Wiccan Religion: Clearing Up Your Misconceptions

Wiccan religion or Wicca was made popular by a retired British civil servant in 1954. At the time it was called ‘witchcraft’. Other people state that the Wicca theology began earlier than the 20’s. Wicca worships a God, a horned god and a goddess also – known as the triple goddess. Wicca also uses rituals of magic and a liberal code of morality and celebration of many festivals throughout the year.

For most Wicca they worship 2 gods; a female version and a male version. The horned god or male version of the Wicca is sometimes equated with the God as Oak King and Holly King – one rules over Spring and Summer and the other rules over Autumn and Winter. The goddess is known as a Triple Goddess, ‘Maiden’, ‘Mother’, and ‘Crone’, or as a Moon Goddess.

Reincarnation is a traditional Wicca teaching. Beliefs in the afterlife vary among believers in Wicca teachings. Many believe they can contact the spirits of the dead through mediums and Ouija boards. A common element of Wicca beliefs is the Law of Threefold Return which states that whatever benevolent or malevolent actions a person performs will return to that person with triple force – similar to karma.

The Wicca follows eight virtues which are: mirth, reverence, honour, humility, strength, beauty, power and compassion. There always seems to be a dualism in Wicca belief, meaning there is usually a dualism between the God and the Goddess. Originally Wicca religion had an aversion to homosexuality saying it was a curse to the goddess – but seems to be accepted by most Wicca believers today.

Wicca believes in Five Elements and they are:

•          Air, which is symbolized by east

•          Fire, which is symbolized by south

•          Water, which is symbolized by west

•          Earth, which is symbolized by north.

•          Spirit, which unites the other four and is symbolized by the center.

The Five Elements are symbolized by the 5 points in a pentagram – the most prominently used symbol of Wicca.

There is no set scripture in Wicca Religion such as the Bible or Qur’an but there are texts that are available. The most notable is the Charge of the Goddess which contains material from Charles Godfrey Leland’s Arcadia, or the Gospel of the Witches (1899) and the works of 19-20th Century occultist Aleister Crowley. There is also a text called Wicca Laws.

There are various rituals that are celebrated during the many festivals throughout the year. There is practiced magic and casting spells. There is a purified magic circle with all the elements which is a key view of Wicca belief. Once the circle is cast and all elements are added, a ritual or spell may be performed and prayers to the God and Goddess are said.

Many Wicca use magical tools while doing this. These include a broom, caldron, chalice, wand, Book of Shadows, altar cloth, candles, crystals, pentacle or incense. The altar is usually within the circle where all the magical tools are presented.

With every religion or belief there are aspects that some will not believe in. But in most religions or beliefs there is a common thread of believing in someone or something higher than you.