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I did this essay for one of my college classes last year. I know that the two images I used won't show up.
How much do people really know about Witchcraft or Wicca? Some think of the ugly witches of Halloween or in more religious views, those who have made a pact with Satan. While not denying that there is Satanist in the world, Wicca is completely separate from them and in general has no association with them. Wicca tends to be a misunderstood religion because of the secrecy and wide variance of beliefs in the traditions. While some do take the time to delve into what the general beliefs and practices are, others go by hearsay not understanding the true meaning to it, and people tend to fear what they don’t understand. As for the secrecy, it has long been used between the covens and those that practice alone for their religious practices and beliefs for a variety of reasons. There are many traditions, like Christian denominations, which one who is entering Wicca can choose from.
People tend to fear what they do not understand and not many understand Wicca. This is largely because of the many different traditions and wide variety of beliefs. However, the way that both the general media as well as other religions have portrayed Wicca and Paganism in general has been mostly in a negative light. Most think that Wiccans are Satan worshipers, who cast spells and use magic to hurt people. While there are some who will use spells to try and hurt people, on the whole majority of those who practice do not do this, and advise others against it. The bible itself tells that witchcraft is evil and of the devil. There are those who practice Satanism, which does worship the devil, but they are not considered part of Paganism or Wicca. In reality Wicca is a peaceful, earth-centered religion, which focuses on working in harmony with others and with nature. There are some similar symbols used by both Wicca and Satanism that has not helped the separation of the two, and that is the five pointed star, known as the pentacle. The example below is of a typical pentacle used among wiccans and pagans, it also shows the meanings of the five points.
This shows the elements that make up nature, with the spirit (or soul), being above them, but also intertwined with them. Spirit giving us the warmth or fire of life, the fire which gives way to the air we need to breathe. The water which we drink to help sustain that fire that keeps us breathing (and makes up most of our bodies), the earth that makes up our bodies (in the form of carbon which is in every living thing on the planet), and finally back to our soul which is housed in our bodies.
This next illustration is of a typical satanic pentagram, while some wiccans and pagans use a similar design, Satanist typically use this one with a goats head inside.
While the two symbols are similar what they can represent is very different. In addition, Wiccans do not believe in the Christian devil at all, according to Wiccan Belief (2009).
Most people think of magic in terms of black and white, but some sources will deny this saying that magic is shades of gray and it is the user who determines the way in which it’s used. Kraig (2001) defines magic three different ways, the first “White magick is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science, for the purpose of obtaining the Knowledge and conversation with your Holy Guardian Angel (pg. 10).” The second definition Kraig (2001) states, “Black magick is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science, for the purpose of causing either physical or non-physical harm to yourself or others, and is done either consciously or unconsciously (pg. 10, 11).” Finally, Kraig (2001) states for the third definition, “ Grey magick is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will, using means not currently understood by traditional Western science, for the purpose of causing either physical or non-physical good to yourself or others, and is done either consciously or unconsciously (pg. 11).” The gray magic is what is generally practiced because of it being in accordance with the Wiccan Rede.
Secrecy has been widely used between covens for both their religious practices and beliefs. This has been primarily due to persecution by the Churches throughout history. Also because there are many different traditions with various beliefs; however they all share basic beliefs. In Wicca Beliefs (2009) they state “As long as it doesn't harm anyone including yourself and future generations, do whatever you want to” is the primary rule in the Wiccan Rede. This deals with general ethics meaning so long as one are not hurting anyone or anything then one are free to do as you please. Majority follow this to some extent. Others also follow the law of Karma, or the Three-fold law, which according to Wiccan Beliefs (2009) states “all good a person does to another is returned three-fold, harm is also returned three-fold.” Most believe in a Goddess and God, with those just being aspects of a higher power. This is similar to the Christian trinity of the God, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, only for Wicca it would be something like God, Goddess, and Great Spirit. However, Wiccan’s themselves can choose to be either monotheistic (worshiping a single deity), polytheistic (Worshiping many deities), or Duotheisim (worshiping a Goddess and a God). This is dependent on what the practitioner is comfortable with and what they personally believe to be true.
Secrecy was used because of religious persecution in Europe during the inquisition as well as a period known as “The burning times,” and is still used in part today. The Burning Times was a period in history in which the Christian Church went after those they believed worshiped the devil, and subsequently burned them alive after torturing them (Hatred, 2009.) Secrecy is used today because of fear of religious discrimination. Some fear being harassed by people, especially those of a different faith because of the general misconceptions on Wicca, Paganism, and Witchcraft itself. One of the more publicized case of attempted discrimination happened in Ft. Hood, Texas, were a congressman attempted to have the free practice of Wiccans banned on base. This came after a local newspaper ran an article of a pagan celebration that was conducted by a local coven on the military base. According to Georgia (1999) Rep. Bob Barr attempted to introduce a defense bill that would have banned the Wiccans from their religious freedoms to practice on base. He was soundly defeated, and religious freedoms are still allowed in the military. There have been numerous other cases of discrimination and religious intolerance, most of which comes from secular theologies and worldviews. Cookson (1997) goes over a few cases in her article, one of which involved police that stood by and did nothing as a coven’s sacred place was desecrated. Another was material distributed by a religious group dealing with satanic signs which Wiccan practice could be mistaken for to someone unfamiliar with the true beliefs of those who are Wiccan (Cookson, 1997). However, Cookson (1997) goes onto say that there have been a number of success stories where the misconceptions have been done away with through education and cooperation.
