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When I first entered into Witchcraft and Paganism, I felt very liberated from the strict Protestant rules of my upbringing. The one thing that Witchcraft and Paganism share in common is that you have to make decisions about your life and morality yourself. Yes, I'm using the word Witchcraft for Wicca. I happen to prefer the word Witchcraft. If you prefer the word Wicca, feel free to substitute your preferred word for Witchcraft.

And that is where Witchcraft and/or Paganism can seem very shallow, indeed. I am perhaps the only Witch who prefers to call herself a Witch and not "Wicca". I've learned to keep my mouth shut - even among other Wiccans and/or Pagans - when it comes to my preferred term, "Witch."

"OOO, you shouldn't use that word!" I've been scolded more times than I care to remember. "There's all kinds of stereotypes associated with the word Witch. You should be using the name Wicca instead, because it is free from stereotypes."

That's where I think my fellow Witches need a good slap across the face. In insisting what you "should" and "shouldn't" say, we are entering the shallow end of the spiritual pool along with the very organized religions we chose to say goodbye to.

Although I enjoy reading Wicca and Pagan books and articles, I am a little concerned by the dogma starting to be raised. Since many people are so used to rules from hot only their parents' religions, but from schooling, they can seem quite lost at sea in Witchcraft. In Witchcraft, there are no absolutes. There is no such thing as black and white - only shades of gray.

In Witchcraft, you can do whatever the heck you feel like - as long as no one gets hurt. That's a pretty broad definition which can make newcomers used to rigid school, work or church systems feel a bit anxious. How do you know if you are doing Witchcraft right if there aren't any absolute rules?

Well, sorry, that's the point. You find out everything about life and death on your own. You can take other holy books or someone's advice for some general guidance, but only use them as suggestions. The final version of your spiritual life is down to no one else but you.

If you just follow all of the advice in many "Wicca 101" books and articles, then Witchcraft can seem very shallow, indeed. It looks like one set of rules being exchanged for another. But, unlike other religious books, you are free to pick and choose what you want to believe. And you are free to get your guidance from anywhere, not just books.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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