Wiccans are Pagans. Pagans aren't always Wiccans...
... but, Wiccans aren't like that. They're not flake, most aren't druggies (there are Christians who are druggies), some may be lazy (then again, isn't everybody?), and they are Happy-ish.
They worship the Goddess and God, aka the Lady and Lord.
They exclude nobody.
They stand for being open about yourself and personal empowerment.
They have a rule that says, "An ye harm none, do what ye will"
and another rule called the Three Fold Law, which means whatever you do will come back at you three times.
Many... if not not all... Wiccans are peaceful people who are rather nice.
Thats a very open question. Wicca has as much variety as christian religions, or most others out there. The basics are reverence for nature, some go a specific mother goddess idea, while some include the male side of nature as well. Someone involved more deeply should be able to pop in here and give details about their personal faith and versions. Thats about as deep as I personally can give. Heres to looking for more detail.
Wiccans worship the Lord and Lady (God and Goddess),They have a love and respect for nature and often practice magi ck. One of their rules is: "an ye harm none, do as thou will". They also have a Threefold Law, which means that whatever you do will come back three times.
One of the women that I date on and off is a Wiccan. The first time she told me, I was a little surprised. So, I did some research and it really isn't anything weird. In a lot of ways, it could be compared to Native American Shamanism. They celebrate nature, the changing of the seasons, the male and female gods. They do perform spells, but almost always for the good of others. Not all are part of covens, some practice on their own, like my friend that I mentioned. Hope that helps.
Here's a good website for information: http://witchvox.com
While I am not Wiccan, I am Pagan, and many of my friends are Wiccan as well. They all have jobs and are currently pursuing higher education and have jobs. None of them do drugs, and only one that I know smokes cigarettes, which the rest of us think is gross!
There are 8 holidays throughout the year, 2 equinoxes, 2 solstices, and holidays between those solar times. Celebrations are with friends and family, or by oneself. A circle is cast, the elements are invoked, cakes and ail are shared, and there is usually dancing.
No one who is earnestly interested is excluded. As I stated, I am not Wiccan, but I have been invited to celebrations. A friend of mine who isn't any type of religion has gone too. The Wiccans I know are very welcoming, and will share time and knowledge with anyone.
Wiccans revere the Goddess and God, and they follow the Wiccan Rede.
They worship the Sun-god (Nimrod), and the Moon-goddess(Samestra), and the Morning-Star-god(Tammuz). Nimrod founded the Assyrian empire, the Chaldean religion, was the FIRST deified human after the flood. Samestra, his Queen, and Tammuz the son of Samestra.
Well your ex either was hanging out with the wrong ones or he has something against them personally. Wiccans in general aren't like that. You'll get some flakes, but you get those in every religion. Most Wiccans are going to be down to earth.
They worship a God and a Goddess and revere nature and the cycles of the seasons. They do so in rituals honoring the solstices, equinoxes, and the full moons. They believe in the unity of all things and the interconnectedness of all beings.
I can't think of any reasons why they would exclude anyone except in cases where the person was abusing what they are learning in the path or just generally making the rest of the coven uncomfortable with his or her presence. Rituals are a very intimate, very serious setting...a coven is like ones family. One person making other people uncomfortable can make an entire ritual uncomfortable and upset the energy of a celebration or working.
Some Wiccans choose not to be in covens though, preferring to worship alone. They are known as solitaries.
If you want to find out more I suggest checking out http://wicca.timerift.net
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfs bane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magi ck to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magi ck rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
Adriana Porter and Lady Gwen Thompson
******
Witches' Creed
This is another wonderful piece of poetry written by Doreen Valiente The Witches' Creed was published in Ms. Valiente's Witchcraft For Tomorrow.
Hear Now the words of the witches,
The secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destiny's pathway,
That now we bring forth into light
Mysterious water and fire,
The earth and the wide-ranging air,
By hidden quintessence we know them,
And will and keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all nature,
The passing of winter and spring,
We share with the life universal,
Rejoice in the magical ring.
