What is Wicca?

But we will certainly perform every word that is gone forth out of our mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink-offerings unto her, as we have done, we and our fathers, our kings and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem; for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil. But since we left off burning incense to the queen of heaven, and pouring out drink-offerings unto her, we have wanted all things, and have been consumed by the sword and by the famine. (Jer. 44:17-18).
And so it has happened in the Western world. Europe and the Americas used to be solid Christian societies, prosperous and having "plenty of victuals". Now, we want everything.


  The foundation of the New Age Movement was laid by a certain Helena Platovna Blavatsky and her Theosophical Society, founded in 1875, as a continuation of a century of Freemasonry. Her vision was to unite all religions and crush all "monotheists" into subordinance. Madame Blavatsky's source of information regarding this "new truth" was derived from the "Ascended Masters", spirits from the realm of the underworld. She revealed some parts of her philosophy in her various books, where a profound hatred of Christianity was expressed and "New Age Mentality" exalted.
   Madame Blavatsky became the founder of the 20th century Neo-paganism through her various teachings (that is, lessons from the "Masters"), including her book Isis Unveiled, where she re-introduced the ancient worship of female goddesses. Indeed, there is but one worshipped goddess, revealed through various faces and names, dating her worship from time immemorial. Today, one of the most apparent manifestation of her worship is through witchcraft (Image: the pentagram, the sign of witchcraft), both male (wicca) and female (wicce). A Witch is a person, male or female, who holds Pagan beliefs, and who also, through various performances, participates in the Divinity of the world by working magic.
  Witchcraft teaches that man is a microcosm, the ruler of nature, and the potential master of all thing. The Pentagram (image) with one of its points projecting upwards is imagined in Witchcraft as a man's body with arms and legs extended, and is a symbol of the dominance of the divine spirit. It is used as a magical weapon for invoking good influences and keeps the evil spirits away, say those who practice white magic (Wicca).
  Witches were not a medieval phenomena, hidden in obscurity since the witch hunts and the burning stakes. No! Witches are alive and well today. There exists, for example, the Covenant of the Goddess: "an international organization of co-operating, autonomous Wiccan congregations and solo practitioners." But what is its background? The COG tells us its story:
 
In the 1970's there was a marked rise of interest in Witchcraft not only in the United States, but throughout the world, reflecting a growing feminist awareness and global concern for the environment. In the Spring of 1975, a number of Wiccan elders from diverse traditions, all sharing he idea of forming a religious organization for all practitioners of Witchcraft, gathered to draft a "covenant" among themselves. These representatives also drafted bylaws to administer this new organization now known as the Covenant of the Goddess. At the 1975 Summer Solstice, the bylaws were ratified by thirteen member congregations (or covens). The Covenant of the Goddess was incorporated as a nonprofit religious organization on October 31st, 1975.
Feminism, secular and even political, was one of the major factors in the rise of (image: the COG logo) witchcraft. Of course we cannot either forget feminist theology, which replaces male God with a feminine counterpart, just as does Goddess worship and Neo-paganism.
  The COG, which is a legal religion and fully registered in the US, categorizes itself within the Neo-paganist movement and the Wiccan, which is an important part of its rituals and practices. The basic philosophy of Wiccan (Witchcraft) is the following:
 

Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking (re-ligio) with the life-force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars and space beyond. In city apartments, in suburban backyards, in country glades, groups of women and men meet on the new and full moons and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods, including the Triple Goddess of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the Horned God of the sun and animal life, as visualizations of immanent nature.

The European counterpart of the COS is The Pagan Federation, founded in 1971, which "works to make Paganism accessible to people genuinely seeking a nature-based spiritual path." It continues:
Paganism is a spiritual way of life which has its roots in the ancient nature religions of the world. It is principally rooted in the old religions of Europe, though many adherents also find great worth in the indigenous beliefs of other countries. We celebrate the sanctity of Nature, recognising the Divine in all things; the vast, unknowable spirit that runs through the universe, both seen and unseen.

The PF has published its official organ Pagan Dawn (formerly The Wiccan) since 1968. Stationed in London, it has connection with various other New Age movements in Britain, spreading rapidly. Similar organizations have also appeared all over Western Europe and Canada since the dawn of the '68 generation's occult activities. Finally we quote from one of the wiccas and pagans homepages:
Pagans often say to one another, "Thou art Goddess" or "Thou art God," acknowledging the divinity within each other, the respect it deserves, and the responsibility that it entails.

Sabbats

Witches have eight major holidays, called "Sabbats":

   Beltane (April 30/May 1)

A celebration of the joy of life. The Maypole planted in the Earth symbolizes the union of the God and the Goddess. The Goddess' half of the year, characterized by energy and creativity, begins.

   Litha (Summer Solstice)

Recognition of the need for us to participate in the Divine workings of the Earth through work and cooperation. Competitive games offer gaudy prizes such as leaf crowns, a song composed in one's honour, or a seat at the head table at a feast, and show the community whose abilities can be counted on.

   Lammas/Lughnassadh (July 31/August 1)

Celebration of the first harvest, the baking of the first bread with the current year's grain; gratitude to the living beings from wheat to cattle who feed us and keep us healthy.

   Mabon (Autumn Equinox)

Recognition of the balance between light and dark, and of our
accomplishments and lessons learned during the summer. Thanks are given to the Earth, often in the form of "libations" (food and drink offered to the Earth and Her creatures).

   Samhain (October 31/November1)

Reverence and respect for death, and for all passage that prevents stagnation. Ancestors and other beloved dead are honored at this time. The God's half of the year, characterized by introspection and transformation, begins.

   Yule (Winter Solstice)

Celebration of hearth and hope, with much feasting, singing,
dancing, and exchanging of gifts. Symbols of the enduring nature of life and the reborn sun, such as evergreen branches and gold garlands, decorate the home. Some Pagans burn a liquor-soaked "Yule log" representing the winter, whose dominion is broken by the return of the sun.

   Imbolc/Brigid (February 2 or thereabouts)

A fire festival, replete with solar imagery and candles, encouraging the return of the Spring and getting people "fired up" for planting season. Much healing magic is worked at this time, to strengthen bodies and spirits weakened by winter.

   Ostara (Spring Equinox)

A celebration of the return of fertility to animals, fields, hopes, and dreams. A time to look forward to the coming year and to decide what to sow so as to reap the desired harvest. Sweethearts often propose "handfasting" (marriage) at this time.



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Also see: Pagan Symbolism


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