The Craft underground
For hundreds of years, the craft survived underground. Covens were scarce, and no one could learn unless they were from a family of Witches. The Law remained a deterrent from coming out, as the death sentence still applied. To learn and practice the craft took a great deal of courage. The possibilities of being found out were great, and the whole thing had to be kept quiet. However, during this time, Witches were still getting a seriously bad press, but not because they were practicing magick in towns and villages, this was the age of the wicked Witch in fairy tales.
However, things began to change in the early 1900's. People began to appear and stand up proudly proclaiming their beliefs in Paganism and Witchcraft.
The Renaissance of the Craft
Today, we can count ourselves lucky. We have the ability to believe in what we want to. Although some might deride us because of our beliefs, it is not illegal to practice Wicca. We now have at our fingertips, information that our ancestors would have spent lifetimes looking for. We may read in books, watch TV programs or surf the net to experience Wicca. They could not. It is this renaissance of Wicca, that allows us to do this. Even today, Wicca is accepted as a religion in the US Military! This only serves to help others to see what we are about. But we should never take our freedom for granted; it could disappear as quickly as it came. Never forget the lessons of history!!