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat
Returns, and the witches are seen
At Lammas and Candlemas dancing,
On May Eve and old Hallowe'en.
When daytime and nighttime are equal,
When sun is at greatest and least,
The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned,
And Witches gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are,
Thirteen is the coven's array.
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry,
For each golden year and a day.
The power that was passed down the age,
Each time between woman and man,
Each century unto the other,
Ere time and the ages began.
When drawn is the magical circle,
By sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies,
In land of the shades for that hour.
This world has no right then to know it,
And world of beyond will tell naught.
The oldest of Gods are invoked there,
The Great Work of magic is wrought.
For the two are mystical pillars,
That stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of nature,
The forms and the forces divine.
The dark and the light in succession,
The opposites each unto each,
Shown forth as a God and a Goddess:
Of this our ancestors teach.
By night he's the wild wind's rider,
The Horn'd One, the Lord of the Shades.
By day he's the King of the Woodland,
The dweller in green forest glades.
She is youthful or old as she pleases,
She sails the torn clouds in her barque,
The bright silver lady of midnight,
The crone who weaves spells in the dark.
The master and mistress of magic,
That dwell in the deeps of the mind,
Immortal and ever-renewing,
With power to free or to bind.
So drink the good wine to the Old Gods,
And Dance and make love in their praise,
Till Elphame's fair land shall receive us
In peace at the end of our days.
And Do What You Will be the challenge,
So be it Love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment.
By Magic of old, be it done!
Wicca is an Earth-based religion that worships the forgotten Gods and Goddesses and the Elements Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Wicca is not evil in any way! We believe in the three-fold law which is to harm none and what you give comes back on you three times good or bad. Our spells are like Christian prayers only using nature as our guide. I am Wiccan so I definitely have personal experience.
vicunas don't really worship anything we hold reference to for we are a part of
Wicca is about becoming closer to ____ insert godhead name here. each Wicca be leaves something in a differ ant way from the rest like all people the difference is we don't run each other through or start shooting over that. well some may we do have fun die wackos like everyone else . on the whole though we are governed by a few simple rules and we each take our own counsel on them
3 by 3 what you comes back times three or more be it good or ill
basically karma will be with you
if it harm none do what thou wilt. to me this mans do what you feel is right so long as it harm no one Evan yourself
all god on god all goddesses on goddess and the god and goddess are one
in other words we all worship the same being no matter the way it presents its self to each person . we all be the same the word images and faces differ but we are brother and sisters
You've asked a very expansive question and I will try to answer as best I can.
First, I can assure you that not all Wiccans are like the lazy doped-up hippies you described. Many of us are responsible, hard working members of society.
Wiccans worship a God and a Goddess. They are the twin energies of the universe. Some Wiccans are polytheistic and worship God and Goddess as different, usually ancient, gods and goddesses. Some Wiccans may be monotheistic and worship God and Goddess in a combined form often called The One or The All.
How we worship has many answers. Some Wiccans worship alone or in groups. If they worship in groups there may be specific rituals or prayers that the group uses as a whole to worship. Wiccans who worship alone often create their own rituals and prayers. There are a huge amount of traditions (denominations) in Wicca so that definitely has an influence on worship as well.
Wiccans, as individuals, generally don't exclude others. However, sometimes groups of Wiccans (often called covens) will for certain reasons. Many groups follow a specific tradition so anyone who wants to join must practice the same tradition as the group. There are also some covens that are made up of only women, or only men, or only heterosexuals, or only homosexuals, etc. This often has to do with their general practices or the tradition they belong to.
As for what we stand for, that question has as many answers as there are Wiccans. Generally Wiccans try to live in harmony with the world around them and try to cause as little harm as possible. Many stand up for other's rights and try to make the world a more peaceful place to live in.
I know I can't possibly answer all the questions you may have on the subject. If you're interested in learning more, I highly recomend the website http://wicca.timerift.net It's a great source of information on Wicca.
What is Wicca about ?
