Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that dates back to the mid-20th century. It is a belief system focused on nature and its cycles, magic, and various rituals. In Wicca, there is no concrete dogma or doctrine, and therefore, beliefs about the afterlife can vary among practitioners. One common belief in Wicca is that the soul is eternal and that it undergoes a process of reincarnation. This belief draws inspiration from ancient pagan religions and Eastern philosophies. According to this belief, after death, the soul transitions into the Otherworld or Summerland, a realm of rest and reflection.
Paganism
Most Pagans would regard concepts such as salvation or justification as meaningless to their spiritual path. With no transcendent deity who acts as judge and no concept of sin, logically no need for salvation or atonement exists. Incentives to live a good life do not involve pleasing a god or goddess who is exterior to one's self; rather, virtue and honor are their own rewards and one engages in such behavior out of a sense of love and personal pride. Some Pagans accept a simple concept of karma as a way of affirming that a person's behavior, whether good or ill, will ultimately shape his or her future destiny, whether in this life or a future life. However, karma is not seen as a system of reward and punishment (since there is no one at the helm to do the rewarding and the punishing), but rather simply as a law of the way things function in nature - equivalent to the laws of gravity or inertia. Closely aligned to belief in karma is belief in reincarnation, or the recycling of souls. Since the body is "recycled" by decay and decomposition after death, so the soul can be recycled by taking birth in a new form. As a metaphysical belief, not all Pagans accept reincarnation, but many do; those who do, point to ancient Pagan beliefs (for example, Julius Caesar wrote about how the ancient Celtic Druids believed in the transmigration of souls), to the widespread belief in reincarnation within occult and eastern spirituality, and finally to the anecdotal evidence of many individuals who claim to have past-life memories.
- The Summerland - the Wiccan concept of paradise, where one experiences happiness and sensual pleasure. The Summerland can function as a destination between reincarnations (a place of rest and renewal) or as the ultimate destination, when a soul eventually stops reincarnating.
- Tir na n'Og - Literally, the "Land of Youth." In Irish mythology, Tir na n'Og is a blessed realm across the water where souls journey after death. It is a land of continual feasting and joy, without old age, sickness, or death. Perhaps reflecting the sensibilities of the Iron Age culture that gave birth to Celtic myth, it is also a land where the souls of heroic warriors engage in valorous battle.
- Valhalla (Literally, the "Hall of the Slain") and Fólkvangr (literally, "Field of the Host") - Two destinations for the spirits of noble warriors, as recounted in Norse myth. The great warriors who journey to Valhalla and Fólkvangr upon their death will assist the gods in the apocalyptic battle prophesied to occur during Ragnarök, the apocalyptic war that will occur at the end of the age.
- Hades - the underworld in Greek myth, ruled over by a god of the same name. The underworld is the final destination of the souls of the dead; while some descriptions suggest it is a misty and gloomy place, others suggest it is a place of peace, and at least one realm within the underworld, Elysium, is a blessed place destined for the souls of the heroic and the virtuous.
These and other such depictions of otherworldly realms offer insight into the variety of beliefs that various Pagans might hold. Different traditions have teachings that are promoted within their specific community, but no single belief about the afterlife is normative for all.
Because of the freedom with which individuals can form their own opinions after the afterlife, some Pagans choose either to remain agnostic about questions of what happens after death, or even reject all such ideas as mere metaphysical speculation. Since many forms of Paganism are more oriented toward the material world rather than an abstract spiritual world, such a perspective maintains that it is more important to live well in the present than to waste time worrying about what will occur in a future that cannot be controlled anyway.
Study Questions:
1. Do Pagans have a goal of reaching a favorable afterlife? Explain.
2. How do Pagans understand karma? Reincarnation?
3. Describe a few of the various understandings of the destinations to which dead souls will travel.
4. Are Pagans preoccupied with questions of the afterlife? Why or why not?
FAQ About Wicca
Beliefs about the afterlife can vary among Wiccans, as there is no centralized doctrine or dogma that all Wiccans adhere to. Different individuals and traditions within Wicca may hold differing views on the nature of the afterlife.
That being said, many Wiccans do believe in some form of afterlife or continuation of the soul/spirit beyond physical death. The specific beliefs about the afterlife in Wicca can be influenced by various factors, including personal experiences, cultural backgrounds, and individual interpretations.
