Wicca 101-Wicca Basics

Before I begin I have to state that there are different Wiccan sects, known as traditions, and that each one has its own beliefs and rules. What I talk about here are the things common to most traditions.

Deity- The Wiccan concept of deity is similar to the Taoist idea of yin and yang. The God and Goddess are seen as two parts to a whole, which are equal and complementary to each other. They are worshipped in many forms and under many names, but each of these is considered an aspect of the whole, not a distinct entity. Deity is to be found within all things, including ourselves, however, they are also found outside of ourselves and this plane.

The Wiccan Rede- The Wiccan Rede is the only "law" that Wiccans have to follow: "An it harm none, do what ye will", which basically means that you can do whatever makes you happy, so long as it doesn't cause harm. (I will discuss this in much greater detail in a later article.)

Karma/Threefold Law- Karma is the idea that all of your actions will return to you, positive or negative. The Threefold Law states that not only do your actions return to you, they are multiplied by three along the way, so if you send out negative energy, three times that amount of negative energy will come back to you.

Magick- While magick is not exactly a part of the religion, Wicca does provide a framework to guide one's magickal workings by, and certainly does not condemn the practice. Some Wiccans do magick rarely or not at all, and others use it almost daily, it is all a matter of personal preference.

Nature- Because they believe that the Earth is sacred, many Wiccans are active in conservation efforts. Most try to leave as light a mark on the planet as possible by conserving energy, recycling, and buying "green" products as opposed to less eco-friendly ones.

The Sabbats- Wiccans celebrate the cycles of nature in eight seasonal holidays, or sabbats. They basically follow the agricultural calendar, marking important events in the year such as sowing and harvesting.

Covens- Most traditions are initiatory, meaning that a coven has to initiate and train you if you are to be of that tradition. Tradition states that a coven should have thirteen members, however, in reality a coven can have as few as three or four members. Not all Wiccans work in covens or even join established traditions, some choose (or are forces by necessity) to work as solitaries. It should be noted, though, that members of initiatory traditions often do not count this as valid, unless the solitary in question was previously initiated.

I hope you've enjoyed the article, my next will come in two parts-one delving deeper into the Wiccan concept of deity, and one answering the question "Whats the difference between a Wiccan and a Pagan?".

Blessed be.

Writing Prompt-Is Wicca Right For You?

1. Are you comfortable with the idea that deity is both within and surrounding you? Can you learn to see the sacred in all things?
2. Are you willing to take full responsibility for your actions?
3. Do you respect and care for the Earth? Are you willing to do everything in your power to walk lightly upon Her?
4. Are you comfortable shunning the belief that magick is a dark, forbidden thing?
5. Would you prefer to work in a group or solitary? Why? Do you understand that there are benefits and drawbacks to both?
6. Considering all of your previous answers, do you still think Wicca is the path for you?

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