HPAVC/HPAVC CD-ROM.iso/HUGETXT.ZIP/2POLICE.TXT

Text File | 1996-07-08 | 25KB | 491 lines

                     WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
                     NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WITCHCRAFT
                     =============================


Below please find information on the modern religion of Witchcraft.
After being the victims of hundreds of years of 'bad press', Witches are
beginning to go public and to define themselves and their religion.

We hope, by this endeavor, to counteract the tendency to associate
psychotic events or Satanic rites with the practices of our
life-affirming beliefs. Moreover, we acknowledge the need to establish
positive interfaith dialogue with members of other local religious
communities.

Although there are a number of Witchcraft Anti-Defamation Leagues
throughout the country, none are presently active in the Kansas City
area.  Thus, we at the Magick Lantern have compiled this information to
provide an overview of Witchcraft, or Wicca, in its contemporary form.
The Magick Lantern is a bookstore founded in 1984 to serve the occult
community of Kansas City. Its owner, Mike Nichols, is an ordained
minister of Wicca, with all the rights, privileges and responsibilities
of that office.

We have included in this outline a brief statement on each of the
following:

* Definitions
* Frequently Asked Questions w/ Answers
* Basic Philosophy
* Holidays * General Practices * Bibliography

Of necessity, we have merely highlighted these aspects for you.  We
cannot illustrate the entire panorama of our diverse religion, but we
have tried to convey a basic understanding of the Craft of Wicca.  On
request we can furnish more detailed information or a representative
authorized to speak on our behalf.

Blessed Be,
Mike Nichols,
Proprietor The MAGICK LANTERN, 1715 Westport Road Kansas City, MO  64111
816/531-7265

DEFINITIONS
===========

OCCULT -- occluded or hidden, secret; the study of secret or hidden
knowledge. Secret societies include the Masons and Rosicrucians.

EARTH RELIGION -- a religion whose main tenet is that the worshipper be
in harmony with the Earth and with all life.  Such religions oppose the
idea that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited.

PAGAN -- a practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin 'paganus',
meaning 'country dweller'.

NEO-PAGANISM -- a modern Earth Religion which borrows and adapts from
the best of pre-Christian Pagan religions, sometimes with additions from
contemporary religious thinkers.

WITCHCRAFT -- a magical Neo-Pagan religion with many diverse traditions
derived from various cultural sources (though mostly European) around
which Covens and solitary practitioners base their practices.  Modern
Witchcraft traditions include:  Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, Celtic,
Traditionalist, Faerie, NROOGD, Druidic and others.

THE CRAFT -- another name for Witchcraft.

COVEN -- a congregation of Witches, usually at least three but no more
than 13 members.

WITCH -- one who worships the Goddess(es) and/or God(s) of Paganism,
practices magic, and considers her/himself to be a follower of the
spiritual path of Witchcraft.

MAGIC -- the conscious use of psychic energy, accompanied by ritual, to
accomplish a goal; often spelled 'magick' to distinguish it from stage
magic (such as sleight-of-hand).

SABBAT -- any one of the eight seasonal festivals equally spaced
throughout the year, celebrated by individuals and Covens of Witches.

ESBAT -- any one of the 13 lunar festivals throughout the year,
celebrated by Witches at the times of the full moon.

PENTAGRAM -- a five-pointed star, ancient symbol of good luck and
protection. Displayed with one point up, it is the most common emblem of
Witchcraft. When displayed inverted (two points up), it MAY represent
negative magic (or Satanism), but not necessarily; some traditions of
Wicca (chiefly British) use it as a POSITIVE symbol of advanced rank.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS W/ ANSWERS
=====================================

Q. What form does the practice of Witchcraft take?

A. The form and context vary from group to group and between each
ritual, and may run the gamut from elaborate ceremony to spontaneous
ritual to simple meditation.

Q. How do you see the Goddess?

A. As the immanent life force; as Mother Nature; as the
interconnectedness of all life.

Q. Do all Witches practice their religion the same way?

A. Yes and no.  Wicca is a highly individualistic religion.  Moreover,
the number of different sects within the Craft may give the impression
that no two groups practice the same way.  Though practices may vary,
most traditions have many similarities, such as the working of magic and
a respect for nature.   Most Witches find enough common ground for
mutual supposrt and productive networking throughout the Craft
community.

