Wicca (pronounced `wi-ka) is an earth-based Pagan spirituality influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of Western Europe. Also referred to as “The Craft”, Wicca is a spiritual tradition, which believes that there is a divine universal power or energy, sometimes referred to as the One or the All that exists within everything.  Wiccans believe that this force can be manipulated through an act of will that is the basis for Wiccan magic (also referred to as magick). 

Wicca emerged into popularity in the 1950’s with the publication of two books by Gerald Gardner, “Witchcraft Today” and “The Meaning of Witchcraft”. There is much controversy over whether he actually founded Wicca or publicized an already existing tradition but he firmly believed Wicca to be a continuation of early European Paganism. Many related Wiccan traditions have evolved from the original concept that was established by Gardner, which eventually came to be known as Gardnerian Wicca.

Divinity

Most Wiccans view divinity as dualistic, a God and Goddess that are equal and represent a balance in nature. The belief is that there are female/male aspects to the One or All and without the union and balance of these two aspects, nothing can exist
Practitioners of Wicca ascribe a wide variety of names to the God and the Goddess, depending upon Tradition they may follow but most commonly they are referred to as the Horned God and the Triple Goddess. The exact nature of the God and Goddess also varies between the different Traditions.

Rituals and Practices

Wiccans may practice in a group called a coven or they may practice alone in what is referred to as a Solitary. There is no central Wiccan authority or dogma and each coven or individual decides what their practice consists of. Wiccans follow the Wheel of the Year and celebrate its eight major festivals known as the Sabbats. Four of the Sabbats are greater festivals and coincide with ancient Celtic fire festivals. Also referred to as cross-quarter days they are:

Samhain (October 31st)
Beltane   (May 1st)
Imbolc    (February 2nd)
Lugnnasadh  (August 1st)
 
The four lesser Sabbats are:

Litha  (summer solstice)
Yule  (winter solstice)
Ostara (spring equinox)
Mabon (autumn equinox)

There are also celebrations called Esbats which are ritual observances of the full moon. Celebrations and rituals in Wicca can take many forms depending upon the tradition of the coven or the beliefs of the individual, but they all generally include:

  • The consecration of a sacred space known as the casting of a circle.

  • The invocation of a deity or deities.

  • The body of the ritual which may involve spell casting, magick ritual, readings, singing, etc.

  • The restoration of the space into ordinary usage, known as the closing of the circle.

Morality and Ethics

Wiccan morality is based mainly upon the Wiccan Rede and the Law of Threefold Return. The Wiccan Rede which states “An it harm none, do what ye will” is often misunderstood but it basically means one has the freedom to act but that there is also responsibility that goes along with those actions. The Law of Threefold (also known as the Rule of Three or the threefold law) claims that whatever energy a person sends out into the world, whether it is positive or negative, will be returned to them three times. In other words, there is reward or punishment connected with a person’s actions, especially during any type of magick ritual.
Because Wiccans generally have a great reverence and respect for nature, they are often environmentally conscious and greatly respectful toward all life.

Views and Beliefs

Wicca generally accepts the equality of both men and women. There are some Wiccan traditions such as Dianic Wicca that are for women only and focus primarily on the Goddess aspect of divinity.

Most Wiccans reject the concept of Heaven and Hell and also do not recognize a personification of evil such as Satan. Wiccans also commonly believe in reincarnation.

Wicca has no central holy text and is based primarily on oral tradition that is passed down from one to another. 

Misconceptions about Wicca

Wicca is not a form of Satanism. Satanism is a completely different belief with different views of the universe and different rules for ethical behavior. The Pentagram, which is a common symbol of Wicca, is also sometimes misunderstood to be a satanic symbol while in actuality it is not. The Pentagram, which is a five-pointed star, symbolizes the four elements (earth, air, fire and water) with the top point symbolizing spirit. Satanism uses a symbol that is instead an upside-down star.

Wicca is not a cult. Cults typically focus on the fanatical worship of a central earthly figure, keep their members isolated and often encourage the members to give away their earthly possessions to the specific organization.  Wicca is a recognized religion and does not follow the patterns and actions of a cult.

Not all Witches are Wiccan. Although both Wiccans and Witches may have similar practices, Wicca is a religion whereas Witchcraft is more of a practice. In a nutshell, all Wiccans are witches, but not all witches are Wiccan.