| Although the term Wicca is a relatively recent term, | | | | on the physical and spiritual levels. In addition, by |
| the religious practices along with Paganism have been | | | | taping into the planetary electrical system, which is |
| around long before Jesus walked on the face of the | | | | typically called ley lines, they are able to increase their |
| earth. It is a religion and a way of living that is based | | | | access to higher energy levels and older wisdom. |
| on the life cycles of the planet as a way of | | | | It was this knowledge that made them targets of |
| protecting and providing for the family. The holidays | | | | people who feared their "power". Generally, they are |
| focus on the growing seasons and on the phases of | | | | a positive, loving force in the universe, who only wish |
| the moon. Their rituals use the natural energy of the | | | | to live in peace and leave the earth a little better |
| earth in all its forms to heal, feed and cloth. | | | | place. However, there remains the misconception of |
| Whether a person identifies themselves as Wiccan, | | | | who or what they worship. Devils or Satan are a not |
| Witch or Pagan, their religion is based on traditions | | | | part of their religion, nor are they an anti-force to |
| that reach back to a time when humans toiled the | | | | other religions. Yet they remain targets for violence |
| soil and hunted for food. Their survival depended on | | | | and discrimination. Whether it be a hanged witch |
| the kindness of the elements, the fertility of the soil, | | | | Chicopee, Mass being called a Halloween decoration or |
| and the luck of the hunt. Through family traditions | | | | the Veteran's Administration having to be sued to |
| and experimentation, they learned how to use natural | | | | honor a legally recognized religious symbol, Wiccans |
| means to provide for and to protect the family. Most | | | | and Pagans still have to fight for their civil liberties. |
| people today, do not grow their own food or hunt in | | | | Whereas as an empty hanging noose caused national |
| the forest, instead they work jobs and forage in | | | | outcry and outrage, the representation of a witch |
| supermarkets. This doesn't change the essential | | | | being hanged has received only mockery and snide |
| nature of their goals, which is to live well and in | | | | remarks. Although Wicca is a legally recognized |
| balance with nature. By working in harmony with the | | | | religion, the VA had to be forced to approve the |
| natural energy, which surrounds them, they can bring | | | | pentacle even they had approved over 30 symbols, |
| balance, peace and prosperity into their lives. | | | | including many Christian sects, Tenrikyo Church, |
| Through experimentation, they have learned how to | | | | United Moravian Church and Sikhs. The atheists even |
| heal with plants, healing touches and with other | | | | have their own approved symbol. |
| resources the planet provides. Through trial and error, | | | | The simple facts are that even with more legitimate |
| they learned which plants heal and which ones do | | | | information being available in books, movies and on |
| harm. This knowledge has been passed down from | | | | TV, negative propaganda continues to spread lies, |
| generation to generation, each one adding a little | | | | fanaticism, and religious intolerance. Without knowing |
| more to the total information base. They also have | | | | who or what Wiccans and Pagans truly believe and |
| discovered that some gemstones have influence the | | | | do, religious fanatics label them as evil and do |
| over all physical and emotional health. By placing them | | | | deliberate harm by trying to take away their children, |
| in specific combinations on different parts of the | | | | homes and jobs. However, like every religion there |
| body, they can strengthen the immune system and | | | | are good and bad members. The key is to get |
| help release emotional or physical traumas. These | | | | accurate information before attaching labels and |
| healing methods help the person direct the universal | | | | making judgments. |
| energy to not only cleanse but also restore balance | | | | |