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'''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.

'''Wicca''' was created in 1954 in the guise of a [[pagan]] 'religion'. Some branches practice what seems much like [[witchcraft]], while others attempt to stay out of the occult. Wicca often gets converts by encouraging them to doubt their faith<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>. (which often leads to disobedience) and develop their own practices (which are tainted by human imperfection, unlike the divinely-inspired [[Bible]]), and it can be very difficult to come up with a universal definition of what a Wiccan is.  Most Wiccans desire to live as one with nature, which could be stolen from [[Buddhism]] and other religions.  Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force or deity.

==Wiccan Morality==

==Wiccan Morality==

==Wiccan Holy Days==

==Wiccan Holy Days==

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:

Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats, which are almost certainly stolen from the [[Christian]] concept of the [[Sabbath]]. They are 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)

*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]], 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.

Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]] (sometimes with a pentagram), and the participants call on the four traditionally satanic 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==

*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 (spirit-worship)

*State intent of [[ritual]]

*State intent of [[ritual]]

*Drawing down of sun/moon (optional)

*Drawing down of sun/moon (perhaps an attempt at black magic?)

*Perform magical work

*Perform magical work

*Cakes and Ale

*Cakes and Ale

==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.  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.

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 (interstingly enough, most cults were formed within the last 50 years).  Wicca was first popularized in England by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of Britain's laws banning Witchcraft and Black Magic. 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]]