h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Mina, I met you over in the satanist discussion and you said you were a witch, could you explain a bit? By the way, I have a completely open mind in terms of religion, (but I suppose wiccan isn't exactly a religion?) as I have no religion.

A couple of questions I have a particular interest in:
How do you learn to be a witch?
What do you do? Like do you do spells and the like, or is it more of doing things for yourself? (I didn't put that very clearly, I'll try again later)
At school there are a group of goths (seem like they try to get in on everything, hey!) that slash their wrists, and if it doesn't bleed they say they are a witch, any ideas on how this originated?

I much anticipate a very interesting discussion on this topic!

EP

Right, well, remember that as I said I'm quite new to this.
Learning to be a witch. Right, well, I didn't actually mean to be a witch. I just realised slowly that a lot of things I believe in and do a lot all seem to be pretty much how pagans tend to see the world. I am lucky that I have quite a few pagan mates and they helped me with books and things to read, so that I realised it was what I actually believed in without realising it. Wicca is a religion to me, although I don't go out of my way to "pray" or "worship".
The reason why I started paying more attention to the witchy side was because one of my best mates is a witch, and he helped me with a couple of spells. As they worked I kind of thought, this is it for me! I only tend to do spells when I want good luck, or am interested in a young man who needs a bit of help to come over and see me. That is not to say I cast a love spell! I knew someone was interested in me, but dragging his feet, so I sent out an "invitation".

I have no idea what the goth thing and slashing wrists is all about, but (no offence) kids at school always seem to be be doing stuff like this.
I'm a witch because it means something to me, and to my son. And if I happen to slash my wrists I bleed. As does my mate.

That all sounds pretty good. One of my friends is a (how do you say this next bit? wicca? wiccan? witch?), but she was pretty cagey about it; I'd only just met her that day, I guess she didn't want to talk too much.

I know what you mean about kids at school; they are stupid.

BTW, how old are you? (me: 13)

People don't always like to talk about their beliefs. I am just an old gossip, so I'll talk to anyone. I'm 30, but don't let the age gap put you off, I'd rather you spoke to someone that will tell you straight, than you hear loads of old rubbish.

Hey, I've no problems with age, a lot of my friends are older than me. I like it that way, because intelligence is more important in a conversation than are similarities. That's just my personal opinion, feel free to disregard it in anyway you choose .

But more about wicca! I'm fascinated by religion, as, having none of my own, I like to understand the development, use and meanings of others, though not with a view to adopting one in the near future. It's good that h2g2 is so diverse in its resident religions, that makes for lots of interesting scholarship! And I imagine that some people, like Andy and Huw, would never talk to each other, or each others likenesses, if it weren't for h2g2. Most beneficial, in my opinion!

EP

What sort of more do you want? And you're right, I talk to people here I probably wouldn't in real life.

hmm, I think I'd like to know (and PLEASE don't take offense at this) how you believe in it, because I find it sooooo difficult to believe in things.

I find it easy to believe in, because I formed my own opinions about a lot of things in life, then I realised that Wicca had the same opinions. I didn't set out to be a witch, it just happened.
I could never believe in anything when I was younger either. I think it happens more as you grow as a person, when you can follow things that interest you.
I believe in the spells because I have seen them work. Although I get told it's just coincidence, I chose to beleive that's not all it is.

That makes sense, I guess if I saw something happen I would believe in it too.

I guess you're really busy with other, more interesting, conversations, but hello anyway

Oh no, I'm not busy. I must have missed your post by accident.
Hello to you too. How have you been for the last 10 months?

Rather well, yourself?

I'm still interested in witching and the like...*demonstrates neat little arrangement with the top of her skull, whereby it flips back to admit more information*

GP

Unfortunately you have caught me at a time where I'm just about to start a new job, and I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have online to chat.

I'm sorry, as that seems quite rude, but if you'd like to nip over to here - http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A630046 It's a page that my friend Kaz runs. She's not a witch, but might be able to help. If you take up residence there, I'll come and find you when I have some time.

ok, I will! And good luck in your new job! HEY! I think I know what your job is (or was) (blame a certain little girl of your acquaintance) and...well, next time we just pop over to Britain we were planning to make use of it...oh well.

GP

My old job was as a cabbie.
My new job is over here...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/u290

(Dizzy you could've come to Pommyland with us but you went to NZ)

LOTS OF THINGS!

*congratulates Mina*

*congratulates mina too* does that mean you won't come here anymore?

Oh no. In fact I log on when I get home as well.

I wonder what a certain person will say now.

Oh yes, GP has told me to say something about home and work not interfering with each other and three little dots at the end...

It's her birthday today which is why I'm at her place and Dizo cos Im the only gbler who's still 13

yes, tasOtttposs ssurslkuosjglsikhjtlsikj stop it this is yyunojmyg sskeujhekjhmgo awat mina., we're trying toget out of nmy account dinxoz,olo ooooowe're both trying to type at the same time.424do u lkike ur new job hope oyou doqwwwwwwwwrealy, no toilrets round i hope for cleannning ooo, what dso tyou thiNK THE mods swiILL THINK.? WSETUFF THEM TRUE.

well dee humph dee ho then thaqt's Gp not me no, it's cniwt is not do you thihk were confusing her enough? maybe...experata aaaopinion? aesop i hope she has time to deciipher messages like thisl i hope she doesn't whts the point in reading thisl,,,,,,,,i'm not sure..let's give it a point, OK 4242424242424242 niba MINA will you come to Gp's party as soon as i make it if IIii do?????????????????????she will, i 'llll make sure of that. do you have a new joi of course she does we kow that well what di adaa you mean, idiot? put a sock in it you bow-in-distres i am not,what did youare too want to ask?noffuing did too!
shut up actually dont cosi i like talking to you, but just jump up and down for a while plese (yes! she's doing it)

hey this was a sensible conversastion until I came vallkj alonbg H stop it ti might be ur comnputer but its my account so i'm the one who looks tupid (but i guess i already didO)
? you said i could because you