The DeGRAFF FREE
State Route 235/
Phone: (937) 585-4463
James R. Roby, Pastor
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WICCA THE RELIGION OF THE DAMNED |
by
Richard A. Ciarrocca
THE
Word of God makes its abundantly clear that the
worship of any deity other than the God of the Bible is to be abhorred, and
that those who do worship false gods will have their place in the
Given the prominence of the
New Age movement and its connection with the religion of Wicca, we thought it
well to share with our readers a summary of Wicca as published by one of their
representatives. The following is extracted from a Wicca publication that this
editor obtained in the late 1980’s from the Maine State Prison, in
"Greetings, Enclosed is
some information on the religion of Wicca, popularly known as Witchcraft. After
hundreds of years of suppression, the attitude of the public
are changing. The current spirit of ecumenism and tolerance encourages
us to seek some visibility. We feel this necessary in order to define our
religion for those who have a false image due to the poor treatment accorded
Wicca since medieval times. In this way, we hope to dispel the association of
Witchcraft with psychotic events of Satanism. Moreover, we acknowledge the need
for rapport with the mainstream religious community and the media, if Wicca is
to be understood as a joyful, positive, life-affirming celebration of the
powers of nature in our universe, and a force for good in our stressed world.
The information here will give you an overview of Wicca in its twentieth
century form. The Covenant of the Goddess (COG) is an association of over sixty
congregations (covens) from all over the nation, whose beliefs are best
described by their commonalties rather than by their differences. That is to
say, COG is comprised of a number of traditions, differing from one another in
some respects; yet all revere the Supreme Being or Deity manifest in female
form, as Goddess. COG was incorporated in
NEO-PAGANISM - A group of modern Earth Religions
which borrow and adapt concepts from Pre-Christian religions, often with
additions from its own contemporary theologians. OCCULT - Occluded or hidden,
secret; the study of hidden or secret knowledge. Secret societies include
college fraternities, the Masons and the Rosicrucians.
(Rosicrucian means "a member of an international fraternity of religious
mysticism devoted to the application of esoteric doctrine in modern life."
-Ed.) PAGAN - Originally, from the Latin, paganus, meaning a country-dweller; a practitioner of an
Earth religion. SABBAT - One of the eight major seasonal festivals or
Holy Days, which occur at approximately equal intervals throughout the year. Observed by Wiccans individually or in
groups. WICCA - The generally accepted name for
the religion commonly known as Witchcraft. The term is old English in
origin, but the exact derivation is obscure. See Witchcraft. WICCAN
- A follower of the religion of Wicca; a Witch. WICCE - Another term for
Wiccan; originally the feminine form but
presently used to refer to either gender. WITCHCRAFT - a magical pagan
or Earth religion including diverse traditions derived from many cultural
sources. Some extant are: Alexandrian; Celtic, Circle, Dianic,
English Traditional, Faerie, Gadnerian, NROOGD,
Druidic, and Shamamic, among others." Under the
category of "Frequently asked questions, with answers," The reader
would do well to keep in mind that Pathfinder and company are engaged in public
relation campaign, the intent of which is to persuade people that this false
religion is harmless to others, and therefore should be accepted. With this
caution in mind, read on. "Q. What form does the practice of
Witchcraft take? A. The form, content, and context vary from group to group and
often between rituals of the same group. Practices may run the gamut from
elaborate ceremony to spontaneous ritual to simple meditation. Q. How do you invision the Goddess? A. As the immanent life force; as
Mother Nature; as the interconnection of all life; as the feminine creative
principle. Q. Do all Witches practice their religion the same way? A. Yes and
no. Wicca is a highly individual religion, traditionally containing a minimum
amount of dogma and a maximum amount of eclecticism. Moreover, the number of
different sects within the Craft may give the casual observer the impression
that no two groups practice in the same way. Most traditions, however, share
many similarities such as the working of magic and a reverence for nature. Most
groups and many individuals find enough common ground for mutual support and
productive networking throughout the Craft community. Q. Is Witchcraft a
‘cult’? A. No. A cult is generally a gathering of people who owe
blind allegiance to one charismatic leader who ostensibly represents
‘truth’. They indulge in ‘extravagant homage or
adoration’, (Webster’s Dictionary), of their leader. This is the
anti-thesis of the Witchcraft experience. Most Witches come to the Craft
through reading and communing with nature, and later finding like-minded others
or groups. Witches tend to be highly individualistic.
