The Wiccan faith is a modern pagan religion that emerged in the mid-20th century, drawing inspiration from ancient pagan practices and beliefs. Wiccans worship the Earth and its cycles, with a strong emphasis on nature and the elements. They believe in the existence of a divine power, often referred to as the Goddess and the God, who are seen as the embodiment of feminine and masculine energy. Wiccans celebrate the phases of the moon and the changing seasons, believing that these cycles have a direct influence on human lives. Central to the Wiccan faith is the idea of magic; Wiccans believe in the power of ritual and spell work to effect change in their lives. They often perform ceremonies known as "Wiccan rites" or "sabbats" to honor and connect with the divine.
WEBSITES ON WICCA
One of the more unfortunate things that Wiccans must do when explaining their religion and spirituality is to define what they are not , meaning that they must explain they are not Satanists, devil-worshipers, or baby-killers. One of the more unfortunate things that Wiccans must do when explaining their religion and spirituality is to define what they are not , meaning that they must explain they are not Satanists, devil-worshipers, or baby-killers.
They often perform ceremonies known as "Wiccan rites" or "sabbats" to honor and connect with the divine. These rituals can involve chanting, dancing, and the use of symbolic objects such as crystals, candles, and herbs. Another important aspect of Wicca is ethics.
What is the Wiccan faith
The Old Religion: Websites on Wicca
Celebration of nature is central to the practice of Wicca, a contemporary religion that reconstructs pre-Christian religions of Europe and combines them with the modern sensibilities of self-improvement and creativity. Often referred to as The Old Religion, Wicca is a life-affirming, polytheistic religion that borrows from many traditions, and one may find a number of diverse influences in the practice of Wicca, including New Age philosophies, Buddhist, Hindu, Native American, Christian, and other traditions. The central beliefs in Wicca are gender equality, reverence for nature, and a creative sense of the Divine that manifests itself as God and Goddess. There are no scriptures and laws in Wicca other than a guiding principle called The Wiccan Rede.
The Rede is "An it harm none, do what ye will," which implies both freedom and responsibility. Coupled with the Three-Fold Law - which states that every action good or bad returns to the person three-fold - the Rede guides the actions of Wicca practitioners.
There are as many traditions and practices of Wicca as there are Wiccans. The absence of scriptures and proscribed behavior creates a wildly diverse spiritual community that actively disavows codification. The term "witch" is also used for Wicca. Many Wiccans use witch and witchcraft interchangeably with Wicca, and others make distinctions between the practice of Wicca and the practice of witchcraft. Many Wiccans disavow the word witch because of the historical witch-hunts and the ugly old witch of Halloween. One of the more unfortunate things that Wiccans must do when explaining their religion and spirituality is to define what they are not , meaning that they must explain they are not Satanists, devil-worshipers, or baby-killers.
GENERAL RELIGION WEBSITES
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
URL: http://www.religioustolerance.org
Developed and Maintained by: Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, self-described as 2 Unitarian-Universalists, 1 Wiccan and 1 unaffiliated Christian
Last updated: 1997. [Editor's note: Site updated daily, per email from Bruce Robinson of the organization, 11/6/2005.]
A SourceBook for Earth's Community of Religions
URL: http://www.silcom.com/~origin/csb2.html
Developed and maintained by : Joel Beversluis
Last updated:
These two websites contain information about all of the world's religions, including Wicca and the neo-pagan movement. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance provides a well-organized, graphically pleasing website with articles on all religions. The article on Witchcraft and Wicca is divided into several parts including history, beliefs, practices, and questions. (Ancillary to this, the article on Satanism provides clear information on that religion, avoiding sensationalism.) All articles have very good bibliographies, using both print and Web resources.
A SourceBook for the Earth's Community of Religions provides entries on all religions, written by practitioners of those spiritual practices. The author of the article on Wicca is a prominent member of the Wiccan Community, past president of the Covenant of the Goddess, and her article is well-written and informative. There is contact information at the end of the article, but the listing is very small and does not reflect the diversity of Wiccan practice.
WEBSITES ON WICCA
Arachne's Web
URL: http://www.cascade.net/arachne.html
Developed and Maintained by: Carrie Carolin
Last updated: 1988.
COGWEB: The Covenant of the Goddess
URL: http://www.cog.org
Developed and Maintained by: The CoG organization
Last updated: ??
The Witches' Voice: A News and Education Network
URL: http://www.witchvox.com
Developed and Maintained by: Wren Walker and Fritz Jung
Last updated: November 1998
Arachne's Web is a resource site, providing over nine hundred links to web pages on a variety of neo-pagan and wiccan issues. It is a simple, well-organized page that divides the information into clear categories, including Druids, Webrings & Other Information, Wicca Information and Education, Wiccan Personal Pages, Goddesses & Gods, Myths & Mythology, Holidays, Magick, and other topics. The page is well-maintained, with the links working effectively. Some of the links have a "recommended" note, but otherwise the websites linked to this page are not evaluated. The site is a very useful link to the diversity of the online Wiccan community.
