1. Wicca
The Buzz on Witchcraft These are terms that may help you understand my essay better. Wicca- the natural religion of the world; not a Christian religion. Pagans- followers of a non-Christian religion, that focuses around nature. Spells- magical workings that change the present; mostly considered negative workings by the Church of Wicca. When I was a little girl I wanted to control storms. I loved the rolling, dark clouds, swollen with rain and the wind that made little dust tunnels on our gravel driveway. I prayed for tornadoes to come so I could watch their natural ferocity through the basement window. When the skies became dark, I would run into the middle of the yard and command the wind to come. What I really wanted was to be a witch, to be able to control things with my own special powers. My mom taught us that witches were evil creatures created by Satan. But I didn't listen; I wanted to be a good witch. It never happened. I'm not a witch, but that doesn't stop me from believing in many aspects of the Wicca religion. I believe that everything on Earth should be respected. I believe in negative and positive energy and the concept that what you do in this life will directly affect the outcome of your afterlife. The subject of witches, their beliefs and superstitions, is not clearly defined. There is no absolute correct handbook that gives guidelines that a witch must follow, but rather, Wicca is a personal journey that varies from person to person. Wicca is considered a natural, Neo-Pagan religion that finds its roots in ancient beliefs. It is said to be the oldest religion on Earth and has seen a major revival during the second half of the 20th century. This big revival occurred around 1960, when love, peace, and sexuality was most important. The word Wicca is derived form an early Anglo-Saxon word meaning witchcraft (Encarta 6). Wicca is a way of life that investigates every potential that you have.
Wicca is a religion that has roots going back to the dawn of man. ... Wicca is a joyous religion springing from our kinship with nature. ... Aside from the protection of the environment Wicca's central theme, called the Wicca Rede, is "if it does no harm do your own will". ... In order to understand Wicca it is essential to know its roots. ... He began what is now called the Gardnerian Tradition of Wicca. ...
Wicca is a legitimate religion and was acknowledged as such at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1994. ... It is a specific law in Wicca that "ye harm none" in magickal workings. ... Wicca is a highly individualistic religion, believing that the practice is what you make of it. ... They come together to celebrate the Esbats, the thirteen full moons of the year, and the Sabbats, the eight holidays of Wicca. ... The equal-armed cross is another symbol of Wicca, which represents many ideals, including the four seasons, the four directions, the four archangels, the four winds, ...
Wicca is an earth-based spirituality founded by Gerald Gardner back in the early '50s, and on the pre-Christian belief system of European peoples, combined with modern concerns such as environmental issues and social justice. ... There is a connection between the environment and all of the creatures that share the land, sea, and sky with humans There are many spiritual paths to one end, and that Wicca is not the one and only right path to God/Goddess/Truth/etc., nor is it right for everyone. And since Hollywood and many branches of Christianity have completely confused the issue wit...
Wicca does not make such claims, nor does it try to recruit others to share in its beliefs. ... Wicca has long been viewed as satanic and evil. ... Wicca embraces nature and all of its elements. ... Wicca believes in reincarnation, so death is viewed as another beginning. ... Even though Wicca has been a viable religion for centuries, its believers are still viewed as outcasts. ...
In his book Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Scott Cunningham writes "some use Wicca' and Witch' almost interchangeably" (iv). ... Opponents claim that Wicca is a cult or a secret religion. ... These statements stand for all that Wicca is about. ... For these reasons Wicca is not a cult. ... (Wicca...5). ...
The title of the book was Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. ... Demon possession and loss of respect for Christian life happens to most in Wicca. ... The Complete Idiot's Guide to Wicca and Witchcraft. ... About Wicca, Wisconsin State Journal. ... Hate Literature: Wicca & Satanism & the Way Out. ...