Question:
would someone please explain what exactly is the Wicca religion.?
alpha mutt
2006-12-03 06:38:25 UTC
i've seen some references to it but i can't figure out what it is and i am to lazy to look it up on google or wikipedia. so will anyone with first hand experience please explain it to me?
Eighteen answers:
dawicca
2006-12-03 06:40:50 UTC
Wicca is a Neopagan religion and a religious movement found in various countries throughout the world. It was first popularised in 1954 by a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner[1] after the British Witchcraft Act was repealed. He claimed that the religion, of which he was an initiate, was a modern survival of an old witchcraft religion, which had existed in secret for hundreds of years, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe. Wicca is thus sometimes referred to as the Old Religion. The veracity of Gardner's claims cannot be independently proven, and it is thought that written Wiccan theology began to be compiled no earlier than the 1920s. Various related Wiccan traditions have since evolved, or been adapted from, the form established by Gardner, which came to be called Gardnerian Wicca. These other traditions of Wicca each have distinctive beliefs, rituals, and practices. Many traditions of Wicca remain secretive and require that members be initiated. There is also a movement of Eclectic or Solitary Wiccans who do not believe that any doctrine or traditional initiation is necessary in order to practice Wicca. The 2001 American Religious Identification Survey estimated that at least 134,000 adults identified themselves as Wiccans in the US.
2006-12-03 06:59:23 UTC
Wicca is the worship of god and goddess together. It is neopagan, but more than that.



I've linked three sites below. the first is the site for the Correllian Tradition of Wicca. the second is parts of an interfaith vigil hosted by a Correllian congregation here in which I was involved (my partner is Correllian Trad. Wicca). Its only highlights, but you may find it interesting to watch and listen to -- the beliefs are woven in. The third is a song by a neopagan -- though not explicitly Wiccan -- band, its a song I like and also shows the goddess centeredness and the god centeredness. (the "horns" symbol that you were told as a kid is the symbol of the devil really is the masculine symbol in many neopagan groups. You will see it being given by the guitarist in the third video)



The holy symbol of Wicca is the pentagram, though some people use the anhk (Egyptian symbol of life) and the hmmm... tri something, its three interwoven symbolized leaves. It represents the threefold goddess -- maid, mother, and crone or innocence, nurturing and wisdom if you prefer.



If you need more details, email me directly, I can ask Jonathan.



Kind thoughts,



Reyn

believeinyou24@yahoo.com
paganrosemama
2006-12-03 07:26:47 UTC
Wicca is an earth based religion, with many paths. Most worship a Goddess and a God. and revere nature in all its aspects. Some practice magick while some dont. It is a matter of personal choice. We do not believe in the devil, worship Satan or even believe hell exists.



We have a reed which is "An' it harm none, do as you will" meaning you have free choice, also long as it doesn't hurt anyone including yourself. we also believe in the law of three which is anything you do will come back to you times three, weather good or bad.



Many Wiccans also believe in reincarnation, spirits, and in natural energies which are present all around us. Many practices are based on ancient rituals, from many theologies, such as Celtic, Norse, Roman/Greek, Egyptian, and Native American. Although the religion itself was founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1940's



Here are a few websites that offer legit information on Wicca.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_stat1.htm

http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_faq.htm

http://www.crystalinks.com/wicca.html

http://www.witchvox.com
techwiz2000_2000
2006-12-03 06:58:13 UTC
Wicca is a neopagan religion that worships mostly gods that existed in the pagan world pre-Christianity, though in a very different way than they were worshiped. They cast spells, mostly, but do not worship any demonic or devil figure.
Brooke
2006-12-03 06:43:56 UTC
All Wiccans believe differently as there are many, many paths of Wicca. In no way am I trying to speak for all Wiccans when stating my beliefs. However, the path I follow, generally believes in a duality of a Goddess and a God. We believe that there is a balance in nature and do what we can to preserve Mother Earth. We believe in an acceptance of ourselves and others and do not try to force our beliefs on anyone, although we WILL defend our beliefs if needed. We do not have a Bible that we follow although we do have the "Wiccan Rede" which we try to follow as much as practical. We do not believe in the Christian version of God nor of Satan and Hell. We do not worship the devil as some people think. We believe in the three-fold law, meaning that anything you do will come back to you three times over. We believe in multiple reincarnation for the purpose of learning life lessons until we again reconnect with our group soul to ascend to the highest plane (which is several planes beyond Summerland or the equivalent of Heaven).



