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I am a pagan. I am a 'witch'. What
are Paganism and Witchcraft?
Modern Wicca is a form of Paganism. Paganism's
beliefs and practices are deeply rooted in nature and draw on the
traditional religions of indigenous peoples throughout the world. Paganism
is an 'umbrella' term which encompasses a diverse community with
some groups concentrating on specific traditions, practices or
elements such as witchcraft, Celtic or Egyptian traditions, or
certain gods.
Wicca, Druidism, Shamanism, Asatru and Heathenism all make up
parts of the Pagan community. Witches use magic to
affect reality. Spells may be
considered a form of active prayer but rather than relying on deity to grant
the request witches raise energy toward their goal for themselves.
Most (but not all) modern witches and Wiccans are duo theistic and worship a goddess and a god, celebrating
the cycles of the year and of the moon.
For
a complete history of modern pagan witchcraft check out 'The
Triumph of the Moon' by Ronald Hutton and I also recommend 'Wiccan
Roots' and 'Gerald
Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration' by Philip Heselton.
My Personal Practise
I practise a blend of traditional and modern
varieties of folk magic along side my Vodou practise. I have briefly forayed into
Alexandrian Wicca.
I am currently further researching my interests in traditional British
witchcraft and Egyptian magic. For
more information check out my Witchcraft links page - here
New Aeon Books - Pagan & Occult
Bookshop Now Online! Wicca, Witchcraft
and Paganism Community - www.inthemist.org/forum
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