Misconceptions About Wicca/Witchcraft

Myth - The pentacle represents satanism.

It's in every classic horror movie: slap a pentacle on something and everything is doomed. The pentacle itself doesn't represent anything bad. It can be imprinted with negative energy but so can anything else.

Each point of the pentacle represents an element: Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Aether (Spirit).

The pentacle is used in more religions than Wicca.

Myth - Wicca/Witchcraft means shooting ice out of your hands.

Um no. I hate to break it to you but you're more than likely not going to be able to shoot anything out of your hands if you take up witchcraft.

For the sake of this myth I'm going to count witchcraft as Wicca and Wicca as witchcraft. People have different opinions on where the line is drawn.

The best way to explain the most popular opinion was a passage I found on Quora.

"Wiccans call themselves 'witches' even the males, although not all practice witchcraft apart from the group setting; but not all witches are Wiccans." -John Young, Druid who practices witchcraft and civil engineering.

Read the full discussion on Quara.

Myth - Wiccans worship the devil.

Wicca is not Satanism. Most Wiccans do not even believe in the Devil and they live by a rule that states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.

There are some witches who practice magic that's on what is considered to be the darker side. Such as communicating with demons and using them in their work, but they can still follow the rule of three.

Myth - It's like Harry Potter.

Don't expect to go on a magical adventure with any dementors. You most definitely will see a potion or wand more than once though.

Note: witchcraft is a very personal act and each person does it their way. Some witches believe in more mystical things like dragons and elves.

Myth - You will be able to get anything you want through magic.

Magic will not make your life extremely easy, but it might smooth some rough edges. Everyone does the average prosperity spell but that's not what Wicca is truly about.

Wicca is a nature religion. You must respect mother nature and help the Earth. Don't expect anything to come out if you don't put anything in.

Remember, before you get frustrated there's always a good reason a spell/ritual isn't working.

Myth - Wiccans perform animal sacrifices.

No no no no no no! Like I mentioned before Wicca is about respecting and helping nature. Sacrificing any living thing would not be anything near that.

Most Wiccans do give offerings to their chosen God/Goddess. What is offered depends on the deity and their stories. Research if you are unsure of what to offer.

Myth - Male witches are called Warlocks.

Despite what movies and TV shows have taught you, male witches are still witches. According to most people anyway. Like I said earlier in this article Wicca/Witchcraft is a very personal act and can be changed.

If a male witch wanted to be called a warlock he could assist but the average Wiccan would call them a witch normally if unaware.

Same with a woman. If she insisted she could be called a warlock.

I mean they are just words and labels.

Blessed be witches.