Here are some sources if you'd like:



Any of the books written by Scott Cunningham... very informative and not "text book" reading.



And online:



http://www.beliefnet.com/index.html?rnd=...

http://www.disorderlywitches.net

http://www.mymagicshop.com

http://www.wiccacourse.co.uk/intro.htm.....

http://www.wicca-chat.com/index.html.......

http://www.blackoakswitchcraft.bravehost

http://www.witchvox.com



There are also many informative Yahoo groups and MSN groups.



Blessed Be.



Just read a couple more answers and in response: no, we do not draw parallels between Wicca and Christianity, we do not need to feel validated by Christians just as Christians do not need to feel validated by Wiccans. Also, Wicca is not a cult as some would have you believe. There are many practicing solitary Wiccans and even those of us in a coven are encouraged to believe however we want to believe, not how the leaders want us to believe. One aspect of being Wiccan is about acceptance of ourselves and each other.
KathyS
2006-12-03 06:58:29 UTC
Here's a good website to explain some things. It mostly dispells what christianity tells you what wicca is.



http://www.mdpagans.com/wiccaisnot.html
merryker54
2006-12-03 06:42:13 UTC
A polytheistic Neo-Pagan nature religion inspired by various pre-Christian western European beliefs, whose central deity is a mother goddess and which includes the use of herbal magic and benign witchcraft.
Sentinel
2006-12-03 06:45:15 UTC
wicca is not a religion as such but a cult, it is a neo-pagan earth centered cult that has ties with the black arts through Aleister Crowley, a devious bi-sexual who claimed to have had an erotic experience with lucifer.

Crowley was a bid influence on Gerald Gardner who did not intend for wicca to go down this road.

it is totally anti-Christian in that adherants worship the Earth and Moon Goddess.



the truth hurts, watch how many wiccans will give thumbs down for this.
Moriar
2006-12-03 06:41:44 UTC
It's a neopagan religion that is all about personal experience and your own perception and path.



A heavy hint of it is also self-empowerment.
Sheena
2006-12-03 06:46:05 UTC
It is the worshipof all devine things.... it is an anciant pagan tradition..

Wiccans believe that all life is sacred, so they aim to conserve and protect earth and all her life forms

Wicca is a 'mystery religion'
Morningstar2651
2006-12-04 22:09:54 UTC
Here you go. Stop being lazy.



http://wicca.timerift.net/wicca101/index.shtml
2006-12-03 06:46:01 UTC
They worship the creation, not the creator. My sister was wicca.
2006-12-03 06:46:18 UTC
If you are too lazy to look it up you are too lazy to read the definition, so bye bye lazy.
2006-12-03 06:41:34 UTC
Witches and the practice of witchcraft and Warlocks.
wofford1257
2006-12-03 06:42:00 UTC
i live in virginia from what i hear theres alot here we are like the capital of wiccan they worship trees the earth etc they dress up like witches and worlocks clame to cast spells. they dont bother no one. they also have some nude wiccan midnight holloween thing they do to. seems every car i pass has wiccan stickers in the window
thomasalvaedddison
2006-12-03 06:41:31 UTC
Wicca is like vodka . you will dry alive.
Martin S
2006-12-03 06:45:01 UTC
You are here: The Occult >> Wicca Spells



Wicca Spells - What is Wicca?

What is Wicca and what are Wicca spells? While it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs, the Wicca religion, as it is practiced now, is only about 50-years-old. Wicca is a belief system cobbled together in the 1940's and 1950's by Gerald Gardner from a variety of religious traditions and beliefs as well as Freemason rituals. Since Gardner published several books espousing his system of worship, many offshoots and variations of Wicca have sprung up.



There is no particular agreement between Wiccans, or "wise ones" concerning what they believe and worship. Some worship the "Goddess," some worship the "God," and some worship both. Others worship nature. Some Wiccans say they embrace Christian doctrine, while others reject it. Most promoters of Wicca believe in reincarnation.



One thing most Wiccans agree on is the fact that Satan is not a part of their pantheon and they vehemently deny Satan-worship as one of their practices. This is because they disavow the notion of moral absolutes. There is no such thing as good or evil, because it is all relative. Wiccans have only one law that they bind themselves to, called "The Rede." It simply states, "Do what ye will, harm ye none." In other words: "Do what ever you want to as long as no one gets hurt." The Three-fold Law governs consequences, and is a law of returns that states, "All good that a person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three-fold."



