what is wicca to you?(wiccans and associated beleivers only)y,?
601917
I consider myself Wiccan.  To me, it's an emerging movement that is still in the process of defining itself- initial trends included negative-definition (wicca is defined be what it is not, commonly "'wicca is not christianity' or 'wicca is not devil-worship' etc), non-definition (either because the group is too eclectic to attempt a definition, or out of a desire to maintain a hands-off approach), victim-definition (victimization, or the self-marginalization produced by emphasis on 'burning times' or historical religious persecution; irrelevant to modern practice, but it seems to be a popular method of forging ones identity, and there's alot of rumor-mongering in the pagan community to support this theory), and pseudo-historical-definition (claims to a prehistoric origin, etc).  \n\nNone of these cut it for creating a spiritual identity; Luckily, Wicca is moving away from these, as well as its habit of 'borrowing' (heritage theft, put shortly) and developing its own symbols, myths, jargon, and even deities.  There is getting to be less pressure for validation (via lineage, accounts of intolerance, etc).  Also a good sign- people need to feel confident that they are what they believe they are and not need to defend themselves to other Wiccans.\n\nA fend-for-yourself attitude in regard to dogma might be appealing if we want a truly open and freeform religion, but if Wicca doesn't provide something truly solid for people going through tough or troubled times it will fail as a religion.  Spells and magic aren't enough- Wicca needs to work on developing its philosophy and actually ask some of the harder questions.  But its starting to happen.  I am blessed to be living at a time when my religion is kicking its way out of the universal womb- ten or twenty years from now we'll have the first real generation of Wiccans who were raised in the tradition (current demographics are between 92 and 99% converts).  I look forward to hearing what they have to say about it.\n\nWicca has a few things that have been established- the importance of elemental divisions, duality in divinity, emphasis on systems of correspondences, the Magic Circle as both battery and sacred space.  All good tools; it's a starting point.  There is a current trend of wiccans turning to or creating particular Trads; I think that will continue, because the generic 'wicca' identifier is too big and unwieldy to provide as strong a sense of community.  We hesitate to come up with statements about who we are for fear of leaving some members out- how often do we have to qualify that most wiccans are nature worshippers but some aren't, that most use the god-goddess model but some don't, that some wiccans cast spells but some don't?  I'm all in support of breaking Wicca into smaller sects, so that people can actually feel like they know something about their fellow practitioners.\n\nSo, Wicca is an opportunity for creativity.  No religion can stay undefined for long and still survive, but for now, we are the ones who will help to shape what Wicca becomes.  Tis both an exhilerating and humbling thought.\n\n(NOTE- my ideas of Wicca being in transition are my opinion, and only that- I don't mean to offend people that feel they already have a solid community identity or that come from an actual hereditary tradition that recently adopted the name 'wiccan', or anyone else.  But I'm all about the chaos.  :)
414072
Nope.I'm a witch (that is to say,Wiccan).
254848
Overview:\nDepending upon how you look at Wicca, it is either one of the newest or one of the oldest religions in the world:  Wicca is a recently created, Neopagan religion. The various branches of Wicca can be traced back to Gardnerian Witchcraft which was founded in the UK during the late 1940s. \n Wicca is based on the symbols, seasonal days of celebration, beliefs and deities of ancient Celtic society. Added to this material were Masonic and ceremonial magickal components from recent centuries. In this respect, it is a religion whose roots go back almost three millennia to the formation of Celtic society circa 800 BCE.   \n\nA follower of Wicca is called a Wiccan. Wicca and other Neopagan religions are currently experiencing a rapid growth in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This is seen particularly among some teenagers, who are rejecting what they feel is the autocracy, paternalism, sexism, homophobia, and insensitivity to the environment that forms part of some more traditional religions. Many North Americans of European descent, who are keen to discover their ancestral heritage, are also attracted to this religion.\n\n\n\nAbout deities:\nDepending upon one's point of view, Wicca can be considered a monotheistic, duotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic religion:\n\n Wicca is monotheistic: Some Wiccans recognize a single supreme being, sometimes called "The All" or "The One." The Goddess and God are viewed as the female and male aspects of this single deity. \n Wicca is duotheistic (a.k.a. rarely as bitheistic): Wiccans often worship a female Goddess and a male God., often called the Lady and Lord. \n Wicca is polytheistic: Wiccans recognize the existence of many ancient Gods and Goddesses, including Pan, Diana, Dionysius, Fergus, etc.  \n Wicca is atheistic: Some Wiccans view the God and Goddess as symbols, not living entities. Depending upon which definition of the term "Atheist" that you adopt, these Wiccans may be considered Atheists. \nTerminology:\nTerms relating to Wicca are confusing, as they are with so many other religions:\nWiccans often refer to  themselves as Neopagans. The term "Neopagan" includes all faith groups which are based on attempted reconstruction of ancient, extinct religions. However, not all Neopagans are Wiccans. The umbrella term "Neopagan" includes followers of many other earth-centered faith traditions, like Druidism, and Asatru. \n Wiccans often refer to themselves as Pagans. Unfortunately, this term has at least six different meanings, some of which are rather negative. "Pagan" is often used as a general-purpose snarl word to attack others. In its positive sense, Paganism includes Neopaganism as well as many other religions. \n Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be synonyms.  \n Others differentiate between Wicca, which they view to be a religion, and Witchcraft, which they perceive to be the practice of magick. Under this definition, Witchcraft is not a religion and thus can be performed by members of any religion. \n Most Wiccans practice magick. However, some do not and concentrate on the spirituality of the Wiccan religion. \n\nWicca and Satanism:\n"It seems to be necessary to preface every discussion of Witchcraft with an explanation that, no, Neo-Pagan Witches aren't Satanists. The Christian anti-God, Satan, has no place in Pagan pantheons, either mythologically or theologically." 1\n\nBecause of extensive religious propaganda dating from the late Middle Ages, Wicca has often been linked to Satanism. Wiccan beliefs and practices are no closer to Satanism than they are to Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam.  In fact, Wiccans do not recognize the existence of an all-evil supernatural being similar to the quasi-deity Satan. He is found mainly in Christianity and Islam.\n\nHowever, there are three superficial points of similarity between Satanism and Wicca:\n\n Both use a five pointed star as a symbol. Satan
1151873
Your family is truely blessed!  I am Wiccan and I believe that there is a higher power but it is within each of us.  When I call upon The God and Goddess I feel that I am calling them out of me and out of the universe.  We are all part of the universe and everything in the universe is part of the collective energy that drives everything. \n\nWhatever belief one has is valid.  It doesn't matter what it is as long as it is true to you. I do not think that there is just one true path.  All religions are valid and I think that anyone true to thier faith will reach whatever they aspire to get to.\n\nContinued Blessings!\n)O(
926978
paganism is a huge thing, it simply means anyone not believing in the biblical god, so buddhists, shinto, native american religions, native african religions, aboriginal austrailians, eskimos, as well as wiccans and the followers of the ancient viking traditions are pagan, so which sort of pagan do you want to be? there are thousands of books out there.  drop me a line if you want more info. Blessed Be.
579748
Depends on which branch you're talking about.Some worship both the God and Goddess,some worship just the Goddess, some worship the traditional Greco-Roman Gods,some worship the Norse Gods....It's a long list.I need to know which branch of Wicca you mean.\n*Evidently,static nerdling hasn't heard of eclectic Wicca.The poor girl ought to do more research.*
808657
I have much respect for those following that path.  I like their loyalty to keeping their oaths, their tolerance for other religions, the depth of their studies, and the close relationships that are built between members.  Although not the path for me, I enjoy spending time with my Wiccan friends and I always learn something new from them.
1066813
wont argue... I am with you to an extent... I am Wiccan and it is a very open religion that doesn't judge others or say my way or the high way. And the "gods" and such are guides and things like that not devine intervention crap...
1137226
No, honey, that is not correct.  Wicca is a nature based spiritual path.  We believe that Nature has male and female energies, hence the God and Goddess.  In my path, I have rituals, and what I do, are  offerings to the Goddess.  I don't cast "spells" on people, I don't do "black magic" and I don't sacrifice children, virgins, or pets.
939560
yes definitely.a lot about my own religion ,christianity,islam...and previously i  had no idea what wiccan was all about...now at least i know what it is.
822438
Wiccans are typically nature worshipping or Goddess/God worshipping people who believe that any harm they bring into the universe will be revisted upon themselves. Pagans can be anything from Wiccans to Druids to people who don't believe in a corporeal god. There's tons of info out on the web.
176887
I am very interested in Wicca but the reason there are so many Christian questions on here is because there are so many Christians that have strong beliefs and convictions that they will get on here and state them.  If more believers in Wicca were to post their opinions and beliefs on here, and offered up more information, people would have a chance to understand and talk.  You started out great with your question, but then you too ended it with a nasty comment.  My advice (which you can take or leave) if you want people to be more open to your beliefs, trying being more open to theirs.  You don't have to embrace beliefs, but be open to listening and accepting that is what they feel and believe.  If all religions did that, maybe there wouldn't be so many wars over religious beliefs!
