Wicca

Wicca is a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of Western Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power magick and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature, and that emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles.

The word ‘Wicca’ has been derived from the Anglo-Saxon word wicce, which means to have wisdom, so as to bend or shape, like a wicker for a basket. Wicca stands for a male witch, while a female witch is called ‘wicce’. With the passage of time wicca has gained currency for both male and female witches.

Initially the word wicca evoked sinister associations as it followers were considered to be evil-natured Satan worshipers.

But these misconceptions and prejudices are gradually vanishing as more and more people are trying to return to the natural laws of simple living.  Gerald Gardner, a British Civil Servant, is associated with reviving this religious belief in 1950s after the British Government repealed the anti-witchcraft laws. Since then the Wicca has become a popular religious movement and is gaining strength by day. The believers in Wicca run into millions and are found in almost all the English speaking countries. United States constitution recognizes Wicca as a full-fledged religion and its believers have all the rights and freedom that are enjoyed by the followers of other religions.

Wicca is Neo-Pagan religion that is centered around the love of nature and its elements primarily earth, air, fire, water, sun, moon and so on. It does not worship nature, but loves it, reveres it and is, therefore, nature oriented. The love of nature and paganism was an important part of Romantic Movement in English literature. Wicca finds inspiration in brooks and sermons in stones. He worshipa God in its female form, or mother Goddess, for she is considered to be much closer to Mother Nature. Mother Goddess, for a Wicca, is an all-pervasive and powerful force. A Wicca believes himself to be an indivisible part of the nature.

The fundamental tenet of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, “As it harm none, do as thou wilt.” It essentially means that you are free to do anything so long as you do not impose your will upon anyone or harm anyone or anything including your own self and the nature and its components. In this context, Wicca is closer to the law of Karma and its consequences. If you harm nature, the nature will harm you. If you do good to nature, it will promote your well being and happiness. A true witch would never do anything to use his or her magic or spell to the detriment of any animate or inanimate being as its retribution will be much out of proportion to the sin committed. In fact, witches believe strictly in the Law of the Three, which means that whatever we do or send out, whether good or bad, will return to us threefold.

Ordinarily you cannot tell whether the woman next door is a witch, but some witches do wear a pentagram or Pentacle, a five-pointed star which is just a symbol of five elements of nature, earth, water, air, fire and spirit. The symbol should never be considered as something symbolizing anything sinister or diabolic.

Wicca is perhaps the most democratic religion of the world that represents the true spirit of independence of a modern man. It is a religion of a common man allowing him freest will to act or worship, as he likes so long as his action does not infringe upon the comfort of anyone else. There is no regimentation, no hierarchy, and no diktats from above, or a fear regime prompting punishments in this or the other world. This religion was not developed by priests, prophets or saints, but by the poets, philosophers and artists-- the fierce protagonists of freedom of human spirit. Therefore there is no Bible, no ten commandments, no dogma   and no prohibitive creed

Witches worship, usually in small groups called covens or singly, also known as a solo witch. They celebrate eight solar festival holidays during the year known as sabbats. These are the solstices, the equinoxes and four more days. Besides these, there are 13 lunar festivals called esbats observed on full moon nights. These twenty-one festivities are also called circles. Here again, there is no fixation or dogma.

Wicca Quotes:

• "We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humour. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you--to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think." Margot Adler
  
• "If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind and the rain." Herbalist Carol McGrath as told to her by a Native-American woman.
  
• "I don't think witchcraft is a religion. I would hope the military officials would take a second look at the decision they made." G.W. Bush (R), as Governor of Texas. Interviewed on ABC's Good Morning America, 1999-JUN-24. He disapproved of Wiccan soldiers having been given the same religious rights as others in the military.
  
• "We should educate people that 'Witch' is not evil but ancient and positive. The first time I called myself a 'Witch' was the most magical moment of my life".

Margot Adler

Wicca as a Nature-Focused Spiritual Path

Wicca is often described as a modern pagan religion with strong attention to nature, seasonal cycles, ritual practice and personal responsibility. It is related to witchcraft in many people’s minds, but the two words are not identical. Some Wiccans practise witchcraft, some witches are not Wiccan, and many visitors come to the subject simply because they want to understand the symbols, festivals and ideas more clearly.

At the heart of Wicca is a sense that nature is sacred. The changing year, the moon, the elements, the harvest, the turning of light and dark, and the balance of feminine and masculine divine imagery may all become part of reflection. Rituals are often used to mark transition, express gratitude, focus intention or create a quiet space for spiritual awareness.

Ethics matter. Many introductions to Wicca discuss the Wiccan Rede and the idea that action carries consequence. Whether someone interprets this literally, symbolically or psychologically, the practical message is simple: do not use spiritual practice to harm, manipulate or dominate others. A responsible path asks for honesty, consent, patience and self-examination.

New visitors may find it helpful to read this page alongside sabbats and rituals, Wiccan gods and goddesses, the dictionary, and how to learn witchcraft. Together these pages give a more balanced picture of Wicca as practice, belief, symbolism and ongoing study.