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Non-Fiction by Jolen Whitworth

 

Any article on Witchcraft should invariably provide a brief history of its roots. While there are many forms of Witchcraft in as many cultures, it is Wicca, or 'The Craft', that I will address here.

The word Wicca is believed to have derived from several Olde English terms, such as Wicche: Witch (masculine). This was first applied to males who practiced sorcery. Also cited is the Olde English word Wice: to bend.

The religion we call Wicca today has undergone several evolutions, though its basic core remains. Wiccan beliefs and rituals can be traced to Prehistoric days, predating Christianity and other mainstream religions. It wasn't until the Bronze Age that it began to take on the more familiar attributes that we use today, including the circle. Wicca was the traditional path of Britain and when the Romans came in 43AD, things began to change. The Romans brought their own traditions to Britain and in 312AD they converted to Christianity. During this time, the British Druidic orders were absorbed into the church, although many Wiccan traditions continued as folk practices.

As Christianity became the dominant religion throughout Europe, the church became proactive against anyone practicing the old religion. History is filled with the violent and tireless determination to eradicate Witchcraft and the 1542 Witchcraft act, which made it illegal by punishment of death to practice anything remotely considered to be Witchcraft, wasn't repealed until 1951. This paved the way for people to openly write about, and publish, Wiccan material for the first time. Previously, a great deal of the religion was still passed on by oral tradition.

It isn't until the 21st Century that we begin to see a more open acceptance of lesser mainstream religions, including Wicca. It sort of makes you wonder what everyone was so afraid of, that it took so long to bring any real sense of freedom for Witches. This isn't to say that life today is without problems for practitioners of the Craft.

Mystique and Magick

Witchcraft has always been surrounded by mystery and misconception. Sadly, there are still many people who equate it with Satanism. Others believe that all Witches are evil spell-casting seductresses. The truth is much less menacing and infinitely more profound.

What is a Witch? Generally speaking, the term 'Witch' applies to a pagan who follows a Goddess/God oriented, nature-based path, regardless of sex. Some Witches belong to covens; others are solitary practitioners. We are parents, teachers, doctors, lawyers, soldiers and students. You could have a Witch living right next door and without the stereotypical wart on their nose or cauldron brewing, you might never realize it.

Besoms and Benefits:

So then, what is it like to be a modern-day Witch? Perhaps you have this image of a frumpy old crone soaring the skies on her broom (besom) every full moon. The truth is that we have embraced technology and find taking a plane is much more comfortable.

Nor do we all have unruly hair or cats as 1familiars. In fact, I am a dog lover, and while I have my share of bad hair days, most of the time, I can still manage to get a comb through it.

Being a Witch means celebrating and respecting life and the energy of all things and being in tune with nature. It means continually striving to live a life according to our laws and preserve our traditions, teachings and rituals. It entails focusing positive energy and knowing ones strengths as well as weaknesses and working toward becoming a better human being. We take pleasure in the sound of laughter, the taste of spring on the wind, family and our faith. It means being open to new ideas and respectful of others belief systems. It gives me great joy to know that I can dance naked by the full moon, celebrate the 2Sabbats with family and friends while using the same basic rituals and practices as my ancestors have through the centuries.

Actions and Consequences:

Witchcraft isn't all about casting a spell. In fact, you will probably find that many experienced Witches cast few spells and only after making sure their intent is pure. With all power comes responsibility. We live by a strict code of ethics called the 'Wiccan Rede'. Essentially, this means 'do no harm'.

Everything you send out has consequences. Being ethical about ones actions is paramount. There are shady characters in any religion. Wicca is no exception, but neither is it alone in that distinction. Remember Jim and Tammy Faye Baker?

Closets and Confusion

While we've been out of the broom closet for some time, there is still a long way to go before Witches are free from discrimination and persecution. Perhaps you've heard about the Robin Hood Hills murders in 3West Memphis, Arkansas. On June 3, 1993, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jesse Misskelley Jr. were arrested for the heinous murders of three eight-year old boys. Damien admitted he was studying Wicca, which was mistaken for a Satanic Cult and before you could say 'miscarriage of justice' they were sentenced to life in prison, or in Damien's case, the death penalty.

