WICCA A Neo-pagan, Earth Centered Religion By Katie Student

The Meaning of Wicca Wicca is a recently reconstructed Neo-pagan religion based largely on elements of an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic religion. It is thus both a very new and a very ancient religion. A Wiccan is a follower of Wicca. They form the largest single religion within Neo-paganism. These terms are well defined and have single, unambiguous meanings. However, there are many traditions within Wicca, just as there are many denominations within Christianity. Each has its own unique beliefs, practices and rituals. All share a recognition of the God and Goddess, a respect for nature. Most respect males and females equally. Their main rules of behavior are the Wiccan Rede and the Three Fold Law. Many Wiccans refer to themselves as witches. Wicca is a recently reconstructed Neo-pagan religion based largely on elements of an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic religion. It is thus both a very new and a very ancient religion. A Wiccan is a follower of Wicca. They form the largest single religion within Neo-paganism. These terms are well defined and have single, unambiguous meanings. However, there are many traditions within Wicca, just as there are many denominations within Christianity. Each has its own unique beliefs, practices and rituals. All share a recognition of the God and Goddess, a respect for nature. Most respect males and females equally. Their main rules of behavior are the Wiccan Rede and the Three Fold Law. Many Wiccans refer to themselves as witches.

Basic Wiccan Beliefs Male and female aspects of “the One”. Male and female aspects of “the One”. Most associate the God and the Goddess as the three female stages. The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone and the God as the Horned God. Most associate the God and the Goddess as the three female stages. The Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone and the God as the Horned God. Respect for Nature Respect for Nature Gender Equality- Some factions are mostly female though. Gender Equality- Some factions are mostly female though. Human Sexuality Human Sexuality Afterlife and Reincarnation Afterlife and Reincarnation The Threefold Law The Threefold Law The Eight or Nine Sabbats (depends on the tradition one follows) The Eight or Nine Sabbats (depends on the tradition one follows) Rituals Rituals Symbology Symbology

Becoming Wiccan Discovering your Path Discovering your Path Defining Your Path Defining Your Path Exploring Magick Exploring Magick Learning to Focus Learning to Focus Working with Magick Working with Magick Self-Dedication Self-Dedication Initiation Initiation

Wiccan Rede Do as you will as long as it harms none. Do as you will as long as it harms none.

The Threefold Law All good that a person does to another returns three fold in this life; harm is also returned three fold. All good that a person does to another returns three fold in this life; harm is also returned three fold.

Wiccan Sabbats Samhain (Oct 31) – Wiccan New Year. Samhain (Oct 31) – Wiccan New Year. Yule (Dec 21) Yule (Dec 21) Winter Solstice (Dec 31) Winter Solstice (Dec 31) Imbolic (Feb 2) Imbolic (Feb 2) Vernal Equinox (Mar 21) Vernal Equinox (Mar 21) Beltane (Apr 30) Beltane (Apr 30) Summer Solstice (June 21) Summer Solstice (June 21) Lammas (Aug 1) Lammas (Aug 1) Fall Equinox (Sept 21) Fall Equinox (Sept 21)

Types of Worship Spell casting- must not go against the Wiccan Rede. Create Charms RitualsPrayer

Pentagram Top point represents the Spirit- it represents the ethereal, the everlasting, and the immanence of the Goddess. Top point represents the Spirit- it represents the ethereal, the everlasting, and the immanence of the Goddess. Top left point- represents Earth, the Mother element. Top left point- represents Earth, the Mother element. Top right point- represents Air, element of the mind. Top right point- represents Air, element of the mind. Bottom left point- represents Fire, element of the loins. Fire represents passion. Bottom left point- represents Fire, element of the loins. Fire represents passion. The bottom right- the element Water, the cycle of life. Water is the element of emotion. The bottom right- the element Water, the cycle of life. Water is the element of emotion.

Other Wiccan Symbols

Holy Book Wicca does not have an official holy book. Usually each coven or Solitary practioner has their own. They usually are hand written but more and more covens are photocopying or putting them on the computer. This Book is called the Book of Shadows and is a book of Wiccan rituals, spells, and Magikal lore. Wicca does not have an official holy book. Usually each coven or Solitary practioner has their own. They usually are hand written but more and more covens are photocopying or putting them on the computer. This Book is called the Book of Shadows and is a book of Wiccan rituals, spells, and Magikal lore.

Most Common Traditions Celtic Wicca Celtic Wicca Gardnerian Gardnerian Kitchen Witch Kitchen Witch Seax-Wica Seax-Wica Solitary Witch Solitary Witch

Rituals Rituals Prefer to worship outdoors. Prefer to worship outdoors. Use candles and other instruments in their worship. Use candles and other instruments in their worship. Can be done in a coven or in a solitary manner. Can be done in a coven or in a solitary manner.

Rituals/Ceremonies 1.Dedication, when a person confirms an interest in the craft. 1.Dedication, when a person confirms an interest in the craft. 2.Initiation, when a person symbolically dies and is reborn as a Wiccan; a new name is adopted. 2.Initiation, when a person symbolically dies and is reborn as a Wiccan; a new name is adopted. 3. Handfasting was originally a marriage for a one year period. Most Wiccans now regard it as creating a permanent partnership. 3. Handfasting was originally a marriage for a one year period. Most Wiccans now regard it as creating a permanent partnership.

Rituals/Ceremonies (cont) 4. Parting of the Ways, which recognizes the end of a marriage. 4. Parting of the Ways, which recognizes the end of a marriage. 5. Wiccaning, which welcomes a baby into the craft, but does not obligate the child in any way. 5. Wiccaning, which welcomes a baby into the craft, but does not obligate the child in any way. 6. Funeral Ceremony, a requiem for a Wiccan who has died. 6. Funeral Ceremony, a requiem for a Wiccan who has died.

Many Wiccans also write their own rituals for special occasions or milestones in their life. Many Wiccans also write their own rituals for special occasions or milestones in their life.

Number of Practioners in the United States No one is quite sure of how many practioners there are now in the United State but it is estimated as possible the fifth more populous religion in the U.S. By the ARIS study conducted in 2001 it is believed that there is almost 500,000 Wiccans in the United States alone. It is considered the fifth largest organized religion in the United States.

Rising Numbers It is not so much as rising numbers but more people are admitting to being Wiccan then in the past. They still have to fear things like harassment but they no longer really have to fear for their lives. It is not so much as rising numbers but more people are admitting to being Wiccan then in the past. They still have to fear things like harassment but they no longer really have to fear for their lives.

Gender Predomination Women are the predominate force in the United States and men are the predominate force in Britain. Women are the predominate force in the United States and men are the predominate force in Britain.

Important People of the Faith Raymand Buckland- Creator of the Seax- Wica tradition which was founded in Raymand Buckland- Creator of the Seax- Wica tradition which was founded in Gerald Gardner- Creator of the Gardnerian tradition in the 1950’s. First person to risk publicizing Wicca. Gerald Gardner- Creator of the Gardnerian tradition in the 1950’s. First person to risk publicizing Wicca. Gavin and Yvonne Frost- helped achieve Wicca as an official religion in the United States in Gavin and Yvonne Frost- helped achieve Wicca as an official religion in the United States in 1972.