Q. Is Witchcraft a 'cult'?

A. No.  Cults are groups that trade 'salvation' and a sense of belonging
for the ability to think for oneself.  They indulge in 'extravagant homage
or  adoration' (Webster's Dictionary) usually of an earthly leader of
some sort.   This is the antithesis of the Witchcraft experience.  Most
Witches come to the  Craft through reading and communing with nature and
later finding like-minded people.  Witches are extremely
individualistic.



Q. Do Witches have a bible?

A. No.  A bible is supposedly the word of a deity revealed through a
prophet.   Witchcraft is a Pagan folk-religion of personal experience.
A Witch may keep  a 'Book of Shadows' which is more like an individual's
workbook or journal --  meaningful to the person who keeps it --
containing rituals, discoveries, spells, poetry, herb lore, etc. Covens
may keep a similar group book.

Q. Do Witches cast spells?

A. Some do and some don't.  A spell is a ritual formula, or series of
steps, to direct psychic energy to accomplish a desired end.  Energy may
be drawn from the Earth, concentrated and sent out into the world. Since
Witchcraft teaches that whatever one sends out is returned threefold,
Witches tend to be very careful never to send out harmful energy.

Q. Do Witches worship the devil?

A. No.  The worship of Satan is the practice of profaning Christian
symbolism, and is thus a Christian heresy rather than a Pagan religion.
The gods and goddesses of the Witches are in no way connected to Satanic
practices. Most Witches do not even believe in Satan, let alone worship
him.

Q. Are Witches only women?

A. No, although women do seem to predominate in the Craft overall.  In
fact, some traditions have only women practitioners, just as others have
only men.   A male Witch is simply called a Witch, never a warlock.

Q. How can someone find out more about Witchcraft?

A. Ours is not a missionary religion, and we never try to make converts.
However, for those who are interested, there are many excellent books,
and  many Witches teach classes or facilitate discussion groups.  In
this way, people may make contact with a like-minded Coven or form their
own group.  There are also Witchcraft networks, periodicals, and
national and regional festivals through which a seeker can make contact
with the larger Craft community.


BASIC PHILOSOPHY
================

Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking with the life
force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars and space beyond.
In city apartments, in suburban backyards, and in country glades, groups
of women and  men meet on the new and full moons and at festival times
to raise energy and put themselves in tune with these natural forces.
They honor the old goddesses and gods, including the Triple Goddess of
the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the Horned God of the sun and
animal life, as visualizations of immanent nature.

Our religion is not a series of precepts or beliefs, but rather we
believe that we each have within ourselves the capacity to reach out and
experience the mystery -- that feeling of ineffable oneness with all
life.  Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, and
create, and participate in their individual religious lives.  For this
reason our congregations,  called covens, are small groups which give
room for each individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by
self-knowledge and creative experimentation  within the agreed-upon
group structure or tradition.

There are many traditions or sects within the Craft.  Different groups
take their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of certain
ethnic groups  (e.g. Celtic, Greek, Norse); in the liturgical works of
some modern Witch poet or scholar (e.g. Gerald Gardner, Z Budapest, Alex
Sanders, Starhawk, Raymond  Buckland, Robert Graves); or by seeking
within themselves for inspiration and direction.  Many feminists have
turned to Wicca and the role of priestess for healing and strength after
the patriarchal oppression and lack of voice for women in the major
world religions.

There are many paths to spiritual growth.  Wicca is a participatory
revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of
oneself and the universe.  We believe there is much to learn by studying
our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and song,
through love and through living in harmony with the Earth.

HOLIDAYS
========

Despite competition from twentieth century 'life in the fast lane', the
awesome spectacle repeated in the patterns of the changing seasons still
touches our lives.  During the ages when people worked more closely with
nature just to survive, the numinous power of this pattern had supreme
recognition.  Rituals and festivals evolved to channel these
transformations for the good of the community toward a good sowing and
harvest and boutiful hunting.

