Wicca

An Introduction

Wicca is considered a type of "magic religion" and there are thousands of practicing "Wiccans", as they are called, in the world today.  A large number of these practioners reside in the English speaking countries of Britain, Ireland, the U.S.A., Europe, Canada and Australia. Although there are practioners throughout the civilized world!

The internet is full of resources and information for the budding wiccan and there are many forums both good and pretty bad however, when you find a good one you really know you have arrived, you will communicate with some of the most highly educated in their field, responsible and caring individuals you could ever have the pleasure to meet.

Not being of the Craft, I thought this would be a very difficult area for me to cover - correctly. However, as it turns out this was not the case.

In the pages ahead you will be reading a slightly edited, for ease of reading, very small selection of areas covered in the forums and kindly made freely available. I will provide links at the bottom of the page for those of you who wish to investigate this topic more thouroughly.

Wicca is the name of a contemporary Neo-Pagan (new or modern) religion. It was largely started, introduced and popularised by the efforts of a person named Gerald Gardner. In the last few decades, it has spread, in part, due to its popularity among feminists and others seeking a more woman-positive, earth-based religion.

Like most modern Pagan spiritualities, Wicca worships the earth and her seasons. However, as in all these representations of spirituality the two most important words are "harm none". Its practitoners strive in their daily lives to work side by side with everyone for the better of all. Their goal is to make our existence just a little bit more pleasant.

The original inspiration seems to be drawn from the non-Christian and pre-Christian religions of Europe. It is said to have traveled back to times before the spread of today's major monotheistic (one god) religions. As I mentioned on my pagan page most members are Neo-Pagans (new modern) but not all Pagans are Wiccans.

The origins

This is a matter of some debate. Some practitioners see their inspiration and traditions as coming directly from the gods. Certain Wiccan mythology holds that Wicca has come down from the Stone Age, surviving persecution in secret covens for hundreds of years.

Others say that their Wicca is a long-held family tradition (or "fam trad"), passed down through villages and grandmothers. Aidan Kelly argues that modern Wicca was largely pieced together by Gerald Gardner from Margaret Murray, Charles Leland and other sources, along with significant revisions by Doreen Valiente (and others), beginning in 1939. Whatever its origins, today it is a vibrant, modern religion, open to change, creativity and personalization.

As a whole, practitioners value balance with a respect for diverse complexity, seeing sexuality and embodiment as essentially positive, spiritual gifts. There is a sense of personal connection to the divine life source, which is open to contact through psychic power, mysticism or "natural magic."

Tools and Rituals

Some ritual items are common to almost every tradition, such as the athame (ritual knife) and chalice (ritual cup). Other items, that may be used by some traditions, but not all are:

- Bells
- Brooms
- Candles
- Cauldrons
- Cords
- Drums
- Incense
- Jewelry
- Special plates
- Pentacles
- Scourges
- Statues
- Swords
- Staves and
- Wands.

The meaning of these items, their use and manufacture will differ among the various traditions and individuals.

Usually a ritual will involve some sort of creation of sacred space (casting a circle), invocation of divine power, sharing of dance, song, food or wine and a thankful farewell and ceremonial closing. Rituals may be held at sabbats or esbats or to mark life transitions such as births, coming-of-age, marriages also known as handfastings, housewarmings, healings, deaths or other rites of passage.

Forms of worship

Most traditions mark eight holiday sabbats in the wheel of the year, falling on the solstices, equinoxes and the four "cross-quarter days on or about the first of February, May, August and November. The names of the sabbats may differ between traditions.  Many also mark esbats - rituals for worship in accordance with a given moon phase (such as the night of the full moon).

Although there is no one source for all of the many liturgical items, such as the methods for casting the circle, the "Charge of the Goddess", certain myths and formulaic expressions are common to many traditions.  Some common formulaic expressions include hail and welcome or farewell, blessed be and the closing Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

There is no one bible, or book of common prayer, for all the traditions. However, great value is placed on creativity, poetry and the artful integration of the different myths and ritual elements.

The Wiccan Rede and three-fold law

Wiccan ethics are seldom codified in a legalistic way but may be informed by some common expressions such as the "Wiccan Rede" and the three-fold law. According to most versions of the three-fold law, whatever one does comes back to one thrice-multiplied, in amplified repercussion.  One short, rhymed version of the Rede states eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfil: "An it harm none, do what you will".

Often none is interpreted to include the doer themselves - an analogy to the golden rule of the Christian faiths. There are no universal prescriptions regarding food, sex, burial or military service.  So Wiccans, as a rule, discourage attempts to convert others to a different religion.

Do all Wiccans practice magic?

That depends on what one means by "magic or majik".  The occultist Alistair Crowley helped re-popularize archaic spellings such as majik, terming his the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will.  Others may think of magic as folk parapsychology or see the changes wrought as primarily changes in ones consciousness.

Ceremonialists may distinguish between the high majik of ritual observance and the low magic of practical spells (such as for protection and health). Almost all have some sort of ceremony or psychological practice to better attune themselves with divinity. This is thought to encourage insight and a sense of efficacy. Others may cast love spells or other curses but do NOT confuse this with stage magic.

Is it the same as witchcraft?

The short answer is no. Many cultures have a negative word like witchcraft, often viewing it as a malevolent, supernatural tool used by the weak, old or malicious.  Some people use the term witchcraft to cover more general skills, such as counselling, the occult and herb craft.

Some people may call themselves Witches. However, this is a personal decision.  Although many people may cast spells and practice magic, these are not considered an integral part of Wicca by all Wiccans.  Wicca is not traditional folk magic and all magic is not necessarily Wiccan, anymore than all people who pray belong to any particular religion.

What is the Book of Shadows?

The Book of Shadows (or "BoS") is sort of a customized reference book for Wiccans.  It contains useful information such as myths, liturgical items, one's own writings or records of dreams and magical workings.  According to Gerald Gardner, such a book should be hand copied from teacher to student but in practice not every Wiccan has a "book of shadows" and few are ever exactly alike. Sometimes only initiates are allowed access to a tradition's book. Many times it is called by a different name, such as "mirror book," "magical diary" or "grimoire."

What is a coven and how do I join one?

The coven is the basic, cellular congregation for some.  In reality it is often very formal, selective and closed, aiming for an ideal of perfect love and perfect trust among its coven members.

Most people begin in less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or more open groups (often called circles). Many probably begin and continue practice as solitaries, whether before, after or whilst a member of a coven. Solitary practice is a valid tradition in the Craft but some good places to find other Wiccans are on the net, Public Pagan events or through occult, political or new age bookstores.

How do I learn more?