What is Wicca?
Giving a definitive description on, well…just about anything…is a very daunting task even for most experts in their own respective fields. Considering that I am fairly new to the conscious practice of Wicca myself, I am very conscious of the fact that I am no expert or authority on the subject. However, not too long ago I found myself asking the very question “what exactly is Wicca?” after having run into the term frequently during my quest to stench the great plague of quarantine boredom. As an avid reader of fantasy and all things mystical, I have never been a stranger to things of the occult or supernatural, but I had never done any intensive research on the topic of Wicca specifically. My initial intent was simply to just do a quick browse on some all-encompassing holy book of information, but quickly realized that was just not how things were going to go down.
This article is intended to give you a brief overview of all the integral things to know about what Wicca is, and more importantly, what it is not.
It might be helpful to start with what Wicca is not. Wicca is not worship of evil. Wicca is not an equivalent term to Satanism (and while we’re at it, the pentagram in Wicca is not a satanic symbol). Wicca is not dressing up like a Goth (dressing up like a Goth is simply a fashion choice). And last but not least…Wicca is not a New Age fad that is simply “hip and cool” because all millennials want to do is pretend, they’re characters from the Harry Potter series.
Now that we’ve got that all straightened up, let’s get to the fun part!
ORIGIN
Strictly etymologically speaking, the word /Wicca/ has appeared already in Old English (c.890) as a masculine noun referring to a “[a] man who practises witchcraft or magic; a magician, sorcerer, wizard” (“witch, n.1,” n.d.). Thus, we can safely assume that Wicca does indeed have to do with none other than witchcraft. However, the more current definition of the word Wicca (or Wica), dated in 1959 to appear in G.B. Gardner’s Meaning of Witchcraft, refers to “[t]he practices and religious cult of modern witchcraft” (“Wicca, n.,” n.d.). This just serves to prove that Wicca has been around for many spins around the sun and is not simply some concept your mom’s hippie friend who listens to Enya religiously came up with one day.
Even though many people believe that Gardner’s writings is what ignited the “new age” religion called Wicca, the simple truth is that Wicca is a far more far-reaching concept and practice of spirituality that predates most commonly known religions by more years than I’d care to mention. Gardner’s depictions and practice are just one branch of the complex and towering tree that is Wicca. In fact, if we move away from the literal meaning of the word, Wicca is a nature-based religion rooted in pagan (yes, pagan) beliefs and ways of life. According to Tony Bell, the author of “Wicca teachings—a practical guide”(2014), Wicca is a “peaceful and empowering religion”, whose practisers follow traditions and worship deities that are well…for the lack of a better word –ancient. Bell notes that many everyday items and concepts are actually based on pagan traditions and beliefs that transcend artificial borders and peoples. A couple good examples of this would be the use of a calendar (holidays like Yule and Ostara) and the very concept of Gods and Goddesses in the first place.
To summarise Wicca is a pre-Christian, nature-based religion with ancient roots that draw practises and traditions from all over the world. Wicca is also closely related with witchcraft; however, it is imperative to note, that all witches or those who practice witchcraft are not Wiccans. However, all Wiccans are witches and pagans. Note, all Wiccans do not listen to Enya, but it does work for good vibes.
PRACTICES
If Wicca is a pre-Christian nature-based religion and is associated with witchcraft, what exactly does the practise of Wicca entail? For most people not very well versed in the ways of Wiccans this question would probably elicit thoughts of bubbling cauldrons, evil, and Satan-worship. This could not be further from the truth…well ok, wiccans do like their cauldrons (especially the cute little coffee mug ones), but truthfully any old pot or pan will do. Wiccans actually do not believe in Satan as Satan is a Christian concept and thus Wiccans cannot worship such an entity. In general Tony Bell emphasises that Wiccans do not worship any evil or demonic entities or sources. In fact, according to most Wiccan texts, the main practice in Wicca is to believe in the divinity of nature and to accept the light and dark in one’s-self and try to work on balancing the two as best as possible. Wiccans practice their beliefs in accordance with the laws of nature and the karmic forces of the universe. A key difference with Wiccan practices and most modern religions is that Wiccans do not place blame for life’s misfortunes and our own misdeeds on higher forces, but accept the blame that belong to them and that what they put out in the world will come back to a Wiccan eventually.