One common belief is in the concept of reincarnation, where the soul undergoes multiple lives to learn and evolve. Wiccans who adhere to this belief view death as a transition to another life or a period of rest and reflection before the soul is reborn into a new body.
Other Wiccans may hold beliefs about an afterlife realm known as the Summerland. The Summerland is often described as a peaceful, joyous place where souls go after death to rest, reflect, and prepare for their next incarnation or journey. It can be seen as a place of healing, reunion with loved ones, and spiritual growth.
It's important to note that while these beliefs are common within certain Wiccan circles, they are not universally accepted by all Wiccans. Some Wiccans may have differing beliefs about the afterlife, including views influenced by cultural or religious backgrounds outside of Wicca.
Ultimately, the beliefs about the afterlife in Wicca can be diverse and personal, and individuals may develop their own understandings based on their spiritual experiences and interpretations of the divine.
Wicca afterlife
Just as Christians and other religions have their beliefs in an afterlife, so do pagans. Depending on the pagan tradition and even down to the individual, the pagan afterlife will have different names and legends to go along with it. Learn about different ideas of the pagan afterlife and we will answer the question “where do pagans go when they die?”
According to this belief, after death, the soul transitions into the Otherworld or Summerland, a realm of rest and reflection. It is believed that in this realm, the soul undergoes a period of reflection and healing before being reborn into a new body. Reincarnation in Wicca is seen as a chance for spiritual growth and learning.
The Pagan Afterlife
What we’ll cover in this article:
- The Wiccan Summerland
- The Celtic Otherworld
- Norse Pagan Afterlife: Valhalla, Folkvangr and Helheim
- Reincarnation
- Variations in Belief
It is believed that each lifetime presents new opportunities for the soul to evolve and learn important lessons. The concept of karma plays a significant role in this belief, as it is believed that the actions and choices made in each lifetime have consequences that carry over into future incarnations. Some Wiccans also believe in the existence of an afterlife beyond the cycle of reincarnation. This belief suggests that after completing a series of earthly reincarnations and achieving spiritual growth, the soul may ascend to a higher realm, such as the Summerland or the Realm of the Ancestors. In these realms, the soul is said to exist in a state of bliss and continue its journey of learning and evolution. It is important to note that not all Wiccans hold the same beliefs about the afterlife. Wicca is a diverse religion, and each individual practitioner may have their own personal understanding and interpretation of what happens after death. Some may even embrace a more agnostic or atheistic perspective, believing that the focus should be on living in harmony with nature and the present moment rather than speculating about the afterlife. Overall, Wicca offers a range of beliefs and perspectives on the afterlife. Whether it is through the concept of reincarnation or the existence of higher realms, the primary focus in Wicca is on personal spiritual growth and connectedness to nature, rather than a strict dogmatic understanding of the afterlife..
Reviews for "Crossing the Veil: Understanding Wiccan Views on the Threshold between Life and Afterlife"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Wicca afterlife". The story felt disjointed and poorly developed. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. Overall, I found it hard to stay engaged and ultimately unfulfilled by the book.
2. Sarah - 1 star
"Wicca afterlife" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any real substance. The writing style felt amateurish, with repetitive and dull descriptions. The dialogue was unrealistic and forced. It was difficult for me to care about the characters or their fates. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling and well-written story.
3. Michael - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Wicca afterlife" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was weak, leaving me with too many unanswered questions and a lack of understanding about the magical elements introduced. The pacing was slow, dragging on far too long before anything significant happened. The ending was anticlimactic and left me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and not worth the time invested.
4. Emily - 2 stars
"Wicca afterlife" did not live up to the hype for me. The characters were unrelatable and their actions often felt contrived. The story lacked depth and emotional resonance, making it difficult to become invested. I was hoping for a thought-provoking exploration of the afterlife from a Wiccan perspective, but instead, it felt like a surface-level portrayal with no real substance. I would not recommend this book to those looking for a meaningful and engaging read.
5. David - 1 star
I regret wasting my time reading "Wicca afterlife". The writing was clumsy and lacked finesse, making it a struggle to get through. The plot seemed to jump around and lacked coherence, leaving me confused and uninterested. The characters were one-dimensional, with no growth or development throughout the story. Overall, it felt like a poorly executed attempt at a Wiccan-themed novel. I would not recommend this book to anyone.