Yes, this is one subject that REALLY seperates us from the Christians. Whereas they see God as a long-haired white guy in sandals and white robe, hands in prayer and eyes toward the sky, we see God as a half-naked horned guy with hairy legs, hooves, and a girl in his lap, hands and eyes on each other!!!

Alright, now that I've potentially offended literally EVERYONE, let me speak seriously for a moment.

We do not hold any hard feelings or hatred toward "the Jeudeo-Christian God," or "Jesus," or whatever you prefer. To hate Him would be to hate our own God. I hate to be the one to have to break it to ya, folks, but it's ALL ONE HIGHER POWER.

The philosophiser spirit Lazaris describes this power best: "God/Goddess/All That Is." Marion Zimmer Bradley has the right idea on this subject, too. In Mists of Avalon, the Lady of the Lake says, "For all the Gods are one God...and all the Goddesses are one Goddess, and there is only one Initiator. And to every man his own truth, and the God within."

Though we may critisize some for only acknowledging the male side of the All, there are some Wiccans who really only acknowledge the FEMALE side. Divinity is however the individual sees it, because that is their truth, and every truth IS the truth. However, in my own philosophy -- and I believe in that of many others -- that to truly see divinity, we must realize that it is a completely and wholly equal balance of Male and Female Energies. After all, that's what our planet is, and reality always reflects the divine.

For another moment, I'd just like to say something to all to whom it applies, and I hope that all pagans will back me up: WE ARE NOT WORSHIPPING YOUR DEVIL. In truth, the image of your devil is a preverted, grotesquely disgusting imitation of our Horned God, fashioned by those who wanted to scare us into accepting their beliefs. OUR PENTAGRAM IS NOT YOUR DEVIL'S SYMBOL. It represents the four elements (i.e. our reality), and the fifth element of Spirit, or Divinity, which is above us. Some rather creative (but, Goddess help him, DEEPLY depraved) individual took that idea and literally turned upside-down, so that "divinity" was now represented as being beneath us. How clever. Hence the "Reverse Pentagram" that some musical band or another has taken for their symbol, and that is often used in horror movies (when it isn't our OWN correct pentagram they pervert by using...).

The plain and simple fact is that Witches do not believe in the devil. Where Christian-Gnostic teachings describe two opposing powers of good and evil, we see two powers (Male and Female) which both have some good and some evil. Once again, our world reflects the divine, and what, in our own reality, is completely good or completely evil? As much as some would like to think otherwise, nothing is either, not even Witches. Personally, I love the quote -- I forget who said it -- about how "the greatest trick the Devil ever played is convincing the world that he doesn't exist." The fact is, and you'll forgive me for paraphrasing, that "one of the greatest tricks Man has ever played is convincing the world that he does."

Aspects of the Goddess

Most Witches see the Goddess as having three faces; she is our Triple Goddess. These aspects are:


Maiden - She is the waxing moon, the spring, all that is new and growing. She is innocent and fresh, a virgin in body and spirit. The Goddess is in her Maiden phase at Imbolc and Ostara. Many goddesses have been maidens, such as Kore and Flora.

Mother - She is the Earth beneath our feet, the creator, the full moon. She is nurturing and caring, but will defend herself when necessary. The Mother rules over Midsummer and Lughnassad, and we acknowledge her at Yule. Mother goddesses include Demeter and Gaea.

Crone - This is she who stirs the great cauldron of life, death, and rebirth, seen in the waning moon. She should not be feared, but rather revered for her wisdom od time. She guides us at Mabon and Samhain. Hecate is a good example of the Great Crone.

(For more information about the Sabbats, see the Wheel of the Year.)

Aspects of the God

There are some traditions who see three main aspects to the God as well... and who am I to argue with equality?


Green Man - This is the great spirit of the Forest, whose image can be seen above many medieval churches in rural England. He walks through the woods, peering at us through the leaves, and her will protect his domain from harmful invaders. The Green Man is also known as Pan and Jack-of-the-Green.

Father Sun/Sky - He is the opposite and equal of Mother Moon/Earth, the fertilizing seed of all creation. He is most related to the Judeo-Christian concept of Deity. He can be seen in many ancient gods, including Kings such as Zeus and Ra, sun gods like Apollo and Lugh, and sky gods like Uranus.

Horned God - He is the consort and lover of the Goddess. Many gods have been horned, such as Herne, the Hunter and protector of Animals, and Bacchus, Roman god of Wine. Though his image has been distorted, much like the Crone's, he should not be feared. He bears the horns of the Great Stag, and he has great power and wisdom.

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