One result of this process is our image of the 'Wheel of the Year' with
its eight spokes -- the four major agricultural and pastoral festivals
and the four minor solar festivals commemorating seasonal solstices and
equinoxes. In common with many ancient people, most Witches consider the
day as beginning at sundown and ending at sundown on the following day.
Hence a sabbat such as November Eve runs through the day of November
1st.  Solstice and Equinox dates may vary by a few days depending on the
year.

October 31 -- November Eve -- Samhain
-------------------------------------

Samhain means 'summer's end', for now nights lengthen, winter begins,
and we work with the positive aspects of the dark tides.  In the
increasing starlight and moonlight, we hone our divinatory and psychic
skills.  Many Craft traditions, and the ancient Celts, consider this New
Year's Eve.  It is the one night when the veil that separates our world
from the next is at its thinnest, allowing the dead to return to the
world of the living, to be welcomed and feasted by their kin.  The
Christian religion adopted this theme as 'All Saints Day' or 'All
Hallows Day' (Nov. 1), celebrating the eve as 'All Hallows Eve' or
'Halloween'.  The alternative date of November 6 ('Martinmas' or 'Old
Hallows') is sometimes employed by Covens.

December 21 -- Winter Solstice -- Yule
--------------------------------------

'Yule' means 'wheel', for now the wheel of the year has reached a
turning point, with the longest night of the year.  This is the
seedpoint of the solar year, mid-winter, time of greatest darkness when
we seek within ourselves to comprehend our true nature.  In virtually
all Pagan religions, this is the night the Great Mother Goddess gives
birth to the baby Sun God, because from this day forward, the days begin
to lengthen, light is waxing.  The Christian religion adopted this theme
as the birthday of Jesus, calling it 'Christmas'. The alternative fixed
calendar date of December 25th (called 'Old Yule' by some Covens) occurs
because, before various calendar changes, that was the date of the
solstice.

January 31 -- February Eve -- Imbolc
------------------------------------

Actually, this holiday is most usually celebrated beginning at sundown
on February 1, continuing through the day of February 2.  'Imbolc' means
'in the belly (of the Mother)' because that is where seeds are beginning
to stir. It is Spring.  Another name for the holiday is 'Oimelc',
meaning 'milk of ewes', since it is lambing season.  It was especially
sacred to the Celtic Fire Goddess, Brigit, patron of smithcraft, healing
(midwifery), and poetry. A Coven's High Priestess may wear a crown of
lights (candles) to symbolize the return of the Goddess to her Maiden
aspect, just as the Sun God has reached puberty.  Weather lore
associated with this sabbat is retained by the folk holiday of
'Groundhog's Day'.  The Christian religion adopted a number of these
themes, as follows.  February 1 became 'St. Brigit's Day', and February
2 became 'Candlemas', the day to make and bless candles for the
liturgical year.  The 'Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin
Mary' adapts the Maiden Goddess theme. The alternative date of February
14 ( 'Old Candlemas', Christianized as 'Valentine's Day') is employed by
some Covens.

March 21 -- Vernal Equinox -- Lady Day
--------------------------------------

As Spring reaches its midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance,
with light on the increase.  The young Sun God now celebrates a
hierogamy (sacred marriage) with the young Maiden Goddess, who
conceives.  In nine months, she will again become the Great Mother.  It
is a time of great fertility, new growth, and newborn animals.  The next
full moon (a time of increased births) is called the 'Ostara' and is
sacred to Eostre, Saxon lunar goddess of fertility (from whence we get
the word 'eostrogen'), whose two symbols were the egg and the rabbit.
The Christian religion adopted these emblems for 'Easter', celebrated
the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox.
The theme of the conception of the Goddess was adapted as the 'Feast of
the Annunciation', occuring on the alternative fixed calendar date of
March 25 ('Old Lady Day'), the earlier date of the equinox.  'Lady Day'
may also refer to other goddesses (such as Venus and Aphrodite), many of
whom has festivals celebrated at this time.