The Covenant of the Goddess (CoG) is one of the oldest Wiccan organizations in North America. CoG is "an international organization of cooperating, autonomous Wiccan congregations and solo practitioners." The web page is easy to navigate and divided into six parts: What's new; Information about CoG; Special Projects; CoG Local Councils and Activities; About Our Religion; and Other Organizations. The section "About Our Religion" provides very good essays on basic beliefs, frequently asked questions (FAQ), general practices, holidays, and a selective bibliography. The FAQ, in particular, is very well done and informative. The bibliography is a good selection of the most influential books about Wicca.
The Witches' Voice is a very comprehensive web page with a much-needed site map. The page is designed to be a networking and education website for practitioners, with a great deal of information, well-written and well-researched. There is information on issues facing Wiccans, such as discrimination, child custody, religious education for teens, integrity, and more. A networking page lists groups, individuals, and shops by state. Another page offers a series of lesson plans for teachers. There's information for newcomers to the religion, as well as information for more experienced practitioners. All the links work effectively on the very well-organized links page. A White Page section carries sample press releases on a variety of issues including Wiccan awareness, child custody, and teens in Wicca. Some of the design and color choices make reading and printing a problem. Nevertheless, this is an extraordinary collection of information.
Naturally, this short review provides only a beginning introduction to web-based information on Wicca. The websites mentioned give an informative view of Wicca with links to many other places for information and networking.
[ Gail Wood is the Director of Libraries at the State University of New York College at Cortland, located in Central New York. Her spiritual journey has included fundamental Christianity, goddess spirituality, and Wicca. She has been a practitioner and priestess of Wicca for fifteen years. ]
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A SourceBook for the Earth's Community of Religions provides entries on all religions, written by practitioners of those spiritual practices. The author of the article on Wicca is a prominent member of the Wiccan Community, past president of the Covenant of the Goddess, and her article is well-written and informative. There is contact information at the end of the article, but the listing is very small and does not reflect the diversity of Wiccan practice.
Wiccans follow a moral code known as the Wiccan Rede, which states "An it harm none, do as ye will." This principle encourages Wiccans to act responsibly and to consider the consequences of their actions on themselves and others. Wicca is a decentralized religion, meaning that there is no central authority or hierarchy. Instead, Wiccans often gather in small groups known as covens or practice as solitaries. They have freedom in crafting their own spiritual practices within the framework of Wiccan beliefs. It is important to note that Wicca is often misunderstood and confused with witchcraft, which may incorporate elements of Wiccan beliefs but is not synonymous with Wicca. While some Wiccans identify as witches and practice witchcraft, not all Wiccans consider themselves witches, and not all witches practice Wicca. Overall, the Wiccan faith is a nature-based pagan religion that honors and reveres the Earth and its cycles. It places emphasis on ritual, magic, and living in harmony with nature. With its focus on personal responsibility and individual spiritual practice, Wicca offers a unique and diverse path for those seeking connection with the divine..
Reviews for "Wicca and the Law: Navigating Religious Rights and Legal Challenges"
1) John - 2 stars
I found "What is the Wiccan Faith" to be highly disappointing. The book lacks depth and fails to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. It feels like a surface-level introduction with no substantial information. Furthermore, the writing style is dry and monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough exploration of the Wiccan faith.
2) Sarah - 1 star
"What is the Wiccan Faith" is a complete waste of time. The author presents a distorted and inaccurate depiction of Wicca, often confusing it with other pagan practices. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the faith, but instead, I found myself even more confused and frustrated. The book lacks proper research and fails to provide any meaningful insights into the Wiccan belief system. Save yourself the trouble and look for a better resource.
3) Michael - 2 stars
I was highly disappointed with "What is the Wiccan Faith." The author's biased perspective shines through, making it difficult to trust the accuracy of the information presented. The book lacks a balanced approach and fails to address the complexity and diversity within the Wiccan faith. It feels more like a personal opinion piece rather than an informative guide. I would encourage readers to seek alternative resources for a more objective and comprehensive understanding of Wicca.
4) Emily - 2 stars
"What is the Wiccan Faith" did not meet my expectations at all. The content is shallow and overly simplified, leaving readers with only a superficial understanding of the Wiccan faith. The book's explanations are vague and lack the necessary depth to truly grasp the concepts and practices associated with Wicca. It feels like a missed opportunity to provide valuable insights into this rich and complex belief system. I would recommend exploring other sources if you genuinely want to learn about Wicca.