I grew up in a christian family. Then I became an atheist, hating every spiritual and abnormal thing beyond what the eyes see. I personally don't understand "religion" or, labeling and following something others think. How such brilliant people can be brainwashed to some things. I read something about Wicca, and got very interested. The idea of loving the earth so much is really awesome to me. I agree and perfectly understand everything except the magi ck thing. Maybe it's because I've been an atheist for so long that I'm having a hard time getting to accept this, but I'm sort of afraid to start believing in anything. I'm afraid of being brainwashed, afraid of losing myself, and afraid of going down the wrong path. I see religions as a reason for life for some people. I can't imagine seeing it as something I would actually need, but I agree with the Wiccan stuff so much. It's just that the spells sound so ridiculous....even though when I think from the far point of view i makes perfect sense. I just need some help with the idea. There's no one I can talk to, because everyone I know are christian, besides a few who are atheists...bringing this subject up to either of these groups would be a pretty scary subject for them.
If spells and Wicca sound ridiculous, duh its because Charmed is fake and that's not Wicca.
Wicca is about a God and a Goddess and devotion to them. Now if you think there is real magic, you're stupid.
edit: So I made a typo, this idiot believes Wiccans shoot lightening out of their fingers. Big deal. a typo isn't even close to the same level of stupidity.
It is a disservice to any religion to try to explain it in the few paragraphs of a Y!A answer.
Here's some info on Wicca:
http://www.cuew.org/whatiswicca.html
http://wicca.timerift.net/wicca101/index.shtml
..and even though non-Wiccans and some silly newcomers like to claim Wicca is about spells, it's not, and few, if any, of the widely accepted books on Wicca include a concept of "spells." [and NONE of the older books include the word.]
Those that do include a concept of spells are using the word in a way unlike the traditional way...well, I assume. If I read a Wiccan book and it started going on about spells I'd probably throw it out.
Wicca is about the gods. They are the beginning and the end of our religion.
Okay, let's see if I can help out any...
Being Wiccan does Not Mean you have to practice magic, or do spells of any kind.
There are also many other Pagan belief systems (of which Wicca is only one) that do not practice spells or magic of Any Kind.
You can also check out Unitarian Universalism as a place to go to meet people of all sorts of spiritual beliefs without having to follow any particular spiritual creed or dogma.
Think of spells as simply a ritual that puts out energy into the universe. Quantum Physics tells us that all things are united on a sub-atomic level. So putting out energy for a particular goal simply sends signals along these unseen threads, if you will, and, hopefully, helps you to attend the goal you are looking for.
But, again, you don't have do perform a single 'spell', Ever, to consider yourself a Wiccan.
One of the key aspects of the Earth based religions is that most recognize that we are all on our own spiritual paths. What works for me might not be right for you. What is true for you may not be for me. Take what you will from Wicca, and if it doesn't meet your needs, there are other Earth based religions that you can study. It is your journey.
With that said, l will try to explain how I see "Magick" and why it works when it does, and why it doesn't when it doesn't. These principles are not unique to Wicca (I am not Wiccan), but can be seen in almost all religions under various names and guises.
The human mind is a lot like a piece of iron. In its ordinary state, the bar of iron does not attract other metals to itself, but if you magnetize it, other metals are attracted. The mind, in similar fashion, is non-attractive in its normal state, but can be "magnetized" in such a way that the person attracts that which the mind is focused on. Casting a spell is a mechanism used to focus the mind, aligning it with the subject of the spell. Christian prayer servers the same purpose, which is why intercessory prayer rarely works at a distance.
Keeping with the magnet analogy, certain migratory birds are sensitive to the lines of magnetic flux surrounding the Earth and use this sensitivity to help them navigate. Just as men were clueless as to why the lodestone pointed toward the North Star before magnetism was understood, it may be that a form of "flux" exists surrounding the Earth, and that by focusing the mind and aligning with this flux, the practitioner may be able to tap into energies, or perhaps even into a "cosmic consciousness." This, in turn, amplifies the mind's natural focus and manifests the result of the spell (or prayer).
Many of the practices of religion, Wiccan, Christian or otherwise, are hypnotic in nature, but typically mildly so. Whether Wiccan Magick or a Mormon Priesthood Blessing, they work through a mild hypnotic process of suggestion. When the practitioner is in the mildly hypnotic state, the mind aligns and the spell or blessing or prayer works; when the hypnotic state is not achieved, the process doesn't work. This is why most Christian religions place such emphasis on "faith." (If you don't believe it will work, your mind won't align and you'll be right.)
Hypnosis does not require you to surrender your rational mind or to give control of yourself to someone else. Hypnosis requires you to suspend the rational "guardian" processes of your conscious mind and accept the suggestions given, either by yourself or another, but you always have the ability to "break the trance" and return to a fully conscious state.
