Wiccan Religion: Witchcraft In The United States

In Native American witchcraft, amulets and charms play the central role. Practitioners of one region dress similarly as well as use same kind of totems to have a sense of unity with each other. For them land is considered as deity that provides them with objects necessary for witchcraft and magic. These objects come in many shapes and forms. These may include herbs, stones, feathers, bones etc (world of Wicca, 2014).

Most modern concepts are much more used to the idea that Witchcraft is focused on learning how to be a witch with the more advanced users learning spells for love and other magic spells that are satanic and evil in nature. Thanks to popular television and movie shows, Wicca has become synonymous to Witchcraft, most of the time exchanging the two ideas. Fact is, Witchcraft is but a mere part of the Wiccan religion, and it is a religious belief that focuses on the understanding of an individual regarding earth and nature which affirms and recognizes the divinity in all living things. It basically teaches individuals that while external forces matter, it does not constitute to our own being and therefore is not to be blamed for anything that is happening to us individually. It teaches responsibility for our actions, therefore ensuring a harmonious balance between the earth and

Witchcraft wasn't new to the world, it had been occurring in Europe for hundreds of years. From the 14th-16th century, 40,000- 50,000 individuals in Europe were executed for the suspicion of witchcraft. Religion was very pertinent to the people of this era. Anything that was written in the bible or created by the church was law, it says in Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." By the year of 1231, Pope Gregory IX declared that it was legal to expose and punish any belief different from Roman Catholic doctrine. Pope Innocent the VIII deemed witchcraft a heresy, with the punishment being death. Everyone followed this decree as witchcraft was wrongful in the eyes of the church. ("Search")

The Wicca religion mainly focuses on: “Feminine as being at least as important as the masculine, the importance of preserving the environment, and positive attitudes towards human sexuality as a gift of the Goddess” (Robinson 1). The author Herne talks about how a Wiccan's main goal is to make the earth peaceful and harmonious: “Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day” (Herne 1). Everything a Wiccan does mainly consists of helping the environment: “We also revere the spirits of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water which combine to manifest all creation” (Herne 2). By using the four elements, Wiccans have a clear view of nature and who they are as a person. The author Raven Grimassi, who is an author of many Wicca books, states that sometimes as a symbol of the four elements, Wiccans wear a pentagram. A pentagram is a five-pointed star that is enclosed in a circle. “The top of the star represents pure spirit and each of the other points symbolize one of the four elements of creation” (Grimassi 326). It is a sign of protection and balance. When worshiping, a Wiccan worships their divine, the God and the Goddess. Their personal relationship with the God and Goddess helps Wiccans become more powerful (Herne 1). It is also how a Wiccan draws their power and energy when practicing

Witchcraft has been around since the B.C. era, but erupted in the late 1600s. It began in Europe and eventually made its way to the New World. Witchcraft is believing in and the use of practical magic, such as casting spells, calling on spirits, or predicting the future. Witchcraft is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, “wicce,” meaning wise. Therefore, it translates into “craft of the wise.” Wise people were those who were familiar with natures’ forces and were educated when it came to the herbs and plants. Witches relied greatly on the four elements: air, fire, water, and earth. They were known to have supernatural powers and used them for the good of society, unlike the negative stereotype the modern day witches hold, mainly because of the Christian churches. (witchcraft.com)

From my understanding witchcraft is what is basically used to explain situations that human kind believe is unexplainable in terms of science or nature; or simplified reasons of human understanding of the world around us. These understandings of which most are found in rural or secluded areas, and in places where wealth is distributed unequally. I also gather from the readings of; Evan Pritchard, that witchcraft explains functionalism in primitive though lines and in contrast to Fraser McNeil and Daniel Jordan Smith’s readings witchcraft in another context explains structuralism.

Wiccanas are those who practice the religion of Wicca, but not all Wiccans practice Witchcraft. Many Wiccans do practice witchcraft though. There is a belief that in both, depending on if the Wiccan believes in, and practices witchcraft that humans are able to be animagiouses and turn into different animals. It is believed that when they are able to transform from human to animal they are able to see the world from different perspectives. For instance, transforming into a bug would help you see from the earth while transforming into a bird you would gain new knowledge from the sky.

Wicca: More Than Witchcraft “Wicca is an eclectic religious belief system centering around gods, goddesses, and nature worship(2).” Like Christianity; there are many different spiritual paths within the Wiccan religion. Unlike Christianity; there is a belief in more than one god. The details of these deities vary among individuals.

It is important to note that Wiccans are not the type of witches that are often portrayed in Hollywood films nor do they necessarily look as you have been taught to expect. Many turn to Wiccan or Paganism because they find their selves to be lost within their culture and society. Reasonings as to why the Wiccan lifestyle as a religion is charming to people is because they tend to be open to most with an open mind. Free thinking is encouraged and meditation is a regular thing to gain positive energy.

In most Wiccan covens, there is some form of initiation and a degree

The class was very well received and the class participants asked for more classes. These classes led to more classes and then on to more advanced classes. They eventually created the advanced class called “ The Iron Pentacle”. The Iron Pentacle is a Faery Tradition concept that has the points of the pentacle as sex, self, passion, pride, and power. The counterpart to the Iron Pentacle is the Pentacle of Pearl with the points being love, law, wisdom, knowledge, and power. Both pentacles correspond to the human body as head, hands, and feet. As more classes were taught the graduates or initiates of these classes formed their own covens, and then even more covens were formed. As this happened some of the original teachers and coven leaders formed the Reclaiming Collective. From this Collective, in 1985, came a Summer Intensive Apprenticeship course that was offered. These Intensive classes soon became known as Witchcamps, which is what they are still called today. Reclaiming Tradition Witchamps can be found all over the United States, Canada, and even Europe. The Reclaiming tradition has now become a non-profit 501(c)3 religious organization.

From research articles via Dr. Dominquez we find the following references to “Wicca” and “Witchcraft” meanings:

Considering the number of rituals and the depth of history and beliefs that come with them, it takes years before one can truly become proficient in all the ceremonies involved. A progressive line is followed as every Mason ascends to each chair in the lodge. And with each level, a new series of rituals is to be learned and memorized as well.

INTRODUCTION Considered a duo-theistic religious movement, the Wicca was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and was introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant. Wicca draws upon a diverse set of ancient pagan and 20th century hermetic motifs for its theological structure and ritual practice. The dual aspect of said movement is represented by the feminine and masculine essences subject to it; these essences are commonly referred to by Wiccans as the God and the Goddess, “father heaven” and “Mother earth” respectively. A practitioner of Wicca is called a witch, either referring to a male or a female, but the idea many people have of witches is a bit off the mark.

Wiccans are Pagans; Pagans are not necessarily Wiccans; witches are not Wiccans. Wicca and witchcraft are commonly amalgamated in Western popular culture and there are indeed some similarities between them in part because of their common origin in Paganism. However, I will argue that there are four major differences between Wicca and witchcraft concerning: their conceptions of the deities, their organizations, their ceremonies and practices, and their views on reincarnation. On a terminological note: by Paganism I mean “spiritual paths characterized by nature worship and polytheism or pantheism” (Yardley 329), which Wiccans and witches fall under; by Wicca I mean “a form of worship, a spiritual system and also a system for developing and using psychic and magical power” (Crowley 11); and by witchcraft, I mean focusing “on the practice of magic and healing” (Yardley 329).