Historical Origin:
Wicca is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly
influenced by the living Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other
parts of
the world. The works of such early twentieth century writers as Margaret
Murray,
Robert Graves and Gerald B. Gardner began the renewal of interest in the Old
Religion. After the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in Britain in
1951,Gardner
publicly declared himself a Witch and began to gather a group of students and
worshipers. In 1962, two of his students, Raymond and Rosemary Buckland
(religious names: Lady Rowen and Robat), emigrated to the United States and
began teaching Gardnerian Witchcraft here. At the same time, other groups of
people came interested through reading books by Gardner and others. Many
covens were spontaneously formed, using rituals created from a combination
of
research and individual inspiration. These self-created covens are today
regarded
as just as valid as those who can trace a "lineage" of teaching back to England.
In 1975, a very diverse group of covens who wanted to secure protections and
benefits of church status formed Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), which is
incorporated in the state of California and recognized by the Internal Revenue
Service. CoG does not represent all, or even a majority of Wiccans. A coven or
an
individual need not be affiliated with CoG in order to validly practice the
religion.
But CoG is the largest single public Wiccan organization, and it is cross-
Traditional (i.e. non-denominational).
Basic Beliefs:
Wiccans worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as
Mother
Earth and Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for
Deity.
Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the worl's
pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a
focus for personal devotions. Similarly, covens will use particular Deity names
as
a group focus, and these are often held secret by the groups. It is very
important
to be aware that Wiccans DO NOT in any way worship or believe in "Satan,"
"the
Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of
rebellion
against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not
revile
the bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic
systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving just
as
much respect as any of the others. Most Wiccan groups also practice magic, by
which they mean the direction and use of "psychic energy," those natural but
invisible forces which surround all living things. Some members spell the word
"magick," to ditinguish it from sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ
such means as dance, chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and
direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding
members
in various endeavors. Such assistance is also extended to non-members upon
request. Many, but not all, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Some take this as
a
literal description of what happens to people when they die. For others, it is a
symbolic model that helps them deal with the cycles and changes within this
life.
Neither Reincarnation nor any other literal belief can be used as a test of an
individual's validity as a member of the Old Religion. Most groups have a
handwritten collection of rituals and lore, known as a Book of Shadows. Part
of
the religious education of a new member will be to hand copy this book for him
or
herself. Over the years, as inspiration provides, new material will be added.
Normally, access to these books is limited to initiated members of the religion.
Practices And Behavioral Standards:
The core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan Rede" states "an it
harm
none, do what you will." The rede fulfills the same function as does the
"Golden
Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be
elaborations and applications of the Rede. It is a statement of situational
ethics,
emphasizing at once the individual's responsibility to avoid harm to others and
the
widest range of personal autonomy in "victimless" activities. Wicca has been
described as having a "high-choice" ethic. Because of the basic Nature
orientation
of the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living things as sacred, and show a
special concern for ecological issues. For this reason, individual conscience will
lead some to take a pacifist position. Some are vegetarians. Others will feel
that,
as Nature's way includes self-defense, they should participate in wars that
they
conscientiously consider to be just. The religion does not dictate either
position,
but requires each member to thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his
own conscience and to live by it. Social forces generally do not yet allow
Witches
to publicly declare their religious faith without fear of loss of job, child
custody
challenges, ridicule, etc. Prejudice against Wiccans is the result of public
confusion between Witchcraft and Satanism. Wiccans in the military,
especially
those who may be posted in countries perceived to be particularly intolerant,
will
often have their dogtags read "No Religious Preference." Concealment is a
Wiccan defense against persecution, so non-denominational dogtags should not
contravene a member's request for religious services. Wiccans celebrate eight
festivals, called "Sabbats," as a means of attunement to the seasonal rythms
of
Nature. These are:
January 31 [Called Oimelc, Brigit, or February Eve],
March 21 [Ostara or Spring Equinox],
April 30 [Beltane or May Eve],
June 22 [Midsummer, Litha or Summer Solstice],
July 31 [Lunasa or Lammas],
September 21 [Harvest, Mabon, or Autumn Equinox],
October 31 [Samhain, Sowyn or Hollows], and
December 21 [Yule or Winter Solstice].
Some groups find meetings within a few days of those dates to be acceptable,
others require the precise date. In addition, most groups will meet for worship
at
each Full Moon, and many will also meet on the New Moon. Meetings for
religious
study will often be scheduled at any time convenient to the members, and
rituals
can be scheduled whenever there is a need (i.e. for a healing). Ritual jewelry is
particularly important to many Wiccans.
