Wicca

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. 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. As a group, Wicca members are fully defended by liberals. 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.

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.

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, 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. 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.

Wiccan Holy Witch Days

Wiccans usually celebrate the eight Sabbats, They are also referred to collectively as Wheel of the Witches Year. , 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 (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

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)
• State intent of ritual
• Drawing down of sun/moon
• Perform magical work
• Cakes and Ale
• Thank and release Deity
• Thank and release quarters
• 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 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.

External Links

• Wicca Homepage
• Claire de Lune Society of Wicca, Australia
• Pagan Awareness Network, Australia