Wicca
Wicca is reported to be one of the fastest growing religions in the United States. This can be a surprising fact since we don’t see witches in black hats running around every day and seldom hear of Wiccans on the news. (In fact the word Wiccan isn’t even being accepted by
my spellcheck at this time). Although we may not be familiar with the Wicca religion we are almost all affected by their worldview in some way or another. Perhaps you have seen bizarre portrayals of it on a primetime show or gathered the basic idea from the movie Practical Magic. But the Wicca worldview, like most, is too complicated to be summed up in a teen soap or a late nineties chick flick. Listed below are the general answers that Wiccans may have to our “worldview questions,” but there are a few important additional notes to be made.
“Wicca is a worldview whose popularity burst onto the pop culture scene in the 1990's, simultaneous (though not necessarily logically related) to postmodernism, and spurred on through film with Practical Magic and the tv hit Charmed. Basic tenets of Wicca can be merged and blended with a number of other worldviews elements, with all being granted equally valid rights to making truth claims. This is one of the reasons for its rapid growth in the past few decades. Of all of the faiths up for grabs, Wicca promotes in an attractive way its flexibility and experience-based ideologies. The Wiccan creed says, "harm none, do as ye will." This creed speaks to a generation that feels harmed and oppressed, as well as predisposed to create individualized, mix-and-match worldview values. As such it shares a common ground with more popular versions of postmodernism, providing a climate ideally suited to Wiccan philosophy.”
The second area in which Wicca resonates with so many people is the issue of the oppression of women. Women who feel oppressed or who look at the oppression in history and today which have resulted from Judeo-Christian beliefs are flocking to a faith centered around a goddess rather than a god; a faith that stresses power-from-within rather than power-over as one of it’s strongest attributes. Leaders of covens and authors of books stress the power of women and the great differences that Wicca has to offer from other more oppressive, patriarchal religions.
Another contributor to the rise of Wicca is the Internet. It may seem odd for such an old earth centered religion to benefit so greatly from modern technology but it has. Because of the stigma often attached with calling one’s self a witch, often it is a very private matter. The Internet makes it very easy for people to be “closet witches” and much easier for teens and other people interested to seek out a mentor or a friend in the faith. There are many virtual covens and an abundance of resources on the Internet that one would not generally find when walking down the street.
One final comment should be made to those theists, especially Christians, interested in befriending a Wiccan. There is great tension between those who are Wiccans and Christians because Christians are considered the theological offspring of those who burned witches whom Wiccans may consider their theological ancestors. Wiccans are often familiar with Christian theology and history through first hand training or stories from within their covens. Conversations can get sticky pretty fast so it is good to remember that sensitivity much be shown concerning the violence done in the name of Christ. Furthermore, Christians and Wiccans can at least agree that the latest Budweiser commercials that objectify and degrade women are a plague on society.
Metaphysics
Belief about God
God is all and all is God and we are in unity with all and therefore are gods ourselves. There is no division of good and evil only that all is a part of a cycle, opposites are a part of a whole not in opposition to each other but rather forces flowing in opposite directions – for a time.
Belief about the world and humanity
Witchcraft does not really deal with the specifics of science or facts of history. The basic legend of creation is that the Goddess, who is not an entity separate from the earth but the force that unites all living, looked into the mirror of space and was so in love with herself that she made love to herself. This love created energy that swelled within her and she gave birth to all beings. This of course is a myth so a Wiccan can believe in evolution or any other solution to the question of origin. Creation is not seen as an event but as a continual process.
Belief about what happens after death
“After death, the human soul is said to rest in 'Summerland,' the Land of Eternal Youth, where it is refreshed, grows young, and it is ready to be born again” (Starhawk, The Spiral Dance). Unlike the eastern religions, however, life is not considered suffering and therefore this reincarnation is not as if someone is stuck on a wheel trying to get off but rather that one is participating in the cycle of all things.
