I mean no disrespect by this question.  Just curious why Wiccans talk in this unique style.
121796
"Merry Meet" is part of a saying popularized in rituals: "Merry Meet and Merry Part and Merry Meet again".\n\n"An it harm none" is a reference to our three-fold law, a cornerstone of our ethics: The idea is that what we do affects us physically, mentally and spiritually.  If we walk around punching people we may get hurt, we might get thrown in jail, it will hurt our friendships and stunt our spiritual growth.  The idea is that if we do things that help the world around us we will live in a better world.  It is in our best interests to do things that harm no one if at all possible; and we live with the consequences if we choose to ignore this.\n\nHope this helps :-)
112552
Absolutely! I am Wiccan, my mother is Roman Catholic, my dad is does not conform to any one religion but does believe in a higher power, my family-in-law-to-be is entirely LDS (Mormon), and I have friends of various Christian, Pagan, and personal faiths.\n\nI am able to talk openly and honestly with all of them, and them with me, because we do not judge each other on each other's faiths. We will often talk about it, but not to preach - to LEARN. We share views, ideas, philosophies, thoughts, etc. and help each other build faith in each other's beliefs by doing so.\n\nQuestioning your own faith, and even comparing it to others, is spiritually healthy. There are two outcomes: (1) you find flaws in your religion, and in learning about others, find one that makes more sense; (2) you are able to uphold your religion against any argument and/or skepticism and thus grow even more faithful (regardless of whether it convinces anyone else or not, and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter). Either way you are able to grow, flourish, and thrive spiritually.
389642
Nice to know there is another Wiccan on here nice to meet you or I guess I should say Blessed Be.    Well I found a pretty good site this site talks about the left hand path and such but is pretty good on why is devil worship about the gothic cant help you there Ok and for the goth here is one from religious tolerence.com  Well I hope this helps and Merry meet marry part and merry meet again.
502203
I was a Christian before and since practicing Wicca and was never told that it was taboo.  I know a lot of practicing Wiccan's that celebrate Christian practices (like holiday's for members of their families or whatever) and it isn't frowned upon.  The beauty of this religion is that it isn't filled with biased people....believe and worship whatever you feel comfortable with.
226384
there are more of us than most people would like to think. I think it's because we are less dramatic, less hypocritical and more open minded than most. Most wiccans seem more at peace and have not the need to criticize or convert so as a more accepting religion we tend to be over looked. I like to believe that perhaps they will understand in the next life or perhaps the one after that. I mean they will understand when the Gods want them to, or not whatever.
650739
Some Wiccans call themselves Witches, but not all Witches are Wiccans.  Witches are those who practice witchcraft, but not the evil type that most who are raised as Christian are told about.  Wiccans, at least, have very strict codes as to what we can use witchcraft for, and it's always best to do things the mundane way if possible.  Our strongest rule is that, no matter what we do, we can't harm anyone else, and we can't even harm ourselves, or we are going against our religion.\n\nNow, as to the sex in ceremonies.  I have never seen this happen, as I am a solitary Wiccan, but I have heard that the High Priestess and High Priest of a Wiccan coven can perform what is known as the Great Rite, on certain holy days.  They can choose to do it in private, but it's meant as a consecration, an acknowledgement of the importance of the act of procreation.  It is a positive, loving thing, not something lewd or obscene.  If the High Priestess and High Priest are not handfasted (married), or are handfasted to someone else, the simple act of sexual intimacy with the person they are committed to (or someone they are attracted to, if they're not handfasted at all) suffices as that acknowledgement.\n\nI hope that this helped clear up any questions that you had.  If you have any more, feel free to contact me. \n\nBlessed be!
