Frequently Asked Questions

We're always adding things to these pages. If you have a question which isn't answered here please send email to the Pagan Lore Center list and ask away; someone will have an answer. The list is at: paglore@yahoogroups.com. If you don't have a Yahoo account you will need to set one up; it's easy and free. Simply go to www.groups.yahoo.com

Q. How real is Witchcraft?

A. It is very real. Through it, a trained Witch can bring about many desirable changes in his/her life. Real magick, however, is not like what you see in the movies or on TV.

Q. Can anyone become a Witch?

A. Technically, yes. Witches are made, not born. With much study and work you can learn techniques that will allow you to bring magick into your life in a positive, healthy fashion. You don't need any special psychic abilities, but you must dedicate yourself to the great amount of work necessary to learn how Witchcraft works. And you've got to believe in yourself and your ability to interact successfully with the God and Goddess. 

Q. What is a hereditary witch?

A. This term usually refers to someone who has been born into a family that has followed a Witchcraft path for a generation or more. These people still must work and study hard to learn the Craft; it's not simply handed down through the family.

Q. What can Witchcraft do for me? 

A. If you adopt Wicca as your religion, you essentially eliminate the middleman or woman who is in place in many religions. In other words, you become a priest or priestess and interact directly with the Gods and Goddesses to honor them or to accomplish what you wish. Through study and practice you develop a relationship with the deities, the elements and all of nature itself. If you dedicate yourself to the Wiccan path and cast off the bonds of the contrived Judeo-Christian morality and repression you can be truly free to enjoy your life. But only insofar as you do not harm others or yourself in your actions.

Q. Can I be a Christian and a Wiccan?

A. The simple answer is no. Christianity and Witchcraft are not compatible. The Christian religion has its one god and it forbids the worship of others. Wiccans generally are polytheists (believing in and worshipping many deities). Many of these Gods and Goddesses are ancient and predate the Christians' god by centuries or even millennia.

Q. What do you mean by, “Wicca is a religion”?

A. Many people become interested in Wicca because they think it is all about doing spells. It is much, much more than that. The framework of Wicca gives its followers an outline of how to live their entire lives. It includes worship or honoring of gods and goddesses in regularly scheduled ceremonies. It provides suggestions on how to cook and serve meals, how to raise and educate children, how to celebrate births, marraiges, deaths and other rites of passage. It offers ideas to explore on what happens after death and between lifetimes. It helps a follower to understand how to handles the difficult moments in life as well as how to better enjoy the good moments. Wicca is much, much more than “magic”. In fact many experienced Wiccans will tell you that magic is only a very small part of their religion.

Q. How does one become a Witch?

A. There are many kinds of Witches who follow a wide range of traditions. If you are interested in adopting Wicca as your path/tradition you will need to find a study group or circle/coven that will admit you. Sure, you can read books, but they alone will not give your the basis of knowledge you will need to become an effective practitioner of Witchcraft. There is no easy way to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to be a Witch; those who claim to be 'eclectic' Witches are usually attempting to cover up their inability or unwillingness to do the work and study necessary to truly learn the Craft.

Q. Sometimes I know or feel things are going to happen before they occur ... does this mean I'm a witch?

A. Psychic abilities may be interesting and helpful they do not mean you are a witch. Not all witches have these abilities and not all those who do have them are witches.

Q. Is it necessary to join a coven to be successful at Witchcraft?

A. Absolutely not. If you are new to the Craft, working in a group setting with experienced Witches will almost certainly help you progress more quickly. It may also help you avoid time-wasting studies that do not help you move along. However, a coven may be unavailable to you in your area. That does not mean you cannot study and learn significant amounts about Craft working. Study groups are often available and there are a few correspondence courses available that can be a great help to you. One, of excellent value and credibility, is available from Our Lady of Enchantment Seminary. This organization offers a fine curriculum, including bachelors and master's degree course.

  The Witches Voice has done a fine job in the U.S. of putting contact information on the Web. And if you have a decently appointed occult or metaphysical book store in your area, the operators may also know where you may look for assistance in learning.

