Post by *Gypsy* on Jul 17, 2008 8:50:50 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]
Witches need not disclaim the Wiccan religion nor apologize to its members for what they are or are not. We are part of a long and proud tradition of the art, craft, philosophy, and way of life that is Witchcraft. We were here before Wicca and we will be here after.
We are set apart. Simply naming yourself "Witch" does not make you a Witch any more than naming yourself a "neurologist" makes you a brain surgeon. To Be a Witch requires study, learning, practice, experience, and most importantly, a natural talent. Being a Witch is a calling, not a choice. You either are or you are not. The lot is cast at birth by the Universe and there is nothing you can do about it. Not everyone can be a concert pianist or a best-selling author; not everyone can be a Witch.
Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a craft. The comparison of the two is a comparison apples and oranges. Witchcraft can be used to express the Wiccan religion just as sculpting can be used to express anxiety. However, Wicca is not Witchcraft any more than Catholicism is sculpting.
As Witchcraft is not a religion, the Witch is free to believe or not believe as they wish. Witches may worship a Goddess, a rock, Satan, Will Rogers, The Force, or nothing at all. It is the Witch’s choice how to relate to the Universe and none may gainsay that choice. The Witch is self empowered and relies on no else to get through life. This means we make our own moral choices, form our own ethics, and decide our own course. An artificial morality may not be forced upon us. We will not be intimidated with "karma" or threats of "three fold" retribution. We will not be told that these will "get us no mater what we believe."
The wisdom we hold is sacred and has been handed down from the Ancients through many generations. Our families and traditions have perfected it and people have both lived and died for it. We will not bear the insult of being told that we are wrong because what we know and practice does not agree with the author of some shallow, mass marketed book from the New Age shelf at Barnes & Noble.
Being a Witch does not require you to be a Socialist, a Democrat, a feminist, ecologically conscious, politically correct, or even socially acceptable. Each Witch makes their own way through the world and set the terms and conditions of how they interact with it. Externally imposed ideals of "right and wrong" and "good and bad" have no meaning to the Witch.
Witches live and work from within the shadows. This is the ancient and honorable way. We are called away from the Coven and wish to live separately from them. We don't need or even want good public reactions. Our validation comes from within ourselves, not from the President, the media, any church, or the IRS. We are unique individuals and no one speaks for us.
Wiccans may not say what Witches believe or how witches think. We have no problem allowing others to follow the course that they choose - or assisting them in it - as long as they afford us the same courtesy. We are neither your enemies nor your adversaries. We just want the right to be whom and what we are; the same right you claim for yourselves.
I am a Witch.[/glow]
Witches need not disclaim the Wiccan religion nor apologize to its members for what they are or are not. We are part of a long and proud tradition of the art, craft, philosophy, and way of life that is Witchcraft. We were here before Wicca and we will be here after.
We are set apart. Simply naming yourself "Witch" does not make you a Witch any more than naming yourself a "neurologist" makes you a brain surgeon. To Be a Witch requires study, learning, practice, experience, and most importantly, a natural talent. Being a Witch is a calling, not a choice. You either are or you are not. The lot is cast at birth by the Universe and there is nothing you can do about it. Not everyone can be a concert pianist or a best-selling author; not everyone can be a Witch.
Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a craft. The comparison of the two is a comparison apples and oranges. Witchcraft can be used to express the Wiccan religion just as sculpting can be used to express anxiety. However, Wicca is not Witchcraft any more than Catholicism is sculpting.
As Witchcraft is not a religion, the Witch is free to believe or not believe as they wish. Witches may worship a Goddess, a rock, Satan, Will Rogers, The Force, or nothing at all. It is the Witch’s choice how to relate to the Universe and none may gainsay that choice. The Witch is self empowered and relies on no else to get through life. This means we make our own moral choices, form our own ethics, and decide our own course. An artificial morality may not be forced upon us. We will not be intimidated with "karma" or threats of "three fold" retribution. We will not be told that these will "get us no mater what we believe."
The wisdom we hold is sacred and has been handed down from the Ancients through many generations. Our families and traditions have perfected it and people have both lived and died for it. We will not bear the insult of being told that we are wrong because what we know and practice does not agree with the author of some shallow, mass marketed book from the New Age shelf at Barnes & Noble.
Being a Witch does not require you to be a Socialist, a Democrat, a feminist, ecologically conscious, politically correct, or even socially acceptable. Each Witch makes their own way through the world and set the terms and conditions of how they interact with it. Externally imposed ideals of "right and wrong" and "good and bad" have no meaning to the Witch.
Witches live and work from within the shadows. This is the ancient and honorable way. We are called away from the Coven and wish to live separately from them. We don't need or even want good public reactions. Our validation comes from within ourselves, not from the President, the media, any church, or the IRS. We are unique individuals and no one speaks for us.
Wiccans may not say what Witches believe or how witches think. We have no problem allowing others to follow the course that they choose - or assisting them in it - as long as they afford us the same courtesy. We are neither your enemies nor your adversaries. We just want the right to be whom and what we are; the same right you claim for yourselves.
I am a Witch.[/glow]
