used as part of the noun invocation, the word means “to petition (to God or a god) for aid or comfort”, such as a prayer, but can also mean “a summoning of evil spirits”. I believe all of these definitions are applicable to the use of the word in Wicca. On its most basic level, invoking is calling something within yourself. When this is done, it is also a way of petitioning a deity for assistance. And while it is possible to summon evil spirits, it is the summoning of benign spirits, elements, entities
The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence has existed since the dawn of human history. It has been present or central at various times, and in many diverse forms, among cultures and religions worldwide, including both "primitive" and "highly advanced" cultures, and continues to have an important role in many cultures today. Historically, the predominant concept of witchcraft in the Western world derives from Old Testament laws against witchcraft, and entered the mainstream when
the nature-based religion, that have different branches and denomination. There has been some controversy about when Wicca had started, if it was formed back before pre-Christian ideas or if it was formed just a few decades ago. A man named Gerald B. Gardner had started the Wiccan Movement, along with Margret Murray, with the collaboration from both that is when the modern form of Wicca was born. Wiccans follow a dualistic idea of there being a Goddess and the Horned God. There are others who are polytheists
reality map whereby the points signify various things attributed to them according to tradition or subject. For example, in The Solitary Wiccan’s Bible Gavin & Yvonne Frost use the pentacle/pentagram as a map for a pilgrimage to the understanding of Wicca and spiritual development as a Solitary
with and utilizing Magick. According to to Guiley’s encyclopedia of witchcraft, Magick is an ability or power manifested by aligning inner forces with natural forces (2008). Wicca vs Witchcraft. While Witchcraft may not be a religion, the religion of Wicca heavily relies on witchcraft and utilizes it within its practices. Wicca is a nature based Pagan religion (Arthur, 2008). Exact beliefs vary heavily from Wiccan to Wiccan, but a general description of the higher powers that are worshiped would include
Sam is a Wiccan, my best friend, but she wasn’t always a Wiccan. For the first six years of her life, she grew up following the Christianity religion. The majority of children in the USA are introduced to Christianity as their first religion. It wasn’t until a friend of Sam’s family introduced her and her family to the magic of being a Wiccan that she became interested in following the Wiccan. While sitting down and talking to Sam she told me that she is an atheist. I was a bit confused by this
The Salem Witch Hysteria Hundreds of years ago something, that was considered one of the darkest and most tragic events in all of American history, began in 1692; The Salem Witch Hysteria. In the beginning, before the trials ever began or were even thought of was something every witch is greatly aware of, The Inquisition. It was the catholic tribunal's way of exposing and punishing those that they called 'Religiously Unorthodox'. By 430 AD there came a civil code that ordered death sentences
"Religion is about creation, and for that reason religion should be about the earth." - Laurie Cabot. One might see hundreds of faces from different races, gender, and pop cultures. But behind each face is a brain, with spirit and personal beliefs, like religion. When many Americans believe that everyone is Christian or Catholic, some people practice an ancient religion. This religion, commonly known as the umbrella-term “Paganism” is back on the move with a contemporary feel. Paganism is an earth-based
fear of discrimination. Many have not come “out of the broom closet” because some people assume stereotypes of witchcraft, like devil worship, without further researching or understanding the religion. A subset of Paganism is Wicca. There are many denominations of Wicca, but we will be exploring in general terms, the core of beliefs of the birth/death/life/ afterlife cycle and how Wiccans worship the divine. Wiccans view the birth/death/life/afterlife cycle as the eight spoke wheel known as “The
Wicca is a sect of the religion of known as Witchcraft. It was established surprisingly by a man named Gerald Gardner in the early 50’s. It’s based on a medley of traditions and beliefs experienced and learned others as well as Garner Himself. Wicca is a highly structured form branched off from the beliefs of Witchcraft, incorporating initiations onto its advancement of leadership. Many unknowingly intertwine the label Wicca with Witchcraft together, but it’s not exactly the same thing. Although