Welcome to the Witchipedia FAQ section. Here you will find a number of questions that have been asked by many people regarding magick, witchcraft, the occult and Pagan and Heathen religions. If you have a question that you can't find the answer to on the Witchipedia, please use our Ask a Witch service!
What is Heathenry?
The word Heathenry is used in two ways. The first is to designate a specific polytheistic reconstructionist path based on aboriginal Germanic tradition. The second is to refer to any polytheistic reconstructinist path based on aboriginal traditions from Western Europe including the British Isles, Scandinavia and mainland Germany. These include Odinism, Asatru, Forn Sior and, sometimes, certain forms of Druidry.
What is Magick?
The word magic comes to us from the Latin magicus and the Greek magikos which in turn came from the the Persian Magi or Magians which was applied to Zoroastrian astrologer priests.
What is Neo-Paganism
Neo-paganism is either the modern practice and adaptation of an ancient religion, or a new religion based on either ancient or new religious concepts; but usually based on a combination of these. Neo-paganism means simply modern, or contemporary paganism and there are many varieties, although they do tend to share some characteristics.
What is Paganism
At its most basic, the term Paganism, is an umbrella term covering all religions that are not related to the Judeo-Christian family of religions. The word itself once denoted those “country folk” who were not up on, or didn’t care about, the fashions of the day, including the state religion. Since Judeo-Christianity has been the dominant, indeed, only acceptable religious choice for some time, it has come to mean those who aren’t Judeo-Christian. This would include all “Primitive” animist and polytheistic religions that are common among native groups as well as the Classical religions of ancient Greece and Rome (though it wouldn't have in their heyday). It does not include Hinduism or Buddhism because those religions are dominant in their native areas and socially acceptable choices elsewhere. It would also exclude all religions that have stemmed from Judeo-Christianity, including Satanism and various syncretic religions.
What Is Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is the magical manipulation of energy to bring about change. The energy used by a witch may be environmental, from herbs, stones and other natural objects, or it may come from the witch herself or it may be channeled through the witch from a God or Goddess or from the Earth or Universe at large. Witches are best known for casting spells which tends to incorporate all of these methods in a ritualistic practice. However, one need not engage in ritual or cast a spells to perform magical acts or to be a witch.
Wicca - What is It, Really?
Wicca is often mistaken for Witchcraft. The truth of the matter is, Wicca is a religious faith all of its own. What might surprise people even more is that Wicca is a very loving religious practice, one that demands its followers to adhere to strict ethics and high morals. Summed up, these ethics convey the Wiccan Law of "Harm None", which enforces those of Wiccan faith to be consistently mindful of their daily actions and resulting effects, and their interactions with mankind, animals, and the environment in which we live.
