What is your understanding of the Wiccan Religion?

United States
March 4, 2008 10:51am CST
I have spoken to many people about this in the past and was just wondering what the mylottian's understanding of this religion was? For me the Wiccan religion is an Nature based religion...whereby the concept of polarity governs...praying and working with a God and a Goddess...seeking to attain a "higher self" through meditation, seeking a greater knowledge in the worlds of herbal uses, seeking to understand and utilizing the concept of the Kabbalah in everyday life... I have noticed that since I seriously began persuing my faith in this religion...that I feel better about myself...I see beauty where there was none before...yes, I still have to deal with the mundane things in life and I still grieve for my personal loss of my Mother...but I find an inner peace that was never there before... I have a great respect for all other religions and do not wish to argue the validity of one religion over another... Would love to see what others think when they think of Wicca and Witchcraft?
6 people like this
11 responses
@psyche49f (2502)
• Philippines
5 Mar 08
As far as I know, wicca originated from the witchcraft during the Medieval Periods, but has totally evolved into the complete opposite. In other words, the wiccan religion or belief now espouses two thing: feminist movement (forwarding the rights of women around the world) and environmental protection. I guess they still practice certain rituals, but instead of being destructive, it supports life and everything beautiful in it. Gone are the days of black magic and voodooism and evil spirits. Wiccans are peace-loving people and are more concerned of saving Mother Earth. I guess we had a wiccan invited speaker once, and I was impressed at how passionate she was with nature and about the feminine movement.
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
5 Mar 08
Wicca is actually only about 40-50 yrs old... "Gone are the days of black magic and voodooism and evil spirits" I also want to say that Vodou is NOT a negative path like so many tend to think and magick to me has never had a colour...it just is
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
4 Mar 08
Alot of ppl immediately think of witchcraft (bubbling cauldrons, black hats, broom riding witches) when you mention wiccan or the other satanism (devil worship). Years ago, I looked into and did alot of reading up on it and here's what I found out. Most ppl that practice wiccan follow a more nature type path. They believe in mother earth and positive energy. They rarely have anything to do with bad or negative energy b/c they practice what goes out comes back times 3. They also do something simular to spells but not on the level of bat wing, eye of newt, rat tail type spells but more burning certain colored candles to achieve certain goals...again focusing positive energy. There is alot more to it but that is the general understanding I have it. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
2 people like this
• United States
4 Mar 08
Thank you Twoey, I agree that there are many misconceptions surrounding Wicca/Witchcraft...I also follow the Rule of 3..that says that whatever we send out into the universe be it positive or negative will come back to us three-fold...as I believe that the plants, animals, well...everything in the universe is connected by energy..I would never consider working any form of magick that would cause harm to another.. Thank you so much for responding..
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
5 Mar 08
I'm a Witch but not Wiccan myself..What do I think of Wicca? hhmm well for ME PERSONALLY its too concentrated on ritual and rules for starters. I also find that the heavy emphasis of the feminine is a bit much as well...Both are reasons why I left Wicca fairly quickly..That being said however, I find that the Earthy paths are far more natural, realistic, logical and beneficial not only to those who walk an Earthy path but also for those that don't...I find that Pagans and Earthy ppl in general are far more compassionate, understanding, open minded and inner secure then those that arent....
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
4 Mar 08
I think of similar things as you. One word that comes to mind is 'freedom'. I have quite a few friends who are Wiccan and they seem to live a life fully at peace with themselves and their choices. Many of my Wiccan friends are also in poly relationships so they get a lot of opposition from people but they handle it all with an amazing amount of strength...I imagine it must come from their faith.
2 people like this
• United States
4 Mar 08
Hiya, Foxyfire...Long time no chat...lol Yes, I have found that once I stopped just reading about it and began "practicing" that I have found an inner strength that surpasses any other that I have ever felt.. I guess that I am lucky in that my family is always supportive of me...I do catch alittle ribbing from one of my kids...but he does so in a good nature... Hope that you and your family are doing well.. Huge hugs, Tina
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
5 Mar 08
I have friends who practice this religion and have done some reading on it. I found it to be a very beautiful religion and also very very interesting. I know there is an evil side to witchcraft as with most things but that would say more about the person practicing it than the practice itself. It also does much healing physically and spiritually. Good post!
2 people like this
@miller1978 (1101)
• United States
4 Mar 08
I'm not sure how to explain it in words on here but being Wiccan gives me the "free range" of practice. I don't have to be like everyone else in a sense of the same religion going to church and whatnot. I practice at home by myself and don't find many people that are Wiccan around my area, so I can't join a coven to practice with others. It's a calming sense I receive that keeps me with this as I have went to church many years ago and was not religiously satisfied. I think given the freedom to practice many different styles is what peaked my interest in becoming Wiccan. I only started into it about 2 1/2 years ago. That's also when I started getting heavily into the tarot readings too. If I can put it in more technical terms I will be back later to further explain myself.
2 people like this
• United States
4 Mar 08
Thank you so much for responding to this discussion...I have been reading and studying for several years now; but did not begin really practicing until this past year...my first Sabbat was Samhain. I have joined a great online school that teaches more about Wicca, Tarot, Herbs, Kabbalah....if interested, please PM me... I agree that once the basics are learned...there is so much freedom and I enjoy being a Solitary Witch...I think with my school and it's forum...I have the benefit of a coven...without the rigors of the structure..
2 people like this
@addysmum (1225)
• Canada
5 Mar 08
I studied Wicca and found that while I have taken away from it many of my current beliefs and understandings of the world around me I am not a full on Wiccan. My belief system is more of a new age bases, I mix and mingle my beliefs, I have my buddha and my crystals and my Brigit's cross rosary and my reiki requests all living together in my personal alter area of my china cabinet (safe from the kids and my minister mother-in-law). I think the Wiccan lifestyle and belief system is a wonderful Earth based faith and am so blessed with having taken from it's path much of my understands. spell casting in Wicca is more of a prayer and energy focusing to manifest an out come in favor of the persons needs and if the needs are not met in the way the person intended then it was met in the way the Spirit intended. I think it is a beautiful faith.
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37968)
• Philippines
5 Mar 08
I don't think you need to compare your beliefs with others. If you find inner peace and happiness then you have found your religion that suits you. I think you should just continue on doing and practicing your belief and continue doing good.
2 people like this
@Foxfire1875 (2010)
5 Mar 08
I'm not wiccan but I would agree with your idea of it, apart from the kabbalah, which although it is part of the western magical tradition it isn't wiccan, but Jewish in origin. When I think of witchcraft, it is harmony with nature and although the god has an important part to play the feminine is given more prominence.
1 person likes this
@aidenw (632)
• United States
5 Mar 08
I'm not a Wiccan or a Witch but I've read quite a bit about them and paganism in general. I agree with you that Wicca is a nature based religion that teaches you to do good (not evil like many people believe). In a way I think it's also like a fairy tale (and I don't mean it in a negative way), since they believe in Gods and Godesses as well as fairies. So it's beautiful. Another impression I got is that Wiccans know how to enjoy life to the fullest. They celebrate every season, every month, every day, and, and many natural occurences like full moon. So I think it's a wonderful religion/belief system.
2 people like this
@maz323 (29)
• Australia
4 Mar 08
i have read a few books on wicca and have been interested in it for many years but havent been able to get in to it a great deal... i would love to but anyone in my local area who practise it... when i mention it to friends they look at me as if im stupid.. i believe in what wicca teaches about nature and the god and goddess.. i think i might by a few more books about wicca and try and get myself further into the religon..
2 people like this