Twenty Things

Twenty things I've learned about Wicca

1. It's history and traditions are far from what you are told and led to understand as a child. There is no satan worshiping and Wiccan Witchcraft is never about hurting anyone.
2. There are infinite interpretations of the craft, and it is even acceptable for a witch to draw from other religions.
3. Wicca is about duality; good and evil, male and female, day and night
4. There is energy and spirit in everything
5. Everyone, not just the Wiccan, is affected by the energy around them, which is particularly noticeable during the full moon.
6. Certain religions, such as Christianity, have drawn from Pagan beliefs and used them to their advantage so as to make their religion more prevalent or to force their beliefs unto others. Whereas Wiccans don't believe in proselytizing.
7. Wiccans believe in a threefold karma. Whatever you do, good or bad, will come back to you
8. Meditation and focus are very important, still very difficult for me, personally, to achieve.
9. Witches assume the roles of protectors, and are responsible for making sure those without voices are heard. Many witches are vegan or vegetarian, and all believe in caring for the Earth.
10. Esbats and Sabbats revolve around celestial events, the solstices and the equinoxes. The wheel of the year is a never ending cycle or birth, growth, death and rebirth.
11. Time of day/month is important not only in magick, but in self exploration. The time of birth will predetermine much of a person's character.
12. After death, a spirit will continue in the world where it will either return into the life of another or stick around to be a guardian or spirit guide to another.
13. The most important line of the Rede of the Wiccae is "an it harm not, do what you will" and it sums everything up.
14. There are numerous traditions, all unique to the other
15. There's much to be understood about your current situation, just by looking at what's around you
16. Colors may hold personal connections for an individual, but they also have other universal qualities
17. No magick should be done for another without asking their permission
18. Animals are considered to live lives of perfect love and perfect trust, thus being allowed to move freely through magick circles
19. There is a difference between magic and magick. One is reserved for people like Chris Angel
20. A male witch is not called a warlock. A warlock is a witch that has broken an oath and thus been ostracized from the community. times three.

Twenty Things I Want To Learn About Wicca

1. Working with and combining pantheons
2. Using runes
3. Meditative healing, balance through healing
4. When it is and is not appropriate to do magickal work for mundane things, how to incorporate magick into daily life
5. Doing quick magick. Other religions can say a quick prayer for perform a simple act in honor of their religion. Witchcraft, however, seems like much more needs to be done in a process or in the right conditions.
6. I don't quite understand whether or not a circle must be cast for everything. For my Yule festivities, do I need a circle or do I celebrate the evening throughout my entire home? What about kitchen magick, do you put a circle in the kitchen? Do I have to draw up a circle for every spell I cast? Or only in ritual?
7. What can a solitary do to be recognized in the community?
8. How do you know when all other options have been exhausted and its time to turn to magick?
9. How can I talk to the spirits and energies around me? Can I ask them for their help for small things? Like helping me rid a headache at work?
10. Can I address the Lord and Lady outside of a circle? I've come to understand you don't ask them for things, but what about if I need guidance or support, or if I wish to ask for care to be shown to the animals I see killed on the side of the road when it's unsafe and there isn't the time for pulling over. Once again, if I were to pull over, need I cast a circle to say a blessing?
11. What are the consequences of using a magickal tool for mundane uses, or temporarily using a mundane item for magickal purposes?
12. Making magickal potions and making talismans, amulets, and charms.
13. Can I bless and put energy into things to be used for mundane purposes? When does it get to be too much, and no longer special? Can I bless every meal and put energy into every dish?
14. Couldn't it be seen as disrespectful to tell nature through spell to or not to do something? Should nature be allowed to take its course?
15. Using stones and crystals
16. Understanding astrology and determining each days planetary order
17. Ways to defend Wicca, calmly, to skeptical people
18. Accepting or justifying certain lifestyle choices I've made for health, comfort and enjoyment, that may not embody Wiccan principles in their entirety but that help me to live an easier life.
19. Not only a Wiccan issue, I want to be able to grow and nurture a plant without killing it.
20. How to be a better person.