FAQs
1. Does Witchcraft involve the worship of Satan?
No, Witchcraft originated in Europe (and other cultures) long before the idea of Satan was introduced. Modern day Wicca also rejects the notion of a devil (or Satan) and if he does not exist, he cannot be worshipped.
2. Aren't Witches mentioned in the Bible?
The word, “Witch", does appear in the Bible! The thing is that these "witches" are not the same type of witches as people who follow the Wiccan way. What we now consider Witchcraft did not exist in the Hebrew culture of the Hebrew Bible. What the Hebrew Bible is referring to are the Hebrew or Aramaic words kasaph and ob. Ob refers to the spirit of the dead and not to someone who could summon up that spirit. A woman who could call up the spirits of the dead was actually called a ba’alat (ba’alt means “mistress”) ob. Kasaph [technically, "mekashshefim" or כָּשַׁף] was a person who assassinated others using poison.
But doesn’t the Bible say, … ? Many people will bring up the Biblical injunction against witchcraft (and Paganism) by quoting Exodus, chapter 22: 18 in the King James Version. “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live!” In the Hebrew Bible, this would be Exodus 22: 17 and reads “Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live (יז מְכַשֵּׁפָה, לֹא תְחַיֶּה.). But what does that verse actually say? In the original Hebrew, the word, “witch”, is not actually used. Rather, the Hebrew word, “mekhashepha”, is found. This is the word which has been mistranslated into witch! In all actuality, what the verse should read is “Thou shalt not suffer a poisoner to live” or “Thou shalt not suffer an herbalist who uses their cuttings for evil purposes to live”.
Additionally, it may be argued that the verse is not referring to Israeli herbalists, but to PAGAN herbalists as a way to keep the Israelis a separate people! Jewish magical texts have existed for centuries and are nothing new. What appears to be anathema to the Hebrew scriptures are foreign magical practices and beliefs—and this actually makes sense when you remember that:
The Jews had been enslaved in Egypt and, when they came to what is now Israel, they were attempting to lay their claim to these lands and establish their own kingdom and national identity
While slaves in Egypt, they would have witnessed the magics of the court magicians—and were determined not to have the same in their society!
I do have to remind you that many churches and other religious groups try to warn their members and followers away from certain practices that may be related to New Age studies, such as astrology, Tarot, and crystals. Their reasoning for this (and there is actually some truth in this) is that these studies can lead a person into Paganism, Witchcraft, and/or Wicca.
In other words, neither Sabrina Spellman nor Samantha Stevens would have been recognized as witches in the Bible.
3. What is a Witch?
Ahh, what is a Witch? Is this someone like a character from McBeth or is it someone like Glinda, the Good Witch of the North? Actually, Witchcraft per se is not a religion in itself. It can be a set of magical practices to achieve a desired result, but even that may not be true for every Witch out there. Generally speaking, Witches tend to revere or have a high degree of respect for Nature. They work with Nature and its forces to work their magic. Very often (as in the case Wiccans), a Witch may work with more than one Deity; it is pretty common to work with a God and a Goddess.
4. What are the religious holidays in Witchcraft and Wicca?
The Wiccan holidays (or Sabbts) tend to reflect the seasons of the year, the solstices, and the equinoxes. There are eight generally accepted Sabbats although an individual or even a group may opt to include some other holidays that relate to a specific culture or Tradition. These eight celebrations are:
Yule (December 21st) is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. The Goddess gives birth (rebirth) to Her Son (the return of the Sun the next day and the days starting to get long).
Imbolg (February Eve) is the first Sabbat of the calendar year and marks the first Sabbat where you can actually see the difference in the growing days from when they were at the shortest at Yule. This is a time for purification, making candles, and rededication.
Ostara/ Vernal Equinox (March 21st ) celebrates the return of Spring. There is a balance between the day and night, the Sun and the Moon. Life is returning as evidence by the awakening of plants outside. Rabbits and the green grass in Easter baskets actually symbolize the renewal of life here.
Beltane/ Lady's Day (May Eve) celebrates the return of fertility. The religious focus is upon the courtship of the God and Goddess of Nature.
Litha/Summer Solstice (midsummer - June 21st ) is the longest day of the year. This the time for the wedding of the God and Goddess.
Lammas/Lughnassadh (August Eve) is the celebration of the first harvest, the harvest of grains.
Mabon/Autumn Equinox (September 21st) is the celebration of the Pagan Thanksgiving and is the time of the second harvest, the harvest of fruits and vegetables.
Samhain (November Eve) is the celebration of the new year to come and the third harvest, the "harvest" of animals for meat for the cold winter months to come. The veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest and it is a good time for communicating with our ancestors and for divination.
5. Do Wiccans work Black Magic?
No, Wiccans do not believe in using Black Magic. Actually, as Wiccans, we are supposed to our best to avoid causing any unnecessary harm to self, others, or Nature. So-called Black Magic, by popular definition, includes the very real possibility of doing harm and is not to be used in Wicca.
6. Do Wiccans cast spells?
Yes, we do make use of magic and can use spells as a way of focusing our energies on achieving a desired result. In all reality, a spell is our working with Deity as partners to accomplish something. In that sense, it really isn't all that different from using prayers to communicate and work with God to ask for some favor.
7. Do Wiccans believe in Heaven and Hell?
While Wiccans believe in an Afterlife, it is not viewed as Heaven or Hell. It may be called the Summerlands or something else. No matter its name, we often think of this as the place where our souls go after our physical death so that we may review our karmic lessons and then choose to be born into a different body to work out these lessons. It is not a place of reward or punishment.