497698
first of all wiccans believe that harm none is kind of an universal law.  most believe that whatever you send out is returned  three fold, so they would never do something like that.\n\nmost pagans (not all pagans follow wicca) believe pretty much the same thing.  the earth religions would never desecrate someone else's sacred space.\n\nit sounds to me like it was someone that enjoys vandalism, and they probably wanted to make you think pagan.\n\ni'm pagan, but my daughter is catholic.  she has respect for other religions and so do i.\n\nwhere did you read that story?  (update #2)\nyour main question was wiccans/pagans: why would someone do this?  it kind of sounds like you wanted to know why wiccans/pagans would do that.  \nmaybe you didn't mean it like that.  i didn't take it personally, but you should understand why some people would.
5372
As a wiccan practioner we are taught that it is because we do not rely on the Gods or Godess to do things for us. We do it ourselves through magic. We ask for their help and strength but we do not rely on them for everything. Also it is viewed as the devils work because magic is involved and alot of times at night. If something went wrong in the community they could blame it on "witches" since they preformed magic.
35853
I feel like someone has to represent a pagan/neo-pagan/wiccan voice, since we're so left out of the ususal discourse.  There are a lot of weird myths about witchcraft on yahoo answers that I try to answer, I like to think I'm educating people about something they may know nothing about.  Some people are looking for a path, and I would like them to know that Neo-paganism is real and open to them, even if they don't choose it.\n\nAlso, I feel really good about where I am spiritually, so I like to take advantage of that and pass a little on to others.  \n\nI also, on occasion, like to play poke the fundie.  I know it's kinda rude, but damn, there are some crazy people here, and sometimes it is fun to antagonize them and sit back and laugh.
603797
Well, I've heard it so many many times that I've grown accustomed to it. I even doubt anyone who says it is serious anymore.\n\nBut you know what, Christians invented the word "witchcraft" to demonize Old Religions so that people would follow Christianity only. It didn't work, obviously, but since they invented it, it can mean whatever the heck they want it to mean.\n\nI consider myself a Witch, though, and I have walked into churches and God has decided that He isn't bothered by my being in His home, and I have suffered no misfortune trying to attend mass or touching the cross or anything. So it's OK with God and I don't care what any churchman has to say because their dying and suffering internally so much to me is a sign that God is mad at them for picturing Him as a jealous monster who sees everyone as a slaves.\n\nSunlight DOES make me dizzy, though.
403743
People always fear what they don't understand and most people know nothing of Wiccans. In addition, the majority of people associate witchcraft with evil, as portrayed in many films, ie., something/someone working against God, and children's fairy stories are full of 'wicked witches', so it's something we learn in childhood.
52982
"Spirits of the Fire,\nCome to us,\nWe will kindle the Fire.\nSpirits of the Fire,\nCome to us,\nWe will kindle the Fire.\nWe will kindle the Fire,\nan Dance the Magick Circle Round.\nWe will kindle the Fire,\nWe will kindle the Fire."\n\nThis is actually a Wiccan Fire Chant,\nand is not meant to be used without fulfilling the words.\nThus, please only use this if you intend to Cast a Magick or Ritual Circle or if you at least plan to Dance around the Fire a bit and give an offering to the invited Fire Spirits (nearly any food-stuffs set ablaze are \nconsidered appropriate).\nPlease use it reverently, or do not use it at all.\nMany Blessings,\n             Lady Ament
313453
Because of sin. Alot of people use the "talk" to cover up the way that they really live.\n\nMy dad always says..."It's not how high you can jump...but it's how straight you walk when you land that matters." Or in this case...it's not how loud you can talk but how straight you can walk.
