Wiccan Witchcraft

Witchcraft has most likely been around since the beginning of time as changed drastically since its creation and has molded into many new forms. The modern form of the controversial witchcraft is the neopagan religion, Wicca. Over the years, Wicca has spread and become popular all over the world. It is a neopagan religion and is a part of the New Religious Movement. It was founded by Gerald Gardner, and its followers, known as either Wiccans or witches, believe in a god/goddess pair,and the powers of nature and magic. It is often broken down into three forms or schools of Wicca; Gardnerian, Alexanderian and Farrarian Wicca. Occasionally crystals or other mystical objects may be used by Wiccans to receive magic. Wiccans cast spells and perform
Some Wiccans may even have celebrations for lunar events such as a new moon or a full moon. Wiccans have eight holidays called Sabbats that include the equinoxes and the solstices that occur each year. The eight Sabbat holiday cycle, “derived from a combination of Celtic and Anglo-Saxon sources” (Matthews 120). Wicca seems to have revitalized and altered mostly ancient celebratory practices and made them their own. To Wiccans quarter days are, “true beginnings of each season” and last from winter to autumn (Matthews 121). Solstices and equinoxes are considered holidays and are celebrated as such. The vernal equinox takes place on March 21, the autumnal equinox is on September 21 and the summer and winter solstice takes place on June 21 and December 21 respectively. During the holidays, sometimes a witch will write on a piece of paper a negative thought and then put the piece of paper over a lit candle and burn it (Matthews 122). The idea behind this ritual is to rid the mind of bad thoughts, so when the paper is burned the thought disappears. It is like a fire cleansing of the
Members of a coven will often worship in small groups commonly led by a priestess and a priest (Strmiska 55). The priestess may commence the meeting with a blessing on the members of the coven and give thanks to the Mother Goddess. Coven meetings will usually take place on, “full moons, solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days” (Strmiska 55). Various rituals may take place during these meetings or even celebrations if the meeting takes place during the solstice or equinox holidays. Worship in Wicca is usually centered on, “ecstatic union with the deities” (Strmiska 55). Unification between the follower and the deity is an important factor in Wicca. Magic is often an important feature of worship and may involve the power of crystals or other objects. The magic performed may be in an attempt to reach out to the Great Goddess, the Horned God, or the moon goddess. The moon goddess is mentioned in one of the most important texts to Wiccans, The Gospel of Witches (Strmiska 56). The text contains spells that may be used to summon the moon goddess if need