if you are still trying to decide if this path is right for you, reading the information in this post may help. My favorite description of Wicca was written by the original founder of Wicca.com. All who are interested in this path should read the article. If it resonates with you, you are most likely heading in the right direction on your spiritual journey. An excerpt is posted below and a link to the full article is provided at the end. Enjoy!

When something happens that we have no explanation for, we tend to refer to the event as magical or miraculous. Many feel that if we can explain how something works, there is no real magic to it.

Some even insist there is no such thing as “magic”, because ALL things have an explanation, even if we currently do not understand what it is or how it works. If we simply define it as something with no known explanation, our lives might eventually become void of magic, as technology continued to reveal its secrets.  But magic is much more than that.  

One of the first things you discover when you begin to explore a Wiccan or Pagan path is that there are many different deities honored in these traditions. How do you know who to connect with?  Are some gods or goddesses better than others? Many of us grew up being told there was only one true divine power. How can we be sure all these old deities are even real?

Choosing a Craft Name
In Wicca, choosing a Craft name for use in ritual or magic is a common practice. Some Witches take names associated with their branch of the Craft (Welsh names in Welsh traditions, Saxon names in Saxon traditions, etc.).  Others try to choose a name that reflects their personality or describes their interests or feelings. Selecting a name associated with a goal you are striving for is also a good option.

In some traditions, if you are in a Coven, your Craft name may be given to you by a Coven member. However, if you follow an eclectic path, you can choose whether or not you want a Craft name and what you want it to be.  The choice is yours.  You get to choose what you want to be known as before your God and Goddess. This is your chance to redefine who you are or who you want to become.

I chose the name Kardia Zoe because I was studying the Greek language at the time, and it reminded me to write from my heart (Kardia) when I write about life (Zoe).  Today it’s easy to go online and find the meaning of words in other languages, so the possibilities are endless!

Just remember that energy follows thought, and a name that makes you think and feel about something positive, will be more likely to draw positive energy to you, than a name like Dark Cloud or Stormy.    You might want to identify yourself with the name of something that you have a strong association with.  A type of animal, tree, plant, or crystal are a few more examples.

The choice is yours. You can decide the name you want to adopt as your own. You may want to change it again when circumstances in your life change,  or you may want to stick with it forever.  Just remember, you are describing who you really are (or want to become) so choose your Craft name wisely!

Wicca and Witchcraft

When someone begins to learn about Wicca it’s easy to confuse Wicca and Witchcraft. We would like to clarify that while these two paths are similar in many respects, they are not the same.  A person can be a Witch, without being a Wiccan, just as a person can be a Christian, without being a Baptist.  Wicca is recognized as a religion, while Witchcraft itself is not. Thus, Wicca might best be described as a modern religion, based on ancient Witchcraft traditions.

Wicca’s temples are the forests, meadows, beaches and deserts.  It is a peaceful and positive religion based on a kinship with nature. We celebrate life, and honor the universal energies of the Goddess and God in all things. One of he best summaries of the path can be found in an article written by the late webmaster of The Celtic Connection. He writes “Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face.   Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow.   It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between.”  Excerpt from What is Wicca by Herne

Today, Wicca is a religion with many variations.  In this blog, we will offer generalities about Wicca and Witchcraft in an effort to create an understanding of the nature of the path.  Some major identifying motifs are: reverence for both the Goddess and God; acceptance of reincarnation and magic; ritual observance of astronomical and agricultural phenomena; and the use of magical circles for ritual purposes.

If you would like to learn a little more about Wicca and Witchcraft, we have provided a FAQ page (too lengthy to include here) with answers to many of the more common questions about these nature-based paths.

Helpful Tips on Finding a Teacher

When someone develops an interest in Wicca or the Old Ways, they almost always look for someone to guide them. Our parents began teaching us at birth, and as we grew, there were many teachers to guide us in our education.  This process has become so ingrained in us that most believe the only way to learn is to seek out another person to teach us.

If you want to simply focus on learning traditions and rituals, a teacher can be helpful. However if you truly want to connect with the Divine and work with the energies of your Mother Earth, you will find your perfect teacher is WITHIN you.  As you journey down this path, listen to that quiet voice when it whispers to your heart. Trust it.  It is the Goddess herself sharing her ancient wisdom, trying to point you in the right direction.  If you allow her to guide your steps, you’ll never be lead astray.

We will always encourage you to open yourself up to that inner voice, because we firmly believe that the Divine did not record the Universal Laws in books, but in our hearts, in our spirits and in the living things around us. Never forget that the Divine is already within you and allow the power of the Goddess and God to flow through you and transform your life as you walk your Wiccan or Pagan path.

The late webmaster of wicca.com published a wonderful article on finding a teacher or coven. He wrote “When your comfort level with the concepts of the Pagan path has grown to the point where you are certain that this is the lifestyle you wish to follow, you will undoubtedly wish to share that fellowship with others of like mind and spirit. To avoid being drawn into a group where the intent is less than honorable, there are a couple of things that may assist you in avoiding contact with the nuts out there.”   Read the complete article on Finding a Teacher.