Another recent battle for the religious freedom of Witches came when 4United States soldier, Sgt. Patrick D. Stewart lost his life September 25, 2005 in Afghanistan. When his family buried him in the Northern Nevada Veteran's Cemetery, the Department of Veteran's affairs refused to allow them to place a pentacle on his headstone. The ACLU filed a lawsuit, and on April 23, 2007, the VA added the pentacle to the list of religions emblems allowed in national cemeteries.

While Wicca has become more widely accepted, there is still much to be done in order to provide all members the comfort of being free to practice their religion without fear of reprisal and discrimination. C.S. Lewis published a poem entitled 'The Witch' in his book, Spirits In Bondage that I believe sums up some of those misconceptions quite well.

XIV. The Witch by C. S. Lewis

Trapped amid the woods with guile
They've led her bound in fetters vile
To death, a deadlier sorceress
Than any born for earth's distress
Since first the winner of the fleece
Bore home the Colchian witch to Greece-
Seven months with snare and gin
They've sought the maid o'erwise within
The forest's labyrinthine shade.
The lonely woodman half afraid
Far off her ragged form has seen
Sauntering down the alleys green,
Or crouched in godless prayer alone
At eve before a Druid stone.
But now the bitter chase is won,
The quarry's caught, her magic's done,
The bishop's brought her strongest spell
To naught with candle, book, and bell;
With holy water splashed upon her,
She goes to burning and dishonour
Too deeply damned to feel her shame,
For, though beneath her hair of flame
Her thoughtful head be lowly bowed
It droops for meditation proud
Impenitent, and pondering yet
Things no memory can forget,
Starry wonders she has seen
Brooding in the wildwood green
With holiness. For who can say
In what strange crew she loved to play,
What demons or what gods of old
Deep mysteries unto her have told
At dead of night in worship bent
At ruined shrines magnificent,
Or how the quivering will she sent
Alone into the great alone
Where all is loved and all is known,
Who now lifts up her maiden eyes
And looks around with soft surprise
Upon the noisy, crowded square,
The city oafs that nod and stare,
The bishop's court that gathers there,
The faggots and the blackened stake
Where sinners die for justice' sake?
Now she is set upon the pile,
The mob grows still a little while,
Till lo! before the eager folk
Up curls a thin, blue line of smoke.
"Alas!" the full-fed burghers cry,
"That evil loveliness must die!"

All that being said, I love being a Witch! Through the miracle of the Internet, one can keep a 5book of shadows online, join groups and converse with Witches from any tradition worldwide.

For anyone interested in the craft today, there are organizations such as "http://witchvox.com/" Witchvox and "http://www.witchcraft.org/index.htm" Children of Artemis, where Witches can come together to share knowledge, ideas and creativity. In America, you can contact the "http://www.wicca.org/" Church and School of Wicca, or in the United Kingdom, more information can be found at "http://www.wicca.org.uk/" Wicca.org.

Blessed Be.

1 Familiars - An animal, which some Witches keep, sort of a mascot. In old times, familiars were believed to possess or enhance magical powers.
2 Sabbats - The holidays Witches celebrate. Based on a Wheel of the year. A lunar, seasonal calendar, beginning with Samhain (October 31st)
3 http://www.wm3.org/Updates Free the West Memphis Three
4 http://www.paganvets.org/ Pagan Vets
5 Book of Shadows - A book of spells, rituals and other things that a Witch uses.

Jolen Whitworth © 2010

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Jolen Whitworth is a full-blooded Celtic poetess born in Chicago, Illinois. As a Mother, Grandmother and Witch, she developed a challenging, inspirational and passionate voice. Her work is accessible, honest and striking. She's outspoken, generous and tireless in her dedication to her craft. Jolen lives in Leeds, England with her husband, where she works as an editor and administrator of a creative writing site. Her work has been featured in several anthologies, magazines and online communities. She enjoys competitions and her work has won numerous awards. Besides poetry, Jolen writes fiction, erotica and songs. She is a proud member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists as well as the Poets and Writers Society.