Wicca

Wicca is a modern type of Earth-focused religion that began in England during the 1900s. It was first shared with the world in 1954 by a man named Gerald Gardner. This religion brings together ideas from ancient pagan beliefs and more recent mystical traditions.

Wiccans usually believe in two main gods: a goddess and a god. The goddess is often called the Triple Goddess, and the god is called the Horned God. These gods can be thought of in many ways and sometimes include other gods and goddesses from different cultures.

People who follow Wicca celebrate special days called Sabbats that follow the seasons and days called Esbats that follow the Moon. They also follow a rule called the Wiccan Rede to guide their actions and sometimes use gentle, positive rituals.

Terminology

See also: Modern paganism and New Age

Definition

Scholars who study religions say Wicca is a new kind of religion. It is the most well-known type of modern paganism. Wicca mixes many ideas and practices from different places and times, making it unique. Some people also say it is a religion that focuses on nature, and others see it as a way to explore mysteries and use magic. It comes from a group of beliefs called Western esotericism.

Names

The main article about the name is Etymology of Wicca.

When Wicca first became known, its followers often called it “Witchcraft.” Gerald Gardner, known as the “Father of Wicca,” used names like “the Craft of the Wise” and “the Witch-cult” in the 1950s. The word “Wicca” started being used in the 1960s in Britain, though it is not known who used it first. The word comes from old English words for certain magic workers in Anglo-Saxon England and links the religion to an ancient past.

Over time, some groups said only they should be called “Wiccan,” but others used the word more broadly. Today, scholars prefer the broader meaning. Some practitioners still call the religion “Witchcraft” or “the Craft.” They call themselves Wiccans, witches, or pagan witches, and do not use the words “wizard” or “warlock.”

Beliefs

Theology

Theological views in Wicca vary widely. Some Wiccans believe in deities as real beings, while others see them as symbols or ideas. There are Wiccans who believe in one god, many gods, or no gods at all. A common idea is that Wicca’s deities are ancient powers from before Christianity.

Duotheism

Most early Wiccan groups honored two main deities: a Horned God and a Mother Goddess. These are seen as ancient spirits worshipped by people long ago. The Horned God is often linked to nature and animals, while the Mother Goddess is linked to life and growth. These ideas come from a scholar’s theory about an old worship group.

Monotheism and polytheism

Some Wiccans believe in one main spirit, while others believe in many spirits. Many see the world as full of nature spirits, like fairies or elementals. Some Wiccans see all gods and goddesses as part of one big spirit.

Atheism

Some Wiccans do not see deities as real beings but as ideas or symbols. They may still practice Wicca in a meaningful way.

Afterlife

Ideas about life after death differ among Wiccans. Some believe our spirit lives on after we die. A common belief is in reincarnation, where the soul lives again in a new body. Some Wiccans believe there is a place called The Summerland where spirits rest between lives.

Magic and spellcraft

Many Wiccans believe in magic as a natural force. They perform rituals and spells to bring about changes, like healing or protection. Magic is seen as using natural energies in special ways.

Witchcraft

Wiccans often feel a connection to people called “witches” from history. They see themselves as continuing old traditions and values.

Morality

Wicca encourages doing good and avoiding harm to others. A key idea is the Wiccan Rede, which says to do what you will as long as you harm none. Many Wiccans also believe that good or bad actions come back to us three times stronger.

Five elements

Many Wiccans work with five elements: air, fire, water, earth, and spirit. These are used in rituals to connect with natural forces. The elements are often linked to directions, like earth to the north and fire to the south.

Practices

Wiccan rituals are not formal or repetitive. They are meant to create a special experience for participants, helping them feel connected. Many Wiccans enjoy these rituals even if they do not believe in supernatural things. Rituals in Wicca are important and often focus on the activities themselves rather than strict beliefs.

Wiccan rituals usually happen in private settings. The Reclaiming tradition sometimes uses rituals for political reasons. Practices in Wicca can vary a lot because individuals are encouraged to express their own spiritual paths.

Ritual practices

Main article: Magical tools in Wicca

Many Wiccan rituals happen during special celebrations called Sabbats, when worshipping deities, or when doing magic. These often occur during a full moon or new moon, known as an Esbat. Rituals typically take place inside a magic circle, which is created through special preparations. The circle might include calling on guardians of the four directions, each linked to an element: air, fire, water, and earth. Seasonal rituals, prayers, and spells may be part of the ceremony. These can include creating energy for healing or other purposes.

Rituals often use special tools such as a knife called an athame, a wand, a pentacle, and a chalice. Other tools might include a broomstick called a besom, a cauldron, candles, incense, and a curved blade called a boline. An altar is usually present, displaying tools and representations of deities. Some traditions involve fasting or bathing before entering the circle. After the ritual, thanks are given, and the circle is closed.

A well-known practice in some Wiccan traditions is performing rituals without clothing, called skyclad. This practice is believed to let energy flow freely. Some Wiccans also say it helps everyone feel equal. The most used version of a key Wiccan text called "The Charge of the Goddess" was developed by Doreen Valiente.

Wheel of the Year

Main article: Wheel of the Year

Wiccans celebrate several seasonal festivals called Sabbats. These are known together as the Wheel of the Year. Most Wiccans celebrate eight Sabbats, though some groups celebrate fewer. The four main Sabbats are held on cross-quarter days. The other four are solstices and equinoxes, adopted later by some Wiccan groups. These festivals have names from various ancient traditions but are celebrated in a universal way, with rituals influenced by many cultures.

