Changes

Wiccan worship is conducted in a circle, and the participants call on the four traditional elements at the cardinal points of North, East, South, and West, which are believed to represent different qualities. Swords, knives, chalices, wands, and many other objects are used symbolocally during the rituals and are again related to the elements. There is an alter in either the North or centre of the circle which contains this equipment. The leader of the ceremony, usually called the high priestess, will invoke the goddess into herself and speak or prophecy in a possessed state (this part of the ritual, known as 'drawing down the moon', is, in fact, often ignored or left out). The participants either wear robes or, much less frequently these days, go naked. At the end of the ceremony they will pass round cakes and wine. The ceremonies tend to take place once a month at the full moon, and at eight special dates in the year such as Samhain (i.e. Halloween). Wiccans believe in something called the 'three-fold law', that everything one does will come back upon oneself three times as strong. For this reason destructive spells are only performed in emergencies and are rare. A great deal of the ceremony and structure of Wicca is very similar to, and derived from, [[Freemasonry]], including the three degrees and initiation ceremonies. Ritual sex is occasionally performed, but only between couples and in private, never in a circle.

Wiccan worship is conducted in a circle, and the participants call on the four traditional elements at the cardinal points of North, East, South, and West, which are believed to represent different qualities. Swords, knives, chalices, wands, and many other objects are used symbolocally during the rituals and are again related to the elements. There is an alter in either the North or centre of the circle which contains this equipment. The leader of the ceremony, usually called the high priestess, will invoke the goddess into herself and speak or prophecy in a possessed state (this part of the ritual, known as 'drawing down the moon', is, in fact, often ignored or left out). The participants either wear robes or, much less frequently these days, go naked. At the end of the ceremony they will pass round cakes and wine. The ceremonies tend to take place once a month at the full moon, and at eight special dates in the year such as Samhain (i.e. Halloween). Wiccans believe in something called the 'three-fold law', that everything one does will come back upon oneself three times as strong. For this reason destructive spells are only performed in emergencies and are rare. A great deal of the ceremony and structure of Wicca is very similar to, and derived from, [[Freemasonry]], including the three degrees and initiation ceremonies. Ritual sex is occasionally performed, but only between couples and in private, never in a circle.

Wicca is often reffered to as the "Old Religion", even though its existence only dates to the 1950s, when it was created in England by [[Gerald Gardner]]. Gardner was a noted libertarian, and his politics were very conservative. These attitudes are still adhered to by those who follow his religion in the form in which he created it, who are known as 'Gardnerians'. Other sects, or 'paths' as they are called, may have radically different politics and almost invariably regard the Gardnerians as elitists.

Wicca is often reffered to as the "Old Religion", even though its existence only dates to the 1950s, when it was created in England by [[Gerald Gardner]]. Gardner was a noted libertarian, and his politics were very conservative. These attitudes are still adhered to by those who follow his religion in the form in which he created it, who are known as 'Gardnerians'. Other sects, or 'paths' as they are called, may have different politics and attitudes, often of an environmentalist nature, and almost invariably regard the Gardnerians as elitists. Wicca is part of a more general movement known as [[Neopaganism]] or often just [[Paganism]], which it has had a very important influence on.

Though Wicca is often confused with [[witchcraft]], the two practices are in fact very different, with the latter being genuinely ancient but ''not in any sense'' a religion. During early Christian times, many people were burnt at the steak, being accused of witchcraft, which Christians believe to be Satanic. Many of the "witches" were usually simply people who spoke out against or disagreed with someone particularly malicious, who would accuse them of witchcraft.  While there are many old religions that influence Wicca, none of them are alike enough to Wicca to be called its parent.

Though Wicca is often confused with [[witchcraft]], the two practices are in fact very different, with the latter being genuinely ancient but ''not in any sense'' a religion. During early Christian times, many people were burnt at the steak, being accused of witchcraft, which Christians believe to be Satanic. Many of the "witches" were usually simply people who spoke out against or disagreed with someone particularly malicious, who would accuse them of witchcraft.  While there are many old religions that influence Wicca, none of them are alike enough to Wicca to be called its parent.