Frequently Asked Questions that follow this exchange.

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

All real witches believe in doing good and not evil. We believe that doing evil and harm is against all ethical and moral laws. The basic tenet of Witchcraft is "By the free will of all and with harm to none."

So do you worship Satan?

We do not believe in Satan, let alone worship that concept. We do not have any satan/devil or any all-evil deity in our religious structure. We cannot worship what we do not believe exists.

Why do Witches wear black?

Well, we don't. At least, not all the time. Sometimes we wear black ritual clothing because the color black absorbs light information and helps Witches be more receptive to psychic impressions and energies. Black tends to repel negativity, too, so it becomes a positive color in rituals.

Do you cast Spells?

Yes. A spell is a thought, a projection, a prayer. Other religions use prayer, meditation, projection and ritual to produce an intended result. That is what I do. I cast spells for all kinds of things, but never for harm. Spells done at the right time with the right energy and in the right spirit are very powerful. Spell casting is not done lightly by most Witches. It is a serious part of our Craft.

Do you use a Magic Wand?

I certainly do. Magickal wands are used by witches to direct energy. Magick is an important part of a Witch's work and wands are a tool for that magick.

How come you don't know how to spell magic?

To me, magic is what you see at a magic show, performed by a magician. Many Witches spell magick with a k to differentiate between that kind of magic and what we do.

So what is magick then?

Magick is the movement of energy. It's that simple. I can move energy, channel it, direct it, intend it. That is my magick.

Are male witches warlocks?

No. The word "warlock" is a Scottish word that means "oath breaker." That became a term designating a male Witch during the "burning times." A male Witch is simply a Witch.

Is Witchcraft a religion?

Yes. It is a religion and a science. The definition of religion is: "a particular system of faith and worship; a thing to which one is devoted." The definition of science is: "a branch of knowledge involving systematic observation and experiment; skillful technique." Witchcraft fits both of those definitions. It is a system of faith to which I am devoted and it is definitely a branch of knowledge involving systematic observation and experiment, along with skillful technique. Witches use their knowledge and magick in harmony with the Universe and Nature around them.

What does the word "Witch" really mean?

It is defined in the English Oxford dictionary as a Celtic word meaning the wise, good people. Can't argue with that!

What does the pentagram mean?

Many people recognize the pentagram as the symbol of Witchcraft. It is a symbol for protection. When a Witch offers you the symbol of the pentagram, she is offering you protection from negative energy. The five points of the star represent the five elements — air, fire, water, earth and spirit. When it is drawn and surrounded by the circle, it represents the human body encompassed by the protection of the elements.

I never thought of Witchcraft as a religion before. Is it recognized as a religion by our government?

Yes. It has been tested and upheld in both state and federal courts as a religion that requires, and must be guaranteed, full and equal protection under the Constitution of the United States. The military acknowledges Witchcraft as a religion, giving a thorough and accurate description of it in their chaplain's handbook.

Do Witches have a secret language?

No. There are some phrases that are frequently used by Witches, but they are not secret. These include "Merry Meet" as a greeting and "Blessed Be" as a farewell.

I've heard of Wicca. Is that the same thing as Witchcraft?

That's a hard question because the answer depends on who you ask. Some people use the words interchangeably. Some people think its a kinder word than Witchcraft because of the pejorative nature of the word "witch" in our society. To me, and to many Witches, Wicca is a religion in which one can believe and it is the religion of most Witches. If you believe in the tenets of Wicca, then you can call yourself Wiccan. But to be a Witch is something very different because that requires a great deal of knowledge, skill, and belief.

So what are some of the tenets of Wicca?

It is a Pagan religion with a very positive view of nature, an emphasis on personal experience and responsibility, and an acceptance of other paths. Wiccans value balance with a respect for diverse complexity, seeing sexuality as essentially a positive, spiritual gift. Wicca offers a sense of personal connection. The Wiccan Rede is: "Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: An it harm none, do what you will."

OK, you're a Witch. Do you ride a broom?

The broom is the oldest and most enduring symbol of Witchcraft. There are lots of interesting stories about why Witches are said to have ridden brooms, some of them racier than others. I use a broom to symbolically sweep away negative energy before I cast a Circle and I also use the broom as a symbol of protection in my house.

What other tools do you use?

Most Witches have a broom, incense, a wand, an athame, candles, cords, a cauldron, jewelry, a pentacle, oils, a chalice, and ritual clothing. But there is no magick in a tool except what a Witch puts there. Tools make a Witch's life easier and often, make ritualling more meaningful, but they are not necessary to the movement of energy.

