Wicca

Wicca is a neo-pagan religion based on the pre-Christian traditions of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Its origins can be traced even further back to Paleolithic peoples who worshipped a Hunter God and a Fertility Goddess. Cave paintings found in France (and dated at 30,000 years old) depict a man with the head of a stag, and a woman with a swollen, pregnant belly. They stand in a circle with eleven mortals. These archetypes of the divine are worshipped by Wiccans to this very day. By these standards, the religion that is now called Wicca, is perhaps the oldest religion in the world. Most Wiccans call themselves witches, but not all witches are necessarily Wiccan

Wiccans believe in a divine force or power as being the source of everything. While being both immanent and transcendent it encompasses the whole of the universe. The whole world in its entirety is therefore considered sacred.

Wiccans use ancient and modern ceremonies, rituals and shamanic practices to attune themselves to the natural rhythms of nature, the world, and the universe in their efforts to commune with this divine force.

Wiccans communicate with the force in the form of a Goddess and God. As they emanate from the same source, both retain equal power, hence equal status. By manifesting the power in two deities, the natural balance of opposites (cause and effect) is maintained. Each opposite is fundamental for keeping a balance and continuity of life on earth.

Since there is no high authority, no prophet or single sacred text every wiccan is just as important as the other. Many wiccans are solitary practitioners (Hedge Witches), but there are also numerous Covens. Covens are made up of groups numbering upto 13 members, which reflects the anual 13 phases of the moon. Covens are guided by a High-Priest or High-Priestess with years of practice in magick and ritual techniques. These High-Priests or High-Priestesses are respected as elders and teachers of the craft.

Wiccans revere and obey one overriding ethical precept (Wiccan Rede), \"An` it harm none, do what ye will!\". Which doesn`t mean \"do what you want!\" but \"it allows them the freedom of thought and actions to ascertain the truth, to communicate with and experience the divine and to determine how best to live their lives, if by doing so they cause no harm\". This idea is backed by \"The Three-Fold Law\" (a fundamental Law) stating that every action whether for good or for evil will be returned to them, but magnified three times over. Therefore witches accept responsibility for all their own actions and are very careful about how they employ magick. To hurt someone or to cause distress would mean that a spell would be returned to sender three times worse.

Wiccans and Pagans are people just like you and me, from all parts of society and from all over the world. Wicca is a multi-faceted religion that is able to meet everyone`s needs. There are many differing paths and traditions contained within Wicca, each with it's own brand of ritual and magick. The common denominator to all of these traditions is the reverence for life, nature, and the environment, as seen through the Goddess and God.

THE WICCAN REDE

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

\"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will\"