There is a lot of confusion and stereotypes in the world today. Confusion that often leads to fear and mistrust. I hope to dispel this fear created from misconceptions, by briefly explaining in my own words what witchcraft is."Pagan, Witch and Wicca". These words commonly used in modern society. Words which conjure up images of the wizened old crone crouching over a boiling Calderon. Jar upon jar of batwings and eyes of newts. In actual fact the word "pagan" is a very old English word meaning, "person of the country". Nothing more sinister than that. In the middle ages the people of Britain were almost tribal with individual dialects stemming from different areas of the country. The pagans were the simple uneducated peasants who had not yet learned the written word, or indeed the teachings of the Christian church.
A Wiccan is a person who follows the ancient beliefs now Incorporated in the religion of Wicca. To follow Wicca is to respect nature and to worship the Earth and the energies of creation within the Earth. To follow Wicca is to respect all living things and people's individual beliefs. It is to follow the Wiccan Rede - "Do as you will, though it harm none".
A Wiccan does not have to be a witch though most are. The word "witch" is a modern spelling taken from the Saxon word "wych". Wych means "to create change". This is what being a witch is all about. A witch worships and works with the forces of nature. Working to bring about change for the good of all.
