practitioners of witchcraft believe in a balanced polarity, especially that of the feminine and masculine energy of the Divine universe. These two aspects of nature are embodied in two deities, known as the Goddess and God. Traditionally most Pagan deities are considered to represent the different aspects of the God/Goddess.
Most traditions honor the God/Goddess as equals where one does not acquire more or less importance over the other. This translates into a balance between the feminine and masculine forces within the divine. Which God/Goddess a tradition honors depends on their cultural heritage. Celts honor Celtic Gods, Egyptian traditions honor Egyptian Gods and so on. These cultural groups of God/Goddess are called Pantheons. A few branches, such as Dianic, view the feminine aspect with more importance.
There are many groups who are monotheists (there is only 1 god), polytheists (there are many gods) or duotheists (1 female and 1 male god). Many regard the gods as real, not simply as aspects of a male or female deity. Where other Traditions see them as pantheons, just aspects of the Divine force in the universe. Today there is a belief that a tradition of Witchcraft must be polytheists or duotheists to be legit. That is a total misconception. Many early pagans were monotheists, who saw the Divine Spirit as once force that lives within all things and connects all things into one force in nature.
For those that honor both the God and Goddess, the Goddess is the existing force of all creation as in the Earth, nature and life itself. The Goddess has three faces: the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. These faces correspond to the many different cycles in nature: the waxing, full and waning phases of the moon; the menstrual cycle and the cycle of life in birth, life and death.
The God is less commonly defined across Traditions. He can be a single view, such as Odin in Norse practices, The Horned God Cernunnos in Celtic traditions, Ra in Egyptian traditions and so on. In many sects, the God comes in two forms, the young God who starts the year and works into the Summer when he becomes the Old God into Yule when he has aged and grown old. At this time he faces the young God who will begin the new year cycle again. There are variations to this theme, The Holly and Oak Kings, The Horned God, The Sacred King are all examples of this.
Practioners of Witchcraft hold a belief in Reincarnation and do not believe in heaven or hell since death is considered to be another form of existence. Some practioners believe that a soul is continually reborn whereas others believe that once a soul learns all the life lessons, it is granted eternal rest in a place called the Summerlands, which is also known as Valhalla for the Norse, The Otherworld for the Celts, Avalon for the Anglo-Saxons and so on throughout each cultural Tradition.
Practioners believe in Karma as the result of an action brought through life time to lifetime. It is the ultimate divine law that governs the use of magik and behavior since it deals with the divine cosmic justice. In other words a person is reborn in a position that befits their deeds from the previous life. In addition, the deeds created in this incarnation create the life experiences upon ones path through this life.
Practioners believe in Energy and Psychic abilities. Believing that we are all energy beings and connected through energy. That through this energy we can connect to each other and all things with our psychic senses and that these senses are part of all nature and that all people have these senses within them.
Practioners believe in Spirits, Spirit Guides and Ghosts. Believing that a soul never dies and has the ability to walk in all spiritual realms. That they share knowledge and information, guide and assist the living through their spiritual path.
While most practioners believe in Magik, not all feel the need to practice it's craft.
Practioners honor the energy and flow of the Moon as it relates to daily life. The phases of the moon are honored and celebrated through rituals known as Esbats. Additionally we mark specific cycles of nature and the changes of the year through holidays we call Sabbats. These cycles are celebrated though rituals and ceremonies, most often in Magikal Circles or Sacred Spaces.
Free eBooks (Can Be Downloaded):
Anonymous - Impossibility Of WitchcraftMichael Harrison - The Roots Of Witchcraft
George Lyman Kittredge - Notes On Witchcraft
