by Gwyneira Morgana

Witchcraft, like most religious traditions is derived from a range of cultures, philosophies and practices. Where witchcraft however differs, is in the way that (in general) it does not attempt to become standardised into one tradition. While this can be appealing for those who prefer to steer away from dogma and centralised hierarchy, it can be confusing for those who simply want to know what is a witch? The following is then an attempt to identify those things that tend to be agreed to by most witches. It is not prescriptive, exhaustive, or in any way set in stone, but will hopefully express the heart of Witchcraft as it is today. Please remember always that many can and do express these truths in different ways, and that there are many schools of thought and practice within Witchcraft. Each has its place, and must be understood within its own context and attitude.

A WITCH IS A PERSON WHO SEEKS TO LIVE IN HARMONY WITH THE CYCLES AND SEASONS OF THE EARTH, THE MOON, THE SUN AND THE STARS.

A Witch understands that everything has a rhythm, a heartbeat. Furthermore, a witch understands that in the search for happiness and fulfillment every element needs to be in harmony with that rhythm. Indeed, the greater the harmony with that rhythm, the greater one’s ability to create according to desire.

A WITCH IS A PERSON WHO ENACTS MAGIC IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

Whether this be the magic of harmony, the magic of creation or the magic of divinity, a Witch understands that magic exists in many forms, and in finding her or his natural magic, finds their power.

A WITCH IS A PERSON WHO SEEKS TO HEAL OTHERS.

Understanding the beauty and power of harmony, a Witch seeks to share this harmony with others. Whether this be through cooperation with the manifest world in the form of crystals and herbs, through the heart in forms such as friendship and creative expression, through the mind in forms such as teaching and writing, or indeed through the spirit through the channeling and directing of divine energy, every Witch has an ability to create harmony and therefore an ability to heal.

A WITCH TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER OR HIS ACTIONS.

Far from worshipping or blindly following a devil that is the creation of a different faith, Witches take responsibility for their own actions, considering the divinity that one worships to be a choice, with consequences that must be considered with respect to oneself as well as those who may be effected by that choice. In this respect every action and belief has potential consequences and must be a matter of personal responsibility.

A WITCH HAS EXPERIENCE OF UNSEEN WORLDS, INTERACTING WITH DIVINE BEINGS THROUGH CEREMONY AND RITE.

Witches seek to not be simply told of greatness, but to experience it through both the lower and higher senses. A Witch seeks then direct validation of their faith through at least one of the physical senses, while seeking an evolution of the less tangible senses such as inner sight and hearing.

A WITCH HAS EXPERIENCE OF SEEN WORLDS, INTERACTING WITH THE WORLD THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE CALLED LIFE.

Witches seek to bring together the spirit and the flesh, seeing each not in opposition, but each within the other. A Witch is therefore not afraid to live, to make mistakes, and learn from them.

From http://groups.msn.com/GwyneiraMorganasPaganPages/whatisawitch.msnw

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