Wicca
 

Wicca, or Witchcraft, is a religion that is both ancient and modern.  It is a pantheistic religion which generally worships both a Goddess and God.

 
 

Wiccans agree on very little, since they are a group of highly individualistic souls (please see disclaimer at the bottom of this page), but most Wiccans agree on a few things:
 

 Wiccans worship both a Goddess and a God
 

To imagine the existence of life on this planet without the feminine is unthinkable.  Life is created from the feminine and the masculine in combination.  Wiccans worship the Mother Goddess along with the Father God.  Some Wiccans, in fact, worship the Mother Goddess to the exclusion of the Father God.  Others worship the Goddess more, but give a nod to the God.  I know of no Wiccan who solely worships the God without the Goddess.

Both Goddess and God are worshipped in many forms.  Some Wiccans believe in the deities as separate entities; some believe in them as an inner force, and some believe both.  Most Wiccans look upon the many names and forms of deity as being but multiple manifestations of the One.  Various forms and meanings of Goddess and God are often used to invoke a particular manifestation for a particular task.  For instance, if you wanted to bring love into your life, you might invoke Aphrodite.  If you wanted inspiration in poetry, you may worship the Goddess in the form of Brigit.  If your cats need healing, you may call upon Bast.
 

Wiccans follow the Wiccan Rede:  "An ye harm none, do what thou wilt" and believe in the Threefold Law
 

The Wiccan Rede is considered the single binding sentence in Wicca.  Its meaning is abundantly clear.  Harm none:  Wiccans are not predisposed to "black magic", sacrifices, or any of the other negative allegations made against Witches by those unfamiliar with the religion.  Although there is much debate on White vs. Grey Magic, the basic assumption remains that whatever you choose to do will come back upon you three times over ("The Threefold Law").  If you put out something negative, that is what you will draw to yourself.  Conversely, if you are helping or healing, you will draw help and healing to yourself.  Most Wiccans, as one might imagine, would prefer to draw helpful energies into their own lives, and thus do follow "An ye harm none".

Do what thou wilt:  This part of the Rede is not an open ticket to do anything you wish to do (remember the first part of the Rede).  It is, however, meant to convey several things.  First, that individual choice to act, as long as others are not harmed, is an essential right.  Further, there is the deeper meaning to the word "wilt", or "will", that implies the inherent necessity of the magician to focus his/her will on the outcome at hand.  Magic works because of will, intent and focus.  What you will to happen is a critical factor in practicing magic within Wicca.
 

Wiccans believe in religious freedom
 

The freedom to worship in whatever manner one chooses is sacrosanct to Wiccans.  Given the horrendous history of The Burning Times and the continual persecution of those who follow this faith, it is understandable why this tenet is held in such high regard by those of the Wiccan path.  Although Wiccans' acceptance of religions contrary to their own varies from extremely to barely tolerant (it is difficult for some to imagine fighting for the rights of their persecutors!), the majority of Wiccans believe in each individual's right to follow his or her own religious path.
 

 Wiccans believe in reincarnation
 

Although the belief in reincarnation is rooted in the Eastern religions, the majority of Wiccans believe in reincarnation.  Energy is usually understood as an ever-living thing which cannot die, but can only change form.  Much as the plants and trees that "die" in the Winter return again in the Spring, Wiccans generally perceive human life to be as cyclical as the earth's seasons of life and death.  Because of this, the belief in reincarnation is accepted  by most Wiccans.
 
 
 

DISCLAIMER

As noted above, we are a contentious and individualistic lot.  Even these four basic guidelines are not absolute.  Even the interpretation of them will provoke disagreement.  So take them as simply a beginning point of understanding, recognizing that although most Wiccans agree with these precepts, many will not.  I do not claim to speak for all Wiccans, as that would be an impossible task.  I can only speak to some general guidelines and ideas, which is all I am trying to accomplish with this page.
 

Links to Wiccan Sites (by no means complete, but a good place to start)  Wicca Links
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Graphics on this page courtesy of the following:  Faolon Graphics (top of page); Rowan Sterling (Triple Goddess & Merry Meet); Unknown (Baroque Rule, Cyan Star & Earth  Button).
 
 This page and its contents (unless otherwise noted) are copyright 1999 by Ginger-lyn Summer.