April 30 -- May Eve -- Beltaine
-------------------------------

'Beltane' means 'fire of Bel', Belinos being one name for the Sun God,
whose coronation feast we now celebrate.  As summer begins, weather
becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood
prevails.  It is a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity. Young
people spend the entire night in the woods 'a-maying', and dance around
the phallic Maypole the next morning.  Older married couples may remove
their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one
night. May morning is a magical time for 'wild' water (dew, flowing
streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for
beauty, or to drink for health.

The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming
Maypole -- namely, the death-affirming cross.  Hence, in the Christian
calendar, this was celebrated as 'Roodmas'.  In Germany, it was the
feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'.  An alternative date
around May 5 (Old Beltaine), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is
sometimes employed by Covens.  (Both 'Lady Day' and 'Ostara' are names
incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of
Wicca.)

June 21 -- Summer Solstice -- Litha
-----------------------------------

Although the name 'Litha' is not well attested, it may come from Saxon
tradition -- the opposite of 'Yule'.  On this longest day of the year,
light and life are abundant.  At mid-summer, the Sun God has reached the
moment of his greatest strength.  Seated on his greenwood throne, he is
also lord of the forests, and his face is seen in church architecture
peering from countless foliate masks.  The Christian religion converted
this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist,
often portraying him in rustic attire, sometimes with horns and cloven
feet (like the Greek god Pan)! Midsummer Night's Eve is also special for
adherents of the Faerie faith.  The alternative fixed calendar date of
June 25 (Old Litha) is sometimes employed by Covens.  (The name
'Beltaine' is sometimes incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some
modern traditions of Wicca, even though 'Beltaine' is the Gaelic word
for 'May'.)

July 31 -- August Eve -- Lughnassad
-----------------------------------

'Lughnassad' means 'the funeral games of Lugh', referring to Lugh, the
Irish sun god.  However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral
games he qhosts in honor of his foster-mother Tailte.  For that reason,
the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages (which last
for a year and a day) are celebrated at this time.  As autumn begins,
the Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead.  It is also a
celebration of the first harvest. The Christian religion adopted this
theme and called it 'Lammas', meaning 'loaf- mass', a time when newly
baked loaves of bread are placed on the altar. An alternative date
around August 5 (Old Lammas), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, is
sometimes employed by Covens.

September 21 -- Autumnal Equinox -- Harvest Home
------------------------------------------------

In many mythologies, this is the day the Sun God, the God of Light, is
killed by his rival and dark twin, the God of Darkness -- who was born
at Midsummer, reached puberty at Lammas, and lives a mirror-image life
of the Sun God. From this mid-Autumn day forward, darkness will be
greater than light, just as night becomes longer than day.  So it is a
festival of sacrifice, including that of the Sun God in his aspect of
Spirit of the Fields, John Barleycorn -- for this is the final grain
harvest.  The Christian religion adopted it as 'Michaelmas', celebrated
on the alternative date September 25, the old equinox date (Old Harvest
Home).  (The Welsh word 'Mabon', meaning 'son', is used by some Witches
for the name of this holiday, although such usage is recent and not
attested historically.)

GENERAL PRACTICES
=================

The roots of the religion called Wicca, or Witchcraft, are very old,
coming down to us through a variety of channels worldwide.  Although any
general statement about our practices will have exceptions, the
following will attempt to present a basic foundation for understanding.
Some of the old practices were lost when indigenous religions
encountered militant Christianity and were forced to go underground for
survival.  The ancient mystery religions were lost when the practice of
the rites were stopped and the old verbal traditions were no longer
available.  Parents transmitted their traditions to their children down
through the centuries with parts being lost and new parts created.
These survivals, along with research into the old ways, provide a rich
foundation for modern practice.  Other factors contributing to the
revival of the Craft are archeological and anthropological studies of
the religious practices of non-Christian cultures, the works of the
Golden Dawn and other metaphysical orders, and the liberalization of
anti-Witchcraft laws.


