From: Teakan Area: Metaphysical To: All 11 Jun 94 23:37:10 Subject: Re: survey UpdReq Hello! This is the survey described in the Wicca PODS. I have been asked to post it in -=this=- area for those on the "Net"... The following survey was reproduced with permission for online users. You can save it to a file, then fill it out in any text editor or word processor, then print your response and mail it to Victoria Higgins at the below snail mail address, or you can wait and see if she gets a modem before July...?? BB Teakan My name is Victoria Higgins and I am studying Sociology of Religion at the Department for the Study of Religion at the University of Toronto. I am an iniate of Wicca, and have been involved in the movement for the past six years. My current research project is on Wicca/Witchraft's success as a religious/spiritual movement in CAnada using a range of sociological categories. Elements from both successful and unsuccessful movements and those features which are unique to Wicca/The Craft will be investigated to determine how they effect the movement as a whole. I am looking for participants for my questionnaire who have been involved in Wicca/Witchcraft or path based on such in Canada for at least one year. Wicca is both understudied and misunderstood in religious studies and those few studies which do exist were often forced to rely on the input of very few and/or well known Wiccans. If more people within the movement have a chance to describe their ideas, experiences, and practices, we believe that the end result will be a better understanding and more accurate presentation of Wicca/ The Craft in Canada. For the most part, your responses will be combined with those of other respondents in order to form a composite picture of the movement. However, if you are directly quoted, in order to protect your privacy you will be identified at the very most by a name of your choice (or a randomly selected number or name if you wish), your province of residence, gender and tradition (if applicable) so that your identity will be protected. A stamped return envelope with the correct postage is attached to each questionnaire ( that she'll send out via Canada Post if you request one already printed on paper, or you can print your response and mail it to her at the below address). Feel free to photocopy this questionnaire and distribute it to Wiccans/Witches that you know or to contact me for more copies and return envelopes. Both the questionnaire and the return envelopes are made from recycled paper. To the best of my ability I will make some copies of the preliminary report available at the larger distribution centers, (stores, public bodies, etc.) - check with me at the below address in August '94... If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you are welcome to contact me. Vicoria Higgins 77 Charles St. W. Toronto, Ont. M5S 1K5 (416)966-4883 - THIS QUESTIONNAIRE IS FOR YOU IF YOU PRACTICE WICCA, WITCHRAFT, AND/OR A RELIGIOUS PATH BASED ON WICCA OR THE CRAFT IN CANADA, AND YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PRACTICE FOR A LEAST ONE YEAR. THROUGHOUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE, THE WORD WICCA HAS BEEN USED FOR CONVENIENCE - PLEASE ACCEPT IT AS AN ALTERNATIVE IF IT IS NOT YOUR PREFERRED TERM. * SLMR 2.1a * ...never again the stake...this time we fight! 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Teakan Area: Metaphysical To: All 11 Jun 94 23:37:40 Subject: survey...page 2 UpdReq Hi again, second page! 1. How do you wish to be identified?:_______________________ (you may choose to leave the above space blank, in which case a randomly selected name or number will be used if you are directly quoted.) 2.Gender?: M F 3. How many years have you been involved in Wicca? _______________________ 4. What province do you currently live in?_______________________________ 5. If you have lived in another province(s) during you involvement in Wicca, please name it/them and how many years that you practiced Wicca in each province: 6. If you currently practice a specific tradition or traditions please name it/them and how many years you have been involved in it/them: 7. Please briefly describe your tradition(s) or style(s) of Wicca as you now practise it/them: 8. In the past, were you involved in any other tradition(s) or style(s) of Wicca that you now no longer practise: ____YES ____ NO (if NO, go to question # 9 ) If YES, please name them: Looking back, what is your opinion of your experience with them? 9. Do you have friends or aquaintances who practice traditions or styles of Wicca different from your own? ____YES ___NO If YES, do you attend their rituals: ____Regularly or Often _____Occasionally ____Sometimes, not regularly _____Never or Seldom 10. Do people of other styles or