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Wicca

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What is Wicca?

Wicca is an eclectic religious belief system centering around gods, goddesses, and nature worship. Gary Cantrell, a well known Wiccan author says Wicca is based on "harmony with nature and all aspects of the god and goddess divinity." Wiccan practice involves the manipulation of nature through various rituals in attempts to gain power, prestige, love, or whatever else a Wiccan wants. It uses symbols in its ceremonies and follows the calendar in reference to Wiccan festivals. Its roots are in ancient agrarian Celtic Society. It is considered Neo Pagan (based on old European and pre-Christian belief systems).

Wicca does not have a structure of clergy and/or congregations. But it does have priests and priestesses which are in leadership positions within covens that have witches. The varying traditions of Wicca have different requirements for attaining the level of priest and priestess. Some of the more common varieties of Wicca are 1734, Alexandrian, Celtic, Dianic, Dicordian, Eclectic, Gardnerian, and Georgian. Wicca is even recognized as a religion in the military.
One of the most common aspects of working theology is the teaching of reincarnation and karma.

The purpose of reincarnation is to learn lessons through the various lives. “This process of reincarnation is repeated for numerous lifetimes until a development of the Spirit is reached where the spirit can truly merge with the male and female balanced creator/creatrix entity. We returned to the God and to the Goddess.” Karma is the law of cause and effect that "does not punish nor reward. It is simply a universal law that reacts to causation until disharmony is illuminated."

Wicca does not claim to be the only way but says that all spiritual traditions and paths are valid to those who practice them. It accepts "the fact that all life is sacred, including plant, animal, and human."

Generally, Wiccans do not believe in the existence of a devil (they are not Satan worshippers). They have no orgies or public displays of sexuality in their rituals (though some Wiccan traditions practice nudity and sexuality not open to the public), no bestiality and no blood sacrifices. They do not practice spells with the intention to harm people. They deny that there are moral absolutes, believe that nature is divine, and seek to be in harmony with the earth/nature.
Is it recognized as a religion by the government? Absolutely.
"Wicca is a bona fide religion, Mr. Barr. It has been recognized by the courts, and legal Wiccan clergy can be found in every state in the United States. We have chaplains in many American and Canadian prisons. Our guiding principle, the Wiccan Rede, admonishes us to harm none."
The Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law

There are two basic codes that the Wiccans live by. First is the Wiccan Rede which states, "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will". This means that a Wiccan is free to use his or her magic as long as it doesn't harm anyone. The second is the Threefold Law which says that all the good you do will return to threefold in this life. Likewise, all the harm you do will return to threefold as well.

The God and Goddess

There is an ultimate life force called "The One," or "The All" from which the male and female aspects of life emerged, i.e., the god and goddess. The Divine, god or goddess, depending on who you are talking to, can have different names. There can even be references to different gods from other theological systems: Hinduism, Egyptian, Buddhism, ancient Greece, Sumerian, Christian, etc. In Wicca it doesn’t really matter what name is given to a person’s concept of God as long as you have one, or two, or more.

One Wiccan might consider God to be self-aware, another may not. It all depends on the angle that an individual Wiccan takes in his or her theological construction of what best works. It is a religion of self design. In Wiccan theology, because god can show different characteristics in different ways to different people, Wiccans can have different and even contradictory conceptions of God. This is not a problem to them because they maintain that it is only the limited aspects of individual perceptions of god that appear contradictory.
“as Wiccans, we acknowledge and worshiped the old gods and goddesses in the form both pleasing to Them and meaningful to us…”
Why is Wicca attractive?

Wicca is attractive for many people who do not desire or appreciate absolute truths. In Wicca, a person is free to discover his or her own "path." In other words, he or she is free to invent a religious system that suits his or her desires.
“If you are just beginning a study of paganism, you may need to evaluate many different traditions or paths before finding the one for which you are looking. Your chosen path in the old religion must be one that is uniquely suited to you as an individual and one that lets you speak to the Lord and Lady in your own fashion.”
It should be obvious that Wicca is a religion of personal preference. In other words, you are free to invent, devise, and develop a religion that suits your personal wants and interests. Furthermore, in Wicca you may attempt to manipulate your surroundings and other individuals through spells and incantations. This combination of developing a religion that suits your personal preferences and trying to influence others is very appealing to a lot of people.

