BasicPrinciples and Concepts of Wicca

Posted on November 28, 2014 by ladyoftheabyss

Basic Principles and Concepts of Wicca

Introduction:

There’s an old saying that if you ask anyten Wiccans about their religion, you’ll get at least fifteen differentanswers. That’s not far from the truth, because with hundreds of thousands ofAmericans practicing Wicca today (and the actual numbers are unclear), thereare thousands of different Wiccan groups out there. There is no one governingbody over Wicca, nor is there a “Bible” that lays down a universal set ofguidelines. While specifics vary from one tradition to the next, there areactually a few ideals and beliefs common to nearly all modern Wiccan groups.

Do keep in mind that this article isprimarily focused on Wiccan traditions, rather than on the principles ofnon-Wiccan Pagan belief systems. Not all Pagans are Wiccans, and not all Pagantraditions have the same set of principles as the core beliefs of modern Wicca.

Origins of Wicca:

Wicca as a religion was introduced by GeraldGardner in the 1950s. Gardner’s tradition was oathbound, initiatory, andsecret. However, after a few years splinter groups began forming, and newtraditions were formed. Today, many Wiccan groups owe their basic foundation tothe principles laid out by Gardner.Wicca is not an ancient religion, but Gardner did incorporate some old esotericknowledge into his original tradition, including Eastern mysticism, Kabballah,and British legend.

Who Is a Wiccan, and How Do You Find Them?:

Wiccans come from all walks of life. Theyare doctors and nurses, teachers and soccer moms, writers and firefighters,waitresses and computer programmers. In other words, anyone can be Wiccan, andpeople become Wiccan for many reasons. In fact, a recent study estimated nearlyhalf a million Wiccans in the United States today – and frankly, that numberseems inaccurately low. As to where to find them, that might take a bit ofdigging — as a mystery religion that doesn’t proselytize or actively recruit,it can sometimes be difficult to find a group in your area. Never fear, though— the Wiccans are out there, and if you ask around enough, you’ll bump into oneeventually.

Calling Upon the Divine:

Wicca acknowledges the polarity of theDivine, which means that both the male and female deities are often honored. AWiccan may honor simply a non-specific god and goddess, or they may choose toworship specific deities of their tradition, whether it be Isis and Osiris,Cerridwen and Herne, or Apollo and Athena. In Gardnerian Wicca, the true namesof the gods are revealed only to initiated members, and are kept secret fromanyone outside the tradition.

Initiation and Degree Systems:

In most Wiccan covens, there is some formof initiation and a degree system. Initiation is a symbolic rebirth, in whichthe initiant dedicates themselves to the gods of their tradition. Typically,only an individual who has attained the rank of Third Degree dedicant may actas a High Priest or High Priestess. Study is required before an individual mayadvance to the next degree level, and often this is the traditional “year and aday” period.

Someone who is not a member of a coven orformal group may choose to perform a self-dedication ritual to pledgethemselves to the gods of their path.

Magic Happens:

The belief in and use of magic andspellwork is nearly universal within Wicca. This is because for most Wiccans,there’s nothing supernatural about magic at all — it’s the harnessing andredirection of natural energy to effect change in the world around us. In Wicca,magic is simply another skill set or tool. Most Wiccans do use specific toolsin spellcrafting, such as an athame, wand, herbs, crystals, and candles.Magical workings are often performed within a sacred circle. The use of magicis not limited only to the priesthood — anyone can craft and perform a spellwith a little bit of practice.

The Spirit World is Out There:

Because the concept of an afterlife of somesort is typical in most branches of Wicca, there is a general willingness toaccept interaction with the spirit world. Seances and contact with the unknownare not uncommon among Wiccans, although not all Wiccans actively seekcommunication with the dead. Divination such as tarot, runes, and astrology areoften used as well.

What Wicca Isn’t:

Wicca does not embrace the concepts of sin,heaven or hell, the evils of sex or nudity, confession, Satanism, animalsacrifice, or the inferiority of women. Wicca is not a fashion statement, andyou do not have to dress a certain way to be a “real Wiccan.”

Basic Beliefs of Wicca:

While not exclusive to every singletradition, the following are some of the core tenets found in most Wiccansystems:

·           The Divine is present in nature, and so nature should behonored and respected. Everything from animals and plants to trees and rocksare elements of the sacred. You’ll find that many practicing Wiccans arepassionate about the environment.

·           The idea of karma and an afterlife is a valid one. Whatwe do in this lifetime will be revisited upon us in the next. Part of this ideaof a cosmic payback system is echoed in the Law of Threefold Return.

·           Our ancestors should be spoken of with honor. Becauseit’s not considered out of the ordinary to commune with the spirit world, manyWiccans feel that their ancestors are watching over them at all times.

·           The Divine has polarity — both male and female. In mostpaths of Wicca, both a god and goddess are honored.

·           The Divine is present in all of us. We are all sacredbeings, and interaction with the gods is not limited just to the priesthood ora select group of individuals.

·           Holidays are based on the turning of the earth and thecycle of the seasons. In Wicca, eight major Sabbats are celebrated, as well asmonthly Esbats.

·           Everyone is responsible for their own actions. Personalresponsiblity is the key. Whether magical or mundane, one must be willing toaccept the consquences — either good or bad — of their behaviour.

·           Harm none, or something like it. While there are a fewdifferent interpretation of what actually constitutes harm, most Wiccans followthe concept that no harm should intentionally be done to another individual.

·           Respect the beliefs of others. There’s no Recruiting Clubin Wicca, and the Wiccans are not out to preach at you, convert you, orprosetylize. Wiccan groups recognize that each individual must find theirspiritual path on their own, without coercion. While a Wiccan may honordifferent gods than you do, they will always respect your right to believedifferently.

By Patti Wigington

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