Wiccans, who follow the religious and spiritual beliefs of Wicca, worship certain sacred symbols that hold deep significance in their practices. These symbols serve as a connection to their beliefs and values, representing the various aspects of their faith. While the specific symbols observed by Wiccans may vary, there are some common sacred symbols that hold universal importance. One of the most widely recognized sacred symbols in Wicca is the pentacle. The pentacle is a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle, symbolizing the five elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Wiccans often use the pentacle as a protective symbol and as a tool for focusing their energy and intentions.
According to fragmentary texts of the Chaldean Oracles, Hecate is connected to a maze which spiraled around like a serpent. This maze was known as the Stropholos of Hecate, or Hecate's Wheel, and refers to the power of knowledge and life. Traditionally, a Hecate-style labyrinth has a Y in the middle, rather than the typical X shape found at the center of most labyrinths. Images of Hecate and her wheel have been found on first-century c.e. curse tablets, although there seems to be some question about whether the wheel shape itself is actually Hecate's domain or that of Aphrodite - there was some occasional overlap of goddesses in the classical world.
Ancient Babylonian texts make reference to this and indicate that even 5,000 years ago, people were trying to protect themselves from the malevolent thoughts of others. The ACLU has long argued that veterans and their families should be free to choose religious symbols on military headstones whether Crosses, Stars of David, Pentacles, or other symbols and that the government should not be permitted to restrict such religious expression in federal cemeteries.
Wiccans often use the pentacle as a protective symbol and as a tool for focusing their energy and intentions. The circle surrounding the pentacle represents unity, eternity, and the infinite cycle of life. Another significant sacred symbol in Wicca is the triple moon symbol.
Veterans Win Right to Post Religious Symbol on Headstones
WASHINGTON – Following separate lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Department of Veterans Affairs today agreed to allow family members to include a Wiccan symbol on the headstones of deceased veterans.
The ACLU has long argued that veterans and their families should be free to choose religious symbols on military headstones – whether Crosses, Stars of David, Pentacles, or other symbols – and that the government should not be permitted to restrict such religious expression in federal cemeteries.
“We are gratified that the government will finally allow military families to express their religious beliefs and honor their loved ones,” said Daniel Mach, Director of Litigation with the ACLU’s Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief, who represents families and churches in this case. “Veterans who have served their country honorably should not have to worry that their faith will be ignored after death.”
The settlement reached in the Americans United case included and resolved all claims made in the ACLU’s parallel litigation.
The national ACLU and the ACLU of Washington filed their lawsuit on behalf of two churches and three individuals, including the mother of a soldier who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004. The National Cemetery Administration had previously approved 38 emblems of belief for veterans, encompassing a wide variety of religions, as well as symbols for atheists and secular humanists. Yet the agency had refused since the mid-1990s to act on requests by Wiccan families and clergy to approve use of the Pentacle.
Under the terms of today’s settlement, the Department of Veterans Affairs will add the Pentacle to its list of approved emblems of belief, and will provide Pentacle-engraved headstones and markers to the individual families who brought the ACLU and Americans United lawsuits.
“It is deeply unfortunate that grieving families of deceased veterans were forced to undertake a bureaucratic struggle to have their loved ones’ wishes honored,” said ACLU of Washington staff attorney Aaron Caplan, who is co-counsel in this case. “All veterans, regardless of their religion, deserve to have their faith recognized on an equal basis.”
The ACLU brought its lawsuit on behalf of two churches: the Aquarian Tabernacle Church formed in 1979 in Index, Washington, and the Correllian Nativist Church International, formed in 1979 with offices in Albany, New York. The lawsuit also names the following individuals as petitioners:
- Kathleen Egbert of Laurel, MD, daughter of World War II veteran Abraham Kooiman, a decorated Wiccan soldier who was buried in Arlington National Memorial Cemetery in 2003;
- Patricia Darlene Howell Corneilson of Kentucky, mother of James Price, a decorated Wiccan service member who was killed in action while serving in the Army in Iraq in 2004; and
- Scott Stearns of Kent, WA, a retired disabled U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf War and is a member of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. Stearns plans to have the symbol posted on his headstone.
The ACLU lawsuit, Egbert v. Nicholson, was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington, DC. Today’s settlement comes after oral arguments before the court on April 10. During that argument, the Department of Veterans Affairs promised to act on the pending Pentacle applications within 90 days. Immediately after the argument, the court issued an order that repeated the department’s promise to act, and scheduled a second oral argument in July.
There is a theory that the pentacle originated as the symbol of a Greek agricultural and fertility goddess named Kore, also called Ceres. Her sacred fruit was the apple, and when you cut an apple in half crossways, you find a five-pointed star! Some cultures refer to the apple-star as the "Star of Wisdom," and so apples are associated with knowledge.
This representation features three interconnected crescent moons, each symbolizing a different phase of the Moon - waxing, full, and waning. This symbol represents the divine feminine energy and the cycles of nature. Wiccans often associate the different moon phases with different aspects of life, such as new beginnings, abundance, and release. The Wheel of the Year is another sacred symbol observed by Wiccans. Representing the cycle of seasons and the agricultural cycles, it is often depicted as a circular calendar divided into eight segments. Each segment corresponds to a different Sabbat or seasonal festival celebrated by Wiccans, such as Samhain, Yule, and Beltane. The Wheel of the Year symbolizes the ever-changing nature of life and the importance of honoring each season. The chalice is yet another sacred symbol in Wiccan practices. It represents the element of water, which is associated with emotions, intuition, and healing. The chalice is often used to hold offerings, libations, and for rituals involving the consecration of wine or water. It serves as a vessel for connecting with the divine and for invoking the energies of the water element. Overall, Wiccans worship several sacred symbols that hold deep meaning and significance in their beliefs and practices. These symbols, such as the pentacle, triple moon symbol, Wheel of the Year, and chalice, serve as powerful tools for connection, intention-setting, and honoring the natural cycles of life..
Reviews for "Exploring the Ancient Origins of Wiccan Sacred Symbols"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "What sacred symbols do wiccans worship". The book barely scratched the surface of the topic. It mostly focused on the basic symbols without delving deeper into their meanings or significance within the Wiccan belief system. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration, but instead, it felt like a rushed overview. It lacked depth and failed to provide the information I was seeking.
2. Emily - 1 star - This book left me with more questions than answers. The author seemed to make assumptions about the readers' prior knowledge, leaving beginners like me feeling lost and confused. The writing style was also difficult to follow, with jargon and terminology that wasn't adequately explained. I would not recommend "What sacred symbols do wiccans worship" to anyone seeking a clear understanding of Wiccan symbols and their meanings.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who has studied Wicca for a few years, I found "What sacred symbols do wiccans worship" to be a disappointing read. The information presented was very basic and lacked any new insights. It felt like a regurgitation of common knowledge that could be easily found in a quick internet search. I was hoping for a more nuanced exploration of these sacred symbols, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
4. Mike - 1 star - I found "What sacred symbols do wiccans worship" to be incredibly shallow and poorly researched. It seemed like the author did not have a deep understanding of Wiccan culture or symbols. The explanations provided were very superficial and did not do justice to the complexity and richness of Wiccan symbolism. I would recommend looking for more authoritative sources if you're truly interested in gaining a deeper understanding of these sacred symbols. This book won't get you there.