8. How does modern Wicca differ from older traditions of Witchcraft?
Wicca is a modern expression of ancient Witchcraft and other Nature-based and/or magical practices. Its influences do not come from only one ethnic tradition. As such, many Wiccans incorporate elements from various different traditions to which they feel drawn. Many of us may be familiar with the idea of Wiccans working with Celtic or Greek Deities, but they can also work with Egyptian, Northern European, African, Asian, and/or Native American traditions. There are a good number of Wiccans who work with Jesus as their Deity (or one of their Deities)!
9. Is Correllianism a form of Wicca or a Wiccan Tradition?
Many people have not heard of the Correllian Nativist Tradition of Wicca. As such, even those who have heard of this Tradition may wonder if this is truly a form of Wicca. I will say here and now that, yes, it is a Wiccan Tradition, but with non-Wiccan roots. Correllianism is a Wiccan Tradition, one that places a very high value on philosophy, values, and ethics. In terms of its practices and fundamental beliefs, it really isn't that different from what various Wiccan writers teach about in the 21st century! It is a celebratory and an initiatory Tradition. One major difference, though, is that the Tradition is more structured in its organization and groups. We are a unified Tradition with a single leadership. The entire world-wide Tradition has a single structure allowing us to act together as few other Traditions can.
TRADITION STRUCTURE:
INNER COURT - Clergy
Positions
First Priesthood
Arch Priesthood
Third Degree - High Priest/ess
Second Degree - Priest/ess
First Degree - Rev. Priest/ess
Dedicant
2. OUTER COURT:
General Membership
3. TEMPLES
Temple - Correllian Temples are be established by charter, which may only be granted by the Heads of the Correllian Tradition through the Chancellor.
Proto-Temple - A Proto-Temple is founded in the expectation of going on to become a full Temple.
4. SHRINES
Witan Shrine - A Witan Shrine is founded in the expectation of going on to become a Proto-Temple. A Witan Shrine functions in the same manner as a Shrine, with the difference of being considered a formal body of the Tradition rather than a private function of the Shrine Keeper. Its focus is toward developing into a Temple.
Formal Shrine - A Formal Shrine is basically the same as a Personal Shrine: a private worship center maintained by an individual Correllian Tradition member of either Inner or Outer Court. The difference is that a Formal Shrine is dedicated to a specific project, event, or program of a social or charitable nature which the Tradition endorses. A Formal shrine is created by Charter rather than recognition. To be granted a charter as a Formal Shrine a Shrine must meet these criteria:
The Shrine must have been in existence as a recognized Shrine of the Correllian Tradition for a minimum of one year prior to applying for a charter as a Formal Shrine (three years is preferred).
To be chartered as a Formal Shrine a Shrine must be associated with a charitable activity or ministerial outreach project of some sort, beyond the celebration of worship.
A Personal Shrine is a personal expression of the Shrine Keeper's spirituality and may be undertaken by any Tradition member.
5. STRUCTURAL POSITIONS
Temple Heads (Chief Director) - Temple Heads are established by charter. The first Head of a given Temple is considered the Founding Head of Temple. Subsequent Heads of Temple may be nominated by their predecessor or by the Temple’s Board of Directors, but must be recognized by a charter of the Tradition. A Head of Temple must be a member of the High Priesthood.
Board of Directors - Voting committee of the Temple for day to day decisions of the Temple.
Joint Heads - Co-Head
Acting Temple Head - One that is not yet Third Degree, but is Chartered Temple Keeper under Imperium of Third Degree sponsor.
Proto-Temple Head - Chartered Keeper of Proto-Temple
Witan Shrine Keeper - Keeper of a Witan Shrine must be a member of the Third Degree High Priesthood, or a person studying toward Third Degree and under the imperium of a Third Degree sponsor approved by the Council of Elders
10. Can you tell me what I need to wear in a formal ritual?
Basics
Outer Court: Black Robe with Green Stole / Some wear Green Robe and Green Stole / no cord
Dedicant: White Robe with White Stole / no hood / no cord
First Degree: Black Robe with Purple Stole /White Cord 9 ft.
Second Degree: Black Robe with Purple Stole /Hood / Black Cord 9 ft.
Third Degree: Black Robe, Red Tabard with flying sleeves, Cornet / Purple Stole / Red Cord 9ft.
11. What is the structure of the leadership in the Tradition?
TRADITION POSITIONS
Chancellor - The chief executive officer of the Correllian Nativist Tradition, Paramount High Priest. These two following positions are also the Joint Heads of the Correllian Tradition, which form a diarchy.
First Priestess - First Priestess is responsible for maintaining the sanctity of the Correllian Tradition and its connection with the Ancestors and the Divine. The initiation of all Priesthood, Temples and Orders ultimately derive authority from this sanctity.
First Priest - First Priest is responsible for coordinating relations between Correllian Temples, and acts as chairperson for the Witan Council. The First Priest is responsible for the Tradition’s relations with other Wiccan and Pagan Traditions and is also responsible for maintaining the Tradition’s history, internal records, and its publications.
First Elder - The First Elder of the Tradition is the principle advisor to the Tradition Heads, and to the Tradition as a whole.
Council of Elders - Is an advisory body made up of the Officers of the Correllian Tradition. The Council of Elders might be described as the “cabinet” of the Tradition, being a council whose non-binding opinion is solicited to help shape Tradition-wide policy.
First Director -The First Director is responsible for maintaining the Tradition’s legal standing and records and coordinating relations between the various Chief Directors of Temples.
Witan Council- The Witan Council is made up of the Heads of all Correllian Temples, members of the Correllian Council of Elders, and the Officers and Heads of the Correllian Tradition. The Witan Council is an advisory body whose principle duty is to confirm the succession to the offices of First priestess and First Priest.