Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a diverse and decentralized belief system that encompasses a range of practices and traditions. The definition of modern Wicca can vary depending on the perspective and the specific tradition being discussed. At its core, Wicca is a nature-based religion that reveres and seeks to connect with the natural world. It is often characterized by a reverence for the Earth, the cycles of nature, and the worship of a supreme divine power, often referred to as the Goddess and the Horned God. Modern Wicca draws inspiration from various pagan and witchcraft traditions, including ancient Greek and Roman religions, Celtic paganism, and folk magic practices.
In 1951, two things happened that helped Gardner push his witchcraft into the public domain. Firstly, the 1736 Witchcraft Act was repealed, making the public aware, once again, of the idea of witchcraft in Britain. Secondly, a former filmmaker, Cecil Williamson, opened the Folklore Centre of Superstition and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, where Gardner was designated ‘resident witch’. While public interest in witchcraft was increasing around this time, many were uneasy at the thought of magic being practised in what was still very much a Christian country. Williamson’s first attempt at launching a museum of witchcraft in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was run out of town by locals unhappy at having occult ritual objects on their doorsteps. Gardner and Williamson eventually parted ways, supposedly disagreeing on how public the beliefs of witchcraft should be. In 1954 Gardner published Witchcraft Today, a book that shared the rituals and history of what we now call Wicca, and numerous Wiccan covens began to form across England. Big names in Wicca throughout the 1960s and 70s included Doreen Valiente, now known as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’, and Alex Sanders, who adapted Gardner’s traditions to create the more ceremonial Alexandrian Wicca.
While these theories were largely dismissed in academic circles, it was heartily adopted by Gardner, who was fascinated by this unbroken line of witches, whose traditions claimed ancient Pagan origin. Joe Carter is a senior writer for The Gospel Coalition, author of The Life and Faith Field Guide for Parents, the editor of the NIV Lifehacks Bible , and coauthor of How to Argue Like Jesus Learning Persuasion from History s Greatest Communicator.
Modern Wicca draws inspiration from various pagan and witchcraft traditions, including ancient Greek and Roman religions, Celtic paganism, and folk magic practices. Many Wiccans incorporate elements of ceremonial magic, such as rituals, spells, and divination, into their practice. One of the defining aspects of modern Wicca is its emphasis on personal experience and individual spirituality.
9 Things You Should Know About Wicca and Modern Witchcraft
A growing number of young women—driven by feminist politics and the #MeToo movement—are being drawn to a new brand of witchcraft, according to a report by NBC News. Here are nine things you should know about Wicca and modern witchcraft.
1. Witchcraft refers to the worldview, religion, and practices associated with using rituals that are believed to harness and focus cosmic or psychic energies to bring about some desired change. Modern witchcraft is the largest and most common subset of neo-paganism, a diverse group of religious movements that claim to be derived from historical pagan religions.
2. Within the witchcraft revival movement, the largest subset is Wicca. The 2008 American Religious Identification Survey estimated that in the United States there were about 600,000 neo-pagans, with about half identifying as Wiccan. Some estimates conclude that in 2017 there were more than 3 million practicing Wiccans.
3. In modern usage, the term “witch” is considered gender-neutral and can apply to either men or women. The term “warlock” is often considered a derogatory term as the original usage of the term meant “oath-breaker.” A group of witches who meet together regularly are known as a “coven.” Some witches believe a coven must have 13 or fewer members, though not less than three.
4. Wicca was created in the 1940s by Gerald Brosseau Gardner (1884-1964), a retired British civil servant an ordained minister in the Christian sect known as the Ancient British Church. Gardner is considered the “father of modern witchcraft,” though his neo-pagan beliefs had almost not connection to older forms of witchcraft. His brand of wiccanism (sometimes referred to as Gardnerian Wicca or Gardnerian witchcraft) was taken from more modern influences, such as Freemasonry, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and the English occultist Aleister Crowley. Gardner referred to his belief-system as “witchcraft” and a “witch-cult,” and the term “Wicca” didn’t appear until 1962.
5. In the 1960s and 1970, Wicca spread from the U.K. to other English-speaking countries, became associated with the burgeoning feminist and environmental movements, and split into various “traditions.” From Gardnerian Wicca sprang such offshoots as Alexandrian Wicca, Algard Wicca, Georgian Wicca, Druidic Wicca, Seax-Wica, and Eclectic Wicca.
