Wiccans, who are practitioners of the modern pagan religion known as Wicca, have a unique approach to prayer. Unlike many other religious traditions, Wiccans do not have a single deity or god that they exclusively pray to. Instead, they have a polytheistic belief system that honors and worships multiple deities. These deities are often referred to as gods and goddesses, and they represent various aspects of nature, life, and spirituality. Wiccans believe in a divine duality that is symbolized by a god and a goddess. The god represents masculinity, strength, and the sun, while the goddess represents femininity, nurturing, and the moon.
Jesus did not give the Lord's Prayer with the intention that it would be repeated mindlessly. When we pray the Lord's Prayer, we need to pray it thoughtfully, giving attention in our minds to its content. It is not a mantra to be repeated without the engagement of the mind or heart. It is an example of godly prayer.
You ve heard it many times Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here today in the presence of God and of these witnesses to unite this man and this woman in the holy bonds of marriage, which was instituted by God, and so it goes. Perhaps the biggest difference between Wicca and other religions is the belief that individuals can do more than simply pray to a supreme, all-powerful deity and hope that things will work out to their benefit.
The god represents masculinity, strength, and the sun, while the goddess represents femininity, nurturing, and the moon. These deities are seen as equal and complementary forces that work together to maintain balance in the universe. In Wiccan prayer, individuals may choose to direct their prayers to specific deities based on their needs and preferences.
How Often Do Pagans Pray?
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
Updated on March 17, 2017So you ran into some fellow Wiccans or other types of Pagans at a recent meetup, and you thought it was all going very well. until someone told you that you had to pray to the gods every single day. Or maybe even two or three times a day.
You probably got really uncomfortable, because sometimes you forget to pray, or other times you feel like you should, but you're just too busy. So then you had that moment where you wondered if you should maybe pray twice the next, or do it for twice as long. And then someone else chimed in, and said you had to pray at certain times of the day, or different days of the week for different things. now what do you do?
The first thing you do is relax. You're not doing it wrong. In fact, if you got paid a dollar for every time someone told you that you "were supposed to X in this way and ONLY this way," you'd be rich. Let’s break this down a little bit at a time.
First of all, it’s actually not uncommon for prayers in some religions to have a set schedule. For instance, members of the Benedictine monastic order have a routine six prayers each day, at designated times. No matter what you’re doing, if you're a Benedictine monk, you stop doing it so you can say the vigils, lauds, Eucharist, daytime prayer, the vespers, and compline at those specific times. It’s part of the ritual process. Likewise, Muslims pray five times a day – not only do they pray at specific times, they also have to be facing towards Mecca when they do so.
Are there Pagan traditions that require a certain number of prayers each day, or prayers at specific times? Sure. But unless you’re part of one of those traditions, those rules may not have to apply to you. You don’t follow the Benedictine or Islamic prayer schedule, so why would you be required to follow the schedule of a Pagan group you’re not part of?
Some magical traditions, primarily NeoWiccan ones, emphasize the use of days of the week or certain moon phases for particular magical workings, and sometimes (although not always) prayer is tied into that. But again, if you're not part of one of those belief systems, there's no reason you're required to follow the guideline.
That said, it’s actually not a bad idea to get into the habit of praying regularly, if you’re going to do it at all. Some people only offer prayers to their gods during ritual or spellwork, but if you have a shrine to a deity in your home, regular prayer can help bring you closer to the deity spiritually. Does it have to be every day at the same time? Not at all – you can do it every day if you like, or every other day, or Tuesdays and Thursdays when your kids are soccer practice, or whatever works with your schedule. The key here is not the time or day, but the consistency.
Prayer is our way of communing with the divine – and hopefully finding some joy and peace in the process. If praying feels like a chore, you should probably find a way to change things up a bit. If you're going to pray to a specific deity, take some time to do a bit of research - maybe you're bored because you don't know what the gods of your tradition want. And if you're bored, they might be too! Be sure to think about the concept of appropriate worship. If you want to pray as part of making an offering to the deities, go ahead!
So, when should you pray? When you want to say hello, when you want to let the gods know they matter to you, when you want to say thanks, when you feel inspired, when you don’t feel inspired, and most of all, when your heart calls to you to do so.
Finally, don't rule out the value of offering prayers to the deities of your tradition. No matter which pantheon you work with, nearly every god or goddess seems to appreciate the effort of prayers. If you follow a Celtic path, try these prayers that celebrate the goddess Brighid, or the horned fertility god Cernunnos. If your belief system leans more towards the Egyptian or a Kemetic structure, offer a devotion to Isis. Many Roman Pagans honor Mars, the god of war, with an invocation calling upon him for strength. For those who simply honor the goddess in a non-specific form, Doreen Valiente's classic Charge of the Goddess is the perfect prayer for a ritual setting.
For example, if someone is seeking healing, they may pray to a goddess associated with healing and wellness. Similarly, if someone is looking for guidance and wisdom, they may direct their prayers to a god associated with intellect and knowledge. It is important to note that Wiccans do not view their deities as all-powerful and all-knowing beings. Instead, they see them as ancient forces that are connected to the natural world and can offer guidance and support. Wiccan prayer is often seen as a way to connect with these deities, express gratitude, seek guidance, and request assistance. Wiccans may pray in various ways, including through rituals, chants, songs, and meditation. These practices help to create a sacred space and cultivate a deep connection with the divine. Prayer in Wicca is seen as a personal and individual experience, and each practitioner may have their own unique way of expressing their devotion and communicating with the deities. In conclusion, Wiccans do not pray to a single deity but instead, have a polytheistic belief system that honors multiple gods and goddesses. Wiccan prayer is a way to connect with these deities and seek their guidance, support, and blessings. It is a personal and individual experience that varies among practitioners..
Reviews for "Connecting with the Divine Feminine: Who Do Wiccan Women Pray To?"
- Jane Doe - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to read "Who do wiccans pray to" as I am genuinely interested in learning about different religions and spiritual practices. However, I found this book to be very disappointing. The author seemed to have a biased view towards Wicca and focused only on the negative aspects of the religion. The information provided was poorly researched and lacked depth. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of Wicca.
- John Smith - 1 out of 5 stars - I couldn't even finish reading "Who do wiccans pray to". The author's writing style was incredibly dull and lacking in substance. It felt as though they were simply regurgitating information they found online without providing any insightful analysis or personal experiences. Furthermore, the book failed to address the diversity within the Wiccan community, focusing only on generalizations and stereotypes. I would suggest looking for other resources if you truly want to learn about Wicca.
- Sarah Johnson - 2 out of 5 stars - As someone who practices Wicca, I was eager to read "Who do wiccans pray to" in the hopes of gaining a deeper understanding of my own faith. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations. The author displayed a clear lack of knowledge about Wicca and presented outdated and inaccurate information. It felt more like a sensationalized critique rather than an informed exploration. I would advise seeking other reputable sources if you are genuinely interested in learning about Wicca.