"Witchcraft: Veiled in Deceit"

Let's start off by dispelling some myths about witchcraft.

First and foremost, witchcraft is a religion. We are recognized by the government, our clergy can perform marriages,and carry the titles appropriate to our position. We do not worship Satan, we are life-affirming. Our religion is earth-based.

Second, this is not about love spells, spells used for revenge, or spells to make yourself look like someone else. You do not become a witch just to cast spells; there is more to it than that.

Third and most important, you will never know everything there is to witchcraft; it is a religion that is endless. To understand and know everything there is to know about it, you would hold within your grasp the knowledge of life itself, which is what witchcraft is based upon

We worship deities, a Goddess and God, in many forms. We do not stand out in a crowd unless we choose to do so. Your neighbor, your teachers, your best friend could be a witch, and you would never know unless they allowed you to know. We are not "weird" or insane; we just hold a different belief in our lives than you do.

Why are we drawn to our beliefs? The answer to that is many, sometimes it is hard to explain. Most of us feel an affinity to the Goddess, or have had experiences that brought us to our current beliefs. We do not go out and visit houses to preach the words of our faith, most of the time we do not have permanent structures in which to gather and hold worship in, nature is our chapels. Some are secretive about the knowledge that they hold, but others are willing to provide it to educate others that we are not a bunch of bloodthirsty heathens, sacrificing babies in the middle of the woods on a blood-stained altar.

While we do use knives (called athames) and swords, they are never meant to draw blood. They are used for rituals, the cutting of herbs, the drawing of the circle in which we gather, to direct energy. We do mix potions and herbs, but they are to heal, not to harm. Spell casting is a form of prayer for most of us. We will not share our spells since we wrote them ourselves, and they are not meant for others to use.

We recognize a Law of Three, which simply states that whatever we do, it will return to us three times stronger than what we sent out. By this law, it is wrong for us to harm another, or to do anything that violates a person's freedom. We can do it, but we will pay for it in the end.

I am a Witch, and I am proud of what I am. My love for my fellow man crosses over that of race, religion, and beliefs. The God and Goddess whom I serve does not demand me to bend my knee in supplication, they accept me willingly and I them. Those who do not believe as I do, they are not wrong; they are just on a different path in life.

I do not pass judgement. I am stating what I have read, what I know, and what I believe. If what I have written bothers you, turn away and go on about your life. I am just one of many, and my words do not need to impact upon your soul unless you let them.

I am a Witch, and I shall die a Witch. My beliefs live past me, and the Goddess shall receive me when my time here is done.

And I welcome you to my world and my words

Derwen here. I don't know who wrote this. I didn't, but I love it. If you recognize the work as your own, please e-mail me, so I can give you credit.

The music is Imagine by John Lennon

Pentacle image from Firesilk's demesne

Return to Derwen's Book of Shadows