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What is Wicca?
An introduction to "The Old Religion" and its Modern Rival.
Wicca (sometimes called Wicce, The Craft, or The Old religion by its practioners) is a fairly new religion that only dates back about 50 years unlike its "realitive" Paganism which is an ancient religion. The Wiccan religion is for the love of life and nature. People respect the great forces of Nature and celebrate the cycles of the seasons and moon. Wiccans see divinity in the sun and moon, earth itsself, and all life. The creative evergies of the universe were sersonified: Feminine and masculine principles became Goddesses and Gods.
There were not semi-abstract, superhumn figures set apart from nature, They were embodied in the earth, sky, women, men, plants and aminals.
However, are the Triple Goddess of the Moon. (who is maiden, mother and the crone_ and the horned God of the wilds. These have many names in various cultures.
Over a span of 300 years, millions of men and women and many children were hung, drowned or burned as accused "Witches". The curch indicated them for black magic and Satan worship, though in fact these were never a part of Wicca or Paganism.
How do Wiccan folk practice their faith today? There is no central authority or doctrine, and individual covens vary a great deal. But most meet to clebreate on nights of the Full Moon, and at the 8 festivals or sabbats throughout the year.
Though some practice alone or with only their families, many Wiccans are organized into covens of three to thirteen members. Some are led by a High Priestess or Priest, Many by a priestess/priest team; other rotate or share leadership. Some covens are highly structured and hierarchical, while other many be informal and egalitarian. Often extensive training is required before initiation, and coven membership is considered and important commitment, there are many branchesor "traditions" of Wicca in the world, such as gardnerian, alexandrian, welsh tradition, dianic, faery, seax-wicca and other. All adhere to a code of ethics. None engage in disreputable practices of some modern "cults" such as isolating and brainwashing inpressionalbe, lonley young people. Genuine Wiccans welcome sisters and brothers, but not disciples, followers or victims. Coven meetings include ritual, and magick. Wiccan magick is not at all like the instant "special effects" of cartoon shows or fantasy novels, nor medieval demonology; it operates in harmony with natural laws and is usually less spectacular - though effective. Various techniques are used to heal people and animals, seek guidance, or improve members' lives in specific ways. Positive goals are sought: cursing and "evil spells" are repugnant to practitioners of Wicca.
Wiccans Tend to be strong supporters of environmental protection, equal rights, global peace and religious freedom, and sometimes magick is used toward such goals, but not always.
Wiccan beliefs do not include such Judeo-christian concepts as origional sin, vicarious atonement, divine judgement or bodily resurrection. Craft folk belive in a beneficent universe, the laws of karma and reincarnation, and divinity inherent in every human being and all of Nature. Yet laughter and pleasure are part of their spiritual tradition, and they enjoy singing, dancing, feasting, and love.
Wiccans tend to be individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet, or curch authority. They draw inspiration and sinsight from science, and personal experiance. Each practitionar keep a personal book or journal in which s/he records magickal "Recipes", "dreams, invocations, songs, poetry, and so on called a Book of Shadows (bos)." To most of the craft, every religion has it own valuable perspective on the nature of Deity and humanity's relationship to it: there is NO ONE TRUE FAITH. Rather, religious diversity is necessary in a world of diverse societies and individuals. Because of this belief, Wiccan groups do not actively recruit or proselytize: there is an assuption that people who can benefit from the Wiccan way will "find their way home" When the time is right.
Despite the lack of evangelist zeal, many covens are quite willing to talk with interested people, and even make efforts to inform their communites about the beliefs and practices of Wicca.
For more information try looking into a coven in your community. Or feel free to contact Luna Mist School of Paganism by going to http://lunamist.cjb.net
All information Copyright © Wonderful Wicca. 1997-2004
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