Q. Do Witches have a bible?
A. No. A Bible is defined as a book containing the sacred writings of any
religion, (Webster’s Dictionary). Witchcraft is a Pagan folk-religion of
personal experience. A Witch may keep a ‘Book of Shadows’ which is
more like an individuals workbook or journal - meaningful to the person who
keeps it - containing rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry, herbal lore, etc.
Covens may keep a similar group book, and some traditions have basic
information which is passed on to new members by copying from the group’s
book, but there is no one document taken by all Wiccans
as authoritative, as in Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Q. Do Witches cast
spells? A. Some do and some don’t. Since a commonly held belief is that
what is sent out is returned to the sender magnified threefold, Witches tend to
be very careful with spells. Our ethics and common sense forbid
‘curses’ or ‘evil spells’. A spell is a formula or
series of steps to direct the will to a specific end. Energy is drawn from
nature, concentrated, and sent out into the world. It is believed that with the
proper training and intent, human minds and hearts are fully capable of
performing all the magic and miracles they are ever likely to need, through the
use of natural psychic power. Q. Do Witches fly on brooms? A. No. Brooms were
and are sometimes ridden astride in ceremonies. In one such ancient ceremony
people ran through the fields astride, to coax the crops to grow to height of
the highest leaping. Such rituals led to the Middle
Ages tales of flying, a terrifying idea to the credulous listener. Q. Do
Witches worship the Devil? A. No. The concept of the devil, in the sense of the
personification of a supreme spirit of evil, is a creation of Judaic and
Christian theology, (Webster’s Dictionary), and as such, postdates
Witchcraft. The worship of Satan is the profaning of these theologies, Judeao-Christian heresy rather than a Pagan religion. The
Gods of Wicca are in no way related to Satan or the devil or Satanic practices.
Witches do not believe in such a concept, and certainly do not pay homage to
it.
Historically, the Gods of an
older religion are branded as the devils of the newer religion. Q. Are only
women witches? A. No, but in the
Pathfinder
next moves on to the "Introduction," where he writes: "Modern
Witchcraft, in Europe and
The "Basic Philosophy of
The Religion of Wicca" is described by Pathfinder as: "Wicca (or
Witchcraft) is an earth religion - a re-linking with the life force of nature,
on this planet and in the stars beyond. In city apartments, in suburban
backyards, in country glades - groups of women and men meet on the new and full
moons and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with
these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods, including the
Triple Goddess of the waxing, full and waning moon, and the Horned God of the son
and animal life, as symbols of immanent nature. Our religion is not a series of
dogmatic precepts or beliefs administered by a self-sustaining hierarchical
bureaucracy; rather, we believe that we each have within ourselves the capacity
to reach out and experience the Mystery - that ineffable oneness with all life.
Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, create and
participate in their individual religious lives. For this reason our
congregations, called covens, are small groups which give room for each
individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by self-knowledge and
creative experimentation within the agreed-upon group structure or tradition.
There are many traditions or sects within the Craft. Different groups take
their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions or certain ethnic groups
(Celtic, Greek, Norse, Finno-Ugric) in the liturgical works of some modern
Witch Poet or scholar, (such as Gerald Gadner, Z.
Budapest, Alex Sanders, Starhawk); or by seeking
within themselves for inspiration and direction. Many feminists have turned to
Wicca and the role of the Priestess for healing and strength after experiencing
the patriarchal oppression and lack of voice for women found in the major world
religions. There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory
revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of oneself
and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by studying our past,
through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and song, through love and
through living in harmony with the Earth.
The holidays
of Wicca are actually their Holy Days, and of this Pathfinder says:
"Despite competition from twentieth century ‘life in the fast
lane’, the awesome spectacle repeated in the pattern of the changing
seasons still touches our lives. During the ages when people worked more
closely with nature just to survive, the numinous power of this pattern had
supreme recognition. Rituals and festivals evolved to channel these
transformations for the good of the community toward a good sowing and harvest,
and bountiful hunting. One result of this process is our image of the
‘Wheel of the Year’ with its eight spokes - the four major
agricultural and pastoral festivals and the four minor solar festivals
commemorating solstices and equinoxes. In common with many earlier cultures,
most Witches consider the day as beginning at sundown and ending at the
following sundown. Hence a Sabbat such as November
Eve (Samhain or Hallowmas) runs through the day of
November 1st. The lesser celebrations, or Esbats, are
held at the time of new and full moons.
