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INTRODUCTION TO THE WICCAN RELIGION
by Selena Fox, High Priestess of Circle Sanctuary
"Witchcraft" and "The Old Religion." It is a diverse and decentralized
religion that is part of the Nature Religions movement which is re-emerging into public view after centuries of
persecution. Today, there are thousands of individuals and groups practicing various forms of the Wiccan religion
and related Nature Religions (Pagan) paths throughout the United States, Canada, and around the world.
There are many forms of the Wiccan religion. Hereditary, Gardnerian, Alexandrian,
Celtic, Traditionalist, Dianic, Eclectic, Faerie, and Shamanic are just some of the traditions, or denominations,
of contemporary Wiccan spirituality. Within most Wiccan denominations there are groups as well as individual practitioners.
Groups, sometimes called covens, differ widely in size, structure, purpose, orientation, symbology, ritual practices,
and other ways. There is even more variation among those practicing the Craft on their own without being part of
a coven that meets regularly. Many forms of the Wiccan religion are initiatory; others are not. Initiatory practices
vary from tradition to tradition and include initiations through dreams, initiations through vision quests, self-initiations,
and initiations by teachers and groups.
Although there are many differences, there are also some spiritual practices and
philosophies that Wiccans tend to have in common. Wiccans love and respect Nature and seek to live in harmony with
the rest of the ecosphere. Many Wiccans have personal communication and friendships with various animals, plants,
and other lifeforms. Ceremonies are held at New and Full Moon time and also at the eight Festivals, called Sabbats,
spaced six to seven weeks apart throughout the year and coinciding with the Solstices, Equinoxes and midpoints
between, usually called the "Cross Quarters." Samhain, popularly known as Halloween, is the New Year
in most Wiccan traditions.
The Wiccan religion is pantheistic in that the Divine is seen as everywhere and
in everything. The Wiccan religion also is animistic in that every human, tree, animal, stream, rock, and other
forms of Nature is seen to have a Divine Spirit within. The Wiccan religion is monotheistic in that there is an
honoring of Divine Unity. It also is polytheistic in that Wiccans honor the Divine through a variety of female
and male deity forms - Goddesses and Gods which are aspects of the Divine Female and Divine Male and their Unity.
Wiccans also honor the Elements of Nature - Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Spirit -
and their associated directions - North, East, South, West, Center - in the sacred Circles where rituals are held.
Rituals usually include a combination of meditation, invocations, movement, music, and the use of magical tools.
As part of their spiritual practice, many Wiccans develop their intuitive abilities
and practice magic, directing psychic energy for particular healing and helping purposes. In working magic, Wiccans
are to adhere to the Wiccan Rede, which is the central ethical law of the religion: "And it harm none, do
what you will." Most Wiccans acknowledge that whatever magical force is sent out returns magnified to the
sender. Wiccans do not perform evil magic and do not worship the devil or Satan, which is the anti-God of the Christians.
The Wiccan religion is pre-Christian and post-Christian, not anti-Christian.
While the Wiccan path draws on ancient roots, especially from pre-Christian Europe,
it is a living, modern religion that combines old ways with new. Many practitioners are creating new chants, meditations,
and rituals, and sharing them with others through publications, correspondence, and face-to-face contact at ecumenical
festivals.
© 1989, Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary,
Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI, 53572, USA
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