6. The U.S. government first officially recognized Wicca as a religion in 1985. In a court case involving a prisoner (Dettmer v. Landon), the federal government argued that the doctrine of the Church of Wicca was not a religion because it is a “conglomeration” of “various aspects of the occult, such as faith healing, self-hypnosis, tarot card reading, and spell casting, none of which would be considered religious practices standing alone.” The court noted that the government was essentially arguing “that because it finds witchcraft to be illogical and internally inconsistent, witchcraft cannot be a religion.” The appeals court ruled that, “the Church of Wicca occupies a place in the lives of its members parallel to that of more conventional religions. Consequently, its doctrine must be considered a religion.”
7. A commonly shared core belief of Wicca (as well as other forms of modern witchcraft) is the acceptance and practice of magic. The Wiccan view is similar to that of Aleister Crowley, who defined magic as “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will.” As Wesley Baines says, “Many believe magic to be simply another law of nature, albeit one that is poorly understood and written off as fakery. As such, magic is not supernatural, but just as natural as gravity and wind, and often involve a combination of invocations, movement, music, meditation, and tools.” And as one Wiccan site explains, “Magick [sic] is another word for transformation, creation, and manifestation. Wicca magick is a tool we use to act on the subtle—or energy, or quantum—level of reality. The quantum level is the causal realm. It is the subtle influences at the quantum level that decide which way reality will go.”
8. Aside from a belief in magic, there are few beliefs that all Wiccan traditions share. The belief most commonly associated with Wicca is a variation of the Wiccan Rede (“rede” is from the Middle English, meaning “advice” or “counsel”). Believed to have been formulated by the Wiccan priestess Doreen Valiente in the early 1960s, the Wiccan Rede is stated as, “An’ it harm none, do what ye will.” Variations on the rede include “That it harm none, do as thou wilt” and “Do what you will, so long as it harms none.”
9. In its older forms, Wicca holds a duotheistic belief system that includes a female Mother Goddess and a male Horned God. As Wicca has became more influenced by feminism, though, it has become more oriented toward goddess worship. As Jone Salomonsen concludes, “Witches perceive of themselves as having left the Father’s House (Jewish and Christian religion) and returned ‘home’ to the Self (Goddess religion) with a call to heal western women’s (and men’s) alienation from community and spirituality and to become benders of human and societal developments.” This flexibility in excluding/including deities has, as Michael F. Strmiska says, “allowed people with interest in different deities and religious traditions to customize Wicca to suit their specific interests, thus enhancing the religion’s appeal to a broad and growing membership.”
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Unlike many organized religions, Wicca does not have a central authority or dogma. Wiccans often create their own rituals and magical practices, adapting and evolving traditions to suit their needs and beliefs. Another important aspect of modern Wicca is the celebration of seasonal festivals, known as Sabbats, and the observance of lunar cycles. Wiccans consider these rituals as opportunities to connect with the natural world, honor their deities, and celebrate their connection to the divine. Modern Wicca also places a strong emphasis on the concept of karma and the principle of "harm none." Wiccans strive to live in harmony with nature and other living beings, believing in the interconnectedness of all things. They often practice ethical guidelines that promote love, kindness, and personal responsibility. In conclusion, the definition of modern Wicca is a nature-based pagan religious movement that is characterized by its reverence for the Earth, connection to the cycles of nature, and worship of a supreme divine power. It draws inspiration from various pagan and witchcraft traditions, incorporates elements of ceremonial magic, emphasizes personal experience and individual spirituality, celebrates seasonal festivals, and promotes ethical guidelines based on harmony and compassion..
Reviews for "The Philosophy of Modern Wicca: Finding Balance and Harmony"
- Jessica - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Definition of modern wicca". I have been practicing Wicca for many years and was excited to read a book that claimed to offer a modern perspective. However, I found the content to be outdated and lacking depth. The author failed to address many of the important aspects of modern Wicca, such as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals and the emphasis on environmentalism. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an up-to-date and inclusive guide to Wicca.
- Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - This book was a complete waste of my time and money. The author seems to have a very limited understanding of Wicca and fails to properly explain the core principles and beliefs. The information provided is shallow and lacks the depth needed to truly understand the practice of Wicca. Additionally, the writing style is dull and uninspiring. I would advise anyone interested in Wicca to look elsewhere for a better resource.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high expectations for "Definition of modern wicca", but unfortunately, it fell short. The book is filled with clichéd information that can be easily found online or in other introductory books on Wicca. There is nothing new or insightful in this book that sets it apart from other resources. It fails to provide a fresh perspective or engage the reader in any meaningful way. I would recommend beginners to seek out other books that offer a more comprehensive and unique approach to Wicca.