Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that was developed in the early 20th century. The nature of a Wiccan is multifaceted, encompassing various beliefs, practices, and principles. At its core, Wicca is a nature-based religion that reveres the earth and its cycles. Wiccans see the natural world as sacred and view themselves as a part of it. They believe in the existence of multiple deities, both masculine and feminine, and often worship a goddess and god who represent different aspects of divinity. These deities are seen as immanent and imbibed with the energy of the earth.
These deities are seen as immanent and imbibed with the energy of the earth. Wiccans believe in practicing magic, which they see as a way to harness and manipulate natural energies for positive purposes. They use rituals, spells, and divination to connect with the spiritual realm and influence events through their intentions.
Wicca: A Nature Based Religion
An illustration of a witch, a figure that was commonly perceived as evil by early Christians in Europe. Due to this belief, witches inspired the iconic Halloween figure.
Autumn is marked by many things: pretty leaves, sweaters, and pumpkin spice lattes. Most of all, fall brings to light Halloween, a holiday full of trick-or-treat-ers, pumpkins, horror movies and scary stories. However, some of the ideas associated with Halloween make things a little more difficult for certain groups of people. Wicca, a nature-based religion, is often thought of as a cult linked to Satanism, as most Wiccans call themselves witches, but this is not the case and rather a stereotype of witches and the occult.
Wicca, a religion recognized by countries such as the U.S. and Canada, is mainly composed of common pre-Christian beliefs from Northwestern Europe. While it is similar to witchcraft, Wicca is not the same since it is officially recognized as a religion while witchcraft is not. Thought of as a pantheistic (the belief that god is the universe and is a part of everything, similar to Animism) or polytheistic religion, Wicca is mostly tied to the concept that god is a part of every natural part of the universe (such as mountains, rivers, stars, trees) and that the universe is beautiful and therefore we should take care of it.
All Wiccans also live by the Wiccan Rede, the saying, “ An it harm none, do as ye will ”, which essentially translates to “as long as you’re not hurting anyone, then you can do as you want.” This lays out the foundation for a Wiccan lifestyle, as many Wiccans try to take care of the earth and indulge in veganism as to not hurt anything that god has created. Since Wicca is a very individualized religion, many aspects can be interpreted differently. For instance, some witches (whether male, female or non-binary, since they are all referred to as a witch in Wicca) will choose to delve into magic and perform spells, while others choose not. In no way are Wiccans allowed to cast spells that can cause harm to others, but some may choose to use magic in their everyday lives. As Wicca is extremely self-driven, Wiccans do not take on the role of a missionary or try to force their religion onto others. Wiccans are instead very accepting and take on the position of role models so that they may influence others to treat the earth with more kindness.
When Halloween approaches this year, rather than adhering to the stereotypical beliefs that people have around the holiday’s traditions and witches in general, try to take on a new perspective. Samhain, as Halloween is known in Wicca, is a holiday to celebrate Autumn and the passing of another year. While some typical Halloween traditions are part of Wiccan culture, many aspects are not and instead try to appreciate nature and Wiccan ancestors. As 2020 has marked a time in our history of overcoming racial injustice and all forms of discrimination, we could continue to look for the best in people and see what makes up a huge part in their life. Wiccans are just like any other person and deserve for their religion to be validated and respected. The various aspects of Wicca teach us to love others and the Earth alternatively than to continue on the vicious path of hatred. So this year, let’s break the stereotypes and cherish what our surroundings have to offer.
However, Wiccan magic is not seen as supernatural or supernatural intervention, but rather as a partnership with the natural forces of the universe. One of the key principles of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which states, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This essentially means that Wiccans are free to do as they please as long as it does no harm to others or themselves. This emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and ethical decision-making within the religion. Wiccans often practice their faith in small groups called covens, although there are also solitary practitioners. Rituals and ceremonies are an integral part of Wiccan practice, and they may involve casting a circle, calling upon specific deities, and performing spells or divination. Wiccan rituals are often tied to natural cycles, such as the phases of the moon or the changing seasons. In summary, the nature of a Wiccan is that of a nature-based religion that reveres the earth, practices magic, and follows principles of personal responsibility and ethical decision-making. They see themselves as part of the natural world, harnessing and manipulating its energies for positive purposes. Wicca is a diverse and individualistic religion, with practitioners often belonging to small groups or practicing in solitude..
Reviews for "The Wheel of the Year: Celebrating Nature's Seasons in Wiccan Tradition"
1. John - 1 star
I found "What is the nature of a wiccan" to be incredibly uninformative and lacking in depth. The book barely scratched the surface of Wiccan beliefs and practices, and it left me feeling like I still had no understanding of what being a Wiccan truly means. The author seemed more focused on personal anecdotes and opinions rather than providing concrete information. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Wicca.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
"What is the nature of a wiccan" failed to meet my expectations. I was hoping for a comprehensive guide to Wicca, but instead, I found the book to be shallow and repetitive. The author repeated the same points and ideas multiple times without providing any new insights. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked engaging storytelling. I believe there are better resources available for those wanting to learn about Wiccan beliefs and practices.
3. Mark - 1 star
As someone with a genuine interest in Wicca, I found "What is the nature of a wiccan" to be a complete letdown. The book lacked any depth or analysis and instead presented a surface-level understanding of Wiccan beliefs. It felt like the author was simply regurgitating information from other sources without adding any personal understanding or perspective. I was hoping for a more intellectual exploration of Wicca, but this book fell short of my expectations.
4. Emma - 2 stars
I was rather disappointed with "What is the nature of a wiccan". The author seemed more interested in promoting their own biased views rather than providing an objective understanding of Wicca. The book lacked a balanced perspective and failed to explore the diverse practices within the Wiccan community. It felt like a personal manifesto rather than an educational resource. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-rounded understanding of Wicca.