Q: What is Wicca?
A: Wicca is a pagan religion, and honors the gods of old, before the
time of christianity. I like to think of Wicca as
"unorganised religion". Wicca is both a religion and a way of life.
As a religion, it puts the individual in harmony with the divine.
As a lifestyle, it is a way of harmony, and a way of achieving
practical benefits by way of magick. There is no *one* right way
to do things. There are many branches of Wicca, and more information can be obtained from some excellent sources on the Links page.
Q: What is Dianic Wicca?
A: Dianic Wicca is a branch/tradition of Wicca that places emphasis
on the feminine. We honor the Lady in all Her aspects, and the
feminine in all her different guises. Sometimes people think of
Dianic Wiccan as the 'feminist branch' of Wicca. Dianic Wicca honors the Goddess: Diana, Isis, Innana,
Hecate, Kali, and all her other names. Other Traditions of Wicca also
honor the 'Lord' in addition to the 'Lady'.
Q: Are all Dianics lesbians?
A: No. While it is true that many Dianic Wiccans happen to be lesbian,
there are also many who are not. Just as being a feminist does not
mean that one is lesbian, so being Dianic Wiccan does not necessarily
mean that one is lesbian. Still, because Dianic Wicca stresses honor
to the feminine, women who love women are honored and welcomed.
Q: How do I become a witch?
A: There is no one way to become a witch. Basically, being a witch is
a way of life, of understanding, of thinking, and doing. Generally, a
witch is someone who practices Wicca. For more explanation of
Wicca, try reading the book 'Spiral Dance' by Starhawk.
Q: What is a Circle?
A: A Circle is the magical barrier within which magick is done. It is the sacred space within which ritual is created. It is a space between the worlds, where what is done in the world of magick can affect the mundane. Ways of casting a circle can be found in our Book of Shadows.
Q: How do I make an altar?
A: An altar is personal, and so every person's altar is different. Typically, altars contain some representations of the 4 elements - earth/north, air/east, fire/south, water/west. Hence the salt, and water, and incense, etc.
Q: Can a christian be a witch also?
A: No. By definition, christianity is opposed to witchcraft. A true christian cannot practice witchcraft, and neither can a true witch be a christian. The only way for a christian to be a witch is to leave christianity, and vice versa.
E-mail valleypagan@attbi.com