The Meaning Of Wicca! - Wiccan - http://maxpages.com/velvettsky/The_Meaning_Of

Paganism and Wicca is a widely-varied religion, where in there are about 10 different explanations for every 8 people. While there are so many similarities amoung the different "denominations" of Wicca, the differences often outweigh them. Keeping that in mind, I shall put my version and Winter Wolf's version together of Wicca so that my readers might be able to better understand what it is that we believe.

General History:

From what I have been able to understand from my reading and from other Wiccans that I have chated with about the subject, Wicca is sort of a revival religion founded by, most notably, Gerald Gardner in the mid 1950's. It is based on the ancient nature religions of Europe. While Wicca can claim similarities to those ancient religions, it is, for the most part, a creation of the 20th century. After Gerald Gardner "came out of the broom closet" he was followed in the 1960's by Alex Sanders, the self proclaimed "King of Witches". There are many other well known authors and witches who have added signigicantely to making the "Craft" what it is today. They know who they are, and to them I say "Thank you." Today, although I have not seen any official figures, I would wager that there are hundreds of thousands of practicing Wiccans. I am glad to be among that number.

Tools of the Trade:

Just as in any religion, Wicca uses several tools to focus the practitioner while in ritual. What follows is a mini-glossary of the tools, I, personally, use and there uses:

Athame: A black handled, two-edged, dull knife is used to represent the direction of South and the element Fire. I used my Athame to draw my Circle so that I may more easily visualize it.

Wand: A branch or other relatively straight peice of wood, about 14 inches in length and approximately 1/4 inch in diamiter, used to represent the derection East, and the element of Air. I use mine to direct energies.

Broom: Sometimes called Besom Brief (read my Besom Brief Page if interested) Pretty Self-explanitory what it is. Mine is a used for ritual cleansing.

Censer: Used to burn insence in. I use incense to promote the frame of mind which facilities used. Incense is also used for ritual cleansing.

Cup: Used during the "cup and cake" portion of ritual. It is also, along with the Athame, to charge water.

Penticle: A flat, heat-resistant plat ith a pentegram inscribed upon it. Used to hold items to be consecrated/charged.

Other "denominations" of Wicca use different tools or they place different significances on them. For example, some Traditions use the Athame for East and the Wand for South. Basically, my thoughts on that is this: do what feels right for you, then it will be right.

Principles of Belief:

In the late 1970's the Council of American Witches convened to establish a certain set of beliefs. I have printed them here, as they are basically a mirror of my own beliefs, they are close enough so that I feel comfortable in putting them in aan essay on what I believe.

1. We practice rites to attune ourselves with the natural rythm of life forces marked by the phases of the moon and the seasonal quarters and cross quarters.

2. We recognize that our intelligence gives us a unique responsiblity toward our environment. We seek to live in harmony with Nature, in ecological balance offering fulfillment to life and conxciousness within evolutionary concept.

3. We acknowledge a depth of power far greater that is apparent to average person. Because it is far greater than ordinary, it is sometimes called "spiritual" but we see it as lying within that which is naturally potential.

4. We conceive of the Creative Power in the Universe as manifesting through polarity--as masculine and feminine--and that this same creative power lives in all people and funtions through the interaction of the masculine and feminine. We value neither above the other, knowing each to be supportive of the other. We value sexuality as pleasure as the symbol and ebodiment of Life, and as one of the sources of energies used in magickal practice and religious worship..

5. We recognize both outer worlds and inner, or psychological worlds--sometimes known as the Spiritual World, the Collective Unconsious, the Inner Planes, etc.--and we see in the interaction of thses two dimensions the basis for paranormal phenomena and magickal excersises. We neglect neither dimension for the other, seeing both as necessary for our fulfillment.

6. We do not recognize any authoration hierarchy but do honor those who teach, respect those who share their greater knowledge and wisdom, and acknowledge those who have courageously given of themselves in leadership.

7. We see religion, magick and wisdom-in-living as being united in the way one views the world and lives within it--a world view and philosophy of life, which we identify as Witchcraft or the Wiccan way.

8. Calling oneself "Witch" does not make a Witch but neither does heredity itself, or the collection of titles,- degrees and initiations. A Witch seeks to control the forces within him/herself that make life possible in order to live wisely and well, witchout harm to others and marmony with Nature.

9. We acknowledge that it is the affimation and fulfillment of life, in a continuation of evolution and development of consciousness, that gives meaning to the Universe we know, and to our personal role whithin it.

10. Our only animosity towrd Christianity, or toward any other religion or philosiphy-of-life, is to the extent that it's institutions have claimed to be "the one true right and only way" and have sought to deny freedom to others and to suppress other ways of religios practices and belief.

11. As American Witches, we are not threatened by debates on the history of the Craft, the origins of various terms, the legitimancy of various aspects of different traditions.

12. We do not accept the concept of "absolute evil" nor do we worship any entity known as Satan or the Devil as defined by Christian Traditions. We do not seek power through the suffering of others, nor we accept the concept that personal benifets can only be derived by denial to another.

13. We work within Nature for that which is contributory to our health and well-being.

Getting to the Nitty-Gritty:

It is difficult to explain to someone who has no idea about Wicca, what Wicca is. There are many really good books floating about which will help a Seeker find some information. What I can say is this: I don't worship Satan, I don't sacrafice small children or animals in the dark of the moon in graveyards, and I don't place hexes on people, with or without their permission. What I do believe is simple: "And it harm none, do as ye will." Sort of a corollary of the Golden Rule, it's called the Wiccan Rede. That is just the final line, and the rest is just as important, but I feel that to boil things down, the final line is enough. Basically what it means is, don't impose on anyone's free will without their full concent. Karma is a very real thing, and I am a firm believer in "instant Karma"--meaning it comes right back, it doesn't wait until your next ife. Yes I do also believe in reincarnation, but that is a subject for another page.

amandamegson@yahoo.ca

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