Lisa Chamberlain - Wicca for Beginners: A Guide to Wiccan Beliefs, Rituals, Magic & Witchcraft (The Mystic Library)

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Text 2014, 2020 Lisa Chamberlain Cover 2020 Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

Originally published as Wicca for Beginners in 2016 by Wicca Shorts

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ISBN 978-1-4549-4085-2

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FOR INE

who gave me the inkling.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

If youre reading this book, you probably already know that Witches and Wiccans are real people, living in the everyday world, and not the mean, green-faced, scary old hags seen in popular movies and Halloween costumes. They are not negative or malicious people, and they dont hex or try to manipulate others through devious means.

These stereotypes are a result of misconceptions about many ancient pagan religions found throughout Europe before the rise of Christianity, and while they may provide for good entertainment, they have also obscured the truth. Those who we would call the witches of the past were actually the healers, shamans, and wise people of their communities. They were respected and appreciated for the skills they utilized to benefit the greater good.

This doesnt mean that no one has ever used their abilities to harness natural forces in a self-serving or even nefarious manner. After all, since the dawn of humanity, there has always been the potential for selfish and destructive acts in every person. But Wicca has nothing to do with any sort of service-to-self mentality. On the contrary, Wicca (along with many other forms of Witchcraft) is rooted in the understanding that we are all interconnectedwith each other, and with the Earth that sustains us. Wicca is a spiritual practice that allows people to reclaim the balanced relationship with Nature that our modern world has become largely disconnected from.

For a long time, Wicca was mostly practiced in secrecy, whether by covens gathering privately for holiday rituals or by solitary Witches marking the passing of the seasons with their own personal celebrations. This is still the case for many Wiccans, whether due to the negative stereotypes mentioned above, or simply because they prefer to keep their spiritual lives private.

However, times have certainly changed. As societal attitudes have become more open-minded regarding alternative spiritual paths, Wicca has attracted an unprecedented explosion of intereston a level that those of us old enough to remember life before the internet would never have imagined possible. A few decades ago, people curious about Wicca typically had little access to credible information, especially those without a good New Age or occult bookstore anywhere in the vicinity. Today, you can simply enter Wicca into an online search engine and spend whole days, weeks, or even years exploring the results.

Of course, not all websites, articles, and books are of equal quality, and the sheer amount of available information about Wicca can be overwhelming, especially since many sources present conflicting information. Since Wicca is a thoroughly decentralized religion, with no agreed-upon authoritative text or standard set of traditions, you will find an enormous variety of perspectives, philosophies, and beliefs among practicing Wiccans, some of which will likely resonate with you more than others.

You are always advised to explore the ideas and practices that make the most intuitive sense to you and let go of whatever doesnt feel right. Just as your knowing, inner self brought you to this particular book, it will guide you throughout your exploration of Wicca, whether you decide to pursue this spiritual path or simply satisfy your curiosity and move on.