The "gods" worshiped by the various Earth based traditions and internalized representations of elements that the practitioner is focusing on. There is no claim that there is a real, incarnate "Green Man" or "Mother Gaia." One is free to choose ones own pantheon, or non at all. I happen to be partial to Dionysus, the god of wine and theater. And my family loves to do and Egg hunt for Ostara on the Spring Equinox and then an Easter egg hunt on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the equinox. (Trivial aside: Sunday was named for the Sun, worshiped by the Romans as a god until Constantine. Has little to do with Jesus of Nazareth as a holy day.)
Don't "start believing" in any religion. Instead, try it out and see if it fits you. Follow it while it does, then move on when it doesn't.
Part of Wicca is the understanding of Witchcraft. After all, the word Wicca means Witch. Witches understand the universe not just in terms of the tangible, but also of an intangible world that is separate from this one. Some call it the spirit world. Much like prominent Atheists like Richard Dawkins believe in alternate universes that they cannot see either. It's believed that the spirit world can be accessed by reaching ones "Higher Self" and that is the magical state of mind.
Magick, as defined by Aleister Crowley, is the art and science of creating change in conformity with Will. The WIll is the divine purpose that the universe (or Gods) have defined for you. Every action you do that creates change in your universe is a magical action. No matter how insignificant it is.
When you do a spell, for example, you are sending energy towards a cause. Suppose that cause is getting a job. Energy must be accompanied by action. Otherwise it will dissipate. So along with your spell, go fill out applications and send in your resume. The energy acts as a multiplier which will increase your chances of getting a job.
Magick isn't all about spells, the energy exists in every action, because every action is change.
This may or may not be the path for you. Wicca isn't' just about spells, they honor the Triple Goddess and Dual God as part of Nature.
If your interested in learning more about magi ck, check out this video. http://www.youtube.com/user/MagickTv#p/u/681/xF4DsggUcPc
Wicca is about more than loving the earth, and Wicca has nothing to do with spells. Also, believing or not believing in spells has nothing to do with being an atheist. Being an atheist just means you don't believe in gods...which is rather problematic here since Wicca is a polytheistic religion.
With all due respect, I'm afraid you don't quite "understand everything" about Wicca, because everything you mentioned above, relates to PAGANISM, *not* Wicca per SE.
There are many differences between Paganism (in general) and Wicca (in particular) -- You need to learn those differences.
About magic: Do you believe that having a positive attitude about things, generally makes life go better? That's pretty much what magic is about, basically.
Please do some more study in good, reliable sources, about *authentic* Wicca:
RESOURCES FOR WICCANS:
CoG - Covenant of the Goddess - http://www.cog.org
CoG is a national organization of (legally-recognized Wiccan "churches) - Wiccan covens, clergy and solitaries -- with local "councils" in many cities.
CoG provides general, basic information, links to resources and other organizations, Groups, Covens, teachers, High Priest(Essa)es, and much more.
2. Circle Sanctuary - http://www.circlesanctuary.org
Circle is a Pagan (not just Wiccan) Sanctuary, working farm, and learning center. It offers training, workshops, festivals, networking, and sponsors other organizations (notably, Lady Liberty League (http://www.ladylibertyleague.org) which offers support, resources, networking and advocacy for any Pagans experiencing religious persecution.
4. Witchvox - http://www.witchvox.com
Witchvox is a wonderful resource that offers general, basic information, referrals and links to local and regional resources on Pagan Classes, Groups, Organizations, Merchants, and more.
5. Wicca For the Rest of Us
- http://wicca.timerift.net/ -
One of the better Pagan internet sites; lots of good information, articles, resources, links, networking, etc.
4. ?Beginning Wicca? Yahoo Group -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BeginningWicca/
- One of the better Yahoo groups with several High Priests and Priestess members, so there are lots of good discussions and good information available in both the online discussions, and the Files section.
5. Religious Tolerance ? Pages on Wicca:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm
B. BOOKS:
1. Books And Authors To Avoid:
Silver Ravenwolf
Douglas Monroe's "21 Lessons of Merlin",
Kisma Stepanich, and Edain McCoy
3 . Good Book Resources On Wicca:
a. Ellen Cannon Reed's "The Heart of Wicca" --
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Wicca-Wise-Words-Crone/dp/1578631742
NOTE: This is the very first and major book i would reccomend!
b. Starhawk's "The Spiral Dance",
c. Janet and Stewart Farrar's "The Witches Bible" -
d. Ray Buckland's "Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft" ?
e. Gerald Gardner's "Witchcraft Today" and "The Meaning of Witchcraft"
Of course there are many, many other good books, and new ones coming out all the time -- These are what might be considered "classics".
I hope all of that is helpful --
Blessed Be - Gaia
LOL, your afraid of brainwash? YOU HAVE BEEN!!! The media is brainwashing you about magi ck, It is nothing like harry potter, you dint go around casting spells.
I think what you are looking for is druidism, Good religion, It doesn't have Magick, its an earth religion, and most of it can be proved by science.
I'd like to know more about Wicca?