81028
I am Christian and I don't practice magic, but am interested. I do know that this is the holiday which follows the Roman celebration of Winter Solstice, where the days are getting longer and the sun is returning from battle with darkness (so goes the mythology). I have not read much about Imbolgc, though, except that is something about the celebration of the recovery of the Goddess after giving birth to the God. I'll read up more on it. I have a question for you. Have you ever been able to achieve anything with your practice? I've never run into anyone who actually practiced anything other than Wicca, and I'm curious. I'm not actually interested in learning it, just in learning about it and what you've actually been able to do. And is this more than just a fun thing for you. Is it a spirituality of sorts for you? I'm learning about several belief backgrounds and I'd like to learn something from you. I do know a little about alot of religions, but not pagan traditions.
1151142
I'm a Wiccan and I'm here!
569195
A Pagan is anyone who is of a non-Abrahamic religion and self-identifies as a Pagan.  Wiccans and Druids are types of Pagans.  Wicca is a religion "invented" by Gerald Gardner in the late 1940's, and is a hodge-podge of British folklore, occultism, Romanticism and a few other things.  Druidry generally is an attempt at reconstructing the religious beliefs and practices of ancient Celtic peoples (although there are some groups out there which call themselves "Druidic" and are more akin to Wicca or general newage philosophy).\n\nHere are some links:\n\nWicca:\nhttp://mothersmagic.net/\nhttp://wicca.timerift.net/index.html\n\nDruidry:\nhttp://keltria.org/\nhttp://imbas.org/
1000584
At the risk of receiving another letter from an offended practitioner of the Wicca religion, I'll offer this historical and Christian perspective on it with the disclaimer that it does not apply to everyone who calls themself a Wiccan.\n\n\nWicca Spells - What is Wicca?\nWhat is Wicca and what are Wicca spells? While it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs, the Wicca religion, as it is practiced now, is only about 50-years-old. Wicca is a belief system cobbled together in the 1940's and 1950's by Gerald Gardner from a variety of religious traditions and beliefs as well as Freemason rituals. Since Gardner published several books espousing his system of worship, many offshoots and variations of Wicca have sprung up. \n\nThere is no particular agreement between Wiccans, or "wise ones" concerning what they believe and worship. Some worship the "Goddess," some worship the "God," and some worship both. Others worship nature. Some Wiccans say they embrace Christian doctrine, while others reject it. Most promoters of Wicca believe in reincarnation. \n\nOne thing most Wiccans agree on is the fact that Satan is not a part of their pantheon and they vehemently deny Satan-worship as one of their practices. This is because they disavow the notion of moral absolutes. There is no such thing as good or evil, because it is all relative. Wiccans have only one law that they bind themselves to, called "The Rede." It simply states, "Do what ye will, harm ye none." In other words: "Do what ever you want to as long as no one gets hurt." The Three-fold Law governs consequences, and is a law of returns that states, "All good that a person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three-fold." \n\nWicca Spells - Mind Control\nWhat about Wicca spells? Not all Wiccans practice witchcraft (which they call "magick" to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians). Magick is to Wicca what prayer is to Christianity. Wiccans claim that the practice of magick is simply using their minds to control matter, while Christians call upon God to heal people and to intervene and work in their lives. Because the Rede forbids harming others and the Three-fold Law sets forth consequences for those who do, Wiccans view themselves as "white witches" or "nature witches." \n\nWicca is basically a religion that is about minding your own business and living peaceably with your neighbors and environment. Wiccans are eager to draw parallels between themselves and biblical Christianity for the sake of earning credibility, but what does the Bible have to say about this religion? You won't find the word "wicca" in the Bible, so let's evaluate the beliefs in light of what God says about them. \n\nWicca spells are idolism - Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things, rather than the Creator…" Who wants to settle for second best? In Isaiah 40, God paints a very cool picture of how much greater the Creator is than His creation. If you are worshipping anything besides the Creator, you are just spinning your wheels.\n\n\nWicca spells bring false hope - Hebrews 9:27 says, "…Man is destined to die once, after that, to face judgment." God says we get one chance at life, and that is it. There are no do-overs. If we don't accept God's gift of Jesus in our lifetime, He judges us as unwilling to be in His presence, and we are sent to Hell. \n\n\nWicca spells bring disillusionment - Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men". God is God, and we are not. We have a decision to make. Are we going to take God at His word and adopt His worldview, or not? Knowing God is hard work that takes a lot of discipline. Wicca is a religion that takes a pack of lies, ties it in a romantic ribb
98147
Superstition! Which is the belief that one thing affects another, even when it doesnt.\n\nSo, when a pagan/wiccan performs a spell, and the thing they hoped for happens, they think that their spell caused it to happen, and that is, by definition, superstition.