Q. Can I be successful at learning magick if I don't truly believe in it?

A. No. It is your belief -- your will -- that makes magick work. If you have doubts, you will not get far.

Q. What can Witches do?

A. While Witches can do everything anyone else can, they may use their Craft knowledge and abilities to do additional things within the realm of magick. 

Q. What exactly is magick?

There are many similar -- and accurate -- definitions. Here is one:  True magick is the ability to bring about the manifestation of personal (or group) desire through will.

Q. How long will it take me to become a Witch?

A. There is no firm answer to this. Trained and dedicated Witches know that their Craft and their lives are entwined. You'll never learn all there is to know, so study is a lifetime pursuit. How quickly you progress depends on whether you are working alone, with a group or with qualified teachers. Surely, the more effort and commitment you bring to your studies, the faster and more effectively you will proceed.

Q. Where can I get books and other magickal equipment?

A. This depends on where you live. If you're in America, there are plenty of metaphysical book and miscellany shops. You can also obtain catalogs and mateirals through mail order houses, such as Azure Green. As you learn more, you will become increasingly adept at knowing how to research what elements go into a given spell or ritual and you will be able to make them yourself. An empty bottle may be turned into a magickal tool; that favorite necklace may, with proper consecration, become an amulet; a cardboard jewelry box could house the ingredients for a powerful talisman.

Q. Is a warlock a male Witch?

A. No, witches are witches, regardless of their sex. Some people say that the term warlock is the name given to an 'oath breaker,' which is certainly far from being a Witch. This word is the creation of fictionalists and movie makers; it should never be confused with true Witchcraft or those who practice same.

Q. Can I use Magick to obtain a lover or to bring one back to me?

A. The answer is yes and no to the first part of the question and definitely NO to the latter. Yes, you can use Magick to draw someone to you, so long as you are not trying to manipulate some specific person. In other words, you might create a spell to make yourself more desirable to any possible lover. You might even create some consecrated object(s) you carry with you whose magnetism draws potential mates to you. But you must never use Magick to manipulate someone individual into entering a relationship with you. The same goes for trying to patch up that failed relationship or marriage by using Magick to drag someone back to you. The results of these kinds of manipulations can be disastrous.

Q. How can I establish a relationship with the Gods and Goddesses?

A. Good question. As you proceed in your Witchcraft studies you will want to learn about the major Gods and Goddesses from, at least, the Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Norse and Celtic pantheons. Look at the similarities between deities of one pantheon and others, such as Hermes, Mercury and, perhaps, Lugh. They all hold similar characteristics of a God form known to be a conveyor of information between the deities. Look also at deities that do not have simple transference from one pantheon to another.

As you get to know these beings, you will find close personal affinities for some, sort of like what you feel when you first get to know someone new. Try to narrow your close feelings down to a single God and Goddess who you can bring into your life on day-to-day basis. Get to know them; share your thoughts, concerns and needs with them as you might with your closest friend. Try to learn from them how you can please these deities. 

Like any good relationship, this is how you start and then develop what is between you and the deities. Later, as you progress, you will find it easier to evoke or invoke your patrons or other deities because of your ongoing close ties.

Remember to take your time in searching for your two patrons through the numerous deities. A couple of most handy books are: The Witch's God and the Witch's Goddess, both by Janet and Stewart Farrar.

Q. Should I let my parents, my spouse or my friends know I am learning to practice Witchcraft?

A. Not everyone needs to know this or should know it. If you are a young person, it would be good to let your parents know what you are doing and, if necessary, explain your religious and spiritual leanings with them. This will eliminate the possibility of unhappy surprises at a later time.

It is certainly a good idea to make your spouse or a person with whom you are involved with know (to an appropriate degree, determined by you) what you are doing. Many seekers find themselves in situations where a mate simply cannot accept their Witchy leanings. Try to explain that what you are doing is good and healthy for you. Ultimately you may find it impossible to sway the other person. You would not be the first person to have to make a choice between what your significant other wants and whether you continue to learn and practice Witchcraft.

Letting your friends or workplace acquaintances know you are studying Witchcraft is a touchy area. Those who are committed to a minority religion that is often maligned and misunderstood should take great care in letting others know their Witchcraft activities. Wicca has and continues to be a focus for discrimination, by some employers, police agencies and courts. Learn when it is best to speak and when you should remain silent.

Return to Main Page