It's usually very difficult to distinguish a Wiccan from plain sight. We do not wear something so bold as a "Hey, look at me, I'm a Witch!" t-shirt or something like that. Our jewelry likely includes a pentacle, but we hide these from view. But if you are sensitive, you will 'feel' them; for they are in tune with Nature and emit energy or power. Anybody can call themselves a Witch, but only you're true Witch will know and adhere to the Wiccan Rede, which says 'And it harm none, do what ye will.' Now this means no harm to other people, no harm to other things, and the unstated but understood meaning: no harm to Self. Thus, witches do not practice sacrifices or vampyrism like some common myths proclaim. Vampyrism and sacrifice are strictly forbidden as harm to another.
Many Wiccans use magick also, and this is that natural intuitive ability that they exercise and perfect. Magick can be spelt many ways, and is usually spelt different from magic to differentiate it from stage magic, which is merely slight of hand and mind tricks. Many of the tools we use, also aid this ability by helping the Psychic Mind to work with Natural Talent and Natural Energies for the purpose of change. Some of the objects which I am accostumed to are the athame, which is a ceremonial double-edged dagger, the sword, the wand, and candles. Of course, this objects are used merely as a channeling and focusing mechanism for the Natural Energies and never for sacrifice or blood-letting. To a Witch, change means helping, healing, and living in harmony. We often won't (this including me) heal unless permission is granted, and the recipient understands what kind of help will be provided. Magick is generally equated with Wicca, yet a member of any religious faith can learn to harness natural Energies for use in magick. Magick, as well as all of Wicca, falls subject to following of the Rede, and the Threefold Law states that all energy sent out with be brought back in some form three-fold. If the energy was good, then you are safe; if the energy was bad, watch out.
There are other beliefs which most Wiccans hold. Some, though not all, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. I personally believe that this is the case. My personal justifications of this vaguely stem from the law of conservation of energy of modern-day science, but others ultimately will come up with other valid justifications. A good saying is "All paths lead to Summerland." This is where souls go when you die. Some believe they stay there. Some think that after awhile the soul is reincarnated.
Almost, if not all, Wiccans you meet will strongly abhore the practice of proselytization. As I had said before, I believe "All paths lead to Summerland." Furthermore, we do not believe in a Christian-type Hell or a punishment for not believing a certain way. Therefore, why would we see it necessary to try to "save" our fellow men? That is just silly...
The Wiccan beliefs can more formally be summed up by the sayings of the Council of American Witches in 1973-1974.
"The Council of American Witches finds it necessary to define modern Witchcraft in terms of the American experience and needs."
"We are not bound by traditions from other time and other cultures, and owe no allegiance to any person or power greater than the Divinity manifest through our own being."
"As American Witches, we welcome and respect all life-affirming teachings and traditions, and seek to learn from all and share our learning within our Council."
"It is in this spirit of welcome and cooperation that we adopt these few principles of Wiccan belief. In seeking to be inclusive, we do not wish to open ourselves to the destruction of our group by those on self-serving power trips, or to philosophies and practices contradictory to these principles. In seeking to exclude those whose ways are contradictory to ours, we do not want to deny participation with us to any who are sincerely interested in our knowledge and beliefs, re gardless of race, color, sex, age, national or cultural origins, or sexual preference."
"We therefore ask only that those who seek to identify with us accept these few basic principles:"
"We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the Moon and the seasonal quarters and cross-quarters."
"We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsibility toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and consciousness within an evolutionary concept."
"We acknowledge a depth of power far greater than is apparent to the average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called 'supernatural,' but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential to all."
"We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity-as masculine and feminine-and that this same creative Power lives in all people, and functions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither a bove the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure, as the symbol and embodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship."
"We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds-sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconscious, the Inner Planes, etc.-and we see in the interaction of these two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal exercises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment."
"We do not recognize any authoritarian hierarchy, but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership."
"We see religion, magick, and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it-a world view and philosophy of life, which we identifyas Witchcraft or the Wiccan Way."
"Calling oneself 'Witch' does not make a Witch-but neither does heredity itself, or the collecting of titles, degrees, and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others, and in harmony with Nature."
"We acknowledge that it is the affirmation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role within it."
"Our only animosity toward Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosophy-of-life, is to the extent that its institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other wa ys of religious practices and belief."
"As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimacy of various aspects of different traditions. We are concerned with our present, and our future."
"We do not accept the concept of 'abosolute evil,' nor do we worship any entity known as 'Satan' or 'the Devil' as defined by Christian Traditions. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor do we accept the concept that personal benefits can only be derived by denial to another."
"We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being."
