I’m asked a lot of questions about how Wiccan’s and Pagans believe and how we worship. Many people do not realize that Pagans have as many belief systems and sects within those belief systems (called Traditions) as do the Christian, Jewish, or other religions. People have a way of saying, “Hey, I believe in this, but not this, or also this. There are lots of different Traditions in the world of Paganism. Here’s a few (but, not all): Norse Traditions, Celtic, Alexandrian, Gardnarian, Folk Traditions, Black Forest Traditions, PowWow, Angel Traditions, Fairy Traditions, Sumerian Tribes, American Wicca, British Wicca, Druid, Dianic, Shamanism and it goes on and on. The one thing that most of these traditions have in common (but, not always) is the respect for and belief in the Wiccan Rede.
The Rede has within it a certain code of responsibility for ones actions. It goes like this: An it Harm None; do as thou wilt. But, always remember the rule of three, because as thou does, it comes back to thee, three times three; except in self defense it be. There are variations of this rule, but it is pretty standard in most of our cultures. In the United States, to be considered Wiccan is to accept the Rede as law.
There are four basic categories of Witch:
The Solitary – one who worships and plies their craft his or her own way and without having to answer to anyone.
The Ceremonial Witch – one who adheres to a set of guidelines and procedures set down by a particular Tradition.
The Family Witch – who’s beliefs and ceremonies are guided by his families beliefs (at least until they are old enough to chose).
The Natural Witch – (sometimes called Kitchen Witch and is often Solitary), who doesn’t generally worship any set way, but seems to get things done just the same.
Of these, the Ceremonial Witch is the one most likely to coven, and has community.
Another fairly standard belief in most, (but, not all), Traditions are the belief in The God and The Goddess. Some Traditions believe in several Gods and Goddesses, others are satisfied to call on one of each, while others still believe only in God or only in the Goddess. Still others acknowledge the Universe. There are variations of these as well within some of the sects.
One belief that unites Pagans probably more than any other is the respect for and reverence of Life. With that comes an abhorrence of violence of any kind. Our responses to violence vary as well. Some pagans such as myself, have actually learned martial arts in the hope that by having many options available to us, we can minimize and control any violence that happens either to ourselves or to our loved ones or those we protect. Other Pagans feel that they minimize violence by refusing to acknowledge it. Others still, will allow violence on their persons and will not resist it in any way. A few carry weapons and know how to use them. All ways are Pagan, and are respected as “choices” among us. It is not unusual to have spirited debates about the proper way to respond to the realities of the world at our counsel fires.
The next belief that unites Pagans is the love of nature. Some of us call it loving Mother Earth. The term Dirt loving Tree Hugger comes to mind. Many if not most, Pagans are ecologically aware and working towards clean air, clean earth. Many if not most have a garden, wear cotton, and have animals, at least a dog or cat. A few more do the whole farm thing, and that’s their lifestyle. Some of us are more urban and have a back yard full of herbs and plants and a dog named for an obscure god or goddess. It is possible to be a city Pagan, but it is a difficult choice for those who live that way, since the Earth is always calling to us in one way or another. Their apartments and homes are usually loaded with plants, a pet or two and they are usually politically active for paganism, ecology, and human rights. That is not to say that the farm and suburban folk aren’t, but it seems that this is how many city folk contribute to Wicca and Paganism.
Leadership roles are an interesting thing among Pagans. How these are represented are as varied and as different as the countries of the world are. Obviously, the Solitary (one who worships alone) answers to him or herself. Covens (or groups) have a hierarchy that can be very simple, or very ornate. For most, they have a Priest and a Priestess, for others perhaps one or the other. These leaders teach, counsel, marry and bury, and lead their group in their religious lives. They by no means “tell” their coveners how they must live, who they may love, or any other personal matter, other than those rules that the coveners agree upon.
Most have a standard set of simple rules that have been hammered out over years or decades and the group agrees to live by them. Most rules are made so that the coven may live decently and in order. Leaving a group is a serious matter, but is done occasionally. Gone are the days when a witch leaving a coven needed to worry if there would be retaliation. Most of that happened when covens had to remain secret and to lose that secrecy meant death to the coveners. In the United States this is not a problem at this time. In some third world countries, to practice paganism is to court death and an unpleasant death at that. In many third world countries (and even some fairly civilized; even the accusation of witchcraft is enough to have a man or woman beheaded. Arabia is one such country having executed an accused woman for witchcraft earlier this year. It wasn’t even bothered to be proven.)
Sometimes a group or coven gets too large to be taken care of properly, and so some of those people “hive” off and start their own coven. Many times the first coven looks after this coven while it forms and guides it into autonomy. The Priest or Priestess that leads this coven refers to the former coven as the Mother Coven…since they hived off from them. High ceremonies and other celebrations sometimes are done with both since they are related and have history with each other. The friendships that evolve from these relationships are lifelong in most cases.
Most Wiccans and many Pagans worship according to the Wheel of the Year. These are nature based religions, so it follows that the times of the year are intrinsic to worship and observances. Spring, summer, fall and winter are all reverenced and referred to during the Pagan year, most if not all are celebrated. I will reveal how it all works next month.
Merry Part LynAnne
