Wicca is real, it is an amalgam Ir European Folklore & Masonic/ Golden Dawn ritual structure. It was put to ether by a civil servant named Gerald Gardner.
a link to garnering book of shadows
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/gbos/index.htm
further information on G.B. Gardner
http://www.geraldgardner.com/
Wiccan's practice Wicca, which usually includes some form of witchcraft ( usually ligature or some anther form of group energy raising) in a coven setting. There are also people who practice on their own known as Solitaries. They can incorporate many different methods of witchcraft into their practice, including candle magic, soggily craft, herbal magic, kitchen witchery etc... here is a link to the sacred texts archive for wicca & neo-paganism
http://www.sacred-texts.com/pag/index.htm
another online book of shadows
http://www.electricwitch.com/
The best way to discover if wicca is for you is to read a few intro books, see if the philosphy jibes with yours. These are avaliable at any barnes & noble or borders or other large bookstore chain in the "new age " section, or you can search amazon for authors like Scott Cunningham, Silver Ravenwolf, Or Ray Buckland... each one of those authors has a series of books out suited to learning the basics, and each is (or was ...RIP Scott Cunningham) a vetted traditionally trained wiccan...(don't believe me? check here)
http://beaufort.bravepages.com/
your next step is to go out & meet members of the community you can find them here
http://www.witchvox.com/xvn.html
you can find open circles, seasonal rituals and religious observances, book clubs, meet & greets, "coffee nights" "wic-nics" etc. go out & see if you can find some people you jibe with.
Aas far as witchcraft & magic...
In order to do successful spell work, you have to master a few basic techniques, like grounding & centering learn about it here...
http://www.robinwood.com/livingtreegrove...
Next you need to have a working knowledge of the witches? pyramid & how it works learn about it here
http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/amethyst...
Next you need to understand and practice energy raising & direction there are several methods in which this can be accomplished, through chanting, drumming, ecstatic dancing etc... Spells do not work if they are not empowered by your energy.
next you need to understand the elements of ritual construction, spell work is done in sacred space, if you don?t know how to make sacred space you should not attempt spell work
Next you have to understand all of the ethical considerations in performing magic, and decide on the paradigm in which you will be working... for example wiccan ethics include a "harm none? clause in their spell work. Not all paths include this caveat, but be aware just because you are not wiccan and don't "follow the rede" that there won't be consequences for your actions. Anyone with a working knowledge of magic & how it works understands the "ripple effect" or reciprocity.
Then you need to learn about planetary hours, moon phases, timing on the wheel of the year, correspondences of herbs, stones, candles, colors, poppets, runes, sigils, tarot cards, or whatever "props" you wish to include in your spell work.
once you have these techniques/concepts down, you will be likely to have marginal sucess in you magical endevours
Don?t forget to journal your lessons, and attempts, so that you can learn from your mistakes
if it sounds like alot of work..that is because it is. Best of Luck to you Seeker.
Having practiced Wicca for a while, I've come to believe the ritual aspects of witchcraft are a powerful form of self-hypnosis, just like chanting, drumming, and (yes, I'm gonna say it) prayer. It's all symbols and archetypes that tap into the subconscious.
It is real and widely practiced, not only in this country. WNW.witchvox.com is a great source for articles because they are written by practicing vicunas. From them you get views from people who are involved and know from personal experience what they are saying, rather than propaganda from people who have little or no experience with the subject. There are many other great sites as well. If you ever check out WNW.associatedcontent.com, one of their content producers, Gareth Jacobsen, is actually a Wiccan High Priest. That site also has quite a few articles on the subject, but some are written by people who clearly have had limited experience. If you are looking for books, Scott Cunningham is a very highly respected author in the field. Good luck!
While I am convinced there is a lot going on in terms of things or energies that humans normally can't perceive (we can call it Spirit energy for the moment), I also think the mind can fool itself into believing it has special powers, connections, or other gifts, especially when ego is involved. Any belief is real in that it becomes operational in ones life. The same applies to Wicca. But how much is based on self-deception, and how much is based on real, mystical power of some kind, I couldn't say.
For those people pushing god on her for her question. A typical Wicca ceremony works almost exactly like the moder in day christian church. Only differences (from a basic ceremony), there is a man AND a woman leading, they bless the elements (Earth, Air Fire, Water, Spirit), rather than spirits. They use water not wine (a touch of salt added to purify) and they share bread.
Do you think wicca or witchcraft is real or fake????
