Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that emerged in the mid-20th century. It draws inspiration from ancient Celtic beliefs and practices, as well as from various occult traditions. Wiccans revere nature and hold a deep respect for the Earth and all living beings. They believe in a divine power that is both immanent and transcendent, often referred to as the Goddess and the God. The Goddess represents the feminine aspects of creation, such as fertility and nurturing, while the God represents the masculine aspects, such as strength and protection. Wiccans celebrate the cycles of the seasons, known as Sabbats, as well as the phases of the Moon.
It is experiences like this that make every religion worth learning about.
With witchcraft becoming increasingly popular on platforms like TikTok, it s important to learn about the religion through someone who actually practices it, as well know the differentiation between Wicca and witchcraft. Circle-casting is commonly used in rituals, where the altar is usually placed in the middle and those gathered in the circle must not step outside of it.
Wiccans celebrate the cycles of the seasons, known as Sabbats, as well as the phases of the Moon. They believe in the concept of karma and strive to live in harmony with the natural world. Magic is an integral part of Wiccan practice, with rituals and spells being performed to manifest desired outcomes and connect with the divine.
Wicca: Understanding the religion beyond witchcraft
From acknowledging nature to self-healing, Wicca is a religion involving an eclectic set of beliefs and experiences. It is often misunderstood due to its non-governed nature and association with witchcraft.
Wicca is often associated as a Pagan religion, which takes inspiration from pre-Christian religions. Additionally, its origins are associated with the ideals of Gerald Brosseau Gardner, a British civil servant.
Wiccans hold different types of rituals and vary based on the occasion. The altars are also set up catered to the event, whether it be an initiation or full moon celebration.
Circle-casting is commonly used in rituals, where the altar is usually placed in the middle and those gathered in the circle must not step outside of it.
Wiccans are not satanists nor do they incorporate anything evil within their beliefs or practices.
Though there is much debate, witchcraft and Wicca are not the same thing. Wicca is a religion, while witchcraft is a practice.
“There are many Wiccans who consider themselves to be witches, and there are many witches who do not consider themselves Wiccan,” said Kim Wallace, a Wiccan practitioner of about 40 years.
Wallace considers herself a witch and follows Wiccan beliefs. Most of the work that she does involves hoodoo and high magic. She even involves magic into her cooking.
She incorporates magic into her cooking by acknowledging a personal problem that she might have and then identifying an herb that may help with it. She then remains mindful of it while cooking and eating.
Nature is a very prominent aspect within religion. Wallace explained that when picking plants, one must be very aware and respectful.
Wicca caters to a person, in the sense of using Wicca to help overcome things such as personal problems.
“I use it to help me stay grounded and centered, to try to be a better person,” said Wallace. “It’s been instrumental in helping me control my temper.”
In Wicca, there is a Wiccan rede which mentions “perfect love and perfect trust,” which Wallace acknowledged as one of the tenets of the religion.
“In order to have, or give others, perfect love and perfect trust, you have to be grounded and get rid of that temper,” Wallace said.
With the association of witchcraft, some believe Wicca to be evil or satanic, but as Wallace explained, Wiccans do not believe in hell and in the religion, there is no Satan.
Wallace mentioned other beliefs in Wicca as well, including reincarnation and past lives, as well as spirits.
One instance in which her belief in spirits was held to be true was when Wallace described a dream in which her grandfather held her son. This was significant because she didn’t have the opportunity to bring her son to her grandfather when he was born, due to her grandfather moving away.
In the dream, her grandfather told her that she needed to let him go. The morning after, Wallace received a call that her grandfather had passed. Wallace explained that she truly believes that her grandfather visited her and said goodbye to her in the dream.
It is experiences like this that make every religion worth learning about.
Some users on TikTok have been seen posting videos under the hashtag “witchtok,” and with that, viewers might want to try the practices that are being shown.
With witchcraft becoming increasingly popular on platforms like TikTok, it’s important to learn about the religion through someone who actually practices it, as well know the differentiation between Wicca and witchcraft.
It’s essential that thorough research is done before practicing anything, so that you know in advance what is okay and what isn’t.
It is also important to be mindful when practicing any ritual, especially if you don’t know much about it, and to consult with people who are experts in the practices or in the case of Wicca, the religion.
One of the core principles of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which states "An it harm none, do what ye will." This means that Wiccans believe in personal freedom as long as it does not harm others. They also follow the Threefold Law, which states that whatever energy is put out into the world, whether positive or negative, will be returned threefold. Wicca is a decentralized religion, with different traditions and covens practicing in their own unique ways. While there is no central authority or holy text, many Wiccans follow the teachings of prominent figures such as Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente. In recent years, Wicca has gained popularity and acceptance as a legitimate religious and spiritual practice. However, it is still often misunderstood and misrepresented. Wiccans continue to advocate for recognition and respect for their beliefs and practices. In summary, Wicca is a modern pagan religion that celebrates nature, reveres the divine in the form of the Goddess and the God, and practices magic. Wiccans believe in personal freedom and living in harmony with the natural world. Despite misconceptions, Wicca is gaining acceptance as a legitimate religious practice..
Reviews for "Wicca and witchcraft: Understanding the relationship"
1. Lisa - 1/5
I found "Explanation of the Wiccan Religion" to be extremely lacking in depth and substance. The author didn't provide any satisfying explanations or evidence to back up their claims about the Wiccan religion. It felt more like a shallow overview rather than an in-depth exploration of the topic. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Wicca, but this book failed to deliver, leaving me feeling disappointed and dissatisfied.
2. John - 2/5
As someone who was curious about the Wiccan religion, I was excited to read "Explanation of the Wiccan Religion". However, I found the book to be overly simplistic and lacking in detail. It didn't delve into the rich history and practices of Wicca, and instead presented a basic overview that barely scratched the surface. The author also made some sweeping generalizations about Wicca without providing sufficient support or clarification. Overall, I was left wanting more, and I don't feel like this book gave me a comprehensive understanding of Wiccan beliefs and practices.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Explanation of the Wiccan Religion". It lacked the depth and complexity that I was expecting from a book on Wicca. The author seems to have a limited understanding of the religion, and their explanations felt superficial and vague. I was left with more questions than answers after reading this book, and it failed to provide the comprehensive insight I was seeking. I would not recommend this book to anyone who wants to truly understand the Wiccan religion.
4. Mike - 1/5
"Explanation of the Wiccan Religion" was a complete letdown. The author's explanations were poorly organized and confusing. They jumped from one topic to another without providing any clear structure or direction. Additionally, the book lacked proper citations and references, making it difficult to trust the validity of the information presented. Overall, reading this book felt like a waste of time and left me feeling frustrated by the lack of coherent explanations and evidence. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of the Wiccan religion.