Axiology
Beliefs about purpose
There is no set purpose in life, that is to say something that must be achieved or realized, but there is the idea of freeing oneself. One who holds this view would find it desirable to reach a place of realization that you are divine. Once you understand this it is beneficial to continue seeking your inner power, moral knowledge, creativity, and strength. As one develops this knowledge she or he begins to focus on things without tangibility or monetary value.
Belief about ethics
"Love for life in all its forms is the basic ethic of Witchcraft. Witches are bound to honor and respect all living things, and to serve the life force. While the Craft recognizes that life feeds on life and that we must kill in order to survive, life is never taken needlessly, never squandered or wasted. Serving the life force means working to preserve the diversity of natural life, to prevent the poisoning of the environment and the destruction of species. The world is the manifestation of the Goddess, but nothing in that concept need foster passivity." (Starhawk, Spiral Dance 12).
Epistemology
Wiccan witches generally adhere to what has become known as "The Wiccan Rede" and the three-fold law. These two principles contain the basics of what Witches define as ethical and moral behavior within the Craft and the society in which they live. Wiccans follow a Book of Shadows, which contains the spells, rituals, invocations, dreams, information and personal observations of a witch or group of witches. It is a personal document, written for and by its readers. Wicca is postmodern in that they hold to no one set truth. However, most share beliefs and lifestyles consistent with "The Wiccan Rede" (see below). Following the belief that all things are divine - truth can most readily be found inside one's divine self. This divine self can be reached through altered states of consciences through chants, meditation, possibly a responsible use of substances, or by just being in tune with yourself. There is a high emphasis on creativity and freedom.
The Wiccan Rede (Long form)
(also known as The Rede of the Wiccae and the Witches' Creed)
Generally credited to Doreen Valiente
Hear now the word of the Witches, the secrets we hid in the night,
When dark was our destinys pathway, That now we bring forth in the light.
Mysterious Water and Fire, The Earth and the wide-ranging Air,
By hidden Quintessence we know Them, and we will keep silent and dare.
The birth and rebirth of all Nature, the passing of Winter and Spring,
We share with the life Universal, rejoice in the Magical Ring
Four times in the year the Great Sabbat, returns, and the Witches are seen,
At Lammas and Candelas dancing, on May Eve and old Halloween
When daytime and nighttime are equal, when sun is at greatest and least,
The four lesser Sabbats are summoned, again Witches gather in feast.
Thirteen silver moons in a year are, thirteen is the Covens array,
Thirteen times at Esbat make merry, for each golden year and a day.
The power has passed down the ages, each time between woman and man
Each century unto the other, ere times and the ages began.
When drawn is the Magickal circle, by sword or athame of power,
Its compass between two worlds lies, in the land of shades of that hour.
Our world has no right to know it, and the world beyond will tell naught,
The oldest of Gods are invoked there, the great work of Magic is wrought.
For two are the mystical pillars, that stand at the gate of the shrine,
And two are the powers of Nature, the forms and the forces divine.
And do what thou wilt be the challenge, so be it in love that harms none,
For this is the only commandment, By Magick of old be it done.
Eight words the Witches Rede fulfill:
If it Harms none, Do what Thou Will!
