WIKA

   By Deirdre Brooks (deirdre@efn.org)
   
   (Author's Disclaimer: I am a practicing Wiccan, and this is what I
   would do if I were initiated into the Verbena. The beliefs, practices,
   etc. are based on the Witches I know, and have known, for
   approximately 7 years now. Any complaints, suggestions, etc, should be
   directed to the Mgt. :-) )
   
   The Wika are formed from a splinter group who were initially trained
   by Verbena, but were appalled at the Blood Magick used by that
   Tradition. The group of them formed a Coven and began training others
   to use the Magick of Life in healthier fashion. Now, the Wika is one
   of the smallest Traditions extant but growing vigorously.
   
   The Wika work toward bringing the Wiccan religion into the mainstream
   of modern culture so people can see that Witchcraft is not an evil
   thing. They will not reveal the practices of the Verbena to the world
   because the information would simply be used to attack _them_ as well.
   However, this does not prevent them from denouncing the Verbena in
   front of memebers of other Traditions.
   
   Like the Verbena, Wikan Magick deals mostly with the natural world,
   but the underlying philosophy behind this is "An' it harm none, do
   what ye will." This would seem to give the Wika a non-
   confrontationalist attitude, but as a matter of fact, they are quite
   willing to defend other living beings from being harmed. They tend to
   use effects that confuse, frighten, bind or otherwise prevent another
   from carrying out their plans, but on occasion, if forced to do so,
   they can be as deadly if not moreso than any of the other Traditions.
   
   Unlike the Verbena desire to allow the body to override the mind, the
   Wikans tend to feel that uniting the body and the mind, since both act
   on the other, a balance must be maintained.
   
   The Wikans feel that Ascension can only be gained once the restrictive
   Patriarchal religions have lost their yoke on the world and a more
   egalitarian outlook come about. As long as imbalance, between body and
   soul, male and female, or even technology and Magick exists, Ascension
   cannot happen.
   
   Because the split occurred less than three decades ago, most of the
   traditions and customs are very close to the Verbena, but the
   attitudes behind them are different, so do not mistake the two.
   
   Philosophy: Balance is the key. Without it, we go too far in one
   extreme and fall. As long as the Patriarchs continue their murderous
   wars, and hateful proclamations, humanity will be denied Ascension,
   tied to these unbalanced concepts. The technocracy enforces these
   rigid regimes to bring about their sterile world, and in so doing,
   destroys our chance to return to the Goddess.
   
   Organization: Like the Verbena, Wikans tend to form groups they call
   Covens. They also use the word "Chantry." Numbers vary, again, and
   there does not seem to be a special emphasis on number in some, and
   others insist on 13. Some are female only, some are male only. A wide
   variation exists, since most of the Wikans are still influenced by the
   Wiccan traditions they were members of beforehand.
   
   Meetings: The eight Sabbats of the Year, as per the Verbena.
   
   Initiation: The Wikan is initiated into the Coven in much the same way
   as the Verbena.
   
   Chantry: Wherever they manage a large meeting at Beltane. They as yet
   have no fixed main Chantry.
   
   Acolytes: Wiccans, New Agers, scholars, fortune tellers
   
   Sphere: Life
   
   Foci:
   
     * Athame - Life/Mind
     * Wand - Correspondence/Forces/Time
     * Cup - Entropy/Spirit
     * Crystal - Matter/Prime
       
   (Note: Athame is a knife that _has never drawn blood_. It must also be
   attuned to the Wikan who uses it, but doesn't really qualify as
   unique. It simply means that a Wikan can't just buy a knife and use it
   right away.)
   
   Concepts: druid, witch, anthropologist
   
   Quote: "Some of the sleepers say we follow their Christian devil, the
   Verbena say we are blind to the meaning of life. Unlike either group,
   we have the respect for life that they have either forgotten or never
   had."
   
  Stereotypes
  
   Akashic Brotherhood: They are too passive in their outlook, too
   introspective. However, we do have some things in common, and they can
   be valuable allies.
   
   Celestial Chorus: At the opposite extreme from the Verbena, they focus
   on the mind at the expense of the flesh. On the surface they seem easy
   enough to get along with, but there is something dark hidden.
   
   Cult of Ecstasy: They exemplify our own philosophy, as summed up "An'
   it harm none, do as ye will." It is no wonder they draw ridicule, fear
   and disrespect from the other Traditions. They follow their hearts.
   
   Discordians: Often too strange and unfocused to finish the task they
   have set for themselves.
   
   Dreamspeakers: Possibly the group that has the most in common with us.
   They quite likely cannot save Gaia without help.
   
   Euthanatos: Euthanasia is not necessarily evil, and death but a
   transformation, but we can't help but think that they sometimes take
   it too far.
   
   Hollow Ones: Poor lost Orphans. If only we could find them before they
   start on this gloomy path.
   
   Order of Hermes: We can work with them as long as they do not attempt
   to dominate us.
   
   Sons of Ether: Their illusion of technology is a crutch for their
   Magick.
   
   Verbena: Abominable! The shedding of human blood for the simple
   purpose of working Magick is insane! They are the ones who cause the
   religious to start their witch-hunts that we all suffer from. If only
   they had taken a different path from the beginning.
   
   Virtual Adepts: Computers are nice tools but they make a terrible
   world to live within.