Witchcraft means "Craft of the Wise ones" and is also known as the "Old Religion."
The Goddess is the mother of all things, of nature and of earth. She is represented by the moon, and is seen to be a symbol of fertility and life. Her power is greatest during the fertile months of May to October.
The God is symbolised in the woodlands, in the sun and in the hunt. The God is known as the consort of the Goddess and the horned one as the ancient people hunted horned animals. This represents his majesty, skill and strength. His power is at it’s peak in the ‘dark half’ of the year, from October to May.
Magic is a conscious direction of one’s will to cause change, for good or bad. However, Witches are prevented from using ‘black’ or evil magic through their belief in the Wiccan Rede and the three fold law. The Wiccan Rede. is; "An thou harm none, do what thou wilt." Witches believe that whatever they do will come back to them three fold, therefore they are prevented from harming anyone. They also celebrate their oneness with life and the earth and the passing of the tides and the seasons.
My late mother~in~law is the one who taught me the Pagan path. I have always been interested in it, but naively thought that you had to be born into it. I was born and raised Catholic, although we didn't go to church on a regular basis. I did, however, get baptised, made my first Communion, attended CCD classes, and made my Confirmation. But, I didn't feel like this was the right way for me to go. I felt that there was something not quite right. I didn't believe in everything the Bible said; or that the preacher's said. Not that I have anything against people who do believe that stuff (I am always willing to listen to everyone's thoughts), it just wasn't for me. But, when I started to read about Paganism and witchcraft, it all made sense to me. I am able to follow my own path, in my own time, in my own way. That, to me, is free will.
