improvement in the way that people think about Witches and the Craft and media coverage is more favourable. Today, as a known Witch, I am less likely to have my windows broken or my tyres slashed than even 10 years ago, but there are still many misconceptions and I would like to address some of them here:
Witches are in league with the Devil and the same as Satanists.
Witches do not believe in, let alone worship, a devil. They do not believe in an evil being whose purpose is to balance out the good God. Witches believe in personal responsibility – we are each responsible for whatever we do, whether good or bad, and can blame no outside force (or devil) for those actions which we subsequently regret.
Nor is the practice of divination anything to do with conjuring up spirits who can see into the future. Divination is a way of accessing our own skills to see what is coming in our own and other people’s lives.
Witches practise Black Magic.
Magic itself is neither good nor bad, white nor black, it is a neutral force in the same way as electricity is. If Magic is used in a positive and beneficial way it is often called ‘white’; when used negatively it is often referred to as ‘black’. However, most Witches try to adhere to the main ‘rule’ of the Craft, the Wiccan Rede, which states: ‘An’ it harm none, do what thou will.’ Whilst there are undoubtedly a few Witches who do work Magic for selfish reasons or to the detriment of others, the vast majority of Magical workings are for the benefit of others.
Witches sacrifice animals.
Witches have a great respect for nature and for the rights of others. They do not believe that people have rights over animals or each other and do not make blood sacrifices. What they do sacrifice is time and energy. They may also make offerings of wine, oils, gemstones or items they have created themselves.
Witchcraft is all about sex and nudity.
Witchcraft is one of the ancient fertility religions. However, it is common to confuse fertility and sex. Fertility is not just about having babies, it is about inspiration, having new ideas. A fertile relationship is one where both partners assist one another to develop their individual potential to the full, where growth is encouraged, not restricted. This may or may not include having a family. A fertile business is one with new products, markets and customers.
It is also common to mistake the term ‘nature religion’ for ‘naturist’. Naturists are those who prefer to remove their clothes as much of the time as possible, as they find this totally acceptable and a more comfortable way of being. There is nothing in the Craft which demands nudity, indeed one of the key tenets is that no one should ever be forced to do anything they are uncomfortable with. Some Witches do indeed work their rituals naked, or ‘skyclad’ as it is termed, while others work in robes or in special but everyday clothing. This is because changing what you wear marks the step between daily life and ritual working. Some Witches may also be naturists, but this tends to be more likely in the warmer parts of the globe!
Witchcraft is a ‘pick and mix’ religion.
Certainly the Craft overall has no set rituals or formulae and no defining text. As a Witch you can refer to the God or Goddess by different names at different times and you are expected to make your own judgements as to what is right and wrong on a day-to-day basis. There are no ‘authorities’ to tell you what to do, say and think.
There are many who feel that this all means Witchcraft cannot be a true religion – in other words, there are not enough rules! However, the Wiccan Rede, ‘An’ it harm none, do what thou will’, whilst being a positive statement, is nevertheless a lot to live up to.
There is no proof that Witchcraft has any historical basis prior to the last 50 years.
It is true that there is little recorded history prior to the 1950s. Given the background of the persecution of Witches, not to mention the fact that writing was a skill available only to the privileged, this is hardly surprising. However, a few documents have survived in private hands and there are of course the Church’s own records, which seem to point to the continuation of the Craft. After all, why bother to persecute something which you do not believe exists? The absence of a long written ‘pedigree’ does not invalidate a belief system. Whether today’s Witchcraft has been handed down as an intact religion, whether it is a renewed version of an older belief system or whether it has almost totally reinvented itself does not actually matter. What does matter is whether it is valid today for those who would practise it.
Witches have a hooked nose and warts.
As I once said in an interview, ‘Well, I wouldn’t be much of a Witch if I couldn’t get rid of those!’ Spreading the idea that Witches are ugly is simply another way of discouraging people from becoming interested in something that is not understood.
Witches are glamorous.
This is a more modern misconception. What you have to remember is that the people who make fictional TV programmes and films are rarely doing so in order to portray facts, they are in the business to attract an audience and make money – obvious when you think of it. However, there are still lots of people who believe, without thinking, that Witches all look like Buffy and Sabrina, etc., and that it is the Witchcraft which makes them look good. This is only accurate in that practising the Craft will make you feel better about yourself and encourage you to have respect for your mind, body and spirit. Additionally, because for most of us the imperfections we perceive are false or exaggerated, the self-honesty that the Craft requires will result in a more positive self-image.
Witches wear black.
Witches wear whatever they wish. They are not instantly recognizable by their clothes or the way they look. However, when working in groups, especially outdoors at night, Witches will often wear dark or black clothing, for two very practical reasons. First, if you are disturbed in your workings it is far easier for you to disappear if you blend into your surroundings. Witchcraft is not a spectator activity and no one wants to gather an audience of dog walkers or people returning from the pub who fancy a bit of light entertainment. Secondly, dark colours show the dirt less. Witches may be tending a fire or sitting on the ground or simply brush up against a tree – and light clothing generates extra laundry!
Witches wear a long cloak and pointed hat.
Many Witches do have a long cloak for use outdoors, as it covers clothing and keeps the weather out. It is especially useful if you wear robes. Also, a long dark cloak with a hood enables you to pull up the hood, step into the trees and become invisible to anyone but the most keen observer. The pointed hat, however, is not something many Witches will own unless they have a taste for fancy-dress parties. It is said by some to represent the cone of power which is often raised when working Magic. But as the cone of power is something on the psychic, rather than visible plane, it is hard to see how this became popularized as a pointy black hat, with or without symbols on it.
Witches wear lots of heavy make-up and jewellery.
Some do, many don’t. The modern image of the Witch dressed in black, with long black hair, pale skin and darkened eyes, hung about with chains of silver, is partly generated by movies and TV, and partly by a fashion trend which some people are enjoying at present. Make-up and jewellery are fashion accessories or personal statements about the way you feel and the group you feel comfortable with, not requirements for Witchcraft.
A Witch lives with a black cat, a toad or other kind of familiar.
The belief that Witches have a familiar goes back to the time when it was usually the old and lonely who were accused of Witchcraft and these poor unfortunates often had a pet to keep them company. Many modern Witches do have a pet or pets – being a part of a nature religion inclines a person to seek the company of animals – but many do not keep pets. Toads, however, have never been all that popular!
Witches fly on broomsticks.
Witches fly on aeroplanes. The idea of flying to meetings on a broom is derived from the use of ‘flying ointments’. These often poisonous ointments used to be made to heighten the senses, much in