references / citations

1. Cantrell, Gary., Wiccan Beliefs and Practices. St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn Publications,
2004. p. 20.
2. ibid. p. 27.
3. Grimassi, Raven., Encyclopedia of Wiccan Witchcraft., St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn Publications,
2003, 240.
4. Cantrell, Gary., Wiccan Beliefs and Practices. p. 9.
5. Drew, A. J., A Wiccan Bible: Exploring the mysteries of the craft from birth to summerland.,
Franklin Lakes, NJ; New Page Books, 2003, p. 32.
6. An illogical leap, Washington Times, The (DC), 07328494, May 19, 2004, Letters., pg A16.
7. Cantrell, Gary., Wiccan Beliefs and Practices. p. 18.
8. ibid., p. 13.
 
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Wicca Terms
  1. Altar - a surface that has been prepared for the work of doing rituals and magick
  2. Amulet - an object that deflects negative energy. It is usually worn on the person.
  3. astral projection - the practice of separating the spirit from the body and having that spirit move around the world.
  4. astrology - the study of the stars and how their position affects personality and future events
  5. Athame - a short ceremonial knife, sometimes with a double edged blade. It is used to direct energy during the Wiccan rituals.
  6. autumnal equinox - a day of the year in autumn when the night and day are of equal length.
  7. Balefire - a fire used for magical purposes, often used in the ceremonies during Yule, Beltane, and Midsummer.
    Beltane - a Wiccan festival celebrated on April 30 or May 1.
  8. Between the worlds - the concept that a Wiccan Circle, when properly performed, exists between the physical and spiritual dimensions where people may contact other spirits
  9. Blessed be - a phrase used by Wiccans in both reading and parking.
  10. Blood of the moon - the time of a woman's greatest energy, usually during her menstrual cycle.
  11. Book of Shadows - a book of rituals and spells. There is no single official Book of Shadows. Each book of shadows is relevant to the person who uses it and develops a set of spells and rituals used for gaining influence and power.
  12. Burning Time, the - a time from the 1500s to 1600s where the Catholic church killed many pagans because they
  13. candle magick - the use of candles in spells and rituals.
  14. Centering - to focus your thoughts and energies.
  15. Chakra - a location of energy focus and human body. Typically, there are said to be seven.
  16. Chalice - a cup used in rituals that can contain wind, water, or other liquids.
  17. Channeling - the practice of allowing another spirit to speak through you.
  18. Chanting- the use of repetitious words and or rhymes designed to induce an altered state of consciousness.
  19. Charge - to infuse energy into an object.
  20. Charm - an object that has been charged with energy
  21. Circle - a group of people, usually Wiccans, who have been gathered to perform a ritual.
  22. Cleansing - removing negative energy
  23. Coven - a group of Wiccans. A group of witches, usually numbering 13.
  24. Cowen - someone who is not a witch
  25. Craft - another term for Wicca
  26. Crone - one of the three aspects of the goddess. Also, someone who has passed the stage of menopause.
  27. Deity - a god or goddess, a particular view about a God or godess held by a Wiccan.
  28. Deosil - Clockwise motion
  29. Divination - discovering the unknown by observing and interpreting random patterns are symbols through such tools as clouds, tarot cards, flames, smoke, etc.
  30. Dowsing - the use of an object, such as a stick, to find something or someone, and sometimes to find an answer to a question
  31. Drawing down the Moon - a ritual for the invocation of the goddess done at the full moon where energy is drawn into a female witch.
  32. Drawing down the Sun - a ritual for the invitation of God where energy is drawn into a male witch
  33. Earth Magick - magic that is centered around the energies of Mother Earth
  34. Earth Power - the natural energy that exists within the earth. Therefore, there is energy within plants, rocks, water, the wind, etc. Wiccans often try and tap into the earth power in their rituals and spells.
  35. Elementals - creatures associated with the elements. Gnomes with the earth, Sylphs with the air, Salamanders with Fire, and Undines with Water.
  36. Elements, The - the building blocks of the universe are the four elements: Earth, fire, air, and water.
  37. Equinox - occurs two times a year on March 21 or Sept. 23 where the day and night are of equal length.
  38. Esbat - a Wiccan ritual performed in a coven.
  39. Evocation - calling up spirits and/or other non-physical entities
