What is Wicca, Exactly? (pt. 1)
Part of the purpose of this site is to introduce the concept of Wicca to those who are unfamiliar with the topic. This is not out of a desire to convert anyone to my path, but rather to spread understanding about what Wiccans believe, what Wiccans do, and why we follow this path.
First of all, no, Wicca is not devil worship.
Wicca is a nationally recognized religion in the United States (where I'm from) and here, thanks to the Lady Liberty League, is in the Military Chaplin's handbook of alternative religions. In addition, the pentacle (five-pointed star, inside a circle) is one of the approved religious symbols to be placed on military service member's gravestone in the US. Incarcerated individuals have access to Wiccan texts, and Wicca is a recognized religion in the US Prison system. Because of this recognition by the US government, it is illegal to discriminate against someone identifying as Wiccan for the purpose of hiring or housing decisions in the US.
This distinction, acquired by Selena Fox and the Lady Liberty League after years of legal battles, is grounded in the idea that we are free to practice the religion of our choice. I do not believe one should need to be recognized necessarily for this protection, but it took quite a bit of effort to acquire this protection from the US legal system by some very brave Pagans who believed they did not deserve to be treated any differently than, say, those who practice Judiasm, Hinduism, Islam, or Christianity.
Now that's all fine and dandy, but what do Wiccans believe? Honestly, this is a bit of a sticky question, and ask three different Wiccans and you're likely to get about four answers. In general, though, Wiccans tend to believe that a Divine Source, often but not always identified as a Goddess, is present in Nature and is the parent of our world. Some Wiccans also believe in female/male duality, and recognize a God as well, often seen as the consort of the Goddess. Some traditions, however, focus solely on the feminine aspect of Divinity. Some Wiccans address God/dess by names found throughout history: Diana, Hecate, Aradia; Apollo, Hermes, Cernnunos; or by secret names known only by those initiated into that tradition.
Speaking of Traditions, there are many. Ranging from the Feminist Dianic traditions, to Celtic, Scots, Norse, Faerie, Gardenarian, Alexandrian, and others. Each has their own way of doing things, their own beliefs and rituals, and their own covens. Most covens are not connected in any way, but some are related to each other by tradition or a process known as "hiving" where a second or third degree witch may break away from her coven to start a new one, according to some traditions. Covens may even differ within the same tradition, depending on comfort level and creativity of whomever is involved.
What does ritual dress look like? Depending on your tradition and your coven, it may be anything from street clothes, to robes, to Renaissance era clothing, to nothing! Some covens practice their rites nude, weather permitting, also known as "skyclad". Indeed, there is a tale of Gerald Gardner's coven working magic against the Nazis skyclad. Unfortunately, it was not warm enough and they did not take the proper precautions (covering one's self with fat or grease) and at least one of the witches caught pneumonia and died. Just goes to show that it's always best to be prepared for the weather! I personally have not experienced working skyclad with others, and can't speak to how common it is, but some traditions (Gardenarian, Alexandrian notably) origionally encouraged skyclad ritual; although the decision to do ritual this way was always left to the coven.
Many witches celebrate the "Wheel of the Year", or the solar quarters and cross quarters; the Solstaces, Equanoxes, and midpoints in between. Each of these eight holidays are called Sabbats, and are celebrated differently as the turning of the seasons. There are often offerings to the land spirits, and in the case of Samhain (Pronounced roughly SAH-WHEN) or All-Hallows Eve, offerings are left for ancestors as the veil thins and they may cross over to visit their loved ones. Offerings can be of food or drink, or little trinkets.
In addition, many witches also celebrate the Esbats, or the cycles of the Moon. In most traditions, the Goddess is associated with the Moon, and the God with the Sun, with the Esbats celebrating the lunar cycle, and the Sabbats celebrating the solar cycle. In total, there are twelve or thirteen full moons in a year, and eight Sabbats, leading to twenty or twenty-one total holidays in the Pagan year.
Phew, that's a long post! And I've only scratched the surface of what it means to be Wiccan. I will be following up with Part II at a later date.
Bright Blessings,
Rowan