Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that was developed in the early 20th century. It draws inspiration from the ancient practices and beliefs of pre-Christian Europe. Wiccans worship a fertility goddess and a horned god, and they celebrate the cycle of the seasons through various rituals and ceremonies. Alexandria, a city in Egypt, is known as a historical and cultural center. It has been a melting pot of different religions and traditions throughout history. While Alexandria is famous for its connection to ancient Egypt and the library of Alexandria, it has also been influenced by various other belief systems.
One day on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, in the year 415 or 416, a mob of Christian zealots led by Peter the Lector accosted a woman’s carriage and dragged her from it and into a church, where they stripped her and beat her to death with roofing tiles. They then tore her body apart and burned it. Who was this woman and what was her crime? Hypatia was one of the last great thinkers of ancient Alexandria and one of the first women to study and teach mathematics, astronomy and philosophy. Though she is remembered more for her violent death, her dramatic life is a fascinating lens through which we may view the plight of science in an era of religious and sectarian conflict.
One day on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, in the year 415 or 416, a mob of Christian zealots led by Peter the Lector accosted a woman s carriage and dragged her from it and into a church, where they stripped her and beat her to death with roofing tiles. By 364, when the Roman Empire split and Alexandria became part of the eastern half, the city was beset by fighting among Christians, Jews and pagans.
While Alexandria is famous for its connection to ancient Egypt and the library of Alexandria, it has also been influenced by various other belief systems. Wicca, as a relatively modern religion, is not traditionally associated with Alexandria. However, due to the city's diverse and open-minded nature, it is likely that there is a small but active Wiccan community in the city.
Hypatia, Ancient Alexandria’s Great Female Scholar
One day on the streets of Alexandria, Egypt, in the year 415 or 416, a mob of Christian zealots led by Peter the Lector accosted a woman’s carriage and dragged her from it and into a church, where they stripped her and beat her to death with roofing tiles. They then tore her body apart and burned it. Who was this woman and what was her crime? Hypatia was one of the last great thinkers of ancient Alexandria and one of the first women to study and teach mathematics, astronomy and philosophy. Though she is remembered more for her violent death, her dramatic life is a fascinating lens through which we may view the plight of science in an era of religious and sectarian conflict.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 B.C., the city of Alexandria quickly grew into a center of culture and learning for the ancient world. At its heart was the museum, a type of university, whose collection of more than a half-million scrolls was housed in the library of Alexandria.
Alexandria underwent a slow decline beginning in 48 B.C., when Julius Caesar conquered the city for Rome and accidentally burned down the library. (It was then rebuilt.) By 364, when the Roman Empire split and Alexandria became part of the eastern half, the city was beset by fighting among Christians, Jews and pagans. Further civil wars destroyed much of the library’s contents. The last remnants likely disappeared, along with the museum, in 391, when the archbishop Theophilus acted on orders from the Roman emperor to destroy all pagan temples. Theophilus tore down the temple of Serapis, which may have housed the last scrolls, and built a church on the site.
The last known member of the museum was the mathematician and astronomer Theon—Hypatia’s father.
Some of Theon’s writing has survived. His commentary (a copy of a classical work that incorporates explanatory notes) on Euclid’s Elements was the only known version of that cardinal work on geometry until the 19th century. But little is known about his and Hypatia’s family life. Even Hypatia’s date of birth is contested—scholars long held that she was born in 370 but modern historians believe 350 to be more likely. The identity of her mother is a complete mystery, and Hypatia may have had a brother, Epiphanius, though he may have been only Theon’s favorite pupil.
Theon taught mathematics and astronomy to his daughter, and she collaborated on some of his commentaries. It is thought that Book III of Theon’s version of Ptolemy’s Almagest—the treatise that established the Earth-centric model for the universe that wouldn’t be overturned until the time of Copernicus and Galileo—was actually the work of Hypatia.
She was a mathematician and astronomer in her own right, writing commentaries of her own and teaching a succession of students from her home. Letters from one of these students, Synesius, indicate that these lessons included how to design an astrolabe, a kind of portable astronomical calculator that would be used until the 19th century.
Beyond her father’s areas of expertise, Hypatia established herself as a philosopher in what is now known as the Neoplatonic school, a belief system in which everything emanates from the One. (Her student Synesius would become a bishop in the Christian church and incorporate Neoplatonic principles into the doctrine of the Trinity.) Her public lectures were popular and drew crowds. “Donning [the robe of a scholar], the lady made appearances around the center of the city, expounding in public to those willing to listen on Plato or Aristotle,” the philosopher Damascius wrote after her death.
Hypatia took full advantage of this, slowly overpassing her father’s legacy. She founded the Neoplatonic school in Alexandria and tutored young men from across the empire. She integrated the teachings of Plato with mystic philosophical ideas. She believed that maths was the language of the universe, and linked her mathematical lens on the cosmos to the ordered harmony of music. Hypatia also taught her students about an indivisible source of the universe transcending the reality which we see, called the One. Aside from the mystic side to her teaching, she invented a calculator called the astrolabe – used up until the 19th century.
This community may consist of individuals who have discovered Wicca through personal exploration or who have migrated to Alexandria from other regions. In Alexandria, Wiccans may come together to perform rituals and celebrate seasonal festivals. These gatherings might take place in private homes, public parks, or rented spaces. The rituals could involve elements such as casting circles, chanting, and spellwork, all aimed at connecting with the divine and harnessing natural energies. The Wiccan community in Alexandria may also organize events and workshops to educate others about their beliefs and practices. These events could be open to the public and serve as an opportunity for people to learn more about Wicca and interact with the local Wiccan community. It is important to note that Wicca, like any other religious or spiritual practice, can vary greatly from individual to individual. Therefore, the practices and beliefs of Wiccans in Alexandria may differ from those in other parts of the world. Overall, while Wicca may not have ancient roots in Alexandria, it is possible that there is a thriving community of Wiccans in the city who gather to celebrate their beliefs and connect with like-minded individuals..
Reviews for "The Great Goddess in Wicca: Alexandria's Divine Feminine"
- John - 1 star
I found "Wicca in Alexandria" to be extremely shallow and lacking substance. The author barely scratched the surface of Wiccan practices and failed to provide any meaningful insights or depth. The writing style was amateurish, and the information provided was both repetitive and basic. Overall, I was highly disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of Wicca.
- Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was looking forward to reading "Wicca in Alexandria" to gain new perspectives and insights. However, this book fell short of my expectations. The author made sweeping generalizations and relied heavily on stereotypes, which inaccurately represented the modern Wiccan community. The information provided was oversimplified and lacked nuance, making it difficult for experienced practitioners to find anything of value. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a genuine understanding of Wicca.
- Michael - 1 star
"Wicca in Alexandria" was a complete disappointment. The author seemed to have a shallow understanding of Wicca and failed to engage with the subject matter in a meaningful way. Additionally, the book was poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. The information provided was basic and lacked any real depth or substance. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of Wicca.