Do you sacrifice animals in your rituals?

No. Witches hold a deep reverence for nature and animals. A Witch would not use any animal as a sacrifice in any ritual. This would go against our basic life views, since Witches are in their religion for the harmony, balance, and peace it brings them.

You're not anti-Christian?

Witchcraft is a pre-Christian religion, but it is not anti-Christian. I believe that Jesus was a loving teacher who helped people to understand one another better. I believe in the religion of Jesus, but not always in the religion about Jesus. I have studied the Bible, both as a book of religious beliefs and as a book of literature. There are many good lessons there and Witches do not denigrate it. We celebrate the positive stories and guidance there.

Do Witches believe in heaven and hell?

I don't speak for all Witches. No one Witch ever could. Most Witches do not believe in the traditional Christian concept of heaven and hell. I do not need to be convinced to live a life of goodness and love, with harm to no one else, by a promise of heaven or a threat of hell. I live the life I do because living that way is its own reward. And living any other way certainly would be a hell for me.

Do you recruit other people to turn them into Witches?

No. Witchcraft is the fastest growing religion in the United States right now, but we definitely do not recruit. While I welcome people into my Circle for rituals, I have never ever recommended that a person become a Witch or live their life according to my beliefs. Becoming a Witch is not as simple as calling yourself a Witch. It requires hard work, not so much from the point of view of learning how to do the outward tasks such as conducting rituals, doing spells, mixing potions, laying an altar, memorizing words and gathering tools; but from the changes that a person has to make within to become a Witch. Earlier I said that Witchcraft was both a religion and a science. For most Witches, though, that doesn't begin to cover it. Being a Witch is not what I do, it's what I am. That means that I have to keep a positive attitude within me all the time. I never forget that balance exists in my life and that I am filled with positive energy and love. I remember my power to heal and my power to create and destroy. I believe that the opposite of love is fear. I live without fear in my life. I create my world anew every day, every hour. If life does not taste good to me, there is no one else to blame. No fate. No person. No evil entity. As a Witch, my knowledge and my experience bring me a reserve of calm and confidence that others feel. Sometimes people think that they would like to have what they see in me and that maybe if they become a Witch, they will have that, too. The truth is that I am that way because of my Craft, but that no one can truly become a Witch until they find this place inside themselves. The most difficult part of the path of Witchcraft is the spiritual surgery and healing that has to take place before any wand or candle or potion or pentagram can make any difference in your life.

Wait. You make potions?

Yes, I mix ordinary liquids and herbs together to make potions for difference intentions. Some of them don't taste very good, but most people who take them do notice that their purpose is fulfilled. I also make lotions, potpourri, incense mixtures, and blend oils for different purposes. I use spell magick with these.

Do you look in a crystal ball to see the future?

Actually, I do have a crystal ball and do occasionally see things in it. But my preferred methods of divination are tarot cards and palm reading. But rather than make very specific predictions about the future, although sometimes those do come through during a reading, these tools give insight into who you are. One of the problems attendant to predicting the future is that every day we have the power to change our path and make those predictions false. Nothing is pre-ordained. But certainly these tools help us to see the results of the path we're traveling and, in that way, help us in making decisions.

So will you do this for me?

I normally do tarot readings and palms readings following rituals. But what that means is that I seldom do a reading for someone unless they first come to a ritual. I don't charge for tarot or palm readings, although all Witches love gifts!

Can I actually come to a ritual?

Yes. Many Witches practice their Craft in groups called covens. Most covens do not open their rituals to those outside the Craft. The reasons for this are historically based, although they certainly are valid today, as well. During the burning times when Witches were persecuted and burned for their beliefs, they had to practice in secret. Even today, Witches are sometimes persecuted for their beliefs in the justice system, in the education system, in employment, and socially. I have belonged to a coven, but now I practice as a solitary practitioner and I open my rituals to anyone who wishes to attend. The only restriction I have is one of space, so its important that I know ahead of time who is planning to attend. While on this subject, I want to say that rituals are sometimes short and sometimes long. Out of respect for the Circle, I request that no one come to the ritual who is trying to squeeze it in before doing what they have planned for the night. In other words, if you want to attend a ritual, plan to stay a long time. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time later in the evening, then don't attend the ritual that night.

What are the "burning times?"

That's a term used by many Pagans to refer to the great European Witch-hunts during the time of the reformation and seen by many as a crucial step in Christianity's crushing of the Pagan religions, driving underground what they could not destroy. Some authors claim as many as ten million people were killed in these Witch-hunts, but more recent scholars put the figure at closer to 100,000, about 85% of these were women. Sometimes these numbers are inflated to account for non-judicial killings and deaths from torture and suicide. Victims of these hunts are perceived as martyrs by Witches today, with the lessons of intolerance, misogyny and religious terror clearly noted.

