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'''Wicca''' was created in 1954 by Gerald Gardener, based on ancient pre-Christian [[pagan]] ideals. Etymology: likely from Old English wicca wizard, they affirm [[witchcraft]] and magic. <ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wicca Merriam-Webster -Wicca]</ref>

'''Wicca''' was created in 1939 by Gerald Gardener, based on ancient pre-Christian [[pagan]] ideals. Etymology: from the Old English ''wicce'' (pronounced: wick-ay) meaning to bend; to manipulate. <ref>[http://www.beyondweird.com/Wicca/wiccatrm.html]</ref> Wicca is a loosely defined set of beliefs that encompass the benevolent use of [[witchcraft]], the complex ritual veneration of the deities of ancient cultures, respect for nature, promotion of self-responsiblity and spiritual self-empowerment.  Wicca calls on the practitioner to act as their own priest(ess)/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force in a horned God and Goddess. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_faq.htm FAQs about Wicca that people ask, Religioustolerance.org]</ref> As a group, Wicca members are fully defended by [[liberal]]s. They are inclusive, they worship nature, they promote peace, they don't adhere to orthodox religious rules and regard the Devil as a purely Christian concept. Wiccans shun ignorance; many undertake study programs to learn about the Bible and other religious tomes in order to better interact with people of various faiths. Although Wiccans are frequently accused by Christians of incorporating demonic interactions into their practices, such accusations often overlook the Bible's acknowledgement of the existence of other deities.<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+23:13&version=KJV</ref>

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(ess)/shaman, interacting directly with the spirit force in a horned God and Goddess. <ref>[http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_faq.htm FAQs about Wicca that people ask, Religioustolerance.org]</ref> As a group, Wicca members are fully defended by [[liberal]]s. They are inclusive, they worship nature, they promote peace, they don't adhere to orthodox religious rules, no such thing as the devil. As such, liberals are willing to overlook the demonic side to Wicca, their bizarre sacrifice rituals, spirit world connections. They want the world to understand that they are an 'earth-based' religion.  

   

   

==Wiccan Morality==

==Wiccan Morality==

==Wiccans and Deity==

==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 [[Celt]]ic, [[Greek]], [[Asatru|Nordic]], [[Roman]], and even [[Chinese]], [[Japanese]], and [[Hindu|Indian]]; or some combination of the above, but most Wiccans are duotheistic worshipping the God and Goddess.  Nearly all Wiccans, however, subscribe to the idea of Spirit being divided into two polarities, the [[male]] and the [[female]]. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 28 </ref>  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.<ref>Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, page 11 </ref>

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 [[Celt]]ic, [[Greek]], [[Asatru|Nordic]], [[Roman]], and even [[Chinese]], [[Japanese]], and [[Hindu|Indian]]; or some combination of the above, but most Wiccans are duotheistic, worshipping the God and Goddess.  Nearly all Wiccans, however, subscribe to the idea of Spirit being divided into two polarities, the [[male]] and the [[female]]. <ref> Wicca for One by Raymond Buckland, page 28 </ref>  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.<ref>Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham, page 11 </ref>

==Wiccan Holy Witch Days==

==Wiccan Holy Witch Days==

==The Four Elements==

==The Four Elements==

Wiccan worship is conducted in a [[circle]] (sometimes with a pentagram), and the participants call on the four traditionally greek 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 (sometimes five) elements of [[Earth]], [[Fire]], [[Air]], [[Water]] and [[Spirit]]/[[Life]] at the respective [[cardinal]] points of [[North]], [[South]], [[East]], [[West]] and [[Centre]].  Air and Fire are considered masculine elements, and Water and Earth are considered feminine. Life/Spirit is the all-encompassing element that combines the other four.  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. Life/Spirit is represented by the practitioners themselves and signifies [[time]], magic, healing, renewal and faith.  

==Wiccans and Ritual==

==Wiccans and Ritual==

==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 created in the last fifty 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 but through practice create there own.

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 created in the last fifty years.  Wicca was first popularized in England in 1951 by Gerald Gardner after the repeal of the Witchcraft Act of 1735. 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 (known as traditions), including Alexandrian, Dianic, Lycian, Corellian, Blue Star, Faerie, and many others.  There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all but through practice create their own.

 

==References==

==References==

==External Links==

==External Links==

* [http://www.wicca.org Wicca Homepage]

* [http://www.wicca.org Wicca Homepage]

{{Liberalism}}

{{Liberalism}}

[[Category:Paganism]]

[[Category:Paganism]]