Rites of passage

Wicca includes several important rituals for life events. One significant ritual is initiation, where someone becomes a Wiccan. In traditional British Wicca, there are three levels of initiation, each with its own ceremony. After initiation, some Wiccans choose a special name for themselves. Handfasting is the Wiccan term for marriage, and some couples have a trial marriage for a year and a day. Wiccaning is a ritual for infants, similar to a christening, where the child is presented to the deities for protection.

Book of Shadows

Main article: Book of Shadows

Wicca does not have a single holy book like the Bible. Instead, many Wiccans use a personal book called the Book of Shadows. This book contains rituals, spells, poems, and chants. It is often passed down and changed by each user. The Book of Shadows was originally kept secret but has been shared by some authors.

Symbolism

The pentacle is a common symbol in Wicca. It often represents the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. It is also seen as a symbol of the human body with its five points.

Structure

Wicca does not have a central organization. All who practice Wicca are seen as spiritual leaders. Usually, joining Wicca involves a special ceremony.

Traditions

See also: List of Wiccan traditions

From the 1950s to the 1970s, Wicca was mainly practiced in groups led by people who had been taught by others in the tradition, such as Gardnerian Wicca and Alexandrian Wicca. Over time, many new groups formed, sometimes without being connected to older lines of teaching. Today, Wicca is seen as a religion with many different paths, much like Christianity has many denominations. There are many traditions, and some people practice Wicca alone without joining any group. Some groups form circles called covens but choose their own ways without following a specific tradition.

Traditions that trace their roots back to Gerald Gardner include Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca, and the Algard tradition. These are often called British Traditional Wicca, especially in North America. Other traditions started with different leaders, such as Cochrane's Craft and the 1734 Tradition, started by Robert Cochrane; Feri, started by Victor Anderson and Gwydion Pendderwen; and Dianic Wicca, often linked to Zsuzsanna Budapest. Some of these groups call themselves Witches, while others use the term Wiccan.

Covens

Lineaged Wicca is usually organized into covens of initiated spiritual leaders. A coven is typically led by a High Priest and a High Priestess who work together. They must complete several levels of initiation. New members are usually at least 18 years old. Covens often keep to themselves and may share information through magazines. Some hold classes and workshops for people who want to learn more.

A common idea is that a coven works best with thirteen members, but many covens are smaller. Leaders often aim for a close, trusting group rather than many members. Some covens last only a short time, while others continue for many years. In some traditions, covens are made up only of people who identify the same way and have no leaders. When members leave to start their own coven, it is called “hiving off.”

Before becoming a full member, someone may spend a year and a day learning and studying. Some covens have a smaller ceremony during this time to let the person join certain rituals. Some people choose to study alone for a year and a day before fully joining Wicca.

Eclectic Wicca

Many Wiccans do not follow just one tradition and are not initiated into any specific line. These eclectic Wiccans create their own spiritual paths by mixing ideas and rituals from many traditions linked to Wicca and wider pagan beliefs.

While traditional Wicca began in small, secret groups, eclectic Wicca grew because many people wanted to join but could not find traditional groups. Since the 1970s, larger, more open meetings and workshops have become popular. Eclectic Wicca is now the most common form of Wicca, especially in the United States, with more people practicing it than those in traditional lines.

Eclectic Wicca still uses traditions but lets people choose their own ideas and rituals. It often includes ideas from Earth religion and ancient cultures like the Egyptian, Greek, Saxon, Anglo-Saxon, Celtic, Asian, Jewish, and Polynesian.

History

Main article: History of Wicca

Wicca started in England in the early 1900s. People there were interested in old beliefs and wanted to bring back practices from ancient times. The idea that people called "witches" were really followers of an old nature-based religion inspired many. A man named Gerald Gardner helped make Wicca known to the world in 1954.

Over time, Wicca grew and spread, especially in the United States. It mixed with other spiritual ideas and became popular during the 1960s. Today, Wicca continues to evolve, with many people around the world exploring its traditions and rituals.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of paganism

Wicca began in Britain and later spread to North America, Australasia, continental Europe, and South Africa. The exact number of people who practice Wicca worldwide is unknown because the religion does not have a strict organization. Some estimates suggest there are around 800,000 Wiccans globally. In the United Kingdom, the 2021 census reported 13,000 people identifying as Wiccan, with an additional 74,000 identifying as Pagan.

Wicca tends to attract people who are well-educated and often work in fields such as healthcare, education, or technology. In the United States, the number of people identifying as Wiccan has grown over the years, from 8,000 in 1990 to around 342,000 in 2008. Wicca is also the largest non-Christian faith in the United States Air Force, with many airmen identifying as Wiccan.

Acceptance

Main article: Religious discrimination against Neopagans

Wicca began in mainly Christian England and faced opposition from some Christian groups and newspapers like the News of the World. Some Christians still think Wicca is linked to Satanism, though Wiccans say this isn’t true. Because of old fears about witchcraft, many Wiccans keep their beliefs private to avoid being treated unfairly. Sharing that someone is a Wiccan with family, friends, or coworkers is sometimes called “coming out of the broom-closet.” Wiccans have different views about Christianity, ranging from not wanting anything to do with it to working together in interfaith activities.

In the United States, some court cases helped Wiccans gain more rights. Wiccans sometimes face opposition from politicians and some Christian groups, including former U.S. president George W. Bush, who did not see Wicca as a religion. In 2007, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs allowed the Pentacle symbol on markers for fallen soldiers. In Canada, Heather Botting and Gary Botting worked to change laws so Wiccans could officiate weddings, serve as chaplains in prisons and hospitals, and have a Wiccan chaplain at a public university. Because many Wiccan traditions have secret oaths, it can be hard for outside scholars to study them. When a scholar shared details she learned from being part of a Wiccan group, some Wiccans felt she had broken their trust.