are there real witches?

Answer 1

Yes, there are. Witches follow Wicca.

Answer 2

Yeah, there are. They can't generally do the flying on a broom thing (that tradition actually started from two true witch traditions - the first was that witches used a broomstick in their rituals, and the second was that they would use drugs to achieve 'higher states' and 'astral travel', which would make them feel like they were flying) but they usually do have cauldrons - but at lot of their cauldrons can be bought at Ikea!

There are many paths of a witch, the most common one is a religion called Wicca. It is a new religion but based on ancient pagan principles - older than Christianity. It is based around a series of laws (kinda like the Ten Commandments of Christianity) contained in the Wiccan Rede. The Rede is:

"Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" "

That pretty much sums up Wicca really! They celebrate sabbats throughout the year, include a yuletide (Christmas) and Samhain (Hallow'een).

They're usually very, very nice people - they take care of the environment and love children and nature. They tend to see the good in people and believe that everyone has a right to believe what they think is right - they don't judge people on their religion, especially considering how much persecution a lot of them recieve for theirs!

Their spells can also be described as 'active prayers'. In other words, they're prayers, much like in any other religion, but with actions, kind of like saying 'I want this *sooo* much, that i'm going to find all these nice smelly herbs and all the right color candles and go through the effort to show you that I deserve it!' They often use herbal medicines, which they might prepare at home - but they still go to the doctor for medical treatment.

Witches can be male or female, and a male witch is not a warlock (meaning 'truth twister') and is still reffered to as a witch. They sometimes work together is groups (called 'Covens') to work magic together, though many work on their own (called 'Solitary Witches').

They usually believe in a God and a Goddess, and they will pray to them and astral project (these days, most witches do not use drugs to do this, but rather concentration, meditation and relaxation) so that they can meet them. The Sabbats I mentioned earlier are celebrations of phases in the God and Goddesses lives. Some witches reject the idea of a God and Goddess in place of a belief in a driving force of nature.

You can often tell a witch by their symbol of a pentagram - a five pointed star, usually within a circle - or a triple moon, a large circle with two half moons, one waxing and one waning either side. They will also often sign online using the traditional pagan signature of 'blessed be'. However, knowing someone is a witch doesn't give anyone the right to critisize them for it - it's a genuine, legal religion!

I hope this helps a little, and happy Hallowe'en!

Answer 3

There is the Wiccan religion, which believes in natural magic. Most accused witches were probably either just people on the fringes, like old widowed women, or people who had some experience with medicine or homeopathic cures. My Great-Grandmother was a practitioner of white magic. When I was a little girl, I had warts all over my hands. She "bought" them from me, and they went away. She also used a burn cure which was passed down to me. I once saw her heal a little boy who had stepped on a sparkler on the 4th of July. He came to her screaming, and seconds after she performed the cure, he jumped up and started playing again without a complaint. I'm not sure how much of it is psychological, but it definitely works.

Answer 4

Wiccans exist and are called the "true" witches. They celebrate nature and its' magic.
There are also dark witches, those who try to cast spells.
They both exist and both are a form of the simplified idea of witch, both real and ultimately fated to be fictionalized for their unbelievability, unfortunately.

Answer 5

Yes, we're real. Wiccans, some go by the title Witch, follow the Wiccan rede. "...and it harm none, do what ye will." Please keep in mind (in reference to the comment on the Wiccan preistess from "Wife Swap") there are some eccentrics in all religions. Our's is no exception.

Answer 6

Well Kathy, it kinda depends on a type of religion. I was watching a tv show the other day...okay yesterday...and one person was a "witch". she could do magic, go to places with her broom, everything. But it was based on a type of religion.

Answer 7

Part of believing in witches is believing in their abilities. We all have free will... if you believe you have a curse on you, you do.

Answer 8

Does Salem, Mass answer this question? They'll say yes.

Answer 9

Yup! We're real!

Answer 10

Yes, we are real.