traditions of Wicca attend your rituals? ____Regularly or Often _______Occasionally ___Sometimes, not regularly _______Never or Seldom 11. Are all traditions and/or styles equally valid forms of Wicca - why or why not? 12. What, to you, are the essential components of Wicca (without which a religious path would perhaps be pagan but not Wiccan): 13. How strongly do you feel that Wicca or your style of Wicca is the only relgious/spiritual ppath for YOU? ____Very strong _____Somewhat strong _____Not strong at all 14. Do you find that Wicca provides guidance for making everyday decisions? _____In general, YES ____Sometimes ____In general, NO 15. Do you feel that Wicca: (answer: YES NO or Not Sure) draws significantly on Pre-Christian roots? Y N N/S is a revival or recreation of ancient practices? Y N N/S is a completely new religious movement? Y N N/S has been inspired equally by ancient practices and modern needs? Y N N/S is compatible with your cultural background? (Irish, German, Indian, etc.) Y N N/S 16. Do you feel that Christianity has many Pagan survivasls within it? ____YES ___Depends on Denomination ____NO _____Not Sure 17. What issues, if any, do you feel split or cause hostility between Wiccans in your local area and/or province? 18.Do youy believe that : (answer : YES NO or Not Sure) wicca can only be practiced within a closed group? Y N N/S wicca can only be properly practiced by initiates? Y N N/S secrecy is a vital component of wicca? Y N N/S wicca is available to everyone given time and effort? Y N N/S centralization is a threat to wicca? Y N N/S wicca can be easily practised in the public view? Y N N/S there is such a thing as a wiccan "laity"? Y N N/S both private closed groups and open public groups are important elements of wicca? Y N N/S networking between different organizations and traditions of wicca is important? Y N N/S national or provincial bodies representing autonomous wiccan groups could be beneficial to wiccans? Y N N/S 19. Do you believe that "never accept money for the art, for money ever smeareth the taker" is a useful guideline for wiccans today - why or why not? 20. In your opinion, how do the majority of Canadians perceive wicca? * SLMR 2.1a * ...RESISTANCE!Listen to the call of the wild--Queensryche 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Teakan Area: Metaphysical To: All 11 Jun 94 23:38:04 Subject: survey...page three! UpdReq Third Page... 21. Do you feel that the mojority of people you interact with would react negatively to your religion? YES NO Not Sure 22. Did your family react negatively when you began to practice wicca? ____YES ____ Depended on Member ____NO ___ Didn't tell them If YES, has their attitude changed over time? YES NO Not Sure 23. Did your friends react negatively when you began to practice wicca? _____YES ____Depended on the friend ____NO ____Didn't tell them 24. Have you ever experienced harassment or prejudice for being wiccan? YES NO NOT SURE 25. Do you feel embarassed or angry when you find wiccans mentioned negatively in the press or on tv? ___In general,YES ___In general,NO ___Sometimes, depends what's said 26. Overall, do you feel that wicca's reputation in Canada has improved in the last ten years? YES NO NOT SURE 27. Overall, do you feel that wiccans in your area are improving the reputation of wicca? YES NO NOT SURE 28. Do you feel that wiccans in your local area form a community? YES NO NOT SURE 29. Do you feel that there is an overall wiccan communtiy in canada? YES NO NOT SURE 30. Do you feel that Wicca can or already has changed Canadian society - why or why not? 31. Do you feel that wicca is a successful movement - why or why not? 32. Were you involved in any other religious, spiritual, magickal, or "New Age" path when you were introduced to wicca? YES NO If YES, please name or briefly describe: 33. Are you currently involved in any religious, spiritual, magickal, or "New Age" path other than wicca? YES NO If YES, please name or briefly describe: 34. How were you introduced to Wicca? 35. Have you ever introduced anybody to wicca who subsequently became wiccan? If YES, who were they?(e.g.:relative, friend, co-worker, etc) 36. Did you find becoming a wiccan a difficult transistion to make? YES NO NOT SURE 37. At any point in your invovement with wicca did you feel that you had reached a point of no return? YES NO NOT SURE(if NO or NOT SURE, go to question # 38) If YES , how long had you been involved in wicca when you reached this point? _____ Months Years What, in your opinion, triggered this feeling of having reached a point of no return? (e.g.: a specific ritual, vision, experience, etc.): 38. Have you ever practiced wicca as a solitaire? YES NO 39. Do you currently practice wicca as a solitaire? YES NO (if you answered both 38 and 39 NO, go to question # 41) 40. As a solitaire, do/did you: read books on wicca for guidance? YES NO use books or other publications as sources of inspiration for your rituals? YES NO talk with other wiccans on a regular basis? YES NO feel that you're a part of a wiccan community? YES NO attend group rituals? YES NO * SLMR 2.1a * ...you mean the are(gasp) WITCHES here?!? 