Wicca as a Way of Life - Lady Rhiannon Diana
It has taken me quite some time to write this because of my mixed feelings on what to present. I didn't want to turn this into "Wicca 101" (note of the webmistress: and that is just what we have chosen to name this colum - poor love) or "How to Be a Witch" because I don't believe in it - I personally would feel as though I was inviting someone to join my club, or that I was pushing my beliefs on someone. Wicca is not an organization you join after reviewing the membership rules. Would someone feel the same way about another religion, such as Buddhism? Wicca needs to be treated as a deep personal belief, a tie with and deep respect for Earth and nature, a close relationship with the Lord and Lady, and the works that come about while doing so. It isn't a cool thing to do, it is a serious way of life. Most of us treat it this way, and this is the way I want to present it.

I also don't feel right about presenting a large amount of material because I am not an expert by any means. I have only been studying for 8 years, and I feel I am still at the beginning of my journey. What I will present instead is general information, and my personal thoughts and feelings on it. I will also talk about things that I have personally experienced while working magick, which brings me to my next thought.

Many people have the idea that magick is this thing where you say a few words, wave your arms in the air and somehow everything you asked for is right there in front of you. On the various mailing lists I am on, I have seen so many people post a question such as, "I need $400 for my college tuition. Is there a spell I can do?" or "I like this guy. Is there a love spell I can put on him to make him like me?" This is where Wicca gets it's ill reputation I have heard from people as a religion of false power. We do not pass out love potions in jars, and give you a mystical chant to make you rich. We don't escape down to the dungeoun to mix up a poison brew in our big bubbling cauldrons, cackling the whole time (well, most of the time). We are people who take our love for Earth and our understanding of the magick surrounding us, harness these energies, and put them towards our efforts to create what it is we are seeking, whether it be a few extra dollars or a loving relationship. Whatever it is, it is only for good, and never for harm.

The way I see magick may be different than most people, but this works for me. The magick that I do sets the motion for the change to occur. For example, let's say my bills are tight this month and I need a few extra dollars. This Thursday, I decide I am going to cast a money spell. Already I have set the magick in motion - I am deciding that Thursday, which is a favorable day for money spells, I will cast the spell. Thursday night, I take a special ritual bath, I go to my altar, set out my tools and begin. As I am mixing the incense, as I am rubbing the green candle with the patchouli oil, I am setting the magick in motion. I am visualizing myself receiving a check, or maybe finding an extra $20 bill, and depositing it into the bank. I see myself smiling, writing the check for my bills and feeling relief that I don't need to worry about that money. This is setting the magick in motion. But it isn't as easy as it sounds. After the spell is finished, the magick is not. You must not worry about the bill that needs to be paid. You must feel confident enough in your magick that it will happen. It isn't just the words and the tools - it is the energy that goes on inside you and where you choose to put it.

I don't want to go into the whole "Wicca isn't Satanism" thing here. All I am going to say is that Wiccans don't even believe in Hell or Satan, or practice anything evil for that matter, so if you're looking for Satanism, back it up to the nearest search engine and go from there. I do, however, want to address an issue that came up when I was talking to a few people about Wicca on New Years Eve. I am very open about being Wiccan. Most people I meet are interested to ask questions, but never get into deeper issues with me. I did, however, have one person ask "Aren't you worried about the afterlife?" I thought that was a great question, and I laughed, and said, "No. I'm actually looking forward to it." Which does sound morbid, but let me tell you, after this lifetime is over, it's time for this old soul to rest. :) Back to my story on New Years. So there I am, with my flaming red hair, my black shirt and pants, and around my neck a small pentacle, about the size of a dime on a thin chain that I always wear. I am sitting on a couch, talking to some friends, when a gentleman walks up to me and introduces himself. I smile and tell him my name, and I see his eyes fall to the pentacle (it was either that, or my chest, and he's lucky it was the pentacle). He laughs and says, "Oh you're one of THOSE people." I looked at him like I didn't know what he was talking about. Turns out he's a youth pastor, and he started in with me about how my religion was one of false power, and how Wicca is just a satanism cult. My point here is that I don't know where people get off. I don't walk around yelling, "Jesus was just a human man, not the son of God, you idiots!" or "Buddha was all made up in your heads!" - to me, this is insult in the deepest form. How dare someone attack another's personal religious views. To me, religion is between a person and whatever Deity(s) they choose to worship. And why believe that your way is the "only way"? There are so many different ways to God. Look deep inside yourself, find yours and be happy with it.

If you are one that feels Wicca truly calls to you, then I say LEARN. Learn all you can. Read. Talk to people. Visit your local metaphysical and herb stores, and sometimes you will find people just like you. Get out on the Internet, read, chat, explore. But most importantly, get outside. Find some time by yourself to sit and become in tune with nature. The God and Goddess are everywhere around us, and if you feel their call strong in your heart, you will hear them in the rustling leaves in the trees, smell their sweet scent in flowers, see their beauty in a sunrise or brightly shining moon, feel their love and light warming you in the sun and their power enveloping you with the wind. It is then that you will find Wicca, you will find magick and you will find peace.

I am always available to answer any questions you may have. Please feel free to email me anytime. You can also request to set up a chat session with me if you have mIRC, and be looking for my chat room right here on this page. As I am also creating a Book of Shadows, I will be including this on the page as well. I will keep you updated.