273272
Well since you're a Christian, here's what one Christian website respectfully says about Wicca.\n\nhttp://www.allabouttheoccult.org/wicca-spells.htm\n\nWicca Spells - What is Wicca?\nWhat is Wicca and what are Wicca spells? While it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs, the Wicca religion, as it is practiced now, is only about 50-years-old. Wicca is a belief system cobbled together in the 1940's and 1950's by Gerald Gardner from a variety of religious traditions and beliefs as well as Freemason rituals. Since Gardner published several books espousing his system of worship, many offshoots and variations of Wicca have sprung up. \n\nThere is no particular agreement between Wiccans, or "wise ones" concerning what they believe and worship. Some worship the "Goddess," some worship the "God," and some worship both. Others worship nature. Some Wiccans say they embrace Christian doctrine, while others reject it. Most promoters of Wicca believe in reincarnation. \n\nOne thing most Wiccans agree on is the fact that Satan is not a part of their pantheon and they vehemently deny Satan-worship as one of their practices. This is because they disavow the notion of moral absolutes. There is no such thing as good or evil, because it is all relative. Wiccans have only one law that they bind themselves to, called "The Rede." It simply states, "Do what ye will, harm ye none." In other words: "Do what ever you want to as long as no one gets hurt." The Three-fold Law governs consequences, and is a law of returns that states, "All good that a person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three-fold." \n\nWicca Spells - Mind Control\nWhat about Wicca spells? Not all Wiccans practice witchcraft (which they call "magick" to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians). Magick is to Wicca what prayer is to Christianity. Wiccans claim that the practice of magick is simply using their minds to control matter, while Christians call upon God to heal people and to intervene and work in their lives. Because the Rede forbids harming others and the Three-fold Law sets forth consequences for those who do, Wiccans view themselves as "white witches" or "nature witches." \n\nWicca is basically a religion that is about minding your own business and living peaceably with your neighbors and environment. Wiccans are eager to draw parallels between themselves and biblical Christianity for the sake of earning credibility, but what does the Bible have to say about this religion? You won't find the word "wicca" in the Bible, so let's evaluate the beliefs in light of what God says about them. \n\nWicca spells are idolism - Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things, rather than the Creator…" Who wants to settle for second best? In Isaiah 40, God paints a very cool picture of how much greater the Creator is than His creation. If you are worshipping anything besides the Creator, you are just spinning your wheels.\n\n\nWicca spells bring false hope - Hebrews 9:27 says, "…Man is destined to die once, after that, to face judgment." God says we get one chance at life, and that is it. There are no do-overs. If we don't accept God's gift of Jesus in our lifetime, He judges us as unwilling to be in His presence, and we are sent to Hell. \n\n\nWicca spells bring disillusionment - Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men". God is God, and we are not. We have a decision to make. Are we going to take God at His word and adopt His worldview, or not? Knowing God is hard work that takes a lot of discipline. Wicca is a religion that takes a pack of lies, ties it in a romantic ribbon, and searches out a well-intentioned, but lazy and gullible mark to sell its hollo
93253
First of all, it's nice to hear from Christians that you should respect another's faith.  Secondly, to hear from some of you that your way was is the TRUTH, is nothing new to me.  I understand it is how your faith operates.  Also, I just wanted to point out being brainwashed must involve a collective group of people who believe exactly the same thing.  This is not what you will find in the Wiccan faith.  As 100 Wiccans who or what is "GOD" and you will get 100 different answers.\n\nNow for the real question at hand.  I am distressed to hear that one from our faith of respect and tolerance is trying to "convert" you.  Obviously this person has not done much reading on the actual basic principals of Wicca.  One of these being that we do not convert, we only educate when asked.  This faith is one, which should be sought out and found.  To offer it up freely would be an insult to those who really wish to spend time deciding for themselves where their spiritual path takes them.\n\nAs for how to deal with this, I feel you should be blunt.  Tell her that you are not interested in participating in any rituals with her.  If this is all she has to offer in your time together then apparently you two don't have much in common.  You don't have to be rude, but don't beat around the bush either.  Make it clear what your intentions are as friends.  If one day you decide to walk in this path then you already have a point of contact.\n\nI would like to also say, that I am sorry some of the people who have posted answer have not been very supportive.  No matter what you decide to believe, always know that not one person has the right to make or persuade you to believe otherwise.