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Teakan Area: Metaphysical To: All 11 Jun 94 23:38:38 Subject: survey...page four...! UpdReq Page four! 8-) 41. Are you now, or have you ever participated in a wiccan or pagan organization? YES NO (if NO, go to question # 50) 42. How many wiccan or pagan organizations do you currently participate in on a regular basis?(eg: coven, temple, nettwork, etc.) 5 or more 4 3 2 1 0 (if none, go to # 48) 43.Please briefly describe what each organization is that you regularly participate in: (be as general or as specific as you wish-specific names are not necessary): How many people are invovled in each organization? How long have you been involved in each of them? How often do meetings regularly occur within each organization? 44. Do you find that there is a high degree of participation on the part of the members of these organizations? ___In general, YES ___In general, NO ___Sometimes 45. Do you consider any of the organizations that you participate in to be like a family to you? YES NO 46. Do you ever call wiccans in the organization(s) you participate in your "brother or sister"? YES NO 47. Which of the following best describes the authority structure of the organization(s) in which you participate (check more than one if you wish): ____Hierarchy based on initiate degrees ____Hierarchy based on experience ____Hierarchy based on charisma(personal magnetism) ____Democracy with rotating leadership ____Democracy with fixed positions but equal input ____Democracy with no formal leadership ____Other (please briefly describe): 48. Have you ever changed any of your group affiliations since your inital involvement in wicca? YES NO (if NO, go to # 50) 49. Have you ever ceased to be involved in an organization because: the organization ceased to exist: YES NO you moved out of the area: YES NO you wanted to start your own group: YES NO you changed to a different tradition or style of wicca: YES NO there were obstacles blocking your advancement: YES NO of personality conflict withother members: Y N of personality conflicts with the leadership: Y N of disillusionment with the leadership: Y N of emotional abuse experienced within the organization: Y N of physical abuse experienced within the organization: Y N of sexual abuse experienced within the organization: Y N 50. How often do you typically participate in Sabbat rituals? ___Regularly or Often ___Sometimes but not regularly ___Occasionally ___Never or seldom 51. How often do you tyypically participate in Moon rituals? ___Regularly or Often ___Sometimes but not regularly ___Occasionally ___Never or seldom 52. Do rituals make you feel: more committed to wicca? YES NO NOT SURE more committed to your style or tradition of wicca? YES NO NOT SURE more committed to the group you participate in? YES NO NOT SURE Don't participate in group rituals closer to other participants in ritual? YES NO NOT SURE Don't participate in group rituals empowered as an individual?YES NO NOT SURE 53. Do you find that the time demands of your wiccan activities cut significantly into other areas of your life? YES NO NOT SURE 54. What other, if any, demands do you find placed on yourself being wiccan? 55. How often do you attend wiccan or pagan Festivals/Gatherings? ___Regularly or Often ___Sometimes but not regularly ___Occasionally ___Never or seldom 56. What Festivals/Gatherings have you attended: 7. In your opinion, are Festivals/Gatherings an important part of wicca - why or why not? 58. What impact, if any, have famous wiccan authors and touring wiccan personalities had on yourself and/or other wiccans that you know? 59. Do you belong to any non-wiccan organizations? (religious or secular) YES NO If YES, please indicate what they are:(be as general or specific as you wish) 60. Do you use the term"cowan" or a similar word to describe people who don't belong to wicca? ___Regularly or Often ___Sometimes but not regularly ___Occasionally ___Never or seldom 61. Do you ever consider or call wiccans in general your "brother or sister"? YES NO 62. Do you feel that you interact more freely with wiccans or with non-wiccans? ___more freely WITH wiccans ___somewhat more freely WITH wiccans ___feel no difference at all ___more comfortable with NON-wiccans 63. Do you find that, in general, you spend more of your free time with wiccans than with non-wiccans? YES NO NOT SURE 64. Think of your five closest friends, how many are