Understanding Withcraft

Is it real? Witchcraft (or Wicca) is an ancient form of nature religion, also known as the religion of the wise or the practice of magical arts, manipulates supernatural forces and psychic powers by using fertility rituals and occult practices, such as magic and sorcery. The beliefs and practices of witchcraft have existed for thousands of years.  The occult arts were evident in ancient Egypt, Babylon, Greece, and Rome. Some modern-day witches claim that organized religion has ignored the spiritual needs of women by perpetuating a male-dominated patriarchal society.  This explains women’s dominance in the resurgence and practice of contemporary forms of witchcraft. They believe that the earth goddess was the primordial deity of the universe and that the earth was governed by a matriarchal society.  Herein lies the essence of the feminist movement. This all goes back to Satan’s seduction of Eve in the garden to make her wise and pull her away from the authority of her husband (Genesis 3:1-6). Witches tend to organize themselves locally in covens of about 12-15 members. All covens, whether independent or affiliated with other similar groups, are led by a high priestess or high priest.  They become skilled in the use of occult arts, such as clairvoyance, divination, astral projection, using magic, and casting spells.  Once they become skilled in witchcraft, they are permitted to join the coven.  Those who ascend to the highest ranks of leadership become high priestesses and high priests.  They are required to participate in a pagan ceremony called the Great Rite, which may include ritualistic sex and other occult practices. According to witchcraft beliefs, divinity exists within nature as well as within people.  Sin is a lack of awareness of full human potential and godhood.  Other witches say they use occult arts to develop the collective unconscious of the human race, thereby helping people to reestablish contact with the spirit world.  Many witchcraft practitioners have a deep reverence for nature and help people draw upon the supposed natural healing powers of Mother Earth. The use of group magic to heal others is also a common practice of witchcraft. Black magic, or sorcery, attempts to produce harmful results, like misfortune or death. This involves curses, spells, the destruction of models of enemies, and the establishment of alliances with evil spirits.  White magic tries to undo curses and spells, and to use occult forces for the good of others and the good of self.  Witches try to compel a god, demon, or spirit to do their work for them. Witchcraft is commonly characterized by the veneration of a fertility deity named the Great Mother Goddess, represented by the moon, and the worship of her consort Pan, the horned fertility god represented by the sun.  Each year Pan dies and is brought back to life in a ceremony called “drawing down the sun.”  In this ritual, the high priestess of a coven will call the name of Pan as she invokes the god aspect of the high priest.  The parallel ceremony for the Mother Goddess is called “drawing down the moon,” and it entails invoking the goddess aspect of the high priestess. Witchcraft cults are known to observe eight seasonal festivals called sabbats in which witches gather together to renew their allegiance to the Mother Goddess, nature, and so on. The sabbat is characterized by mystic rights and orgies.