sfh822 asked this question on 4/13/2000:

Minerva,arent, you worried at all what this type of practice might put you in jepordy so far as your soul,as well as where you might end up after death.

minerva gave this response on 4/14/2000:

Allow me to clarify a few things to you:

Wicca, or Neo-paganism (from the Latin paganus, "country-dweller") is the modern version of the first religious expressions of the human race, and its origins are lost in pre-history. They go back to a time of matriarchal and matrilinear civilizations, when the right to the throne descended down the maternal line and the only modus vivendi of man was hunting and working the soil. These are some of the reasons for the emphasis on the female aspect of the deity and the leadership of the Priestess--the Earth was viewed as the provider of food and medicine, and Woman as creator of life.

Neo-paganism holds all life as sacred, and their main tenet goes "An it harm none, do what thou wilt". Neo-pagans view themselves as the spiritual descendants of the healers of ancient times (shaman, medicine man, or wise woman), and they learn, among other things, to heal with natural remedies. They abide by the Law of Attraction: what is thought of or said with a strong enough intention or purpose (willpower) carries with it energy that will eventually find the way to manifest in the physical world. There is also the Law of Threefold Return, which says that all action, thought, or word decreed returns to its source, triplicate (to heal or to harm). Mother Nature always keeps the balance, in this life or the next (some neo-pagans, though not all, believe in reincarnation).

A vital part of Wicca is about striving to become aware of Nature and its cycle (the seasons), and protecting the environment from the damage caused by pollution and deforestation. Because of this, many Neo-pagans become involved in the environmentalist movement. This connection with Nature is manifested in the form of the deities of the ancient mythologies (Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse, Hindu, etc.). However, these are only symbols or aspects of divinity, which although expressed as male and female (Father Sun and Mother Moon, Father Sky and Mother Earth, etc.) is nonetheless viewed as One.

To summarize: The Wicca we know is a modern reconstruction of the very first religious and philosophical systems known to the human race. The religions of today have all "borrowed" from the different Pagan paths. What we worship is Nature--whether in the form of a Goddess, a God and Goddess, just a God, or simply The One (which is neither male nor female). However, "worship" is perhaps not the most accurate term. Although Paganism uses a lot of the ancient mythologies (Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Hindu, etc.), most Pagans recognize myths for what they are instead of seeing God/Goddess as someone to be feared.

So you see, there is very little "fear" in Wicca, and definitely none for one's soul--this stems from various things: First, Wicca acknowledges or recognizes no hell, devils or demons; second, a belief in reincarnation; and third, this is a lifestyle that puts us in control of our own life--there is no one outside of ourselves to blame for our shortcomings, and also no outside force determining the destiny of our souls; that is also our choice.

Wicca is about looking after the greater good of all, and as a result of that, greater good comes back to us. That is the gift of the God/Goddess, and it's a thing of wonder, not of fear.

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