Wicca
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[1] Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag 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.[2]
Wiccan Holy Days
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) [3], 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 names are mostly imagined (Ostara, etc.) or based on old Pagan myths and legends (Midsummer, Yule).
The Four Elements
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
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 (spirit-worship)
- State intent of ritual
- Drawing down of sun/moon (perhaps an attempt at black magic?)
- 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 (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, Druidic, Corellian, Stregha (Italian witchcraft), Faery, and many others. There are also many Solitary and Eclectic practitioners, who follow no set tradition at all.