1. Wicca
Wicca draws its strength from the diversity of Nature itself and rejoices in diversity. Witches are positive thinkers and believe in happiness prevailing over evil. Overall Wicca is a philosophy as much as it is a nature-based religion (Encarta 7). Witches do not worship Satan, or even believe in Satan. They also do not believe in Jesus, or the Lord. What they do believe in is an unknowable Ultimate Deity. Their God does not have a beard, is not necessarily a man, and does not persecute women. Followers of Wicca seek guidance from an endless number of deities. Pagans also do not subscribe to the black and white notions of good and evil. Rather, there are only appropriate and inappropriate actions (Donovan 2). Unlike my Catholic upbringing, Wicca finds a spirit in every object, and that spirit is connected to every other living creature. Both animate and inanimate objects possess a spirit, which forms part of the Whole, or in layman's terms THE BIG PICTURE. Let's not confuse the idea of Wicca's word "spirit- with the Judeo-Christian sense of ghost (Pagan Web 1). The basis of Wicca rests on a deep respect for sexuality, feminity, nature and the knowledge that a person does not have the right to exploit another for personal gain. Spirituality is the foremost goals of the church and school of Wicca. That is what a witch will strive to reach in his/her lifetime. Many witches choose to change the present through magical workings, or spells. That is frowned upon and considered derogatory to spiritual success. The appropriate workings are learning to accept your spiritual path and obstacles throughout meditation (Ethics of Wicca 2). Popular culture has greatly affected the spread of Wicca. Television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch dramatize witches into being cutie girls, but these shows also depict these young girls as being open and proud that they are witches.
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. ...