(^10) A Wiccan Bible
they are rebuked, and the gods are called upon to protect the world from their alarm.
It should not come as a surprise, because although these so called alarmists might not
all call themselves Witches, they are the very Spirit of Witchcraft.
You may have heard of a religion that has become popular that is often confused
with Witchcraft. That religion is Wicca. It has been all the rage. You can find its name
in movies and on TV. Recently, it has become rather fashionable to call oneself Wiccan—
so fashionable that a great many people have come forth in an effort to squash this new
religion. They have claimed it was invented by a man named Gerald Gardner, even
though what Gardner called Wicca has very little resemblance to what it is today. It is
said that the worship of the personification of evil, even though Wiccans do not so
much as believe in the existence of that personification.
In response to these allegations, many of the folk who have flocked to Wicca be-
cause it is all the rage have fought back, defending their fashion statement with great
amounts of energy. Recognizing an opportunity to profit, an industry has risen to meet
the demand of these many people. Unfortunately, the majority of books that the indus-
try offers to these folk who have rushed forth are lacking in many secrets, without
which Wicca can be little more than a fashion statement. You see, if those secrets were
told to the uninitiated, they might no longer seek Initiation. They fear that letting those
secrets loose would result in a dramatic loss of book sales and the great ride that folk
have had capitalizing on the popularity of Wicca would come to an end.
Fewer people would rush forth to sound that alarm if they knew that it came with
horror and dread. Now to the initiated, to those who have received the secret names of
our Lord and Lady along with their great lore, that knowledge is known. To the initi-
ated, the name of that alarm is Pemphredo, who is accompanied by Enyo (Horror) and
Deino (Dread), who are collectively known as the Graiae, three daughters born by
Ceto whose husband is Phorcys.
Now, what do most people do when they see horror and dread? Do they turn away
or do they sound the alarm? Although it is sad, the truth is that most people don’t even
see the horror and dread, much less sound the alarm. Most people look at that accident
on the side of the road, but they do not see. They do not say to themselves, “My gods,”
and they do not cry.
So in writing a book for the few folk that do feel, for the few that do cry, one might
think I am taking a great chance. But I have faith in humanity, and I believe Wicca is
the religion that will prove that faith is well-placed. I believe there are enough people
out there who will hear what I (and other so-called alarmists) say: We can still prevent
our world from becoming that accident by the side of the road.
So for you sweet child, my goddess Caffeina, I answer your question thus:
I am a professional Witch. My profession is reminding people that their Mother
and Father love them. If that scares you, I am sorry. But these are scary times.
d WB Preface.p65 10 7/11/2003, 5:45 PM
barré
(Barré)
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