from Witch's Voice
Quotes |
Magic is not a supernatural affair; it is, in Dion Fortune's definition, "the art of changing consciousness at will" -- Spiral Dance p. 18
There are infinite ways to look at the world; the" other vision" frees us from the limits of our culture. Spiral Dance p. 19
The Goddess does not rule the world; She is the world. P. 9
In Witchcraft, each of us must reveal our own truth. Deity is seen in our own forms, whether female or male, because the Goddess has her male aspect. p. 9
The image of the Goddess inspires women to see ourselves as divine, our bodies as sacred, the changing phases of our lives as holy, our aggression as healthy, our anger as purifying, and our power to nurture and create, but also to limit and destroy when necessary, as the very force that sustains all life. Through the Goddess, we can discover our strength, enlighten our minds, own our bodies, and celebrate our emotions. We can move beyond narrow, constricting roles and become whole. P. 9
"Thealogy" [is] a word coined by religious scholar Naomi Goldenburg from "thea," the Greek word for Goddess. p. 11
Creation |
Alone, awesome, complete within Herself the Goddess, She whose name cannot be spoken, floated in the abyss of the outer darkness, before the beginning of all things. And as She looked into the curved mirror of black space, She saw by her own light her radiant reflection, and fell in love with it. She drew it forth by the power that was in Her and made love to Herself and called Her "Miria, the Wonderful." Their ecstasy burst forth in the single song of all that is, was, or ever shall be, and with the song came motion, waves that poured outward and became all the spheres and circles of the worlds. The Goddess became filled with love, swollen with love, and She gave birth to a rain of bright spirits that filled the worlds and became all beings. But in that great movement, Miria was swept away, and as She moved out from the Goddess She became more masculine. First She became the Blue God, the gentle, laughing God of love. Then She became the Green One, vine-covered, rooted in the earth, the spirit of all growing things. At last She became the Homed God, the Hunter whose face is the ruddy sun and yet dark as Death. But always desire draws Him back toward the Goddess, so that He circles Her eternally, seeking to return in love. P. 17
We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been - a place, half-remembered, and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Dreaming the Dark P 92
"If you take the Christian Bible and put it out in the wind and the rain, soon the paper on which the words are printed will disintegrate and the words will be gone. Our bible IS the wind and the rain." Herbalist Carol McGrath as told to her by a Native-American woman. Religious Tolerance
The term "Neopagan" includes all faith groups which are based on attempted reconstruction of ancient, extinct religions. The umbrella term "Neopagan" includes followers of many other earth-centered faith traditions, like Druidism, Wicca and Asatru. Religious Tolerance
[Some heavily oppressed and discriminated against groups, like Wiccans and other Neopagans, often refuse to reveal their religion to a stranger over the telephone because of safety concerns. So, the actual number of Wiccans is probably much larger than the survey indicates.
In the ARIS study of 1990, 2.3% of those contacted refused to disclose their religion. In the 2001 survey, the number had grown to 5.4%. The latter number represents over 11 million adults. The reason for this increase in desire for secrecy is unknown.
The terminology is confusing. As a result of the 2001 survey, they estimate that there are 134,000 Wiccans and 140,000 Pagans in the U.S. But many Wiccans describe themselves as Pagans. So, the number of Wiccans is probably larger than indicated.
Our best estimate of the total number of Wiccans in the U.S. is based on the ARIS study:
| Number of Wiccan found by ARIS: | 134,000 adults |
| Number of Pagans found by ARIS: | 140,000 adults |
| Total Wiccans and Pagans: | 274,000 adults |
| Less estimated Pagans who are not Wiccans: | 70,000 adults |
| Total Wiccans: | 204,000 adults |
| Estimated number of Wiccans who refused to disclose religion | 204,000 adults |
| Total Wiccan adults in the U.S. | 408,000 adults |
| Total Wiccans (adults plus children) | 750,000 people |
If there are on the order of 750,000 Wiccans in the U.S., then there may be about 40,000 in Canada. [Religious Tolerance]
A second important statistic is the rate of growth of the Wiccan community. "In May, 1998, the Chicago Tribune reported that, though difficult to quantify due to lack of formal organization, neo-paganism is the fastest-growing religion in North America with the Internet being the prime means of proselytizing."1
Ms. Curott estimates a doubling in size every 18 months. While this growth rate is almost certainly exaggerated, it is probably more prudent merely to state the more modest claim that during the time period studied (the 1990's), Wicca did experience significant, if faddish, growth.
Links for more info:
Witch's Voice
1 Quoted in: "21st century challenges to separation of religion and government," Jefferson 21st Century Institute, at: www.j21c.org
2 "American Religious Identification Survey," by The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, at: www.gc.cuny.edu
