to collate the details of a few discussions which I had with the members of Apologetics ‘Discuss’, but it’s going to have to wait for I have begun reading a very tasty tome by a fabulous Chinese author.
Update: 17 March 2011
During the discussion (referred to above: Saints, Spirits, Mediums and Sorcery) on Apologetics Discuss, two of the long time members of the http://www.apologetics.com responded powerfully and in particular a very interesting question which jolted my memory:
Richard Epler wrote:
If 7 billion people were all praying to God the Father at the same time, I’m confident that He not only hears me, but that He will answer my prayer according to my need and my good in all things – but primarily with the desired end result in mind and not necessarily what I have in mind at the moment. Only He knows the ‘big picture’, and don’t we have to trust in His grace, mercy and goodness in the end? He said we can’t even imagine what good is in store for those who believe Him and trust their lives and souls to Him by abiding in the Lord and His words of life.
Soundsurfr wrote:
If only God knows the big picture, and God is going to create the “desired end result” whether we know it or not, then what’s the point of praying?
windchimes [that's me] wrote:
The point of praying, or rather praying ‘according to the will of God’ would be an attitude where we do not seek to impose our will upon the will of God or for that matter upon any other. Such a state of being (body, mind, soul and spirit) would be tantamount to an attempt to usurp the will of God (no matter how stupid such a state is) and quite simply disobedience. Then it matters not whether one is a wiccan, witch, priest or a King of Israel for that matter, for it is something we are all capable of being, should we be bold (stupid, amorous? ) enough to think that we should be able to manipulate the will of God under the guidance of our will and not [ approach God reverently ] by that of the Spirit of God which has been given to us, to be in us.
My apologies for the volley of words, but I was at prayer this morning and your thoughts came to mind. I trust that what I have attempted to say will not be lost in my verbal verbosity.
I thought I might add that I was attempting to explain something that I had heard once in a sermon some years ago. It was on the subject of Witchcraft in the Church by the late Derek Prince, the introduction reads as follows:
‘The dictionary defines witchcraft as “the art or exercise of magical powers, the effect or influence of magical powers, or an alluring or seductive charm or influence.” God’s Word goes even further to identify witchcraft as the universal, primeval religion of fallen humanity. When the human race turned from God in rebellion, the power that moved in was witchcraft. Different people groups practice distinctive forms of witchcraft, but certain elements are common to almost all of them.’ ( to read more )
Here is a link to the p.d.f : The Seeking of Control
Quite strong medicine but he certainly had enough dealings with the darkness to be able to describe this phenomena. I daresay there are those who are not as forceful in their practices but then his concern was the presence of such a thing among Christians.
I hope this is not too confusing but I am happy to rest on this one for a while.
This post continues on ‘Wicca ‘n Witchcraft – The Lighter Side’Thanks again.
Peace,
Eric J. Sawyer
