The Burning Times

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The Burning Times There aren't very many Wiccan/Pagans who haven't heard atleast a little bit about the period of history we cal the burning times. This is a reference to the Inquisition and all the nasty little witch hunts that sprang up there after. Many people, mostly women and children, where tortured and murdered during this "holy" crusade. Most of the victems, in reality, weren't even pagan. They just happened to be rich enough or different enough to make a few enemies. Many people probably think that our focus on this little bit of history is ridiculous and a little bit whiney. They might say that we are trying to push ourselves into the role of an opressed minority. After all, if most of the people killed were actually Christians, why should it matter to us? It matters because these people were murdered after they were accused of doing the things that we are accused of doing today. It matters because when we aren't careful history has a habit of repeating itself. Even now, people are out there kiling others purely because of sterotypes about who they are. It matters because the world is still filled with intolerance. In my opinion, all intolerance is equally horrible, no matter who it's directed at. Burning a witch is the same as killing a homosexual person or lynching someone because they happen to be black. It's all the same thing. http://www.pagansunite.com/info/theburningtimes.shtml
FAST FACTS ON WICCA AND PAGANISM: Wicca is arguably the best-known of pagan religions. It is based on the pre-Christian beliefs of tribes in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, although its origins go back back to Paleolithic peoples who worshipped a hunter god and a fertility goddess. Wiccans feel that nature is divine and as such are strong environmentalists. They celebrate cycles of the sun and moon and often worship outdoors. Some do so in the nude. Wiccans believe all plants and animals in the world are equal and will often say a prayer of thanks before doing something as simple as pulling out a garden carrot. Like Christians, Wiccans believe you should not harm anyone, including yourself. If you do harm or good, such actions will come back to you three times, they believe. Most believe in some form of reincarnation, however there is no concept of heaven and hell or sin. Pagans believe magic and potions can help heal others and themselves. There is no pagan leader. For Wiccans, anyone can become a priest or priestess (also called witches). Male priests are also called witches, not warlocks. To pagans the star-shaped pentagram symbolizes all the elements of nature - earth, air, fire, water and spirit.Copyright © 1998, Canoe Limited Partnership
The Witches Creed Hear now the words of the witches, The secrets we hid in the night, When dark was our destiny's pathway, That now we bring forth into light. Mysterious water and fire, The earth and the wide-ranging air, By hidden quintessence we know them, And will and keep silent and dare. The birth and rebirth of all nature, The passing of winter and spring, We share with the life universal, Rejoice in the magical ring. Four times in the year the Great Sabbat Returns, and the witches are seen At Lammas and Candlemas dancing, On May Eve and old Hallowe'en. When day-time and night-time are equal, When sun is at greatest and least, The four Lesser Sabbats are summoned, And Witches gather in feast. Thirteen silver moons in a year are, Thirteen is the coven's array. Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, For each golden year and a day. The power that was passed down the age, Each time between woman and man, Each century unto the other, Ere time and the ages began. When drawn is the magical circle, By sword or athame of power, Its compass between two worlds lies, In land of the shades for that hour. This world has no right then to know it. And world of beyond will tell naught. The oldest of Gods are invoked there, The Great Work of magic is wrought. For the two are mystical pillars, That stand at the gate of the shrine, And two are the powers of nature, The forms and the forces divine. The dark and the light in succession, The opposites each unto each, Shown forth as a God and a Goddess: Of this our ancestors teach. By night he's the wild winds rider, The Horn'd One, the Lord of the Shades. By day he's the King of the Woodland, The dweller in green forest glades. She is youthful or old as she pleases, She sails the torn clouds in her barque, The bright silver lady of midnight, The crone who weaves spells in the dark. The master and mistress of magic, That dwell in the deeps of the mind, Immortal and ever-renewing, With power to free or to bind. So drink the good wine to the Old Gods, And Dance and make love in their praise, Till Elphame's fair land shall receive us In peace at the end of our days. And Do What You Will be the challenge, So be it Love that harms none, For this is the only commandment. By Magic of old, be it done! From Doreen Valiente's, "Witchcraft For Tomorrow
Americas View On Wicca/Paganism