"OCTOBER 31 - November
Eve - Samhain or Hallowmas: The night lengthens and
we work with the positive aspects of darkness in the increasing starlight and
moonlight. Chilled by the first breath of winter, we focus within ourselves to
look ‘through a glass darkly,’ developing our divination and
psychic skills. The ancient Celts, and many Craft traditions, consider this
their New Year’s Eve. It is the night when the barriers between the
worlds of life and death are as thin as veils, allowing the dead to walk among
the living, and be welcomed and feasted by their kin. This is also the night
that the Celtic God Mannan Mac Lir
holds the Feast of Age, where those old in wisdom come to learn the inner
mysteries. (Editor’s note: This is what Halloween is all about, and many
Christian parents participate by allowing their children to dress up in
costumes and go "trick or treating." Churches flirt with this pagan holiday
by having "harvest parties.")
"circa
DECEMBER 21ST - Winter Solstice - Yule: The sun is at its nadir, the longest
night of the year. We seek within ourselves to comprehend and synthesize the
outer-directed activities of the previous summer months. Some covens hold a
Festival of Light to commemorate the Goddess as mother giving birth to the Sun
God. Others celebrate the victory of the Lord of Light over the Lord of
Darkness as the turning point from which the days will lengthen.
"FEBRUARY 2nd - Bridget,
Imbolic or Candlemas: As
the sun’s ascent through the skies becomes visible, many candles are lit
to hasten its journey, and as symbols of our own rebirth. It is time for
turning inward to clear the way for personal spiritual rebirth along with the
season. It is the holiday of the Celtic Fire Goddess, Bridget, whose threefold
aspect rules smithcraft, poetry/inspiration, and
healing. Bridget’s fire is a symbolic transformation, offering healing,
visions and tempering. Februum is a Latin word
meaning purification and atonement - naming the month of cleansing.
"circa
MARCH 21st - Vernal Equinox - Ostara: Day and night
are equal as Spring begins to quicken the Earth with revived growth and newborn
animals. Many people respond by feeling ‘reborn’ after the long
nights and coldness of winter. The Germanic Goddess, Ostara
or Eostre, flies over the countryside leaving the
eggs of new life and Her fertile animal, the rabbit. (Shades of the Easter Bunny! -Ed.)
Festivals for the Greek Goddess, Aphrodite, and the Roman Goddess, Venus, were
held on April 1.
"APRIL 30 - May Eve - Beltance: As the weather becomes warmer and the plant world
blossoms an exuberant mood prevails. Many do folk-dances around the Maypole,
with its promise of fertility. In some traditions, the Maiden Goddess meets her
lover, the Young God, Robin, or Jack-in-the-green, on this day. May first was
the midpoint of a five day festival to Flora, the Roman Goddess of flowers. May
morning is the magical time of greatest power for the element of water and
‘wild’ water (dew, flowing streams or ocean water) is collected for
the base of healing drinks and potions for the year to come."circa JUNE 21st - Summer Solstice - Litha: On this, the longest day of the year, light and life
are abundant. We focus outward, experiencing the joys of plenty, tasting the
first fruits of the season. Modern Druids still celebrate at
"AUGUST 1 - Lughnassad, or Lunasa or Lammas:
This festival has to common aspects: it is one of the Celtic fire festivals
honoring the Sun God Lugh (some say his funeral
games). Races and games are held in his name and that of his Mother, Tailltiu. The second aspect is that of Lammas, the Saxon
Feast of Bread, at which the first of the grain harvest is consumed in the form
of ritual loaves. This is also sacred to the Greek Moon Goddess, Artemis, personification of the Moon and the timeless laws of nature.
"circa
SEPTEMBER 21st - Autumn Equinox - Mabon: This day see
light and dark in equal balance, before the descent to the dark time. A harvest
festival is held, thanking the Goddess for giving us enough sustenance to feed
us through the winter. Harvest festivals of many types still occur today in
farming country.
"In this way the wheel
turns, bringing us back to Samhain, where we started
our journey through the seasons. Many festival days coincide with the Holidays
of the Judeo-Christian calendar. This is no accident. These points in the
seasonal cycle were important community celebrations, and were kept largely
intact, although they were re-dedicated to a Christian God or Saint. The name
may have changes, but many of the customs and practices of the Old Religion
linger, their meaning no longer popularly understood or remembered, while life
goes on in ‘the fast lane.’ "
Pathfinder now addresses the
general practices of Wicca: "The roots of the religion called Wicca are
very old, coming down to modern times through a variety of channels worldwide.
