Pagans, Witches, and Wiccan's: could you please explain your beliefs and faith to me?

Question

I'm trying to do research on religions such as these and would like to hear the truth from actual practicers. All of your help is much appreciated.

Answer 1

Witches and Wiccans fall under the Pagan umbrella.

Since we have no monocentric leader, you'll find that no two of us believe the exact same thing.. that's one of the things we all love about the "pagan" belief.. your way IS the right way for you.

I'm a witch. I'm animist, pantheist, ancestral in my beliefs, and I am closely connected with the natural world, and my birthright as a witch.

It's difficult to answer a broad question like this in much detail. If you need more information, feel free to contact me through my profile. Good luck on your research!

Answer 2

Wow, this is a hard question to answer, because its hard to sum up my Wiccan beliefs and my faith. Wicca is a non dogmatic religion, we have no bible or set holy book. There are many types of Wiccans, thinkof all the branches of Christanity! I'm what's called a solitary elceltic, meaning I basically practice my faith on my own (except for a few open rituals), and in my own way. That being said, there are some basic things that all Wiccans follow. I really think they have to be followed or its not really Wicca. That doesn't make it bad, but it also doesn't make it Wicca. We believe in the rede, the goddess and gods, different pantheons of goddess and god reps, reincarntion, energy is natural-not supernatural, the elements play a big role as does nature, seasons, and the wheel of the year. You must be dedicated to Wicca, but that's not the same as iniation. Iniation involes traditional covens. It used to be said that "only a witch can make a witch" meaning you had to go through an initation before you would be considered Wiccan. That school of thought has really changed over the last 20 years, now the thought is only the goddess can make one a witch. Some traditions are still strict on initations. We celebrate 8 Sabbats (holy days) that are based on the wheel of the year. Each of these has it's own meaning, celebrations, etc. We NEVER preach or try to convert anyone to our faith. Everyone must find Wicca on their own. Also, there are many paths in life and we recognize Wicca is not for everyone. However, we wish to be treated with respect, and we should show others the same respect. Also we believe in the law of 3, which is like karma, which means that any energy you send out will come back to you 3 times more. So if you are cruel to someone, you will feel 3 x's worse than they do, at some point in the near future. Also, if you send out love and positive enerygy, that comes back 3 fold as well. I also starred this question for my pagan contacts!

Answer 3

Merry Meet Everyone, As the definitions are know today: All Wiccans ARE Witches. All Witches are not necessarily Wiccan, and all Wiccans/Witches are Pagan, but Pagans are not necessarily Wiccans or Witches. In Light and Love, Alawnduin

Answer 4

I'm a druidic earth based nature worshiping Pagan. I've talked to dozens of Pagans about their beliefs in the past few weeks. No two Pagans seem to think exactly alike.

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Answer 5

I'm a pagan, on the Druid path. If it wasn't for the Earth, Sun and Moon, we would not exist, along with the other planets in our solar system, so we must say our thanks to them and acknowledge their power over us. Everything is made up of either liquid, solid or gas, or another way, water, earth, air. These elements also need to be acknowleged. They all have spirits. Everything leads to balance, dynamic equilibrium. This is true for our lives, the planet, our solar system, our galaxy and the universe.
I believe the soul wants to grow and evolve like the universe which is why my life is about seeking the truth in everything to gain wisdom which remains with the soul. I belive we should all do something meaningful with our lives, as a thank you to the earth for giving us this wonderful oportunity to exist within her and definately not to abuse her.

Keeper of the birch trees says "follow you feelings"

Answer 6

This is way too much to answer here but I can recommend the book "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler which tells about many of the various Pagan beliefs.

Answer 7

Oh my....where to start.....To explain them to you would make for a very long answer. What I can do is give you a kind of a summary. Will that do? I have found this quote to be as accurate as can be with my beliefs.

"When one defines oneself as Pagan, it means she or he follows an earth or nature religion, one that sees the divine manifest in all creation. The cycles of nature are our holy days, the earth is our temple, its plants and creatures our partners and teachers. We worship a deity that is both male and female, a mother Goddess and father God, who together created all that is, was, or will be. We respect life, cherish the free will of sentient beings, and accept the sacredness of all creation." Edain McCoy

This may not be true for all Pagans but it is for me.

Answer 8

http://www.witchvox.com

I'm not the best example, as I'm eclectic and non-theistic. But I'll star this for you after I've answered it. I have several pagan contacts.

My beliefs are pretty simple. I think things are inherently balanced, and that everything that we do is returned to us.

I believe that we can change and control ourselves with magic. (Of course, my definition of magic is psychological and symbolic forces that give us self-control. If you can change your perspective and attitude, then you've reached a place where a solution can be formed.)

I believe that we are all learning and following our own paths.

I believe that nature is sacred. It sustains us and it preseves the forces which bring life to us.

Answer 9

The link below contains a pretty good explanation of what it means to practice Wicca or Paganism.

As a Wiccan/Pagan myself, I can endorse the link that appears below.

Answer 10

I don't want to confuse you with all that you already have in great answers, but I want you to know what we are NOT: We are not devil worshippers, we don't do bloody sacrifices, and we aren't drugged out weirdos either. We are a peaceful people and we believe that everyone should be allowed their own path. Harm none, do as you will; is one of our greatest beliefs and you will find it in common with about 99% of us. Of my beliefs? Consider this: We have a mother and a father in our families right? Then it only makes sense that there is a mother and father for all of creation. That's just me, but many of our beliefs have similarities. It's actually kind of neat to check those similarities out. I am of a Shaman's path and I work closely with nature. I am considered "holy" by many that I have met with, but this is not a title that I prescribe to. People see us as they do and add their own definitions. We opt to educate and let others do of their own free will.