wiccan? ___5 ___4 ___3 ___2 ___1 ___0 65. Have you ever had a partner or dated someone who was not wiccan since your involvement in wicca? YES NO NOT APPLICABLE If YES, what, if any, difficulties have you experienced: 66. Are any of your relatives involved in wicca? YES NO DON'T KNOW 67. Do you have any children? YES NO (if NO, go to # 70) If YES, how many? __________ 68. Did your child/ren go through a wiccaning ceremony? YES NO 69. Have you ever exposed you child/ren to Wicca or paganism- why or why not? 70. Do you feel that wicca is primarily for adults only? YES NO * SLMR 2.1a * Rebel against the Gods! Rebel aga*##NO CARRIER 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718 From: Teakan Area: Metaphysical To: All 11 Jun 94 23:39:04 Subject: survey...page 5, last pg! UpdReq And, finally, page six, er, Oops Five! Have fun! Let me know what you think? bb Teakan 71. On average, how many books on wicca do you read in a year? ___5 or more ___ 4 ___3 ___2 ___1 ___0 72. In your opinion, what are the three most influential books on wicca? 73. How many pagan or wiccan magazines/publications do you regularly read? ___5 or more ___ 4 ___3 ___2 ___1 ___0 74. How many pagan or wiccan computer BBS do you regularly subscribe to? ___5 or more ___ 4 ___3 ___2 ___1 ___0 75. How often do you seriously discuss or think about your wiccan path and aspects of it? ___Regularly or Often ___Sometimes but not regularly ___Occasionally ___Never or seldom 76. How strong is your attachment to being wiccan? ___Very strong ___somewhat strong ___not strong at all 77.Have you ever been initiated? YES NO(if NO, go to # 80) If YES, how many times, and into what tradition(s): 78. Do you feel that your initiation(s) increased: your commitment to wicca in general? YES NO NOT SURE your commitment to your God/desses? YES NO NOT SURE your commitment to your particular style or tradition? YES NO N your commitment to the organization you were in at the time? YES NO 79. Did the expectation of gaining access to secrets play a role in your quest for initiation? YES NO NOT SURE 80. Have you ever undergone a dedication or similar ritual? YES NO(if NO, go to # 82) If YES, what was the ritual called?______________ How many times, and into what tradition(s): 81. Do you feel that this ritual increased: your commitment to wicca in general? YES NO NOT SURE your commitment to your God/desses? YES NO NOT SURE your commitment to your particular style or tradition? YES NO N your commitment to the organization you were in at the time? YES NO 82.Have you ever seriously considered leaving wicca? YES NO If YES, what experiences or feelings led you to this point? (be as specific or general as you like) 83. Have you ever ceased to be actively involved in wicca for over a year? YES NO (if NO, go to # 85) If YES, what triggered this inactive period? (be as specific or general as you like) 84. What prevented you from permanently leaving wicca? (be as specific or general as you like) 85. Do you ever experience ups and downs in your feelings of commitment to wicca? YES NO NOT SURE 86. Do you feel that any negative experiences you have had in wicca have ultimately led to spiritual or personal growth? ___In general, YES ___Sometimes ___In general, NO ___Haven't had any negative experiences in wicca 87. Do you personally know any people who have left wicca? YES NO NOT SURE If YES, do you still keep in regular contact with them? YES NO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ARE BEING ASKED IN ORDER TO GAIN AN ACCURATE DEMOGRAPHIC PICTURE OF WICCANS. SUCH INFORMATION IS VITAL IN DETERMINING THE SUCCESS OF A RELIGIUOS MOVEMENT. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL BE USED FOR STATISTICAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND WILL not BE USED TO IDENTIFY YOU IN ANY WAY. PLEASE FILL OUT AS MUCH AS YOU CAN. THANK-YOU. Age: Number of children: Cultural background(Irish, German, Indian, Etc.): Please check off the approximate population of where you live: ___less than 1,000 ___ 1,000 - 9,999 ___10,000 - 99,999 ___100,000 - 499,999 ___500,000 + What is the highest level of formal education that you have reached? Current occupation? Gross yearly income? THANKYOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE - if you have any qustions, comments, or concerns you are welcome to contact me. Feel free to photocopy and distribute this survey to wiccans that you know or contact me for more copies and return envelopes... Victoria Higgins 77 Charles Street West Toronto, Ontario M5S 1K5 (416) 966-4883 IF you would like to be interviewed, please indicate how I could contact you: I may be unable to contact all who offer, but I appreciate all who do... * SLMR 2.1a * Real Sysops don't need sleep... 201434369420143436942014343694201434369420143436942014343694718