Introduction

Becoming a Witch

Being a Witch doesn’t mean that you dress in black, carry around a broomstick and newt’s eyes and scare little children that pass you by in the street.  Witchcraft dates back farther than you can imagine , in fact the catholic church has volumes proving it was a organized religion dating back hundreds of years,  and focuses on making things happen rather than asking the Powers That Be to do it for you.  It is a way of life, a religion, a spiritual path.  It’s not all about Magick, even though that IS a big part of it…it’s about bettering yourself, the people around you and the universe.  It’s about being able to make yourself happy and feel good about it.  It’s about getting back to our roots and learning the potential every human being possesses inside themselves from before they are even conceived.

The Pagan Religion

If you are a Witch, you’re not necessarily Pagan.  Most Witches are, but certainly not all Pagans are Witches!  There are several aspects to Witchcraft, and several branches of religion.  The most widely accepted branch of Paganism and Witchcraft is Wicca.  This school does not focus primarily on being a Wiccan, although it will certainly be referenced.  Pagans, as a general rule, are one with the Earth, believe strongly in Deity and are very in tune with themselves and the universe , and in turn, acknowledge that they are divine.  There are those out there that call themselves Pagan, yet don’t follow the principles that come with that title.  Pagans believe in honesty, respect, karma, kinship and so many more positive ethical beliefs…yet there are those who will call themselves Pagan and use the loose nature of the word to dishonor themselves and others.  While they may practice Paganism in some form or another, they aren’t true Pagans OR Witches if they intentionally harm themselves or others.  That is my personal opinion but most true Pagans I know will wholeheartedly agree.   And those that agree with us, believe that the three fold law takes care of its own.   Take a look at the Council of American Witches "Principal of Wicca Beliefs" for a good rule of thumb written in 1974.  But for a quick run down, Ann Moura said it best;

If you come across a Pagan that isn’t acting in spiritual accordance with the Universe, don’t automatically discount them, because believe it or not, people CAN and do change.  I will be the first to admit that I haven’t always been the model Pagan…even though I have never intentionally set out to harm myself or others, my actions were not thought out carefully enough at times and as a result have indeed caused harm.  I have learned some hard lessons along the way and am now extremely careful to think my actions through before taking them.  Nobody is perfect and everyone will make mistakes, but it is the nature of your intentions that will allow you to call yourself a true Pagan or Witch.

School of Magick & the Silver Flame Tradition

The School of Magick does not focus on any particular established tradition within the Pagan community and is a compilation of the attributes of many.  There are elements of Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Ceremonial, Kitchen Witch, Celtic and other Pagan traditions throughout this course.  We also support any pantheon of deities although the references included in the various lessons are primarily Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Celtic, Norse and Mesopotamian.  I am the High Priestess of the Coven of the Silver Flame, and call my teachings the Silver Flame Tradition.

Paganism is not an exclusive religion.  Because we believe that all paths lead to Deity, we do not believe that one must belong to any given faith or tradition to be a good person or to grow spiritually. Nor is it necessary to belong to only one particular faith or tradition. Being a School of Magick student does not mean you can not also be an Isian, Druidic, or Dianic initiate as well -- or any other tradition you might wish to study or join.

Your private beliefs and conscience are your own business and we have no desire to dictate them to you. Witchcraft is about learning to make your own choices, and Pagan traditions exist to provide a framework in which to learn and grow. The School of Magick seeks to open your thinking -- not to limit it.

Sources

1. Lady Vivianne

2. Lady Star Silver Starr Eagle

3. Green Witchcraft