What is Wicca? || Is it the right Pagan Path for You?

Wicca is a neo Pagan, earth-based religion.  While it is inspired by earlier European Pagan societies, it does not try to replicate those society’s beliefs.  This is probably the main difference between Wicca and Pagan Reconstructionism, which uses archeological and literary sources to attempt to piece together ancient Pagan religious beliefs and practices. 

Wicca is also unique in that it includes a heavy emphasis on Witchcraft & Western occultism.  While other Pagan branches may occasionally incorporate aspects of witchcraft, in Wicca witchcraft really takes center stage as one of the main ways wiccans practice and celebrate their religion.  It’s important to note that Wicca and witchcraft are not the same.  Witchcraft is an action whereas Wicca is an actual religion. 

So if Wicca is a new religion, where did it come from?

Wicca was developed in England and introduced to the public in 1954 by a man named Gerald Gardner.  Gerald Garner combined his interests in hermeticism, Druidry, and various esoteric secret societies to develop a core set of beliefs and practices that make up what we now call Wicca.  

The Beliefs of Wicca

There are two main deities called the Lord and the Lady or the Great Goddess and the Horned God that are at the core of Wiccan ritual and beliefs.  Some Wiccans view the Lord and Lady as a combination or representation of many different Gods and Goddesses from the various Pagan Pantheons.  Some Wiccans may also choose a specific God or Goddess, called a Patron, to help guide them on their spiritual journey. 

When it comes to morality, many but not all Wiccans follow something called the Wiccan rede, which states you are free to do as you wish as long as it harms none.  As witchcraft is usually an essential component of Wiccan practice, those that adhere to the Wiccan rede usually do not do curses or baneful magic.  This is also one of the main differences between Wicca and traditional witchcraft.

Wicca also does not have much of a focus on the afterlife, which makes it quite a bit different from many mainstream religions.  Wicca, like many Pagan traditions, instead focuses its energy on the celebration of life and the various cycles within nature. Wicca specifically celebrates the cycles of the moon and the seasons.  Many Wiccans honor each full moon in a celebration known as an Esbat and they may also incorporate the new moon and other moon phases into various ritual work and spellwork.  

Wiccans also usually celebrate 8 holidays called the sabbats which occur on the solstices, equinoxes and the 4 points in between.  These holidays make up what is known as the wheel of the year.  Each of these holidays celebrates the seasonality of that particular time of year and certain sabbats are also often associated with specific Gods and Goddesses. 

Like all religions, Wicca has evolved and changed considerably over time.  Wicca tends to be divided into a number of different secs and lineages.  These are usually referred to as traditions, and each has its own organizational structure, ritual formats, and ways of practicing the faith.  This type of decentralization is both a positive and a negative.  On the one hand, this means that there are many various Wiccan traditions, such Gardinarian, Alexandrian, or Eclectic that you can choose from.  This gives you as a seeker a lot of options to find a path and a group that you really connect with. On the other hand, because there is no central authority it becomes difficult to define what is and what is not Wiccan belief and what the qualifications are for calling yourself a Wiccan. 

The advent of the internet has sped up the evolution of Wicca so that a Wiccan witch in their 60s may have little in common in terms of belief and practice with a Wiccan witch in their 20s.  Despite this generational divide, Wicca as a whole has been expanding in popularity and each year it seems like more and more individuals are interested in learning about this religion. 

Is this pagan path is for you? 

Firstly, I think this is a great path to follow if you are looking for community or a mentor.  Wicca is probably the most popular of the pagan paths, which means you’re likely to find fellow Wiccans in your area that you can learn from and practice your religion with.  Wicca also gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to community so if you like an organized, hierarchical structure you can join something like Gardinarian coven, or if you like to practice alone and draw from different traditions, you could become a solitary eclectic Wiccan.  

This religion is also great for anyone who has always been fascinated with spellwork and wants to deepen their connection to the more esoteric powers that may exist within the world.  Becoming Wiccan usually means developing a knowledge base of herbs, astrological correspondences, sacred symbolism, and various western Esoteric ritual practices.  So if you are fascinated by any of these topics then Wicca may be a good path for you.  And of course keep in mind that there is no one rulebook or leader to dictate what Wicca is or is not.  Like many things it’s most likely going to continue to develop as mainstream society continues to evolve and change. 

Next, let me know your thoughts.  Are you currently following this pagan path or are you interested in learning more about Wicca?  And what about this path do you find the most appealing? I’m looking forward to reading all your thoughts and questions in the comments.