The more concrete things Wiccans do to practice their beliefs consist of rites, rituals, and chants performed when needed and while living by the Wiccan calendar aka. The Wheel of the year, which details the different celebrations and holidays that flow with the natural progression of the seasons, and the phases of the moon. As an example of this, a Wiccan ritual can be as simple as envisioning intentions or positive thoughts or lighting a candle to thank the universe for all that it provides. Or a Wiccan might leave a bowl or bottle of water out under the moonlight on a full moon and collect “moon water” for spells and rituals. Even though “spells and rituals” can sound rather ominous, most practises include only benign actions as the basic rule of Wiccan practises culminates in the idea that one may do as they will as long as they do no harm. This idea is the central part of the Wiccan Rede, which is basically the thesis statement of the metaphorical essay that is Wicca. Most Wiccans also tend to keep a detailed journal of their own spiritual journey and their research. The different rites may involve various herbs, elements, crystals, and things like burning incense or boiling fruits and spices to cleanse the home. Surprisingly enough this is what would be called witchcraft, so crafting with intention. Witchcraft in itself is a very misunderstood concept; it has very little to do with wands and pointy hats and curious ingredients, but more with intentions and projecting them into being. Sure, tools such as tarot cards or crystal balls can be utilized in divination, a way of connecting with the universe, but one can practice without them just fine. However, as there is a multitude of different ways to practice, probably as many as there are practisers, Wicca is considered a non-restrictive religion, which lets the practiser find their own way of expressing and living life through the fundamental beliefs that unite all Wiccans.
HOW TO BECOME A WICCAN
What is it that you have to do then if you want to become a Wiccan? Sell your soul? Take up camping? Dance naked in the forest? Well, some religions and spiritual paths require certain rituals of commitment to join the community of practice, in this regard Wicca is a bit different. To become a Wiccan is in some ways very simple and in some ways very difficult. This may sound like a nonsense sentence, but the idea behind it is that to become a Wiccan you do not need any qualifications or permission or acceptance from anyone else but yourself. You do not need to join a church or place of worship, you do not need to purchase a cauldron, herbs and spices (unless you fancy your food seasoned), nor do you have to take a vow of any kind. What you need to do is to adjust your mind into a setting that is open to the universe and to be willing to take responsibility for your own actions…that can be a tough skill to hone. A common approach for a beginner would be taking up research. The internet has an abundance of information, but it can be very unnerving to sift through all of it, let alone figure out what to read first and where to go next. Practical guides and bigger academic opuses are available in regular bookstores and even as e-books, but one may begin gathering information where they feel drawn to. However, the option to ask a Wiccan about their beliefs is always a sure way to get an interesting glimpse into the life of a modern pagan witch. The witchcraft in Wicca does not require a degree from Hogwarts or a wand and magic powders, but only a clear intention of what one intends to do, craft, or create.
Wiccans do not believe in any single God, but rather that divinity is all around us embedded in the universe, nature, and energies. However, Wiccans can and frequently do worship/work with deities. In Gardnerian Wicca two basic divine figures are recognized; the three-fold goddess of the moon, which represents femininity and the feminine aspect of the divine, and the three-horned god of the sun, who represents the masculine aspect of the divine. However, Wiccans are free to choose their deities from across a multitude of pantheons such as the Greek gods, Roman gods, Norse gods, Egyptian gods and such. This form of Wicca is called “eclectic” and it is becoming increasingly popular.
COMMUNITY
The community of Wiccans is very scattered in the sense that there are so many different ways of practising Wicca, that there is no universally organized “church” or leader-focused organization to oversee the community. Some Wiccans may practice in covens with fellow Wiccans; however, it is becoming ever more common to practice what is called “solitary Wicca”. This form can be very appealing as the basic belief in the divine powers of nature lends the whole world as a place to worship. Forests, parks, rivers, even a window with a view of the moon are perfect spots for Wiccans to perform their rituals, chants and works. Of course, all Wiccans have a community in sharing common beliefs, ideals, and ways of life, but in addition to that many Wiccans have not dwelled in the middle ages, but instead have embraced the opportunities and advantages offered by technology and social media. Many Wiccans have “online covens”, groups, and advice channels on platforms such as Instagram, Tumblr, Facebook, and Tiktok. Wiccans can also find a sense of community and belonging in the knowledge that they are carrying out a way of life that has ancient roots and thus connects them to a community across time. But joining or engaging with a community is not necessary for a Wiccan. It is completely alright to practice all on your own as a solitary witch. The main idea is that each Wiccan finds a way of practicing that feels right for them.
IN CONCLUSION
It might be a bit cheesy to say that there are so many ways of describing Wicca, but none of them will ever truly convey the experience of the practice itself as it tends to be a very personal and unique journey for most people. In a way Wicca is a religion, a way of connecting with something larger than ourselves, that is very adaptable to the modern world –even though witchcraft sounds like a thing for the middle ages. Wicca, as a practice, is nothing if not individualized, and in a ‘custom this’ and ‘custom that’ world it might fit into the fabric of today’s society. Wicca is accepting of all people and yet most people seem to have very harsh or misguided preconceived interpretations or ideas of what it entails. Hopefully this article has given you a brief look into the realities of what Wicca is and what it is not. And if you find yourself craving for more information, I encourage you to scour your local libraries, search the web, ask questions, quench your thirst for knowledge. After all, it’s not like you’re selling your soul to the devil…
Illustrations by Daniélle.
Sources cited:
Bell, Tony. Wicca teachings—a practical guide. (2014). Lapwing books.
witch, n.1, n.d. . OED Online.
Wicca, n., n.d. . OED Online.
