World religions wicca

World ReligionsWorld Religions

WiccaWiccaWiccaWicca

OverviewOverview

Wicca is based on the symbols, seasonal Wicca is based on the symbols, seasonal days days of celebration, beliefs, and deities of of celebration, beliefs, and deities of ancient ancient Celtic societyCeltic society

Wicca is either one of the oldest or one of the Wicca is either one of the oldest or one of the newest religions in the worldnewest religions in the world

Based in part on the ancient, northern European Based in part on the ancient, northern European pagan beliefs in a fertility goddess and her consort, pagan beliefs in a fertility goddess and her consort, a horned goda horned godRecent Wicca is a neo-pagan religion which can be Recent Wicca is a neo-pagan religion which can be traced to Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) and traced to Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) and Gardnerian Witchcraft, founded in the UK in the late Gardnerian Witchcraft, founded in the UK in the late 1940s1940s

OverviewOverview

Wicca is often called “The Craft” or “The Craft of the Wicca is often called “The Craft” or “The Craft of the Wise”Wise”

As practiced today, Wicca is in two main forms:As practiced today, Wicca is in two main forms:

Traditional WiccaTraditional Wicca focused on Celtic deities, focused on Celtic deities, seasonal celebrations, and ceremonial magic seasonal celebrations, and ceremonial magic practices of secret societiespractices of secret societies

Eclectic WiccaEclectic Wicca combining traditional Wiccan combining traditional Wiccan beliefs with other pagan and non-pagan beliefsbeliefs with other pagan and non-pagan beliefs

Both of these forms of Wicca are earth-based Both of these forms of Wicca are earth-based religionsreligions

OverviewOverview

A follower of Wicca is called a WiccanA follower of Wicca is called a Wiccan Wicca and other neo-pagan religions are Wicca and other neo-pagan religions are

experiencing significant growth in the US, Canada, experiencing significant growth in the US, Canada, and and EuropeEurope

Growth is especially strong among teens and Growth is especially strong among teens and North Americans of European descentNorth Americans of European descent Wiccans consider themselves part of all faith groups Wiccans consider themselves part of all faith groups

that are based on attempts to reconstruct ancient, that are based on attempts to reconstruct ancient, extinct religions (neo-pagan)extinct religions (neo-pagan)

Wiccans drop the “neo” and proudly refer to Wiccans drop the “neo” and proudly refer to themselves as paganthemselves as pagan

OverviewOverview

Some Wiccans consider “Wicca” and “Witchcraft” to Some Wiccans consider “Wicca” and “Witchcraft” to be synonyms. Others distinguish between the two be synonyms. Others distinguish between the two words, considering Wicca a religion only, and words, considering Wicca a religion only, and Witchcraft as the practice of magicWitchcraft as the practice of magic

Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some do not, Most Wiccans practice magic. However, some do not, claiming to focus only on spiritualityclaiming to focus only on spirituality

What Does Being A Wiccan Involve?What Does Being A Wiccan Involve?

The recognition of the goddess and her consort, the The recognition of the goddess and her consort, the horned godhorned godMay view these as real entities, or as symbolsMay view these as real entities, or as symbolsWicca is highly individualistic & based on the Wicca is highly individualistic & based on the “Wiccan Rede”: “Wiccan Rede”: “In it [the craft] harm none, do what “In it [the craft] harm none, do what thou wilt.”thou wilt.”Domination, manipulation, and control are prohibited Domination, manipulation, and control are prohibited (but Wiccans have the right to define these terms)(but Wiccans have the right to define these terms)There is usually a dedication ritual at the start of the There is usually a dedication ritual at the start of the one year and a day training periodone year and a day training periodAn initiation ritual follows completion of training, An initiation ritual follows completion of training, either alone or in the coveneither alone or in the coven

DeitiesDeities

Depending on one’s point of view, Wicca can be Depending on one’s point of view, Wicca can be considered monotheistic, duotheistic, polytheistic, or considered monotheistic, duotheistic, polytheistic, or atheisticatheistic

Monotheistic:Monotheistic: Some Wiccans believe in a single, Some Wiccans believe in a single, supreme being called “the all” or “the one”. The goddess supreme being called “the all” or “the one”. The goddess and god are viewed as the female and male aspects of a and god are viewed as the female and male aspects of a single deitysingle deityDuotheistic:Duotheistic: Some worship both a female and male Some worship both a female and male goddess and god, often called the lady and the lordgoddess and god, often called the lady and the lordPolytheistic:Polytheistic: Some recognize the existence of many Some recognize the existence of many ancient gods and goddesses (Pan, Diana, Dionysius, etc.)ancient gods and goddesses (Pan, Diana, Dionysius, etc.)Atheistic:Atheistic: Some recognize the gods and goddesses as Some recognize the gods and goddesses as symbols, not living entitiessymbols, not living entities

Worship CeremoniesWorship Ceremonies

There are similarities as well as differences in the There are similarities as well as differences in the way Wiccans and other religions worship their way Wiccans and other religions worship their deitiesdeities

Similarity:Similarity: Wiccans often engage in conversational, as Wiccans often engage in conversational, as well as ritual, prayers to their goddess and/or godwell as ritual, prayers to their goddess and/or god

Difference:Difference: Many Wiccans believe in “the necessity of Many Wiccans believe in “the necessity of reciprocal communion” between supplicants and their reciprocal communion” between supplicants and their particular deities---particular deities---belief that individual Wiccans need the belief that individual Wiccans need the goddess and god, and that the goddess and god need the goddess and god, and that the goddess and god need the wiccan(s) too.wiccan(s) too.

