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What is Wicca? Where did Wicca derive from? Is Wicca the same thing as Witchcraft? In this paper I will answer these questions and many more. I will admit when I first chose this topic for my term paper I know a lot about it. After I researched the practice of Wicca there is a lot more than meets the eye.
I was also quite pleased with my findings, and even though this is supposed to be a term paper I have found this subject to be fascinating. Gerald B. Gardner is believed to be the founding father of Wicca. Through his writings much of the modern day Wiccan tradition came about. Gardner was born in 1884 and spent most of his life in Malaya. He retired and returned to the U.
K. in 1936. Gardner then joined the Folklore society (he had an enormous interest in folklore, magic, and mythology) and in June 1938, also joined the newly opened Rosicrucian Theatre at Christchurch in Britain (Hillsburg. 1998). It is said that at Christchurch he met Old Dorothy Clutterbuck. In 1939, he claims Old Dorothy initiated him into a practicing coven of the Old Religion that met in the New Forest area of Britain.
Gardner was fifty-five years old when he was initiated. By the time he published High Magics Aid he was sixty-five, and he was seventy-five years old when The Meaning of Witchcraft appeared. He died at the age of eighty in 1964 (Hillsburg. 1998). Many people have been suspicious of Gardners claims and have accused him of making the whole thing up. They suggest that the Wicca is no more than the fantasy of an old man colored by a romantic imagination (Oakwood, 1992). As time has passed, the opinion of Wiccan beliefs has gotten worse.
The view of the country it seems is that Wicca has something to do with Satanism. The reason for this impression is a general lack of information about Wicca, what it is and what it means. Once people have are introduced to what Wicca is, they usually view it in a positive light. It is necessary to get past the initial misinformation to do that. In the same way, that brings us to what Wicca actually is. A simple description of Wicca is the practice of the rites and adherence to the magical philosophies of the Pre-Christian era (Catterwil, 1994).
Thus, the person was shelled in the process of shaping or bending reality. In the philosophy of the Wicca, it is understood that men and women are held in respect according to their talents, capabilities, and contributions to the group and the craft as a whole (Oakwood, 1992). That is why initiation to the craft is such a large commitment. Wicca stresses the balance of gender and power, along with the equality of creative expressions. A Wiccan is a person who believes strongly that something was lost as the world passed into the Dark Ages, the connection to the natural rhythms of the planet and nature around us (Oakwood, 1992). Wiccans also feel that a connection is lost to the good things from the old ways of life, such as herbalism, magic, and meditation.
A Wiccan is a person who actively strives to regenerate themselves to these concepts. Likewise, Wicca is an ancient religion of love for life and nature. In prehistoric times, people respected the forces of Nature and celebrated the cycles of the seasons and the moon. They saw divinity in the sun and moon, in the Earth, and in all life. The creative energies of the universe where personified: feminine and masculine principles became Goddesses and Gods (Oakwood, 1992). Wicca is a polytheistic religion (meaning that there is belief in more than one God).
These were not superhuman figures set apart from nature, they were embodied in the earth and the sky, women and men, and even plants and animals. The terms God of Goddess refer to differing aspects of the deity. They are not incorrect terms, but they are incomplete by themselves. The Deity, to me, sounds like an all-encompassing energy, similar to the force in Star Wars. When the spirit leaves the body for the last time, they join with this force and become a part of it. Similarly angels are manifestations of this energy.
This viewpoint is still central in present day Wicca. To most Wiccans, everything in Nature- and all Goddesses and Gods-are true aspects of a Deity ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Wicca had its original beginnings in Paleolithic times, co-existed with other Pagan religions in Europe, and had a profound influence on early Christianity (Oakwood, 1992). In the medieval period, the Roman Church directed tremendous persecution against the Nature religions. Over a span of 300 years, millions of men and women and many children were hanged, drowned, or burned as accused witches.
The church indicted them for black magic and Satan worship, though in fact these were never a part of the Old Religion. The religion and philosophy predates Christianity and works on positive affirmation of taking responsibilities for ones own actions, as well as living in harmony with those life forces that brought all into being (Oakwood, 1992). Wiccan beliefs do not include such concepts as original sin, vicarious atonement, divine judgment or bodily resurrection. Thus getting them into hot water sometimes with the church. Because of this Wiccans were victims of persecution and forced to practice their beliefs in private, they went underground. Now they choose not to practice their religion publicly for fear of persecution that they may face if they admit their beliefs.
