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The Teenage 'witch'
Wicca is a form of Paganism but Wiccan's don't worship the devil or
even consider themselves 'witches.' But they do know "a few spells."
Toby Osborne meets with a self-proclaimed Wiccan, 17 year old
Wren DaSilva from Connecticut.
Look - let's get one
thing straight... Wiccan's are not scary (it's against the Wiccan law
of 'harm none'), they do not fly on broom sticks and do not worship the
devil."We do not even believe in 'the devil,' so therefore we cannot worship
it. We don't believe in the existence of 'Hell' either. This has just been
accepted by the media as true, without any research."Meet Wren.
She is a "normal, regular teen;" smart, funny and into
Paganism.
"Wicca is a
nature/earth based Religion," Wren told me via e-mail. "Most, or all,
Wiccan's have their own beliefs and views. Each type originated in different
parts of the world like: Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, Dianatic Wicca,
Hellenic Wicca, Faery Wicca and Celtic Wicca. It's basically a 'Newbie' of the Pagan Religions."
Miss DaSilva doesn't consider herself a 'witch,' although some of the
stereotypes aren't far off. "I think the old representations had some truth to
them. Brooms and Cauldrons are used in Magik workings and Casting. But we
cannot fly on the broomsticks." There goes my plans to ditch British
Airways in favour of the brush under my stairs. So, what about recent
representations, like TV's Sabrina- The Teenage Witch? "Those
have less truth. We do not possess 'magic powers,' we cannot fly around, or
disappear and have things appear. That's all false. I know a few spells,
though." Teach me. Teach me. "That would be hard through an
email. Plus, I'm still learning and practicing." Unsurprisingly, in
these days of equal opps, there are 'Wiccan boys'
outthere. "Male 'Witches' are usually called 'Warlocks.' But
there is no such thing as Warlocks in this religion, so they, as the females,
are called Wiccan." However, how would I become a Wiccan and is there a bizarre
initiation?"It takes a lot of studying and a lot of practice. And
faith, I guess you can say, in what you are doing and
believe," Wren says. "I do not recommend getting into Wicca, just because it is
'cool.'" Apparently there is an Initiation if you are joining a
Coven, a group of Wiccan's who study and practice together.
Yet Wren is a Solitary.
Well, as a potential Wicca-man, there is only one thing
I am worried about - prejudice because of misconceptions. Wren
is stronger, "I am not afraid. I try to teach what I know and have learned to
others. I don't think we will ever go back to the 'Burning
Times.'" Although society has moved on since the days of tying
supernatural suspects to a stake and torching them, the teachings of Wren and
her friends has undoubtedly debunked some of "the myths and lies about Paganism
and Wicca."
 To read more about Wicca, visit Wren's
homepage 'In the cookie jar'
toby
osborne
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