Wicca Spells - Mind Control

What about Wicca spells? Not all Wiccans practice witchcraft (which they call "magick" to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians). Magick is to Wicca what prayer is to Christianity. Wiccans claim that the practice of magick is simply using their minds to control matter, while Christians call upon God to heal people and to intervene and work in their lives. Because the Rede forbids harming others and the Three-fold Law sets forth consequences for those who do, Wiccans view themselves as "white witches" or "nature witches."



Wicca is basically a religion that is about minding your own business and living peaceably with your neighbors and environment. Wiccans are eager to draw parallels between themselves and biblical Christianity for the sake of earning credibility, but what does the Bible have to say about this religion? You won't find the word "wicca" in the Bible, so let's evaluate the beliefs in light of what God says about them.



Wicca spells are idolism - Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things, rather than the Creator…" Who wants to settle for second best? In Isaiah 40, God paints a very cool picture of how much greater the Creator is than His creation. If you are worshipping anything besides the Creator, you are just spinning your wheels.





Wicca spells bring false hope - Hebrews 9:27 says, "…Man is destined to die once, after that, to face judgment." God says we get one chance at life, and that is it. There are no do-overs. If we don't accept God's gift of Jesus in our lifetime, He judges us as unwilling to be in His presence, and we are sent to Hell.





Wicca spells bring disillusionment - Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men". God is God, and we are not. We have a decision to make. Are we going to take God at His word and adopt His worldview, or not? Knowing God is hard work that takes a lot of discipline. Wicca is a religion that takes a pack of lies, ties it in a romantic ribbon, and searches out a well-intentioned, but lazy and gullible mark to sell its hollow doctrines.





Wicca spells bring rebellion - Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says, "Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells…Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD..." Wicca witchcraft is a sin and God hates it. Why? Because it is an attempt to cut off our dependence on God and get answers apart from Him.



Wicca Spells - Separation from God

This is what sin is all about. Sin isn't just a heinous, socially disagreeable action. Sin is our decision to disagree with God on any topic - to rebel against Him. Sin is saying, "God, I want to live my life MY WAY." Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death…" This isn't bodily death, this is spiritual death: eternal separation from God and all the blessings that His presence brings. This is the definition of Hell: the absence of God's presence. That is what our sin buys for us.



Thankfully, Romans 6:23 doesn't end there. It goes on to say, "…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." God knew that we would all rebel in one way or another, and he provided a way for us to avoid that separation.
AmyB
2006-12-03 06:49:50 UTC
What is Witchcraft? Who are these Witches anyway?

A practitioner of a nature-based belief system or religion. Not all Witches follow the same belief system. Some practice what is called the "old religion" which has its roots in pagan pre-monotheistic folk ways and beliefs and usually follows the seasonal cycles. These belief systems or "traditions" of Witches are often based upon the particular culture from whence they originated. Many Witches believe in a polytheistic deity structure (usually based upon the local gods and goddesses of the area of origin), but some simply practice magick (sometimes spelled with a 'k' to differentiate it from stage magic). Witches may practice alone as 'solitaries" or in covens. There are also family groups or traditions which trace their practices and beliefs within the same close group throughout several generations.



Traditional Wicca:

A modern form of Witchcraft is called "Wicca." Traditional Wicca is based on the teachings of Gerald Gardner, is coven based and each coven can trace its lineage (line of teaching passed on by initiated Traditional priests and priestesses) back to Gardner himself. There are offshoots of Gardnerian Traditional Wicca such as Alexandrian Wicca, Georgian Wicca and many others. Traditional Wiccans are considered a 'mystery' religion, require initiation by the coven and have a "degree system" or different levels of rank based upon coven training and the readiness of the initiate to accept the duties and responsibilities of that degree. They have a core of inner knowledge-often called the "Book of Shadows"-which is known only to initiated Wiccans. Most Traditional Wiccans believe in the balance of male-female divinity. Traditional Wiccans are seldom solitary except for those 'Elders'-usually former priests and priestesses-who may have retired from active coven involvement.



Other Forms of Wicca:

A newer form of Wicca has developed since the 1970's which is looser in structure and practice than the Traditional Wicca. These practitioners may follow a mixture of various or "eclectic' pagan and/or non-pagan beliefs. Some have formed 'traditions' or covens of their own, with or without a degree system, and have written a "book of shadows" outlining their own belief system and coven structure. Many are solitary practitioners who practice their beliefs and formulate their rituals in their own way.