  40. Familiar - an animal that has a bond with a witch
  41. God - The male divine principle: horned God, God of the hunt.
  42. Goddess - the female divine principle: Moon Goddess, maiden.
  43. Handfasting - a wedding
  44. High Priest/Priestess - a witch who is the leader of a coven, sometimes a person who has received the third degree initiation
  45. Imbolc - a Wiccan festival celebrated on February 2 also known as Candlemas, Feast of the Waxing Light. it celebrates the arrival of spring.
  46. Invocation - a request to a higher power, god or goddess.
  47. Lughnasadh - a Wiccan festival celebrated on August 1 which signifies the harvest.
  48. Mabon - a Wiccan festival celebrated on September 21st, a celebration of the second harvest and preparation for winter.
  49. Magick - A term first used by Aleister Crowley (a Satanist). It refers to any ritual or spell that is designed to bring about a change in a person or the environment. Magick allegedly works within natural laws and cannot violate them.
  50. Merry Meet - a phrase used as a greeting.
  51. Midsummer - the summer solstice that occurs around June 21. It marks the time when the sun is at the height of its power.
  52. Neo Paganism - It is a bit broad in its meaning, but generally it is a group of religions based out of old European and pre-Christian belief systems.
  53. New Moon - the phase of the moon when it is entirely dark
  54. Old Religion - another term for Wicca.
  55. Ostara - a Wiccan festival of March 21 that celebrates the beginning of spring.
  56. Pagan - Generally it refers to those who hold to religious beliefs but are not Jews, Christians, or Muslims. Pagans are often polytheistic and/or pantheistic.
  57. Paganing - a ceremony where on infant is presented to the circle and to the God and Goddess.
  58. Pentacle - an object used in rituals upon which a pentagram (five pointed star in a circle) is engraved or inscribed.
  59. Pentagram - a five pointed star
  60. Path - the particular religious journey that a person is on.
  61. Quarters - north, south, east, and West. The four corners of ritual circle.
  62. Reincarnation - in Wicca, the teaching that people souls continue on after death, go to a holding place (Summerland) where there lives are contemplated, and the decision in two which location and time to be born into occurs.
  63. Ritual - a Wiccan ceremony where objects and movements are designed to bring about desired effects.
  64. Runes - sticklike figures such as symbols that were once carved in rocks, play, candles, which are supposed to have energies that can be used during magick.
  65. Sabbat - a Wiccan festival.
  66. Samhain - a Wiccan festival celebrated on October 31, Halloween.
  67. Scry - to look upon object intensely as in a meditative state and opening oneself up to visions.
  68. Skyclad - Wiccan terminology for nudity.
  69. Solitary - a Wiccan who practices the craft by him or herself.
  70. Spell - a ritual designed to bring about a certain effect.
  71. Summerland - A place of peace and paradise that all spirits go after death where they are rejuvenated and reflect upon their previous life before proceeding on to another incarnation.
  72. Talisman - A ritually charged object designed to attract a specific energy
  73. Threefold Law - All the good you do will return to threefold in this life. Likewise, all the harm you do will return to threefold also.
  74. Tradition - a particular type of Wicca that a person practices
  75. Underworld - the spirit realm of the dead
  76. Widdershins - movement that is counterclockwise.
  77. Witch - someone who participates in magick, male or female.
  78. Witchcraft - the practice of the earth based and pagan religion focusing on nature and its manipulation through rituals.
  79. Wicca - A religion do ride from ancient Celtic belief systems that focuses on the goddess and nature. It is sometimes referred to as witchcraft.
  80. Wiccan Law -
  81. Wiccan Rede - "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will" This means that as long as you don't harm anyone, you are free to do what you want in Wicca including casting spells.
  82. Yule - a Wiccan festival celebrated on December 21 marking the rebirth of the sun god.
______________
References:
1. Cantrell, Gary., Wiccan Beliefs and Practices. St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn Publications, 2004.
2. Drew, A. J., A Wiccan Bible: Exploring the mysteries of the craft from birth to summerland.,
Franklin Lakes, NJ; New Page Books, 2003.
3. Grimassi, Raven., Encyclopedia of Wiccan Witchcraft., St. Paul, Minn: Llewellyn
Publications, 2003.
 