Some historians have found evidence of a Goddess-centered religion that existed thousands of years ago (Anderson, 2000). While this is hard to decipher on exactly how they practiced general belief was, according to Anderson, that “women were honored for their abilities to produce life and nurture that life” (2000). There was a shift toward a male-centered world and the development of the church. This started to occur when invaders riding horses brought weapons and wars to a once peaceful area (Anderson, 2000). When Christianity, Judaism, and Islam started to rise they sought to wipe out the “old religion” in favor of theirs (Anderson, 2000). For the most part they succeeded given the lack of solid evidence of the “old religion” beliefs and practices. It would make the most sense that the men started to fear what women could do in terms of healing with various plants of their area and the mystery of them being able to give birth. Thus, in fearing what they didn’t understand, started to hunt the women who possessed this kind of knowledge.
There are many traditions in Wicca depending on what the practitioner feels is right for themselves. Most can chose to be solitary starting out after they decide to follow Wicca. Solitary is just how it sounds, they practice and study primarily alone. There are many books on Wicca and Paganism on the market, as well as numerous websites to choose from where one can learn. This can also be beneficial to those who wish to truly know more about Wicca but not practice it. In addition a solitary can try and find a local coven to join, if there are some in their area. However the number of covens in a particular area can be limited depending on how tolerant the area is of other religions. Example being one may not find too many covens in the deep southern portion of the US as they would in a place like the northwest or elsewhere. Some, who choose to remain solitary, do correspond with those that have been practicing for years for advice and tips on practicing.
Some of the other traditions include Gardner, Celtic, and Egyptian. Each has their own practices and rituals, as well as history on where they were derived from. Gardner was one of the first to develop what is generally followed today in terms of practice and beliefs. Celtic Traditions also called Druidism, come from England, Ireland, Scotland areas as well as a few other European areas. In addition, there are also Christian wiccans, those who still hold true to their Christian faith while still practicing magic. Finally; the Egyptian traditions which are by in large hard to find, take their rituals from reconstructed Egyptian practices as well as the worship of the ancient Egyptian gods. One of the known forms of Egyptian practice is known as Kemetic Orthodoxy, which takes their literature and practices directly from Ancient Egyptian texts, and also shares a number of beliefs with traditional Wicca (Krogh & Pillifant, 2004).
Some traditions have different requirements for initiation, but this is more of a coven by coven decision. Covens offer a great support system not only in terms of practice and learning, but a social support as well. The traditions in general are mostly too numerous to count. However, all of them respect the natural world and the elements that make up the world. One last note; Wicca itself is a tradition that falls under paganism. Paganism, being the broad term, like Christianity, and Wicca being like the Christian denomination Baptist. However, they are often used interchangeably; the core beliefs for both are the same.
To conclude Wicca doesn’t have to be as misunderstood or feared as it has been, so long as one is willing to take a deeper look into what the general beliefs are. The secrecy that has been a part of Wicca for years is there for reasons, be it most of them are generally personal. The traditions have a wide and rich history that stretch back thousands of years while adding a modern flavor to them. Those who practice Paganism and Wicca alike are some of the kindest people one could meet.
References
Cookson, Catharine. (1997). Reports from the trenches: A case study of religious freedom issues faced by Wiccans practicing in the United States. Journal of Church and State, 39(4), 723-748. Retrieved November 27, 2009, from ProQuest Religion.
Anderson, Kate Brennan. (2000). Wicca for the new millennium. Futurics, 24(1/2), 90-91. Retrieved November 27, 2009, from Research Library.
Wiccan Belief. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/wic_beli.htm
Hatred & Misinformation against Wiccans and Other Neo-Pagans. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcr1.htm
Georgia Congressman Launches `Witch Hunt' In U.S. Military The Free Library. (1999). Retrieved from http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Georgia Congressman Launches `Witch Hunt' In U.S. Military.- a055333738
Kraig, D. M. (2001). Modern Magick (2nd ed.). St. Paul, Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications.
Krogh, Marilyn C, & Pillifant, Brooke Ashley. (2004). Kemetic Orthodoxy: Ancient Egyptian Religion on t he Internet - A Research Note. Sociology of Religion, 65(2), 167-175. Retrieved January 25, 2010, from ProQuest Religion. (Document ID: 639534341).
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