Wicca
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Wicca, or the Craft[1], is a Neo-pagan (meaning "new pagan") religion that was made popular by a British man named Gerald Gardner in the 1940s. Gardner called Wicca the "witch cult" and "witchcraft" and its followers the "Wica".[2] The word "Wicca" means "Witch" in Old English.[3] People who follow Wicca are called "Wiccans."
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[change] Beliefs
There are many different traditions of Wicca, and different traditions practice differently. However, there are common beliefs that are shared by all Wiccans, such as God and Goddess, the afterlife, magic and morality.
[change] God and Goddess
Wiccans believe in a God and Goddess. The God and Goddess are equal in Wicca, although sometimes the Goddess is seen as more important than the God.[4] The God and Goddess can be split into different Gods and Goddesses. Goddess can be split into other Goddesses such as Athena (a Greek Goddess), Brigid (an Irish Goddess), and Isis (an Egyptian Goddess). God can be split into other Gods such as Cernunnos (a Celtic God), Ra (an Egyptian God), and Thor (a Norse God). Some people explain this as a "ball" theory - the ball is whole and intact, but each part of the ball is individual in its own way[who?].
There are some Wiccans, like Dianic Wiccans, who mostly worship the Goddess only. Dianic Covens (a group of witches) are normally comprised entirely of women.
[change] Magic
Many Wiccans perform magic. Wiccans ask the God and Goddess to help change their lives, or the lives of other people, through prayer, ritual and magic. Wiccans say affirmations and poems out loud to help with their magic, or might burn a candle or some incense. Magic is not only practiced in Wicca - anyone can practice magic, sometimes termed as witchcraft, but one must accept the after effects of the magic performed - whether good or bad.
[change] Practices
[change] Altars
Many Wiccans have special places at home where they perform ritual and magic and worship. These places are called altars. Wiccans put holy and special objects on their altars, such as the following items:
- A pentagram. This is an old symbol of a five-pointed star within a circle. It represents the five core elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. A pentagram is a type of pentacle, which is any thing that protects the person who owns it, called a talisman.
- An Athamé. This is a magical knife (or sword) that is used in ritual. It is traditional to have a black handle, but not everyone does. It is never used to physically cut anything, but is used to 'cut' the air, and to direct energy. The athamé is also a symbol for man and God.
- A Wand. This is normally wooden, but can also be glass, metal, clay, or plastic. It might also have decorations such as crystals, paint, or ribbons. It is used like the athamé to direct energy, and it is traditional for it to be the length from your elbow to your wrist. It also symbolises man and God.
- A Chalice. This is a wine-shaped cup used within ritual and magic. People drink from it during ritual. It symbolises women and the Goddess.
Some Wiccans also put other objects on their altars, such as statues of personal Gods or Goddesses, a bell, some candles, incense, and a broom (called a besom), which is used to "sweep" away evil or negative energy or spirits.
[change] Morality
The most important Wiccan teaching is called the Wiccan Rede. The word Rede means "advice" or "council" in Old German. "An harm ye none, do what ye will" is the very basic Wiccan Rede, which means, "Do what you want to do, but do not harm anything in the process."[5] This means you must think about how your actions will affect yourself, other people, and the world. Wiccans believe that their actions have effects that come back three times as powerful. This is called the Rule of Threefold Return or "Rule of Three".[6] This rule has different meanings depending on who you ask:
- Some believe it means whatever you send out into the world, good or bad, will return to you time three.
- Others believe whatever you do can take effect on three different levels: the mental, spiritual and physical levels.
[change] The Wheel of the Year
Wiccans have eight Sabbats, or 'Holy Days', which are:
| Sabbat | Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere | Historical Origins | Associations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samhain, aka Halloween | 31st October | 30th April, or 1st May | Celtic (see also the Celts) | Death and the ancestors. |
| Yuletide | 21st or 22nd December | 21st June | Germanic Paganism | Winter Solstice and the rebirth of the sun. |
| Imbolc, aka Candlemass | 1st or 2nd February | 1st August | Celtic (see also the Celts) | First signs of spring. |
| Ostara | 21st or 22nd March | 21st or 22nd September | Germanic Paganism | Spring Equinox and the beginning of spring. |
| Beltaine aka May Eve, or May Day | 30th April or 1st May | 1st November | Celtic (see also the Celts) | The full flowering of spring. Fairy folk.[7] |
| Litha | 21st or 22nd June | 21st December | Summer Solstice. | |
| Lughnasadh aka Lammas | 1st or 2nd August | 1st February | Celtic (see also the Celts) | The harvest of grain. |
| Mabon aka Modron[8] | 21st or 22nd September | 21st March | No historical pagan equivalent. | Autumn Equinox. The harvest of fruit. |
[change] Book of Shadows
In Wicca, a private book containing spells, rituals, potions, and occult knowledge, called a Book of Shadows, is kept.[9] In some types of Wicca, such as Gardnerian Wiccan, the contents of the Book are kept secret from anyone but other members of the group, or coven. However, some versions of the Book have been published.[10][11] Some parts of these published versions, such as the "Wiccan Rede" and the "Charge of the Goddess" have been used by non-Wiccans or eclectic Wiccans. Many eclectics create their own personal books, and keep them to themselves.
[change] References
- ↑ Kemp, Anthony. (1993). Witchcraft and Paganism Today. London: Michael O'Mara Books. Page 3.
- ↑ Gardner, Gerald B (1999) [1954]. Witchcraft Today. Lake Toxaway, NC: Mercury Publishing. OCLC 44936549.
- ↑ Seims, Melissa. (2008). "Wica or Wicca? - Politics and the Power of Words" in The Cauldron magazine #129. Available online at www.thewica.co.uk/wica_or_wicca.htm.
- ↑ Farrar, Janet and Farrar, Stewart. (1987). The Witches' Goddess: The Feminine Principle of Divinity. London: Robert Hale. Page 59.
- ↑ Harrow, Judy (Oimelc 1985). "Exegesis on the Rede". Harvest 5 (3). http://www.draknet.com/proteus/rede.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-26.
- ↑ Lembke, Karl (2002) The Threefold Law.
- ↑ Gallagher, Anne-Marie. (2005). The Wicca Bible: The Definitive Guide to Magic and the Craft. London: Godsfield Press. Page 67.
- ↑ Gallagher, Anne-Marie. (2005). The Wicca Bible: The Definitive Guide to Magic and the Craft. London: Godsfield Press. Page 72.
- ↑ Crowley, Vivianne (1989). Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Age. London: Aquarian Press. p. 14-15. ISBN 0-85030-737-6.
- ↑ Farrar, Janet; Farrar, Stewart (1996). A Witches' Bible. Custer, Washington: Phoenix Publishing. ISBN 0-919345-92-1.
- ↑ Gardner, Gerald (2004). Naylor, A R (ed.). ed. Witchcraft and the Book of Shadows. Thame, England: I-H-O Books. ISBN 1872189520.
[change] Other websites
- Witchvox.org - Neopagan news and networking site
- Covenant of the Goddess (U.S.)
- Pagan Federation (UK), (Canada)
- The Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies
