Witches have been misunderstood and stereotyped for many a year. Here are some common questions and answers to help educate and dispel myths regarding our beliefs.

What is a Witch?

A practitioner of a nature-based religion which recognizes the feminine in divinity and follows the seasonal cycles. A Witch believes that the divine exists within her or himself as well as without, and therefore feels a direct connection with the God/dess self. Witches come from all racial, socio-economic and religious backgrounds. What we share is a loosely structured system of beliefs largely known as "Wicca".

Do Witches worship the Devil?

No we don't. The Devil or Satan is part of the Christian and Muslim religions. Witches don't even believe in the existence of a Devil, Satan or Anti-Christ. That being said, how could we worship something that we don't think exists? Doesn't make sense does it? Witches believe that each and every human being is completely responsible for their own actions. To us, evil is a choice, albeit a bad one, that a human might make, not an entity to blame our actions upon. If an individual chooses to do evil, we believe they will be punished via The Law of Three or karma. If one is working for the good of others, we feel that the same laws will reward them. In other words, "What goes around comes around."

What are pentacles & pentagrams? What are they for?

A pentagram is a five pointed star. The top point represents the Spirit and the other four points represent North, South, East and West. A pentacle is a combination of the five pointed star with a circle around it which represents universal wisdom or the "Goddess". It's a symbol of protection worn as an amulet and used as a tool in spells or rituals. Pentacles and pentagrams are not Satanic. Pythagoras used it as a symbol of health and his followers wore them in order to recognize one another. In Medieval times, some Christian knights used the pentagram as their symbol. Satanists turn the symbol upside-down, which puts the elements of Fire and Earth at the top (Fire symbolizes willpower and passion and Earth, prosperity and earthly goods) and Spirit, spirituality, at the bottom. Satanists also turn the cross upside-down. This, in itself, does not make the cross or pentagram a Satanic symbol. In some Wiccan traditions, the reversed pentagram is a symbol of "second degree" status-one who has been elevated from "initiate". To members of these traditions, the reversed pentagram is considered highly positive and has no connection to Satanism.

Do Witches sacrifice humans and animals?

No. Although many ancient religions did perform these sacrifices. Today it's called murder. We don't eat babies or drink blood either. The nature of sacrifice is to give up something of one's own in order to gain something more important. We do not feel that the life of another creature is ours to give. Witches believe in the sanctity of all life.

Do you use magick to curse or hex people?

Using magick in this context would only produce dire results especially for the Witch who would attempt to abuse it in such a way. We have a belief called The Threefold Law. It means that any act you do positive or negative (including thoughts) comes back to you threefold in this life time or will follow you into the next. Imagine the consequences.

Are you a black Witch or a white Witch?

I'm just a Witch. I don't know how this white/black, good/bad thing started but I've been asked this question a lot. There are no black/white or good/ bad Witches, just good or bad people. And I like to think that most people strive to be good. When a Witch performs a spell or ritual they take it very seriously. Many are done to send healing energy to someone suffering physical or emotional pain. People by and large are loving and compassionate. But some aren't.

Why don't Witches try to convert me?

We believe that finding your religious path is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong path. Yours should be the one that fills you will love and content. What ever path that is, is for you to discover. We respect all religions and wish that the same respect is reciprocated. The only time you may encounter a Witch at your door would be on Samhain (Halloween). They will be small in stature and will quickly leave if you give them a treat.

Can you be a Witch if you are gay?

Yes. There is no sexual or racial bias in any form of Witchcraft. You can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The God/dess loves everyone.

Are male Witches Warlocks or Wizards?