Wicca is a reconstruction of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly
influenced by the living Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other
parts of
the world. The works of such early twentieth century writers as Margaret
Murray,
Robert Graves and Gerald B. Gardner began the renewal of interest in the Old
Religion. After the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in Britain in
1951,Gardner
publicly declared himself a Witch and began to gather a group of students and
worshipers. In 1962, two of his students, Raymond and Rosemary Buckland
(religious names: Lady Rowen and Robat), emigrated to the United States and
began teaching Gardnerian Witchcraft here. At the same time, other groups of
people came interested through reading books by Gardner and others. Many
covens were spontaneously formed, using rituals created from a combination
of
research and individual inspiration. These self-created covens are today
regarded
as just as valid as those who can trace a "lineage" of teaching back to England.
In 1975, a very diverse group of covens who wanted to secure protections and
benefits of church status formed Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), which is
incorporated in the state of California and recognized by the Internal Revenue
Service. CoG does not represent all, or even a majority of Wiccans. A coven or
an
individual need not be affiliated with CoG in order to validly practice the
religion.
But CoG is the largest single public Wiccan organization, and it is cross-
Traditional (i.e. non-denominational).
Basic Beliefs:
Wiccans worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as
Mother
Earth and Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for
Deity.
Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the worl's
pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a
focus for personal devotions. Similarly, covens will use particular Deity names
as
a group focus, and these are often held secret by the groups. It is very
important
to be aware that Wiccans DO NOT in any way worship or believe in "Satan,"
"the
Devil," or any similar entities. They point out that "Satan" is a symbol of
rebellion
against and inversion of the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not
revile
the bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic
systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving just
as
much respect as any of the others. Most Wiccan groups also practice magic, by
which they mean the direction and use of "psychic energy," those natural but
invisible forces which surround all living things. Some members spell the word
"magick," to ditinguish it from sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ
such means as dance, chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and
direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding
members
in various endeavors. Such assistance is also extended to non-members upon
request. Many, but not all, Wiccans believe in reincarnation. Some take this as
a
literal description of what happens to people when they die. For others, it is a
symbolic model that helps them deal with the cycles and changes within this
life.
Neither Reincarnation nor any other literal belief can be used as a test of an
individual's validity as a member of the Old Religion. Most groups have a
handwritten collection of rituals and lore, known as a Book of Shadows. Part
of
the religious education of a new member will be to hand copy this book for him
or
herself. Over the years, as inspiration provides, new material will be added.
Normally, access to these books is limited to initiated members of the religion.
Practices And Behavioral Standards:
The core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan Rede" states "an it
harm
none, do what you will." The rede fulfills the same function as does the
"Golden
Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be
elaborations and applications of the Rede. It is a statement of situational
ethics,
emphasizing at once the individual's responsibility to avoid harm to others and
the
widest range of personal autonomy in "victimless" activities. Wicca has been
described as having a "high-choice" ethic. Because of the basic Nature
orientation
of the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living things as sacred, and show a
special concern for ecological issues. For this reason, individual conscience will
lead some to take a pacifist position. Some are vegetarians. Others will feel
that,
as Nature's way includes self-defense, they should participate in wars that
they
conscientiously consider to be just. The religion does not dictate either
position,
but requires each member to thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his
own conscience and to live by it. Social forces generally do not yet allow
Witches
to publicly declare their religious faith without fear of loss of job, child
custody
challenges, ridicule, etc. Prejudice against Wiccans is the result of public
confusion between Witchcraft and Satanism. Wiccans in the military,
especially
those who may be posted in countries perceived to be particularly intolerant,
will
often have their dogtags read "No Religious Preference." Concealment is a
Wiccan defense against persecution, so non-denominational dogtags should not
contravene a member's request for religious services. Wiccans celebrate eight
festivals, called "Sabbats," as a means of attunement to the seasonal rythms
of
Nature. These are:
January 31 [Called Oimelc, Brigit, or February Eve],
March 21 [Ostara or Spring Equinox],
April 30 [Beltane or May Eve],
June 22 [Midsummer, Litha or Summer Solstice],
July 31 [Lunasa or Lammas],
September 21 [Harvest, Mabon, or Autumn Equinox],
October 31 [Samhain, Sowyn or Hollows], and
December 21 [Yule or Winter Solstice].
Some groups find meetings within a few days of those dates to be acceptable,
others require the precise date. In addition, most groups will meet for worship
at
each Full Moon, and many will also meet on the New Moon. Meetings for
religious
study will often be scheduled at any time convenient to the members, and
rituals
can be scheduled whenever there is a need (i.e. for a healing). Ritual jewelry is
particularly important to many Wiccans.