Modern Witches hold rituals according to the turning of the seasons, the
tides of the moon, and personal needs. Most rituals are performed in a
ritual space marked by a circle.  We do not build church buildings to
create this ritual space -- all of Earth is in touch with the Goddess
and so any place may be consecrated to use for a rite. within this
sacred circle, two main activities occur -- celebration and the practice
of magic.  Celebration is most important at the major seasonal holidays,
called Sabbats.  At these times the myths of that particular holiday are
enacted and dancing, singing, feasting, and revelry are all part of the
festivities.  On these occasions we celebrate our oneness with Life.
Magic is more often performed at gatherings called Esbats, which
coincide with the phases of the moon.  Types of magic practiced include
psychic healing sessions, the channeling of energy to achieve positive
results, and work toward the individual spiritual development of the
coven members.  Magic is an art which requires adherence to certain
principles.  It requires a conscious direction of will toward a desired
end. It is an attribute of magic that what you direct your will toward
will return to you three times.  Therefore, Witches are careful to
practice only beneficial magic.

When the celebration, teaching, or magical work is finished, the
blessing of the Goddess and God is called into food and drink which are
shared by all. The circle is opened and the space is no longer
consecrated.

To create the circle and the working of magic, we use tools to
facilitate a magical mood in which the psychic state necessary for this
kind of work can be achieved.  The tools are part of a complete and self
consistant symbolic system which is agreed upon by the participants and
provides them with a 'map' for entry into unfamiliar psychic spaces.
Such a system, like a map, is arbitrary and not 'true' in an absolute
sense; it is a guide to a state which is ineffable and can be most
clearly reached through poetry and 'starlight' vision.

A primary tool, which is owned by most Witches, is an athame or ritual
knife. The athame is charged with the energy of the owner and is used as
a pointer to define space (such as casting a sacred circle) and as a
conductor of the owner's will and energy.

Other important tools are the symbols on the altar which denote the
elements: earth, air, fire, and water (some 'maps' include spirit).  A
pentacle (a pentagram traced upon a disk, like a small dish) is often
used to symbolize earth and its properties -- stability, material wealth
and practical affairs. Alternatively, a small dish of salt or soil can
be used to symbolize the earth element.  A ritual sword is usually used
to symbolize air and its properties - - communication, wisdom, and
understanding.  Alternatively, a thurible of incense or a bell may be
used to symbolize the air element.  A candle or wand is used to
symbolize the element of fire and its properties -- will, transmutation,
and power.  A chalice of water is used to symbolize the element of water
and its properties -- cleansing, regeneration, and emotion.  In
traditions which include the symbol of spirit, an ankh, quartz crystal,
or some other object is used to symbolize spirit and its properties --
perfection, balance, illumination and eternity.

There are many other minor tools which are used for some specific
purpose within magical workings, but the tools described above cover the
basic tools used in the practice of the religion of Wicca.

Since these tools are merely the conductors of personal energies, as
copper is a conductor for electrical energy, most covens provide some
degree of training in psychic development to strengthen each memeber's
ability to participate in the religious activities.  Each individual
decides what level of such training is useful for them.  We see psychic
abilities as a natural human potential. We are dedicated to developing
this and all of our positive human potentials. The energies raised by
these practices and other religious activities are directed toward
healing ourselves and the Earth, and toward diverse magical workings.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
=====================

'Drawing Down the Moon' (revised ed.) by Margot Adler

'Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft' by Raymond Buckland

'What Witches Do (2nd ed.)', 'Eight Sabbats for Witches', 'The Witches'
Way',
'The Witches' Goddess', all by Stewart (& Janet) Farrar

'The Spiral Dance' by Starhawk

'Witchcraft Today' and 'The Meaning of Witchcraft' both by Gerald
Gardner

'The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries (V. 1 & 2)' by Z. Budapest

'ABC of Witchcraft', 'Natural Magic', and 'Witchcraft for Tomorrow' by
Doreen
Valiente

The Truth About Witchcraft', a Llewellyn Educational Guide

[NOTE:  Much of the foregoing information was originally issued as a
'press release' by Covenant of the Goddess.  While whole portions were
left basically intact (aside from the correction of spelling errors),
other sections (especially the material on holidays) were substantially
rewritten and expanded by Mike Nichols, who assumes full responsibility
for any inaccuracies thus incurred.]