Wiccan rituals are filled with symbolism that is deeply meaningful to practitioners. These rituals are not simply ceremonial acts, but rather they serve as a way to connect with the divine and tap into the power of nature. Understanding the symbolism behind these rituals can help outsiders gain a deeper appreciation for the religion and its practices. One of the main symbols used in Wiccan rituals is the pentagram, a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. This symbol represents the five elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit - and their interconnectedness. The points of the pentagram also represent different aspects of life, such as love, power, wisdom, and self.
“He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord’s house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz.” (Ezekiel 8:13-14)
To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity now far sunk in idolatry in this as in so many other things, to shake hands. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;.
The points of the pentagram also represent different aspects of life, such as love, power, wisdom, and self. The pentagram is often drawn or placed on the altar during rituals as a way to invoke these elemental energies and focus the practitioner's intent. Candles are another important symbol in Wiccan rituals.
Is Ash Wednesday a Pagan Holiday?
Many Christians are starting to question these “religious” holidays that they are having to pay for, which is the normal origin of their questioning. “Why am I paying for this holiday?” “Where did this holiday come from?” Sounds cynical, I’m sure, but that seems to be the order in which these, so called, Christians question whether something is actually biblical or not. Well, I am sorry to inform you but Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, Lent AND Easter are all satan worship. I’m sure some of you just spit out your coffee, but sadly it is true. Read to the end of this article and you’ll find the real origin of these. Also, if you’re at all NOT convinced, you have nothing more than to open your own bible and read.
People are going to churches all over the land and getting ashes placed on their foreheads and have no idea what it means, nor where it came from. Nowhere in the Bible does it say any Rabbi or priest put an ash cross on someone’s forehead. Go look it up. It is satanic in origin, as is Lent and Easter. Some people might mistake the message of Christianity in general with the Lent observance of “giving up something” with repentance. The two are not the same. And, if you’re a Christian only during Lent, then what does that say about you? Let’s get to the proof, shall we?
Pagan Origin
The forty days’ abstinence of Lent was directly borrowed from the worshippers of the Babylonian goddess. Such a Lent of forty days, “in the spring of the year,” is still observed by the Yezidis or Pagan Devil-worshippers of Koordistan, who have inherited it from their early masters, the Babylonians. Such a Lent of forty days was held in spring by the Pagan Mexicans, for thus we read in Humboldt, where he gives account of Mexican observances: “Three days after the vernal equinox…began a solemn fast of forty days in honour of the sun.” Such a Lent of forty days was observed in Egypt, as may be seen on consulting Wilkinson’s Egyptians. This Egyptian Lent of forty days, we are informed by Landseer, in his Sabean Researches, was held expressly in commemoration of Adonis or Osiris, the great mediatorial god. At the same time, the rape of Proserpine seems to have been commemorated, and in a similar manner; for Julius Firmicus informs us that, for “forty nights” the “wailing for Proserpine” continued; and from Arnobius we learn that the fast which the Pagans observed, called “Castus” or the “sacred” fast, was, by the Christians in his time, believed to have been primarily in imitation of the long fast of Ceres, when for many days she determinedly refused to eat on account of her “excess of sorrow,” that is, on account of the loss of her daughter Proserpine, when carried away by Pluto…
Among the Pagans this Lent seems to have been an indispensable preliminary to the great annual festival in commemoration of the death and resurrection of Tammuz, which was celebrated by alternate weeping and rejoicing, and which, in many countries, was considerably later than the Christian festival, being observed in Palestine and Assyria in June, therefore called the “month of Tammuz”; in Egypt, about the middle of May, and in Britain, some time in April. To conciliate the Pagans to nominal Christianity, Rome, pursuing its usual policy, took measures to get the Christian and Pagan festivals amalgamated, and, by a complicated but skilful adjustment of the calendar, it was found no difficult matter, in general, to get Paganism and Christianity–now far sunk in idolatry–in this as in so many other things, to shake hands…
Let any one only read the atrocities that were commemorated during the “sacred fast” or Pagan Lent, as described by Arnobius and Clemens Alexandrinus, and surely he must blush for the Christianity of those who, with the full knowledge of all these abominations, “went down to Egypt for help” to stir up the languid devotion of the degenerate Church, and who could find no more excellent way to “revive” it, than by borrowing from so polluted a source; the absurdities and abominations connected with which the early Christian writers had held up to scorn. That Christians should ever think of introducing the Pagan abstinence of Lent was a sign of evil; it showed how low they had sunk, and it was also a cause of evil; it inevitably led to deeper degradation. Originally, even in Rome, Lent, with the preceding revelries of the Carnival, was entirely unknown; and even when fasting before the Christian Pasch was held to be necessary, it was by slow steps that, in this respect, it came to conform with the ritual of Paganism. What may have been the period of fasting in the Roman Church before sitting of the Nicene Council does not very clearly appear, but for a considerable period after that Council, we have distinct evidence that it did not exceed three weeks (Hislop A. Two Babylons. pp. 104-106).
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
Each color of candle is associated with a different intention or purpose, such as red for passion, green for abundance, or white for purity and protection. Lighting these candles during a ritual helps to set the desired atmosphere and draw in specific energies. The candle flame itself is seen as a representation of the element of fire and its transformative power. In addition to these physical symbols, there are also many gestures and movements that hold symbolic meaning in Wiccan rituals. The act of casting a circle, for example, creates a sacred space and signifies the separation of the mundane world from the spiritual realm. This is often done by walking around the designated ritual area, either clockwise or counterclockwise, and visualizing a protective barrier being formed. Another important gesture is the raising of energy, which involves the practitioners gathering and directing energy through their bodies. This can be done through dance, chanting, or other methods. The purpose of raising energy is to charge and empower spells or rituals. It is believed that the energy raised during these rituals is not only personal energy, but also the elemental and cosmic energies that flow through all living things. Overall, Wiccan rituals are a rich tapestry of symbolism that serves to deepen the connection between practitioners and the divine. Understanding the significance of these symbols can provide insight into the beliefs and practices of Wicca, while also highlighting the universal themes of spirituality and interconnectedness found in many religions..
Reviews for "The Art of Symbolism: Deciphering the Rituals of Wicca"
- Claire - 2 stars - I was really excited to learn more about Wiccan rituals and their symbolism, but this book was a big disappointment. The author made the subject matter unnecessarily complicated and used a lot of jargon that was difficult to follow. I was hoping for a beginner-friendly guide, but instead, I felt like I was reading a textbook. It was hard to stay engaged and the information presented was not very clear. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone new to Wicca or looking for a straightforward explanation of symbolism in rituals.
- Michael - 1 star - This book completely missed the mark. Not only was the content confusing and convoluted, but the explanations of symbolism in Wiccan rituals were insufficient and left me with more questions than answers. The author seemed more concerned with showcasing their own knowledge and intelligence, rather than providing a practical understanding for readers. The book also lacked clear organization and structure, making it hard to follow along. Save your money and look for another resource if you're interested in learning about Wiccan symbolism.
- Samantha - 2 stars - I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any sense of enthusiasm or passion for the subject. This made it difficult to stay engaged and interested in the content. Additionally, the book jumped around from topic to topic without providing a clear flow or structure. It felt like a haphazard collection of information rather than a well-thought-out exploration of Wiccan symbolism. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and informative read on the topic.