Just some real basic information for those interested in finding out what witchcraft is all about. First piece of advice: READ EVERYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON!!! A good book to start with would be Silver RavenWolf's 'To Ride a Silver Broomstick' and then 'To Stir a Magic Caldron'. There are a lot of good authors out there writing about all aspects of witchcraft and how-to's on what, when, why, and where. Don't skimp and don't skip pages 'cause you might miss something important! For a list of books and links to find them, go here.
You can be pagan without being a witch, or Wiccan, or any combination of these three. I happen to follow all three. Being pagan simply means that you don't follow Christianity, Judaism, Budism, et. al, or depending on who you speak with, any other religion that isn't Christian or Jewish, exclusively. Many in these faiths will try to insist that one needs to be "saved" from paganism, especially if one mentions the word "witch". This can be infuriating, but I look at it differently. I laugh. It gets real interesting if you can argue the Bible with the best of them!
Of course, there is no rule that says you HAVE to leave your current faith if you wish to practice witchcraft, paganism or Wicca, although many do. I have. I have friends who are Christian witches....they just practice their witchcraft quietly in most cases. I'm sure there are American Indians who practice their old ways as well as Christian faith.
Now, witchcraft is NOT devil worship, it's not satanic, etc. in any way, shape, or form. It is simply a nature-based way of life that acknowledges and uses the energy in the world around us. Wicca is a faith based religion, centering around 8 sabbats (holidays) throughout the year and they fall at specific times of the year, also called The Wheel of the Year, and the celebrations and can be as alternately serious and/or as fun as one or the coven makes them. The ceremony involved is called a ritual, and uses a variety of tools, or none at all depending on the person.
Each tool that is used should be consecrated before use in a ritual to rid it of any negative energy. The book that these celebrations and rituals are kept in is called a Book of Shadows, or Grimoire, much like I've named this section of my website. Many books have blessings in the front to keep it safe.
Also, many witches take the meaning of Warlock to meaning oath breaker, and this does not just pertain to the males. There are male witches as well as female witches....just not as many, but they are growing in numbers!
Many witches follow one rule, shortened to 8 little words: An it harm none, do what thou will. This isn't the whole of it, it's really much longer...click here to see it all! There are also two legends that have been handed down, the Charge of the God and the Charge of the Goddess. Each culture has its own legends about fairies, little people, and whatnot. Don't dismiss these stories, for you never know when one may visit......
A note about finding a teacher, should you decide you need one: choose wisely. One thing I have found tho.....if the God/Goddess decide that you should have a teacher, one will come to you somehow and usually in the most UNusual way! *laugh* trust me on this! It has happened to me!
There is also TONS of information out there on the web as well, so don't just take what you see here as absolute. Surf, explore, and above all, have fun and keep an open mind!