These are the questions that people who are new to the Craft ask most often, with the plainest answers we can give. Where practitioners disagree, we say so.
Beliefs
Is Wicca a form of Satanism?
No. Wiccans do not worship the devil and do not believe that he exists. The devil is a figure from Christian theology, and Wicca is a separate religion with its own deities, a Goddess and a God who are associated with the moon, the sun, and the natural world.
Do witches worship nature?
Many witches, and most Pagans, would say that they revere nature and not that they worship it. They treat the natural world as sacred and as the place where the divine is met. Some honor specific gods and goddesses, some honor the spirits of the land, and some simply honor the earth itself.
Is witchcraft a religion?
Not by itself. Witchcraft is a practice that can be part of a religion, as it is in Wicca, or can stand alone. There are religious witches and entirely secular ones.
Can I be a Christian, or an atheist, and still practice witchcraft?
Yes. Many people do. Folk magick has been practiced by Christians for centuries, and a growing number of witches hold no religious beliefs at all. Whether the combination sits comfortably with your own beliefs is a question that only you can answer.
Do I have to believe in the Goddess and the God?
To be Wiccan, most people would say yes, in some form, although the forms vary widely. To be a witch or a Pagan, no. See our guide to the Goddess and the God for the many ways in which people understand them.
Getting started
Do I need to be initiated to be a witch or a Wiccan?
You do not need initiation to be a witch. For Wicca, opinions differ. The older initiatory traditions hold that you become Wiccan through initiation into a coven. The far larger solitary and eclectic community holds that sincere study and self-dedication are enough. Both views are widely held and worth respecting.
Do I have to be born a witch?
No. Some families do pass down folk practices, but witchcraft is a craft, and a craft is learned. Nobody is disqualified by their ancestry, and nobody is automatically qualified by it either.
What do I need to buy?
Nothing. A notebook, a candle, and a cup of water are enough to begin, and you almost certainly own them already. Our first steps guide uses only household items, and our article on practicing on a small budget has more ideas.
How long does it take to learn?
You can begin a meaningful practice in a month. Becoming skilled takes years, and nobody ever finishes. The traditional period of first study is a year and a day, which is long enough to see every season once.
Can men be witches?
Yes. Witch is a word for a practitioner of any gender. Most men in the Craft call themselves witches and not warlocks.
Practice
Is magick real?
Practitioners experience it as real, and they explain it in different ways: as energy, as the help of spirits or gods, or as the effect of focused intention on the mind. Our guide Magic or Magick? describes these views. We make no promises about results, and neither should anyone else.
Can a spell backfire or harm me?
The ordinary risks are practical ones: an unattended candle, an herb that should not be eaten, or a ritual that stirs up strong feelings. Take sensible care with fire and plants, keep your intentions clear and kind, and ground yourself afterward. Our guide to spellwork basics covers this.
Is it wrong to cast a love spell on someone?
Most witches think so. A spell aimed at a named person tries to override that person's free will, which conflicts with the Wiccan Rede and with most personal codes. A spell to open yourself to love, or to draw a suitable partner without naming anyone, raises no such problem.
What is the difference between a pentagram and a pentacle?
A pentagram is a five-pointed star drawn with a single line. A pentacle is a pentagram inside a circle, and the word is also used for the disk that carries the symbol on an altar. In Wicca the five points stand for Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
Privacy, family, and safety
Can I practice in secret?
Yes, and many people do. Practitioners call this being in the broom closet. A private practice is just as real as a public one. See practicing in the broom closet for ways to keep it discreet.
I am under 18. Can I start?
You can read, learn, keep a journal, and observe the seasons and the moon at any age. Reputable covens do not accept members under 18, and you should be cautious of any adult or group that offers to teach you privately. Be honest with a parent or guardian if you safely can, and always follow the fire and plant safety advice on this site.
How do I find a coven or a teacher?
Slowly and carefully. Meet in public places first, ask questions, and take your time. A trustworthy group will never ask for large sums of money, sexual contact, or secrecy from your family. Our guide to covens and solitaries lists the warning signs.
Can witchcraft treat an illness?
No. A healing spell, a calming tea, or a ritual of comfort can sit beside medical care, but none of them replaces it. Please see a qualified professional for any physical or mental health concern. Our disclaimer explains the limits of what this site offers.