What My Neighbor Believes: Wicca (Part One)

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by Lady Rose, Guest Blogger On the Horizon

Merry Meet Everyone,

It is a pleasure to be able to write a guest post about a subject that is near and dear to my heart — being a witch and my spiritual path: Wicca.

Introduction

First a little bit about me. I’m 53-years-young, married to an awesome guy, and mom to a delightful daughter. I work in a cubicle, drive a 10-year-old car, have a mortgage, and own a cat (she is grey striped - not black). I don’t fly on brooms, have no warts, and only wear my black, pointy hat on special occasions (like a Halloween costume party). The only slightly unusual thing about me that you might notice is that I have a few small tattoos. But if you didn’t know me, you would not be able to tell that I am a witch by passing me on the street. We are everywhere! (just kidding) However, the point is a witch can be anyone, from any background, of any age, and we are just normal folks going about our daily lives like everyone else. What makes us a little different is that when the moon is full, you might find some of us out in the woods having a good howl. (again, just kidding!)

I was drawn to Wicca at a young age and read my first book about it when I was 12. I met a woman when I was 18 who I studied with and was a member of her circle for about 7 years. In my late 20’s, I was invited to be a guest speaker at a college and ended up lecturing on several occasions throughout my home state for a few years. I also branched off on my own to form a Wiccan circle. As people moved, married, and experienced various other life changes, the circle disbanded and since then, I have been a solitary Wiccan (witch). I do, however, enjoy attending pagan festivals and open circles or picnics that are held by Wiccan or like-minded eclectic pagan groups.

When trying to explain what it means to be a witch, it is useful to have some overall definitions, a bit of historical perspective, and clear up some common misconceptions.

Definitions

• Wicca or Wiccan: Refers to the “religion” or practice of the craft of the wise.
• Witch: Wise one, practitioner of the wise arts; can be either male or female.
• Pagan: Someone who practices a religion or spiritual tradition that is not based on Christianity. There are many, many traditions that are based on practices that pre-date Christianity. Not all pagans are witches, though Wicca is considered a “pagan” tradition.

Not everyone who uses the term “witch” is referring to someone who is Wiccan. Often people call someone (or call themselves) a witch because they read tarot cards, light candles for meditations, work with herbal remedies, do energy healing work or practice any number of various “occult” (hidden) practices.

However, for the purposes of this post, I will be using the term “witch” to refer to someone whose spiritual practices are of the Wiccan tradition.

Historical Perspective

Wicca is not and never was a “formalized” religion in the days of old. Traditions were handed down mostly orally from family member to family member, or mentor to student. The wise woman or man was often the healer of the village who knew the healing properties of plants, had a way with animals, and served as a midwife, counselor or spiritual leader of the community. Before religion became “organized,” the traditions of Wicca were practiced widely and in many forms. Small villages and communities celebrated the seasonal changes together with large festivals and feasting, and ceremonies to bless the crops and animals.

Unfortunately, during the Middle Ages, as the Christian church chose to spread its influence and the medical profession began to be organized for men only, campaigns were waged to wipe out anyone who believed differently then they did. Laws were passed prohibiting women from being mid-wives. Sacred places were destroyed, and often a new church was built on top of the remains. Fear and hysteria were spread far and wide. Tens of thousands of innocents were falsely accused and sentenced to torture and death in order to stamp out any faiths that were different, and to terrorize others to follow the law and the religion of those in power. In some areas of Europe, the female populations of entire villages were murdered in the name of the conquering religion. Lies and fear were spread throughout many lands, until many traditions and practices were driven underground to be only practiced in secrecy. Many were lost forever.

Out of centuries of secrecy, fear and misunderstanding grew, and the Old Ways were forgotten by almost everyone.

Modern Day Witches

Witches today are an eclectic group that don’t fit into nice neat categories. They can work as a solitary or with a group. Traditions come from many different origins and ancient cultures. Often various traditions have been combined together to create new ways of celebrating spirit and honoring the Old Ways, the Goddess, and Nature. The practice of the Wiccan traditions continues to evolve today and will continue to do so far into the future.

Next week: Wicca (Part Two) — Meet Your Friendly Neighborhood Witch

Bright Blessings,

Lady Rose
The Diet Pulpit
2 Witches Blog

Invitation to Serve as a Guest Blogger

I invite you to contribute to an ongoing discussion On the Horizon about the various belief systems and, more particularly, what the many different churches believe and teach. The invitation also extends to those who, like me, are spiritually walking beyond the walls of organized religion and persons of all different faiths, not just Christians, in order to further our knowledge and tolerance of each other’s understanding of and approach to spirituality and belief.

Send your contribution to admin at hopefulspirit dot com!