I am a witch. What does that mean? Does that mean I am ugly with a wart on my nose or I worship the devil? Does that mean I search for unbaptized babies so I can use their boiled fat for a flying ointment? Does that mean I am evil and I must be destroyed? Hardly. In fact, take the definitions of any of those things I mentioned and completely reverse it. That's what I am.

Personally, I have never met a witch that was ugly. Each man and woman that calls themselves "witch" are some of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Not only physically, but spiritually and emotionally. Witchcraft, or Wicca for the proper term, is an ancient religion that devotes itself to the good of the Earth and all Her inhabitants. We revere the equality, balance, and harmony of the universe by worshipping both the male and female aspects of "God" which we call the Goddess (or Mother, Great Mother, Mother Goddess, Mother Moon or Trine Goddess...to name a few) and the God (or Horned One, Great Father, or Sky Father...to name a few). By Christianity's own admission, God is Perfect; therefore "He" must be both male and female. So, in essence, Christian friends, you are worshipping the same higher power that we are. We break it down to male and female and you keep Him as one essence.

So why are we beautiful? Why is anyone that has a higher spirituality beautiful; Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Pagan, or Hindu...because we have found peace within ourselves and our world. We live good lives, we seek to encourage and maintain the eternal balance, and we have a high respect for life...all life. We live by one rule: Do as thou will so long as it harm ye none. Hmmm....sound familiar, Christian friend? Yes, it's the Golden Rule that Christ taught...just re-worded. In essence, any religion based on love, which we are, is ideally the very same. Just the wording and the names are different.

Witch's live by the ideal that all human beings are entitled to freedom of choice and expression. What does this mean? This means we don't push our views on others because others have the inalienable right to believe what they want to believe. We don't hold the corner market on spirituality and we know it. We are happy to live our lives the way we choose; hopefully without persecution of our beliefs. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen often. We are branded "evil", we are evangelized, we are ostracized, and we are discriminated against. Why? Because we have made a choice that other's don't believe in. Hmmm....yesterday you wore a blue suit. You know, I don't like the color blue at all, therefore you are evil. Silly, isn't it. What right do I have to tell you that blue is not acceptable? You got it! I don't have any right! "Judge not lest ye be judged". Sound familiar? I think so. When you persecute one group, you set yourself up to be persecuted yourself. Bigotry and discrimination is a two way street. Don't ever think it isn't. Make sure you THINK before you discriminate because it just might be you next time.

So, there it is. My time on the soap box. I don't expect you to agree with anything I have said, but before you make accusations or discriminate, research! Get the whole story on Wicca and Witchcraft. If you get the right information, you just might be surprised to see that, imagine that, we are human beings just like you. Respect is earned, not given. If you want us to respect you, you must respect our right to exist and to have freedom of choice.