Differences Between Witchcraft and Satanism

“Satanist hysteria” seems to have infected the profession of journalism. Specifically, repeated and misinformed references to the Pentagram as a “distinctive Satanic symbol,” and consistently equating Satanism (a twisted form of anti-Christianity) with the ancient Goddess religion of Witchcraft.

The five-pointed star has been revered for many ages and in many cultures. It was originally the symbol of the Goddess Kore when revealed in the core of an apple. The Pythagoreans worshiped this same symbol as the Pentalpha--the letter “A” interlaced five times. It has been called the Star of Ishtar, Astarte and many other Goddesses. The points of the Pentagram represent the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water), which make up the universe infused with the fifth element of Spirit/Life Force. The circle around the star symbolizes the cycle of birth-death-rebirth (reincarnation.)

In essence, the Pentagram means “Life.” In the upright position, it symbolizes the Goddess, mother of all, the unity of Life and imminent divinity. With one point down, the Pentagram symbolizes the spirit made flesh. This aspect is personified by Witches as the “Horned God,” most often represented as a human male wearing horns, a stag, bull, ram or goat. The horns of the God are symbols of wisdom, of the mind-stuff so fully developed that it erupts and is made visible. I need only refer to Michelangelo’s statue of Moses to make my point clear.

Witches today are preserving a religion that pre-dates Christianity and are innovating new forms of this religion based on the sacredness of Nature, the deification of the cyclical nature of time, the absence of original sin or a hard-and-fast separation of good and evil, and that joy, humor and spontaneity are important parts of our rituals.

MARSHA SMITH NEWSOM

Elder Priestess

Our Lady of the Fields

Chatsworth