How to Recognize Witchcraft Symbols

Witchcraft has often been equated to possessing the knowledge of ancient mysteries. While it's true that witchcraft is steeped in tradition, it's important to recognize that witchcraft is also a way of life that doesn't end at the end of a ritual. In fact, practitioners of witchcraft often use symbols in their everyday lives to remind themselves of this fact. Of course, to the uninitiated, some witchcraft symbols have been mistakenly interpreted as being something they're not. Discover the hidden mysteries behind "the craft" by learning how to recognize witchcraft symbols and understand their meanings.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know that the most common and easiest witchcraft symbol to recognize is the pentagram. The pentagram is a star with five points that represent the elements of nature--fire, air, earth and water--with the fifth being spirit. If enclosed in a circle (as often depicted in jewelry), the pentagram is then known as a pentacle.

2. Learn that many practitioners of witchcraft are also Wiccan, an earth-centered religion that embraces the concept of duality, similar to the yin and yang principle of many Eastern belief systems. For this reason, symbols representing the male and female aspects of nature take form as the God and Goddess are depicted in jewelry, artwork and altar statuary.

3. Understand that the Wheel of the Year marks the changing seasons of the Earth and depicts the relationship that the light and dark cycles has with her subjects. The wheel is defined by the eight Pagan festivals--four solar festivals (the two solstices and two equinoxes) and the four cross quarters that occur mid-way between them.

4. Recognize that there are numerous symbols portrayed on objects that are intended to be worn as amulets or to be carried or used in ritual as talismans. One of the best known systems are the symbols of the Key of Solomon which are used to promote prosperity, creativity, protection and have many other associations.

5. Know that runic symbols are often used in witchcraft according to the type of ritual or spellwork involved. The most common runes are of Norse origin and each represents a letter of the runic alphabet. Fehu (pronounced Fay-hoo), for instance, represents possessions, while Raidho (Rye-though) symbolizes unions and communication.

Tips & Warnings

• While many practitioners of witchcraft are also Wiccan, the two are actually completely separate from each other. Wicca is a spiritual religion, whereas witchcraft is regarded as an art not necessarily affiliated with any religion.

[saboinia]

on 4/23/2009 all wiccans praqctice witchcraft of some sort, but not all that practice witchcraft are wiccans