Wicca has a variety of misconceptions and myths, from being pure evil to worshiping demons. For the past couple of hundred years, Wicca has been associated with evil and the use of sacrifices. When discussing Wicca, a string of questions are usually asked: Exactly where did Wicca come from? Is it as evil as people make it seem to be?
Wicca originated during the Middle Ages just before the creation of the first first church. However, the church began to create myths and facades as a way to convert people away from the old religion. To do so, the church began to associate witchcraft with “evil” and the deities that were worshiped eventually became demons and ghouls. Those who wanted to still practice the craft did so in secrecy due to the fear of being persecuted. You could not discuss it with anyone, which left no help for those wanting to actually learn Wicca. These misconceptions and fears still exist today due to its history from the Middle Ages. The term Wicca was then created from the word witchcraft in order to avoid being harassed or ridiculed.
If Wicca is not an evil cult, then exactly what is it?
Wicca honors both the physical and spiritual aspects of life, which is also accompanied by deities and the use of magic. The practice of Wicca centers around the appreciation for nature, the Goddess and the God. The concept of nature being a higher power created both the God and Goddess. Unlike other religions, the deity lives within the person and the universe. The relationship with the God and Goddess requires rituals and the expansion of one’s knowledge. For the Wiccan, knowledge is gives the heightened sense of power. When doing a ritual a Wiccan may practice alone or within a group. There are many variations and personal structures, but it all comes down to the individual’s choice.
What consists of magic? Is it harmful? How does one practice the use of magic?
For those of you wondering, Wicca does consist of magic and yes, it is real. Think of it as the priest turning a piece of bread into a body, or wine into blood. In a nutshell, Wiccan magic is a similar concept of concentration towards a higher power. With the use of magic a person transforms his or her energies to make a change or effect in something. Magic is natural and we use it to create a change we want to see, so the idea of it being paranormal or evil must be ignored all together. In order for magic to become stronger when seeking power from the Gods, the Wiccan has to be aware of his or her own actions and the responsibilities that come with it. Once they gain total control of themselves they will be connected fully to the higher power. Lastly, a "Book of Shadows" is used when someone practices Wicca. This is simply a book where one writes down spells, chants (prayers), what works, what does not work and any new findings they come across.
Is Wicca really bad?
To recap, Wicca is not an evil religion at all. It is one where the practitioner connects themselves to nature and the world around them. They also learn to experience the spiritual realm through Wicca. The rituals that are performed help them gain knowledge, self power, and also help them connect themselves to the God and Goddess. The root of Wicca is simply to just embrace life and love for oneself and the world around them.
Want to learn more?
Stay tuned for more information on Wicca. Soon we will be seeing an in depth discussion of the deities and the ritual that takes place with a group or in solitary.
