Starweaver's Online Book Of Shadows: Wicca Lesson 1

Wicca Lesson 1

The Living Wicca Foundation

Basic Definition:

Modern pagan polytheistic religion centered around reverence for the natural world and worship of the Goddess and God. Polytheistic means worship of more than one deity. Pagan derives from the Latan "Paganus" which means country dweller. In modern times pagan means a person who does not practice of the major monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam etc) Other modern pagan religions are Hinduism & Buddhism. Most Wiccans see one creative force polarized into male and female deities, worshiped in balance. Why?

The concept of this great universal creative force it too large a concept for human minds to "get around". With few exceptions, all of nature is polarized into male/female, so it makes sense to view this creative force as male and female archetype, We can relate.

Male and Female Dieties:

1. Often referred to as Lord and Lady or Goddess and God
2. Each wiccan traditions have different names.
3. Some traditions will sometimes use particular names of Deities from old pagan religions in order to connect with a particular aspect of the Lord and Lady ex. invoking them by stating L&L names
4. All Deities are one Deity.

A. Expression: One truth, many paths. Other words, every religion is a way to find deity. Each one is equally valid. Follow the one that is right for you.

One Defining Characteristic of a Wiccan

1. The Rede

A. Most basic "Harm None"
B. If you don't follow the Rede you are not practicing Wicca.

Other Major aspect of Wiccan Practice

1. Worship of the God and Goddess
2. Worship takes place in a circle, a spherical temple created by power.
3. Worship at full moons-Esbats. Some traditions also have Esbats on the New moon

A. Esbat is basically any gathering for ritual and is not one of the Sabbats.

4. Worship at Eight solar holidays making the natural astronomical/agricultural cycle-the Sabbats.
5. Use of certain tools in specific ritual ways. These include the knife,wand,cup,pentacle, and candle.

Other Major Beliefs of Wicca

1. Reincarnation and the Summerland

A. Wiccans believe that our soul returns again and again. We learn from this after death our souls journey to a place called the Summerland, where our souls tired from their journey rest until they are ready to be reincarnated.

2. Karma: The Law of Threefold Return
3. Magick

A. Is the art or Science of creating change in accordance with will.

Types of Wiccan Paths

Gardnerian- Tradition started by Gerald Gardner in England in 1940's. Granddaddy tradition. There is no reliable evidence of any wiccan tradition before this steeped in ritual.

Alexandrian-Tradition is a splinter of Gardnerian, formed by one of his former students.

Dianic-Tradition is a backlash against the male-dominated patriarchal religions that have prevailed for the last couple thousand years. Worship the Goddess with little or no mention of the God.

Celtic-Much of the trappings of modern wicca are borrowed from them.

Electic-That vast majority of Wiccans practice. We take the best things from all earth-centered religions and mix it all together.

Solitary-A solitary person who by preference or happenstance works alone. Perfectly valid path.

Coven-Simple a group of wiccans who gather in order to worship the Lord and Lady together.

Mis Information of Wicca

Wiccans are often accused of being Satanism, Voodoo and Santeria. It's none of these things. Satanism is based on Christianity. Since wiccans don't believe in "all-evil" deity, we certainly don't worship one. Voodoo and Santeria are mixtures of African and Native American shamanistic religions and Catholicism.

Controversial Topics

1. Nudity (Skyclad) and Sex-Nothing wrong with this but not necessary. Great Rite is for a committed couple.
2. Drugs-some use peyote-NAmerican but we strongly against it. Doing this is disrespectful to the Lord and Lady and you are playing with fire.
3. Sacrifice-We don't make ritual sacrifices. The Lord and Lady do not acquire Sacrifice. Anyone doing this is not practicing wicca.

End of Lesson 1

It is recommended that you read "Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner" by Scott Cunningham chapter 8 and pages 127-143, and "Buckland's Complete Guide to Witchcraft" by Raymond Buckland pages 97-100 and 38-39.

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