Member
We had two teenage girls in our area two years ago laided down on a railroad track and waited for the train to hit them. They left a note saying they were going to come back as they wished. They were into wicca they both died. It devasted the whole community. I will say wicca kills.... Stay away from it and be alert parents to look out for it your kids friends. It is around big time and not just in big cities. I know Barnes and Noble bookstore let wicca have meetings in Valpo, ind.
just my two cents.

debbi
 
Member
hi Chad ty for the post
This is not about the request earlier ... the additions are coming but for now 2 very interesting things on definitions for pagan(because of my title this a must do) the definition you recieved is based on western slang, the word is Latin meaning peasant or from a municiple district(farmer) in preChrist Europe the farmers were peasants

samhain in the higher druadic order it involved blood sacrifices
 
Member
hi Chad ty for the post
This is not about the request earlier ... the additions are coming but for now 2 very interesting things on definitions for pagan(because of my title this a must do) the definition you recieved is based on western slang, the word is Latin meaning peasant or from a municiple district(farmer) in preChrist Europe the farmers were peasants

samhain in the higher druadic order it involved blood sacrifices


What you say may be true. 'Pagan' in the English dictionary...2008 means 'heathen' 'idolatrous'


I am so glad that our God....Almighty God, rules Sovreign over all and in all the affairs of men....Otherwise Christians today would despair. But 'Our God Reigns'.....Indeed.

The Bible makes uncompromisingly clear to all mankind its claim to be the infallible, inerrant Word of the only true and living God. It denounces all other ideas, gods and scriptures as false, as well as the religions they represent.
Of Jesus, God's Word declares, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (Jn 3:36).

Peter told Jewish religious leaders (and was beaten, imprisoned, and killed for testifying to Christ's resurrection):
"There is none other name...given among men whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Such unequivocal, yes simple statements, cannot be misunderstood. Jews would not have been persecuted and killed had they presented Yahweh as just one more god to be added to the Roman Pantheon. Christians were considered an even greater threat because in obedience to Christ they preached the gospel everywhere and thereby "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).

It was their firm proclamation of Christ's claim, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (Jn 14:6), that threatened Caesar and aroused such vicious hatred.

Today, however, to avoid the objectionable exclusivity of their faith, "Christians" often compromise and many ecumenically deny the biblical gospel.

Christianity is a biblical faith. The gospel is a biblical message. It makes no compromise with any of the world's religions.

Anyone is free to invent any new religion-but not free to call it Christianity. That faith is founded upon facts: Scripture, history, and prophecy, all of which are a matter of clear record and none of which can be changed.
 
Member
thank you stephen God Bless you my brother and you are exactly right you will find my view on the bible (O.T. & N.T.) particularily interesting, since the truth is and aways will be the truth.
 
Member
thanks for the post chad, its good to learn new things. Its nice to see that someone else knows that the word pagan isn't synonomous with satan. As far as I know it was the name given to the many rural communities and their belief systems in England by the Roman Catholic Church when the romans invaded. I had no idea that Wicca was a registered religion, thats pretty interesting.

Paganmystic why did you decide to call yourself that? It seems like a strange choice for a born again christian, are you a dethiest who thinks that christianity is the most logical understanding we have now?

sorry if this seems like the spanish inquisision but I like to learn things about the way people think.
 
Member
ty Derrial you are quite mild compared to my inquisitive side ... lol
it is a title given to me by 2 street kids i rescued meaning peasant healer.
I have 2 blogs in another chat area that i want to merge and put in my profile here. I on my way to work but this is brief.

my favourite Christmas movie is A Christmas Carol but as far as being curious awesome, the ghost of christmas present told Scrooge beware those 2 children that clung to him but beware the boy inparticular ... the boy was ignorrance, superstition based fear is all about ignorance. If you ask questions your knowlegde becomes based on the light which is very Christ-like or Christian... you have a most excellent day
 
Member
Chad,

Yes, I completely agree with every of your words you said here about wiccan. I used to be a witchcraft myself when I was young. Thankful to the Lord for show me the vision when I was in bed. At that very night I was saved from wicca. I was practice witchcraft for few years in my youth and I kept thought that to use in white magic is "good" but it turns out it is coming from Satan's power. I already experience so many bad happens to me when I doing that very dangerous power.

I was deliverance from it and I am now in Jesus Christ! Praise to the LORD!!

Thank you Chad for so many new info.

God bless you.
--Love4ever
 
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