Pagans:

Since the terms Witch and Wiccan are often mistakenly interchanged, many simply call themselves "pagans" or Neo-pagans" when talking with others who may not be familiar with the complexity of the different belief systems. But just as not all Christians are Lutheran or Catholic, so not all pagans are Witches or Wiccan. Neo-paganism is a term used most often to describe people who follow an earth-based belief system or religion. Druids and the Norse tradition of Asatru (who tend to prefer the term 'heathen") are considered to be pagan belief systems, but their adherents are neither Witches nor Wiccans. Neo-paganism should also not be confused with the "New Age" movement as pagans are almost exclusively involved in distinctive nature religions or earth-based practices while New Age spirituality draws from many sources and esoteric spiritual techniques.



Q: Are you a good Witch or a bad Witch?

A: When you ask if someone is a "good" Witch or a "bad" Witch, it is the same as asking someone if they are a "good" Presbyterian or a "bad" Presbyterian. Wiccans adhere to the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will." Witches, Druids and other pagan belief systems and religions have their own ethical standards. There are good and bad people in every society and in every religion. When a person breaks the laws of society or the tenets of their religion, they are called to account for their actions. To judge a person as either "good" or "bad" based upon nothing more than their religious preference alone has a label, too. It is called bigotry.



Q: Do you worship Satan?

A: Satan is a part of the Christian and Muslim religions. Since pagans are neither Christian nor Muslim, Satan is not part of our deity structure at all.



We believe that each and every human being is completely responsible for his or her own actions. To us, evil is a choice, albeit a bad one, that a human might make, not an embodied entity to blame our actions upon.



If an individual chooses to do evil, most pagans believe they will be punished via the laws of karma or as a result of "cause and effect.". In other words, "What goes around usually comes around."



Many Witches and Wiccans believe in some form of reincarnation, that the results or karma of past deeds can follow a person from one life to the next. This may also help to explain why terrible things sometimes happen to wonderful people or why some people seem to have been born with certain skills and knowledge. It may also explain why some people seem to lead a 'charmed" life.



Some pagans believe in an after-life spent in another plain of existence. Known as Summerland, Avalon, Valhalla or simply the "Other Side', they believe that they will be reunited here once again with friends and family.



Q: So why do you use that "Satanic" symbol?

A: The pentagram, or five pointed star, is not Satanic. Pythagoras used it as a symbol of health and his followers wore them in order to recognize one another. In Medieval times, some Christian knights used the pentagram as their symbol. To modern Wiccans the pentagram means many things; The five points correspond to the elements Air, Earth, Fire and Water with the top point corresponding to "Spirit". The pentagram in a circle may also represent a human with their legs and arms outstretched, surrounded by universal wisdom or the "Goddess" - humankind at one with the environment. Many Witches and other pagan practitioners do not wear the pentacle at all, but have other symbols of special meaning to them.



Satanists turn the symbol upside-down, which puts the elements of Fire and Earth at the top (Fire symbolizes willpower and passion and Earth, prosperity and earthly goods) and Spirit, spirituality, at the bottom. Satanists also turn the cross upside-down. This, in itself, does not make the cross or pentagram a Satanic symbol. In some Wiccan traditions, the reversed pentagram is a symbol of "second degree" status - one who has been elevated from "initiate". To members of these traditions, the reversed pentagram is considered highly positive and has no connection to Satanism. A symbol is simply an image or mark in itself. It is the mind and the beliefs of the beholder which attribute to it a particular meaning.



Q: Do you do blood sacrifice?

A: Goddess NO! The nature of sacrifice is to give up something of one's own in order to gain something more important. Wiccans believe in the sanctity of all life. Most pagans believe that animals are part of the same natural cycle of life as humans are. Witches have long been associated with animal companions known as "familiars."



Q: Do Witches and Wiccans cast spells?

A: Yes. Well, some do anyway. However, the term "spell" is widely misunderstood.



Spells, are somewhat like prayers and are used to create needed change in one's own life or the life of a loved one. But while prayers are a petition to an external Deity to create the change, most Witches and Wiccans believe that Deity is present in everything, including ourselves. Spells, then, are the channeling of our own divine selves, our own energies, to create the change.