Thus,Thus, worship is communion between supplicant and worship is communion between supplicant and deity based on mutual needdeity based on mutual need

In all cases, worship supposedly involves direct In all cases, worship supposedly involves direct encounters with the deities which do not require the encounters with the deities which do not require the intermediacy of a priest or other ministerintermediacy of a priest or other minister

There is a non-obligatory dedication ritual for There is a non-obligatory dedication ritual for newborns similar to a baptismnewborns similar to a baptism

Numerous rituals are written by individual Wiccans Numerous rituals are written by individual Wiccans for personal or Coven use to commemorate various for personal or Coven use to commemorate various life passages, as well as “issue-based needs”life passages, as well as “issue-based needs”

Many Wiccans observe “Esbat” rituals at each of the Many Wiccans observe “Esbat” rituals at each of the full moon and new moon phases (the full moon full moon and new moon phases (the full moon phases are called Sabbats)phases are called Sabbats)

Worship CeremoniesWorship Ceremonies

Wicca & Satanism

WhileWhile Wiccans consider themselves to be neo-pagan Wiccans consider themselves to be neo-pagan witches, they do not consider themselves to be witches, they do not consider themselves to be Satanists (at least that’s their publicity)Satanists (at least that’s their publicity)Wiccans consider Satan to be a “Christian anti-god,” Wiccans consider Satan to be a “Christian anti-god,” and claim to have no place for him in their pantheon, and claim to have no place for him in their pantheon, either mythologically or theologicallyeither mythologically or theologicallyWiccans do not recognize the existence of an all-evil Wiccans do not recognize the existence of an all-evil supernatural being similar to Satansupernatural being similar to SatanWiccans do, however, admit to similarities between Wiccans do, however, admit to similarities between themselves and sataniststhemselves and satanists

The symbol of the five pointed starThe symbol of the five pointed starRitual ceremonies performed within a circle marked on the Ritual ceremonies performed within a circle marked on the floorfloorPerformance of magicPerformance of magic

Principles of Wiccan BeliefPrinciples of Wiccan Belief

Rituals are practiced to attune oneself with the Rituals are practiced to attune oneself with the natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of natural rhythm of life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross the moon and the seasonal Quarters and Cross QuartersQuarters

Human intelligence gives individuals a unique Human intelligence gives individuals a unique responsibility to the environment. Therefore, within responsibility to the environment. Therefore, within an evolutionary concept, one must seek to live in an evolutionary concept, one must seek to live in harmony with nature and ecological balance to harmony with nature and ecological balance to achieve fulfillment in lifeachieve fulfillment in life

There is a supernatural depth of power resident There is a supernatural depth of power resident within all humans that is naturally potential to allwithin all humans that is naturally potential to all

The creative power in the universe manifests itself The creative power in the universe manifests itself as male and female and operates within all people. as male and female and operates within all people. Sex is valued as pleasure and the embodiment of Sex is valued as pleasure and the embodiment of life. It is a source of energy and used in the practice life. It is a source of energy and used in the practice of magic and worshipof magic and worshipThe interaction of both the material and spiritual The interaction of both the material and spiritual worlds – or the “collective unconscious” – form the worlds – or the “collective unconscious” – form the basis for paranormal phenomena and magic. basis for paranormal phenomena and magic. Neither are to be neglectedNeither are to be neglectedNo authoritarian hierarchy is recognized; those who No authoritarian hierarchy is recognized; those who break with authoritarian teachings, and teach others break with authoritarian teachings, and teach others to do the same, are to be honoredto do the same, are to be honored


A worldview and lifestyle that unites religion, magic, A worldview and lifestyle that unites religion, magic, and wisdom-in-living are acknowledged as and wisdom-in-living are acknowledged as witchcraft, or “The Wiccan Way”witchcraft, or “The Wiccan Way”

A witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself A witch seeks to control the forces within her/himself that make life possible in order to live wisely and that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, without harm to others and in harmony with well, without harm to others and in harmony with naturenature

Life is affirmed and fulfilled in a continuation of Life is affirmed and fulfilled in a continuation of evolution, and in the development of consciousness evolution, and in the development of consciousness that gives meaning to the universe and one’s that gives meaning to the universe and one’s personal role within itpersonal role within it


Animosity toward Christianity, or any other religion or Animosity toward Christianity, or any other religion or philosophy of life, is limited to the extent of its claim philosophy of life, is limited to the extent of its claim to be “the only way,” and its activities to suppress to be “the only way,” and its activities to suppress the free expression of other beliefs and practicesthe free expression of other beliefs and practices

Witches are not threatened by debates over the Witches are not threatened by debates over the history of the craft, the origins of various terms, or history of the craft, the origins of various terms, or the origins of various practicesthe origins of various practices

Wicca does not accept the concept of absolute evil, Wicca does not accept the concept of absolute evil, nor does it worship any entity known as Satan or the nor does it worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil, as defined by Christian traditionDevil, as defined by Christian tradition

One should seek within nature that which is One should seek within nature that which is contributory to one’s health and well-beingcontributory to one’s health and well-being


For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, but against the rulers, against the authorities,

against the powers of this dark world and against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the against the spiritual forces of evil in the

heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil armor of God, so that when the day of evil

comes, you may be able to stand your ground, comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand and after you have done everything, to stand

(Eph 6:12-13).(Eph 6:12-13).

So, What is The Answer?So, What is The Answer?

In Other WordsIn Other Words

And having disarmed the powers and And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the of them, triumphing over them by the

cross (Col 2:15).cross (Col 2:15).

In Summary:In Summary:we live is a world of we live is a world of

darkness seeking light in darkness seeking light in equally dark teachingsequally dark teachings

Is There an Answer?Is There an Answer?

Is There Hope?Is There Hope?

““For God so loved the world For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have him shall not perish but have

eternal life” ---Jesuseternal life” ---Jesus

Spiritual

World religions wicca