Frequently Asked Questions
(This FAQ is far from complete. You can find much more complete ones through Google or any other good search engine.)
Will you send me a spell to turn someone into a frog?
What is the difference between a Pagan and a Neopagan?
Are you a witch?
How can I become a witch?
Can I self-initiate?
Can I self-dedicate?
Are Neopagan Satanists?
If Neopagans don't believe in the Devil, what's to stop them being evil?
What does "An it harm none, do what thou will" mean?
Do witches really fly on brooms?
Are male witches called wizards or warlocks?
How do I find out all the Pagan secrets?
What is a Book of Shadows?
What is a Book of Mirrors?
This guy said he'll initiate me into his coven if I have sex with him.
Do Neopagans all think they are gods?
Can someone be both Christian and Neopagan?
Do Neopagans try to convert people into becoming Neopagans?
How do I become a Neopagan ?
Do you know any good Neopagan jokes?
Will you send me a spell to turn someone into a frog?
There isn't one and no I won't. The best revenge is to get on with your life.
What is the difference between a Pagan and a Neopagan?
Neopaganism is a modern interpretation and revival of a European pre-Christian religion. The "neo" bit means new.
Paganism is Pagan traditions that have not been interrupted by Christianity or any other monotheist (one-god) religion.
Most Neopagans refer to themselves as Pagans simply because it's quicker to say.
Are you a witch?
No. Some Neopagan become witches, some don't.
How can I become a witch?
Study and initiation. Contact your local Neopagan community.
Can I self-initiate?
If you like. It's very fashionable amongst those who wish to become Neopagans and/or witches without learning anything.
However, it is sometimes the only option open to those who find themselves so isolated they cannot reach a group to be fully initiated. (If this is you, look for a reputable online group who will teach and test you before initiating you.)
To become recognised in the mainstream Neopagan community, you will usually need to study for a year and a day, often under supervision of an initated person, and then pass some tests. It is not difficult.
Initiation is best when carried out by an initiated Neopagan who is part of a group recognised by your local Neopagan community. This is simply because it tells your fellow Neopagans you are part of the community rather than just a visitor.
If you are not sure what to do about initiation, wait until you are sure.
Can I self-dedicate?
Yes.
Dedication and initiation are not the same. Dedication comes when you feel in your heart you are a Neopagan. You may choose to declare this feeling to your fellow Neopagans in circle or on your website or just tell a few friends. Some circles have a formal dedication ceremony, some do not.
Are Neopagan Satanists?
No. Satanism is derived from a couple of monotheist religions. Neopagans don't believe in Satan or the Devil.
If Neopagans don't believe in the Devil, what's to stop them being evil?
Personal reponsibility and brains.
If a Neopagan does evil, they get evil back. This is called the Law of Threefold Return, meaning whatever evil you do comes back to you three times worse.
The same applies to good a Neopagan does, whatever good they do comes back to them three times stronger. In Christianity and in secular life this is called "as you sow so shall you reap".
What does "An it harm none, do what thou will" mean?
It means "if what you want to do does not harm anyone, including yourself, do it". In other words, be nice to other people and to yourself and enjoy life.
If someone says you are harming them or yourself by becoming a Neopagan, they are being foolish.
Do witches really fly on brooms?
No, but it would be rather fun if they did and they would never need to look for a parking space!
Are male witches called wizards or warlocks?
No. Wizard is a Muggle word for male witch. Warlock means "oath breaker". It's an insult to someone who hasn't broken an oath. A male witch is called a witch.
How do I find out all the Pagan secrets?
There aren't any really. It's not like on television shows and in the movies. It's just a religion.
What is a Book of Shadows?
A Book of Shadows is also known as a Shadow Book.
Movies and TV shows tend to make up some ancient and/or evil book and call it a Book of Shadows. This is fiction. Ignore it.
A real Book of Shadows is one of two things:
1.) The sacred text and collected knowledge of a particular Neopagan group, containing the knowledge of that group
2.) The sacred text and collected knowledge of Neopaganism collected by an individual Neopagan
Some people find it confusing that there is not one single Book of Shadows used by all Neopagans. But many religions have many versions of their sacred text used by different parts within their religion, so it is nothing new.
This website is a Book of Shadows. It contains my knowledge of Neopaganism collected from various sources I consider useful. As it is the work of an individual it is not identical to any other Book of Shadows.
As yet I do not have access to a communal Book of Shadows (BoS). That will change when I find the right group to join. When that happens I will use both the groups's BoS and continue to build my own BoS. This is normal.
Some individual Neopagans choose to rely entirely on their group's BoS, some start an indiviual BoS when they join a group. This too is normal.
Some Neopagans choose to keep their BoS entirely in their head and never write any of it down. This too is normal.
What is a Book of Mirrors?
A Book of Mirrors is also known as a Mirror Book.
It is a book of reflections. Those reflections are thoughts and comments on a Book of Shadows.
A group can have a communal Book of Mirrors just as they can have a communal Book of Shadows. An individual in a group can have their own personal Book of Mirrors just as they can have their own personal BoS. This is normal.
This website a Book of Shadows.
Think of a Book of Shadows as a textbook and a Book of Mirrors as a student's notes on it.
If you need a big heavy book as your Book of Shadows or Mirrors, it's your choice and I have no argument with it. If you need to write in it with a quill (feather pen) and ink, it's your choice and I have no argument with it.
Mine is typed on a computer because it is a website and because for me function out-weighs form. Those are my choices.
A BoS put onto a website can be called a Book of Shadows, a Site of Shadows, or a Blog of Shadows, or something like Bob's Neopagan Stuff. What is in it is more important than what it is called or how the information is stored. The same applies to a Book of Mirrors.
This guy said he'll initiate me into his coven if I have sex with him.
He is lying. Do not have sex with him.
Do not have sex with anyone, male or female, who says you must have sex to be initiated.
If you already have had sex as initiation, go to a safe adult or a counsellor and ask for help.
Real Neopagans/Wicca/Witches don't use sex as initiation. It's just a lie used by a bad person who wants to force you to have sex with them.
Do Neopagans all think they are gods?
No.
Neopagans believe divinity (godness) is immanent (inside people) not transcendant (above people). That means there's a little bit of divinity in all of us and we choose whether to be good or bad. This does not make it okay to behave badly.
Can someone be both Christian and Neopagan?
Yes.
A Christian might tell you differently and if you want to be a Christian you may have to choose one or the other. However, there are many Pagan and Neopagan Christians. How you express your spirituality is up to you, as long as no-one is harmed.
Do Neopagans try to convert people into becoming Neopagans?
No. It is not allowed.
Your religion is your choice not anyone else's. If you want to become a Neopagan, become one. If you don't, don't.
How do I become a Neopagan ?
Follow a Neopagan religion. Go to Neopagan or new age book-shops, go Neopagan gatherings open to the public and talk to people there. Read Neopagan books. There are plenty of good books as well as some useful magazines and ezines. The ezines may have listings for Neopagan groups in your area.
Do you know any good Neopagan jokes?
There are some good ones here and here.