There are groups of anywhere from three to thirteen people that meet in groups known as covens ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Covens function not only as religious groups, but also as extended families. After understanding some more about the Wiccan tradition you might be beginning to think that it sounds like Witchcraft. Well, its not.
There is a fine line between witchcraft and Wicca and it has to do with magic (which I will elaborate on later). This is the difference between the two; Wicca involves magic, which is natural. On the other hand, Witchcraft also involves magic, but the use of it is supernatural. So, if anyone comes to the Wicca wanting to be some sort of grand sorcerer that can raise people from the dead, then they are in the wrong place.
Hence, not all Wiccans are Witches, and not all Witches are Wiccan; but one can be both if desired. How do Wiccans practice today? There is no central authority or doctrine and individual covens vary a great deal. But most meet to celebrate on nights of the Full Moon and at eight great festivals, or Sabbaths, throughout the year (Catterwil, 1994). A Priestess/Priest team leads some covens; others rotate or share leadership. Some covens are highly structured and hierarchical, while others may be informal and egalitarian.
Often extensive training is required before initiation and coven membership is considered a very serious endeavor. There are many branches of traditions of Wicca in the United States and elsewhere, such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Welsh Traditional, Dianic, Faery, Sex-Wicca, and others (Oakwood, 1992). All adhere to a code of ethics. Coven meetings include three main parts: celebration, magick (the k is to distinguish it from stage illusions), and ritual (Catterwil, 1994). The celebration part of the meeting is exactly what it sounds like. The celebration takes place before and after the ritual and magick.
Merry Meet, a Merry Part, and a Merry Meet again - this is a warm happy time of greeting and friendship. It is a way to catch up and to let everyone know about any happenings that have taken place in your life. This celebration is also done at the conclusion of the meetings and then usually includes food. Secondly, Wiccan Magick is not at all like the instant special effects that are seen in movies. It operates in harmony with natural laws and is usually less spectacular - though effective. Various techniques are used to heal people and animals, seek guidance, or improve members lives in specific ways ("Wicca Magick", 1998).
Positive goals are sought; curses and evil spells are repugnant to practitioners of the Old Religion. Wiccans tend to be strong supporters of environmental protection, equal rights, global peace, and religious freedom, and sometimes magick is also used toward such goals. Wiccacraft is the practice of using the magick inside us in harmony with nature to produce the desired result, herbal lore, body control, and meditation. (Harrow, 1996). It is also the calling upon the forces of nature and the God and Goddess through ritual to assist you as the powers see fit. It also involves, but not necessarily the worship of, devotions to the powers of nature and the God and Goddess (Harrow, 1996). Wiccacraft is wise.
It is a religious philosophy, as well as a structured, initiatory magical system. The followers of Wicca are cognizant of the universal archetypes, the elemental forces of life, and the psychic abilities inherent in all ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Magick is defined as the processor causing change through the focusing of our natural powers ("Wicca Magick", 1998). The author of "Wicca Magick", 1998 did a nice job describing magic as the movement of natural energies to create needed change. He / she goes on to say that energy exists within all things... magic is the process of building up this energy, giving it purpose, and releasing it.
Wiccans use certain tools such as spells, visualization, chants, candles, amulets, and meditation to help focus their power, but the empower comes form within - it is not in the tools. It is said that our ancestors knew how to use it effectively, but it is a largely forgotten art in modern times. Wiccans cast spells and offer thanks to the Goddess and God for their assistance and guidance ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Spells and magick are comparable to praying in church. A wish is made for a desired outcome and then leaves it up to God to do the right thing. Prayers are petitions to a Deity to create change.
Wiccans believe that Deity is present in everything, including us. Spells, then, are connecting with our own divine selves, our own energy used to create the change ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Wiccans/Witches generally will not do a spell for anyone who has not asked and given them their permission. Spells such as those that use love magick to gain the attention of a specific individual or curses are considered manipulative ("Wicca Magick", 1998). Anything man...
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