Wicca is a nature-based religion that celebrates the cycle of the year and duality of divinity. Wiccans honor both gods and goddesses, practice magic, and follow the Wiccan Rede. It is not related to Satanism and has no central authority. Its popularity is increasing, with Wiccan chaplains serving in prisons and the military.
Wicca is an earth- and nature-honoring religion that celebrates the cycle of the year and the duality of divinity. Wiccas celebrate eight holidays; two solstices, two equinoxes, and four other holidays approximately equally spaced throughout the year. These holidays are called sabbaths.
Wicca, called “witchcraft” by some, was popularized (or perhaps invented) in the mid-twentieth century by Gerald Gardner. He wrote a book called Witchcraft Today which was published in 1954. In the book, he claimed to have discovered a survival of ancient pagan religions still practiced today. Most practicing Pagans today discard its survival claim and rather celebrate a revival (or at least a reconstruction on best guesses) of a pre-Christian religion.
Wiccans believe that deity is both male and female, and as such, they honor both gods and goddesses who represent some aspect of the deity. Some Wiccans choose not to impersonate a deity at all and instead speak of the “creative force of the universe” or some similar phrase. Some women choose to follow a version of Wicca that downplays or ignores the divine aspect altogether, as a reaction against what they perceive as the “masculinization” of more traditional religions.
Wiccans may practice with a group, called a coven, or alone, in which case they are called “solitaries.” There is no central Wiccan authority or canon, with each group or individual deciding what their practice consists of. Note that many of these groups may claim to practice the only “true” Wicca. One of the best overviews of Wicca was written with solitaires in mind; Scott Cunningham’s Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.
Wiccans, and most other neopagans, believe, in common with many of the Eastern religions, that there is a universal force that exists in everything. Wiccans believe that this force can be manipulated through an act of will – this is the basis for Wiccan magic (or magick, the preferred spelling intended to distinguish it from the conjuring of a stage magician).
Wicca’s basis for ethical behavior is in the Wiccan Rede, or rule: “A (if) harms none, do what thou wilt.” The “none harm” qualifier puts Wicca in the same camp with Buddhism and other religions that believe in non-violence. The Law of the Threefold further states that whatever you send out into the universe, be it good or bad, you can expect to come back to you threefold.
Contrary to common belief, Wiccans do not worship or even believe in the devil. Wicca does not recognize any personification of evil. There are certainly people who dress in black and call themselves Satanists and wear pentacles (a Wiccan symbol) but they are generally not considered Wiccans.
It is true that many young adults and teenagers are initially drawn to Wicca as an act of rebellion against their parents’ religious beliefs. And Wicca is no more immune than any other faith to abuse by powerful personalities who need followers to control.
The number of people who identify as Wiccans or other neo-pagan religions continues to increase: there are now Wiccan chaplains who care for the pagan population in prison and serve in the military.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