Spells such as those which use love magic to gain the attention of a specific individual, or curses, are considered "manipulative". Most Wiccans believe that anything manipulative-that goes against the free will of another-is considered wrong. Many other pagan paths have similar codes of conduct based upon the tenets of their tradition or belief and almost all believe that the responsibility for their actions will lie with them.



Q: Are Witchcraft or Wicca cults?

A: A cult by definition is a group of people who blindly follow one leader. As Witches, Wiccans and pagans tend to be free-thinkers, there is no one person that we consider to be THE leader. Thus we cannot be called a cult.



Q: Do you have ritual orgies?

A: These rumors come from our lack of taboos regarding sex. We have no rules which prohibit homosexuality, nudity or pre-marital sex. Sex as the generative force in nature is seen by most pagans as something utterly sacred. We feel that the physical act of love is to be approached with great respect and responsibility.



Q: Why do all Witches/Wiccans wear black?

A: We all don't. Many Witches/Wiccans actually seem to favor green and/or purple. Black, however, is in many cultures a symbol of clergy. Priests, Ministers and Rabbis all favor black as the main color of their ritual garb.



Scientifically speaking, color is energy. The colors you see are the ones which are reflected and not the ones absorbed. Therefore, what appears to be white, which is the culmination of all colors in the light spectrum, is actually reflecting all colors and absorbing none. What appears to be black, is absorbing all colors and reflecting none. This is evident in the fact that when one is wearing white, one feels cooler - as the fabric is sending the heat energy outward, and when one wears black - the heat energy is absorbed in the cloth that one is wearing, making one feel warmer. Many Witches feel that wearing black attracts and holds more natural energy.



Q: Aren't all Witches Women?

A: No. Neither are Wiccans or those in other pagan paths. Witches can be either men or women. The term "Warlock" is never used to describe a male Witch as it is considered to be a religious slur. "Warlock" is an old Scottish word meaning "traitor" or "oath-breaker". Men and Women alike can be Witches, Wiccans or pagans.



Q: Why would anyone want to be a pagan, a Witch or Wiccan?

A: People are generally drawn to Wicca and other pagan paths for several reasons. Many women feel left out of more mainstream religions because of the lack of feminine divinity. For them, the Wiccan concept of the Goddess as Mother of all Living fills an empty space in their spiritual search. As a nature based religion, Witchcraft also appeals to those who feel a strong need to "get back to the Earth" and places a major importance on protecting the environment, which we are a part of, not apart from. People drawn to the mystical find pagan belief systems much more accommodating as we do not see anything unnatural about psychic ability or the use of magic to create needed changes in one's life. It gives us the freedom to make our own decisions about what is best for us.



Q: How do you convert new Witches/Wiccans/pagans?

A: We don't. We feel that the attempted conversion of others is a form of religious bigotry. i.e. If one tries to convert another to his/her religion, s/he assumes that the other person's beliefs are not as valid as his/her own. We feel that all paths are equally valid as long as they do not infringe upon the basic civil rights or free will of another. According to our beliefs, it is up to the individual to choose his or her own path. We do not try to manipulate others into our way of thinking, we only try to educate others about our religion so that they may better understand us. We do, however try to help guide those who have already expressed an interest in the pagan belief systems or religions.



Q: So what do Witches/Wiccans/pagans DO?

A: Pretty much what everybody does. We come from all walks of life. We raise families, go to work, throw steaks (or vegetables) on the "barbie" and hang out with our friends. We practice our religions and belief systems, celebrate our holidays with festivals and continue to study and explore our past while contemplating our futures.



Many covens and groups meet once a month to worship together under the moon. Pagans tend to hold ceremonies or "circles" out of doors as we feel that being with nature brings us closer to the divinity who creates it.



Some pagan beliefs may seem strange to those who have not heard much about them before. Pagans, on the other hand, are usually very well versed in the beliefs of other religions. They find the various religious systems interesting and often encourage their own children to learn about these other religions. Pagans believe in free will and free choice and that an educated choice is always better than blind obedience to any religion or dogma. We are not "against" other religions. We have simply made our choice to be pagan and we expect others to respect that choice as we respect theirs.



All that we ask is that we are allowed to practice our religion without prejudice or interference as is our right guaranteed here in the United States under the Constitution and as outlined within the constitutions of many other countries. The freedom to practice religion -or no religion-as you choose-whether it be Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or Pagan-is the freedom to follow your spirit and your heart. This precious freedom must be defended, protected and treasured by all or it will no longer be guaranteed for anyone.


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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