How often do you have rituals?

I have them roughly 2-3 times a month. We always celebrate the new moon, the full moon (these are called Esbats) and the eight solar holidays (called Sabbats). I also do special rituals for rites of passage, as well as for healing.

What are rites of passage?

Rites of passage are the special times that most people have in their lives, such as birth (called a wiccaning), coming of age, marriage (called handfasting), death. There are services for many life changing events, such as a new job or a graduation or moving or even a birthday can be the focus of a ritual.

What happens at a ritual?
Nothing scary. Although every Witch conducts rituals a little differently, my rituals consist of the following parts:
GATHERING - Everyone gathers around the ritual table, usually after removing their shoes, although no one is forced to do that. The lights are out and music is playing and incense is burning. After the lights are out, there is sometimes a little nervous energy among the group and sometimes a little chatter. Occasionally someone in the Circle will have something to share with the group and this often happens at this time. When the energy is calming a bit & I feel ready, I begin.
CASTING THE CIRCLE - This is the most important part of the ritual as far as my work is concerned. I walk the Circle with a symbol of each of the elements - air, fire, water, earth and spirit. As I walk the Circle, I see the energy taking a visible form around the participants. I see the energy as light, texture, and color. When I have cast the Circle, I cannot see beyond it. It is as if we all are "between the worlds" and in Witchcraft, that is where all rituals take place. I have no concept of time in a ritual. I welcome each of the elements by lighting a candle.
WELCOMING DEITIES - I welcome others that I feel have joined us for the ritual and light a candle for each one.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - I state the purpose of the ritual, because rituals should never be done without a purpose.
MEDITATION - There is a time of meditation which, almost always in my rituals, is guided visualization. Sometimes people fall asleep, which is fine. Sometimes people experience a state that they can't describe. People are frequently very moved by the experience and they may gain new insights during meditation.
SPELL WEAVING - I cast spells. I intend each item on the table. I intend the wine that each person will drink. I see the movement of energy. I direct it. This is an intense time and is definitely affected by the energy we have created in the Circle. I mix potions. Usually, there is a symbolic fire in the small cauldron on the table.
PASSING OF THE KISS - We pass a kiss around the Circle.
WATER BLESSING - I bless each person with water on their forehead and say special words intended for that person only.
WINE AND CAKES - We share a communion of wine and cakes. Each has been intended to perform magick once it has entered ther body. Very often participants bring the wine or the cakes to share. I give each to each person with the blessing, "May you never hunger. May you never thirst." We drink together.
REAFFIRMATION OF OATH - I reaffirm my oath to the religion and science of Witchcraft.
FAREWELL - As I snuff out the candles, I say goodbye to entity represented by each candle.
OPENING OF THE CIRCLE - For the first time during the ritual, I make a movement which is counter-clockwise in order to open the circle. I see the energy fall to the ground as I end the ritual.
AFTER - The time after ritual is almost as important to some of the participants as the ritual itself. As the energy we created still exists around us, we just keep the lights off and talk. If you're lucky, you might even get a foot massage.

Is there a way to practice some other religion and Wicca?

Much of Wicca is a view of the Universe and ceremonial practice. There is no requirement to denounce any other faith. Many people have remarked that Witchcraft offers the best of their former religion without the worst.

How come I've never met a Witch before?

You probably have. Fear of people's reactions still keeps many Witches in the broom closet. Witches don't proselytize. And Witches don't look or dress a certain way so you may know lots of Witches who just haven't expressed their beliefs to you.

Don't you have a special book like the Bible?

I have a special book, but it is not like the Bible. There are many wonderful books about Witchcraft. Witches call their book the "Book of Shadows." It is possible to find one now in print or even online, but a true Book of Shadows is written in the hand of the Witch who uses it and it contains her own recipes for potions, spells, magickal crafts, as well as rituals and readings.

How did people react?

Most of the time, the first word they say is "what?" Sometimes they think I'm teasing. Sometimes they say I don't look like a Witch. Sometimes they say they don't believe in Witches (which apparently means I'm just figment of their imagination). Usually they ask me questions, most often the kinds of questions that I've written here.

What else should I ask?

That's up to you. If you have any questions at any time, just ask me. I'm only too happy to give you my opinion! But really, if there is something you want to know, ask. I'll tell you what I know or what I think. I'll be honest. And I won't put a curse on you, no matter what!