Although any generalization about practices will have exceptions, our aim here
is to present a basic foundation for understanding. Much was lost when
indigenous religions encountered pressure from Christianity, and went
underground in order to survive. Persecution made recording these practices
illegal, and often a capital offense. The ancient Mystery religions were lost
when the active practice of their rites was stopped and the old oral traditions
were no longer preserved. Parents handed their traditions down to their
children through the centuries and gradually parts were lost or changed and new
parts created. These survivals, together with research into the old ways,
provide a rich foundation for modern practice. Other factors contributing to
the revival of the Craft are archaeological and anthropological studies of the
religious rites of non-Christian cultures, the works of the Golden Dawn and
other metaphysical orders, and the repeal of anti-Witchcraft laws.
"Modern Witches hold
rituals according to the turning of the seasons, the phases of the moon, and
personal needs. Most rituals are performed in a ritual space marked by a
circle. We do not often build lavish church buildings to create this ritual
space; all of Earth is in touch with the Goddess and so any place may be
consecrated for use in a rite. Most often a natural, outdoor setting is chosen,
although season and climate may dictate the use of indoor facilities.
"Within the sacred
circle two main activities occur: celebration, and the practice of magic.
Celebration is most important at the major seasonal holidays, called Sabbats. At these times the myths of the day are enacted,
and dancing, singing, feasting and revelry are all part of the festivities. On
these occasions we celebrate our oneness with life. Magic is more often
performed at the lesser gatherings, called Esbats,
which coincide with the phases of the moon. Types of magic include: psychic
healing, the channeling of energy to achieve positive results, and work towards
the individual coven members’ spiritual development. It is an art which
requires adherence to certain principles and a conscious direction of will
toward a specific end. It is an attribute of magic that what you direct your
will toward will return to you magnified three times; therefore Witches are
careful to practice only beneficial magic.
"When the celebration,
teaching or magical work is finished, the blessing of the Goddess (and God) is
asked upon the food and drink, which are shared by all. The circle is broken,
and the ritual space is no longer consecrated.
"Ritual implements are
used to facilitate a mood, attitude or atmosphere, helping to achieve the
psychic state necessary for the consecration of a circle of the working of
magic. These tools are part of a complete and self-consistent system of
symbolism - agreed upon by the participants - and assist them in their psychic passage
through unfamiliar spaces. Such a system, akin to a man, is arbitrary and not
absolute in meaning; it is a guide to a state which is ineffable and can be
most clearly reached through poetry and ‘starlight’ vision.
"The primary implement,
one owned by most Witches, is an athame or ritual
knife. The athame is charged with the energy of the
owner and is used as a pointer, to define space (such as casting a sacred
circle), and as a conductor or director of the owner’s will and energy.
"Other important symbols
are the items which denote the elements: earth, air, fire and water (and in
some traditions, spirit as well). A pentacle (a disc engraved with a star) is
often used to symbolize earth and its properties - stability, material wealth
and practical affairs. Alternatively, s small dish of salt or earth will be
used to represent this element. A thurible of
incense, or a bell, is usually used to represent air and its properties -
communications, imagination and understanding. A sword or wand may be used to
symbolize air or fire; many systems do not agree as to which element the sword
and wand should be associated with.
"A candle or small
cauldron of fire is used to symbolize the element of fire and its properties -
will, transmutation and vitality. A chalice of water,
or wine is often used to symbolize that element and its properties - cleansing,
regeneration and emotion. In traditions which include the element of spirit, an
ankh, keppen rod, or quartz or other crystal is often
used to symbolize spirit and its properties - perfection, balance, illumination
and eternity.
"There are many other
minor tools or implements which are used for various specific purposes within
magical workings, but the tools described above are basic to the religion of
Wicca.
"Since these are merely
the conductors of personal energies, as copper is a conductor of electricity,
most covens provide a degree of training in psychic development - strengthening
each member’s ability to participate in this aspect of the religion. Each
individual decides what level of such training is desirable for them. Psychic
abilities are seen as a natural human potential, and Wicca is dedicated to
developing this as well as all of our other positive human potentials. The
energies raised by these and other religious practices are directed toward
healing ourselves and the Earth, and other positive purposes."
In providing the above
material on the religion of Wicca, we have not delved directly into the New Age
movement. However, the reader can easily see the direct connection of Wicca
with the New Age. "There is a way which seemeth
right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of
death."
(Pr. 14:12) "But the
fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers,
and SORCERERS, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake
which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death." (Re. 21:8) Wicca is truly the religion of the damned. Be
wise, be warned, beware!
-Richard A. Ciarrocca
