Wicca and Ecofeminism

Across many cultures that function predominately with patriarchal thought, women are perceived to be closer to nature than men (Roach, 2003; King, 1989, 2003). This perception of women and nature portrays them as the ‘others’ – something that is different from and controlled by the dominant (King, 2003). The binary oppositions of male over female and culture over nature have been associated with more male-dominating religions like Christianity (Roach, 2003; Ruether, 2003) Goddess religions and earth based spiritualties on the other hand find power in the female image, connect with nature through rituals, and believe it is the destiny of humanity to participate in the cycles of birth, death, and renewal that characterizes life on earth. The Goddess and Mother Nature inspire individuals to repair the split between men and women, between man and nature, and God and the world. Ecofeminism, a type of feminist critique, uncovers the source of environmental deprivation in the structure of dualist thinking and patriarchal systems (King, 2003). Some Eco-feminists associate the feminine principle with the giving and nurturing of life, as valued in goddess religions and earth based spiritualties. By contrast, they see patriarchal culture as rising from a fear of death, which ultimately creates a culture of domination over nature (King, 2003). This essay will explore the nature based religion of Wicca and how it may influence feminist and ecological critiques. Ecofeminism will then be used to analyze society’s ecological views and determine if a possible shift towards a more caring and sustainable approach can be achieved through gender equality in religious practices. Anthropologists have come to believe that the original human religion during the Stone Age Culture reflected a matriarchal society. The Mother Goddess was the one in power, and her son was the hunter. This religion was eventually conquered by patriarchal nomadic warriors, replacing the Mother Goddess with a

References: Anonymous (2004-2013). Comparison Chart of Wicca and Christianity.Available: http://www.religionfacts.com/neopaganism/charts/wicca_vs_christianity.htm. Last accessed 5 April 2013. Carr-Gomm, P. (2002). Druidcraft: The Magic of Wicca and Druidry. London: HarperCollinsPublishers Limited. 6-9. Chittister, J (1998). Heart of Flesh: A Feminist Spirituality for Women and Men. Cambridge: Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1-8. Crowley, V. (2003). Wicca: A Comprehensive Guide to the Old Religion in the Modern World. London: Element. 1-160. Foltz, R (2003). Worldviews, Religion, and the Environment: A Global Anthology. London: Thomson Wadsworth. 456-457. Fry, K. (2000). Learning, Magic, & Politics: Integrating Ecofeminist Spirituality into Environmental Education. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education . 79 (1), 86-109. Griffin, S. (1989). Split Culture. In: Plant, J Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. London: Green Print. 7-17. Harrison, P. (1999). Subduing the Earth: Genesis 1, Early Modern Science, and the Exploitation of Nature. The Journal of Religion. 79 (1), 86-109. Harvey, G (1997). Listening People Speaking Earth. London: C. Hurst & Co. Ltd.. 1-228. King, Y. (a) (1989). The ecology of feminism and the feminism of ecology. In: Plant, J Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. London: Green Print. 18-28 King, Y Mellor, M. (2003). Gender and the Environment. In: Eaton, H. and Lorentzen, L Ecofeminism and Globalization. Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. . 11-21. Merchant, C (2003). Reinventing Eden: The Fate of Nature in Western Culture. New Fetter Lane: Routledge. 11-36 Roach, C Ruether, R. (1989). Toward an Ecological-Feminist Theory of Nature. In: Plant, J Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. London: Green Print. 145-150. Ruether, R. (2003). Ecofeminism: The Challenge to Theology. In: Foltz, R Worldviews, Religion, and the Environment: A Global Anthology. London: Thomson Wadsworth. 464-471. Starhawk (a) (1988). Dreaming the Dark: Magic, Sex, and Politics. Boston: Beacon Press. 74. Starhawk (b) (1989). Feminist, Earth-based spirituality and Ecofeminism. In: Plant, J Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism. London: Green Print. 174-185.