550694
FAQ's of Witchcraft \n\nWhat is Witchcraft? Who are these Witches anyway?\nA practitioner of a nature-based belief system or religion. Not all Witches follow the same belief system. Some practice what is called the "old religion" which has its roots in pagan pre-monotheistic folk ways and beliefs and usually follows the seasonal cycles. These belief systems or "traditions" of Witches are often based upon the particular culture from whence they originated. Many Witches believe in a polytheistic deity structure (usually based upon the local gods and goddesses of the area of origin), but some simply practice magick (sometimes spelled with a 'k' to differentiate it from stage magic). Witches may practice alone as 'solitaries" or in covens. There are also family groups or traditions which trace their practices and beliefs within the same close group throughout several generations.\n\nTraditional Wicca:\nA modern form of Witchcraft is called "Wicca." Traditional Wicca is based on the teachings of Gerald Gardner, is coven based and each coven can trace its lineage (line of teaching passed on by initiated Traditional priests and priestesses) back to Gardner himself. There are offshoots of Gardnerian Traditional Wicca such as Alexandrian Wicca, Georgian Wicca and many others. Traditional Wiccans are considered a 'mystery' religion, require initiation by the coven and have a "degree system" or different levels of rank based upon coven training and the readiness of the initiate to accept the duties and responsibilities of that degree. They have a core of inner knowledge-often called the "Book of Shadows"-which is known only to initiated Wiccans. Most Traditional Wiccans believe in the balance of male-female divinity. Traditional Wiccans are seldom solitary except for those 'Elders'-usually former priests and priestesses-who may have retired from active coven involvement.\n\nOther Forms of Wicca:\nA newer form of Wicca has developed since the 1970's which is looser in structure and practice than the Traditional Wicca. These practitioners may follow a mixture of various or "eclectic' pagan and/or non-pagan beliefs. Some have formed 'traditions' or covens of their own, with or without a degree system, and have written a "book of shadows" outlining their own belief system and coven structure. Many are solitary practitioners who practice their beliefs and formulate their rituals in their own way.\n\nPagans:\nSince the terms Witch and Wiccan are often mistakenly interchanged, many simply call themselves "pagans" or Neo-pagans" when talking with others who may not be familiar with the complexity of the different belief systems. But just as not all Christians are Lutheran or Catholic, so not all pagans are Witches or Wiccan. Neo-paganism is a term used most often to describe people who follow an earth-based belief system or religion. Druids and the Norse tradition of Asatru (who tend to prefer the term 'heathen") are considered to be pagan belief systems, but their adherents are neither Witches nor Wiccans. Neo-paganism should also not be confused with the "New Age" movement as pagans are almost exclusively involved in distinctive nature religions or earth-based practices while New Age spirituality draws from many sources and esoteric spiritual techniques.\n\nQ: Are you a good Witch or a bad Witch?\nA: When you ask if someone is a "good" Witch or a "bad" Witch, it is the same as asking someone if they are a "good" Presbyterian or a "bad" Presbyterian. Wiccans adhere to the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will." Witches, Druids and other pagan belief systems and religions have their own ethical standards. There are good and bad people in every society and in every religion. When a person breaks the laws of society or the tenets of their religion,
31992
I am Christian and I don't practice magic, but am interested. I do know that this is the holiday which follows the Roman celebration of Winter Solstice, where the days are getting longer and the sun is returning from battle with darkness (so goes the mythology). I have not read much about Imbolgc, though, except that is something about the celebration of the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. I'll read up more on it. I have a question for you. Have you ever been able to achieve anything with your practice? I've never run into anyone who actually practiced anything other than Wicca, and I'm curious. I'm not actually interested in learning it, just in learning about it and what you've actually been able to do. And is this more than just a fun thing for you. Is it a spirituality of sorts for you? I'm learning about several belief backgrounds and I'd like to learn something from you. I do know a little about alot of religions, but not pagan traditions.