Difference between revisions of "Wicca"
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| − | '''Wicca''' was created in 1954 in the guise of a [[pagan]] | + | '''Wicca''' was created in 1954 in the guise of a [[pagan]] religion. It has little do with actual [[witchcraft]]. Wicca encourages its followers to question what they are taught<ref>Helping yourself with White Witchcraft by Al G Manning, page 23</ref> <ref>[http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html Isaac Bonewit's Danger of Cult Evaluation]</ref> and develop their own practices, it can be very difficult to come up with a universal definition of what a Wiccan is. Most Wiccans desire to live in rhythm with nature. Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest(ess), interacting directly with the spirit force or deity. |
==Wiccan Morality== | ==Wiccan Morality== | ||
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==Wiccan Holy Days== | ==Wiccan Holy Days== | ||
| − | Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats | + | Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats (also referred to collectively as Wheel of the Witches Year) <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 104 </ref> and the thirteen Esbats. The Sabbats follow the solar cycle, and are as follows: |
*Imbolc (Feb. 1) | *Imbolc (Feb. 1) | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
*Yule (Dec. 21/22) | *Yule (Dec. 21/22) | ||
The esbats follow the lunar cycle, and are generally celebrated on the full moon. | The esbats follow the lunar cycle, and are generally celebrated on the full moon. | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
==The Four Elements== | ==The Four Elements== | ||
| − | Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]] | + | Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]], and the participants call on the four traditional elements of [[Air]], [[Fire]], [[Water]], and [[Earth]] at the respective [[cardinal]] points of [[East]], [[South]], [[West]], and [[North]]. Air and Fire are considered masculine elements, and Water and Earth are considered feminine. Air is generally represented by an athame or a [[sword]], and stands for the east, the New moon, [[spring]], the intellect, and new beginnings. Fire is represented by a wand or [[candle]], and stands for the south, [[summer]], the waxing moon, will, passion, and transformation. Water is represented by a chalice and stands for the west, the [[full moon]], emotions, cleansing, and the season of fall. Earth is represented by the pentacle or a bowl of [[salt]], and stands for [[winter]], silence, [[death]], the waning moon, and the practical matters of everyday living. |
==Wiccans and Ritual== | ==Wiccans and Ritual== | ||
| Line 35: | Line 33: | ||
*Invoking the four quarters/elements | *Invoking the four quarters/elements | ||
*Invoking the Lord and Lady | *Invoking the Lord and Lady | ||
| − | *Invoking of the ancestral dead | + | *Invoking of the ancestral dead |
*State intent of [[ritual]] | *State intent of [[ritual]] | ||
| − | *Drawing down of sun/moon ( | + | *Drawing down of sun/moon (optional) |
*Perform magical work | *Perform magical work | ||
*Cakes and Ale | *Cakes and Ale | ||
| Line 49: | Line 47: | ||
==History of Wicca== | ==History of Wicca== | ||
| − | Although there are elements of Wicca which date back to ancient times (the Sabbat fire festivals, for example), it does not tie to any particular religious practice from ancient times. Most aspects of Wicca are modern and were made in the last fifty years | + | Although there are elements of Wicca which date back to ancient times (the Sabbat fire festivals, for example), it does not tie to any particular religious practice from ancient times. Most aspects of Wicca are modern and were made in the last fifty years. Wicca was first popularized in England by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of Britain's laws banning Witchcraft. 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'. Nowadays, there are many forms of Wicca, including Alexandrian, Dianic, [[Druid]]ic, Corellian, Stregha (Italian witchcraft), Faery, and many others. There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all. |
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Paganism]] | [[Category:Paganism]] | ||
Revision as of 03:56, December 9, 2008
Wicca was created in 1954 in the guise of a pagan religion. It has little do with actual witchcraft. Wicca encourages its followers to question what they are taught[1] [2] and develop their own practices, it can be very difficult to come up with a universal definition of what a Wiccan is. Most Wiccans desire to live in rhythm with nature. Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest(ess), interacting directly with the spirit force or deity.
Wiccan Morality
Most Wiccans submit to two basic rules of morality, the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. The Rede states: "And it harm none, do as you will," meaning that you may do what you like, so long as you do not offer harm to others or to yourself. The Threefold Law states that what you send out in both the mundane and magical planes will return to you, though not necessarily by three.
Cult Status
Wicca is considered a Cult in France following a 1995 referendum.
Wiccans and Deity
Wiccans may be either monotheistic or polytheistic; the monotheists simply directing their spells and prayers to Spirit, and the polytheists subscribing to a variety of historical pantheons, including Celtic, Greek, Nordic, Roman, and even Chinese, Japanese, and Indian; or some combination of the above. Nearly all Wiccans, however, subscribe to the idea of Spirit being divided into two polarities, the male and the female. [3] The male polarity is the God, or the Green Man; the female polarity is the Goddess, whom herself is split into the three parts of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. They are also often called the Lord and Lady. They have been given so many names they have been called the Nameless Ones.[4]
Wiccan Holy Days
Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats (also referred to collectively as Wheel of the Witches Year) [5] and the thirteen Esbats. The Sabbats follow the solar cycle, and are as follows:
- Imbolc (Feb. 1)
- Ostara (March 21)
- Beltaine (May 1)
- Midsummer Day (June 21, sometimes called Litha)
- Lammas (Aug. 1, sometimes called Lughnasadh)
- Mabon (Sept. 21)
- Samhain (Oct. 31)
- Yule (Dec. 21/22)
The esbats follow the lunar cycle, and are generally celebrated on the full moon.
The Four Elements
Wiccan worship is conducted in a circle, and the participants call on the four traditional elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth at the respective cardinal points of East, South, West, and North. Air and Fire are considered masculine elements, and Water and Earth are considered feminine. Air is generally represented by an athame or a sword, and stands for the east, the New moon, spring, the intellect, and new beginnings. Fire is represented by a wand or candle, and stands for the south, summer, the waxing moon, will, passion, and transformation. Water is represented by a chalice and stands for the west, the full moon, emotions, cleansing, and the season of fall. Earth is represented by the pentacle or a bowl of salt, and stands for winter, silence, death, the waning moon, and the practical matters of everyday living.
Wiccans and Ritual
The general procedure for a Wiccan ritual is as follows:
- Cleansing of the sacred space with incense/holy water
- Forming of the circle
- Invoking the four quarters/elements
- Invoking the Lord and Lady
- Invoking of the ancestral dead
- State intent of ritual
- Drawing down of sun/moon (optional)
- Perform magical work
- Cakes and Ale
- Devoke ancestors
- Thank and release Deity
- Thank and release quarters
- Devoke circle
- Cleanup
This is not a hard and fast outline. The drawing down of the moon would generally only occur during an Esbat (see above), just as the drawing down of the sun would generally only occur during a Sabbat. A solitary performing a ritual, or a group performing a simpler ritual may opt not to do these things, just as they may opt not to invoke the ancestors or serve the Cakes and Ale.
History of Wicca
Although there are elements of Wicca which date back to ancient times (the Sabbat fire festivals, for example), it does not tie to any particular religious practice from ancient times. Most aspects of Wicca are modern and were made in the last fifty years. Wicca was first popularized in England by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of Britain's laws banning Witchcraft. 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'. Nowadays, there are many forms of Wicca, including Alexandrian, Dianic, Druidic, Corellian, Stregha (Italian witchcraft), Faery, and many others. There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all.