In 1996, “The Craft” was released in theaters
and a new standard for movies about
witchcraft was established. This was in part
due to the technical advice of Pat Devin, an
Elder and the first officer of the Southern
California local council of C.O.G. (Covenant
of the Goddess) established in California in
1975, an incorporated, religious, non-profit
organization.
[ In 1996, there were approximately 250,000 Wiccans in the United States. ]
While much of the technically correct
information in the movie was a fresh relief for
many of us, Hollywood also had filled the
movie with the normal amount of special
effects. You know, the kind that have nothing
whatsoever to do with “real magick.” In the
past few years, large numbers of people after
seeing “The Craft” turned towards Wicca
with the impression that the movie was a real
reflection of what they could learn. This
misconception was further in-forced by a
number of new Televison shows and more
Hollywood movies. Never had a little bit of
truth created so much confusion.
~ Parker Torrence
What is Wicca?
"Basically, Wicca is an evolving religion which
originated from paganism, the oldest religion in
the world. … It's an earth-oriented religion
which has a consciousness towards ecology, not
domination of the earth. We are part of
everything that is going on around us. Humans
have a responsibility for their actions and how
they treat the earth, plants, animals, birds, fish
and even rocks.”
~Pat Devi
Darklady's Occult