Not-So Neo Religion
Wicca, or Neo-Paganism, really isn't so new age: it has roots in the ancient past. Before Christianity, and Judaism there were the people who worshipped the earth, the elements, and the stars. They believed in the healing properties of plants, incenses and the earth.
Paganism is very similar to many other religions; there are holidays, rituals, and ceremonies. There are also misconceptions; pagans worship the devil, they sacrifice animals and eat children. They do call themselves witches, and it is the proper name, since a witch is, "One particularly skilled or competent at one's craft" (Dictionary 1).
Many symbols are used in paganism, including the pentagram, septagram or fairy star, triple moon, and triquetra. Theban, was used as the Witches secret alphabet in the 1960's, it has been replaced with Germanic and Celtic runes.
The eight main sabbats (holidays) throughout the year, are usually represented on a witch's wheel. They are Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Vetalia, Lammas and Mabon.
Samhain, is the New Year, and falls on October 31 of every year. On this day the God dies and throughout the year he will be reborn and die again. Thus we have the seasons. Wearing the traditional colors of orange and black during spells will make it more powerful. On this night witches light candles in their windows to lead the spirits to eternal summer, and bury apples in the earth to feed them as they travel.
Yule, or Christmas, is the rebirth of the God as a baby. Like many people witches decorate a Yule tree, using garlands of dried rosebuds and cinnamon sticks, quartz crystals wrapped in wire and dried apples, oranges and lemons. They also give gifts in the memory of the deceased, and tell stories amongst one another. There is also the custom of lighting a Yule log, to represent the rebirth of the God in the fire of the Mother Goddess. These logs are usually of oak or pine and have a carved or chalked representation of the God on them.
Imbolc, celebrated on February 1, honors the God and Goddess as children and the rebirth of light. It is traditional for a witch to light every lamp in the house, or a candle in each room to celebrate the return of the sun. If there is snow still, some may choose to walk in it, recalling the warmth of summer.
Ostara honors the new life and rebirth of spring. It is celebrated on the Spring
Equinox and many witches will go to fields to pick random wild flowers. Many will then use books, and intuition to find each flowers meaning, revealing the witches inner thoughts of that day.
Beltane, or May Day, is commonly associated with the May Pole. It celebrates the union of the God and Goddess, and of all living creatures. Weaving is a traditional art, it brings two separate things together to form a third, which is in the spirit of Beltane.
Vetalia celebrates the father God and mother Goddess. It is the preparation for harvest and the beginning of the waning year. Many balefires are held, and it is said purification and renewed energy will come to those who leap over it.
Lammas is the first harvest, and it is a taboo to not share food amongst each other on this day. We celebrate the parent God and Goddess by planting seeds from the fruit eaten during the rituals; and visits to fields, lakes and wells.
Mabon, the last celebration before the new year, honors the Autumnal Equinox, wine deities and the spirit world. A tradition among witches is to walk in wild places and collect dried plants. Mabon also celebrates the second harvest and it is taboo to not honor the dead while passing a burial site. Mabon leads into Samhain the New Year, and the festivities begin again.
Much like the God's rebirth and growth throughout the year, Pagans believe that they, too, will be reborn once they die. In Paganism death is still a great loss, the soul looses its specific personality and we loose much of what made us unique in life. Suicide is not the answer; it only intensifies the despair and depression in the soul. Though those who do commit suicide are not banished from the community, and are still allowed the same rites and spiritual guidance as any other who has crossed over.
When a spirit crosses over they get to choose between what they thought heaven was, and reincarnation. When we are alive we create an image of what heaven is and it is different for everyone else. We may choose to live there, on that higher plane; or we can be reborn onto this earth or onto another plane. This second choice allows for the soul to continue growing and learning.
There is no Hell, nor is there a Satan, (this should help to dispel those Santist rumors). There is the rule of three: What you put out comes back to three times three. Whether it be good or bad it will return to you three fold. There is also the saying; "You are your worse judge." No one will be able to judge you more harshly than yourself, so there is no need for Hell.