The term wicca probably derives from "wicce", a Norse word meaning "wise one". "Wicca" and "Witchcraft" are often used interchangeably (usually by the uninformed) but they shouldn't be. The confusion comes because both practitioners of Wicca and practitioners of Witchcraft are called Witches. To further complicate matters many, but not all, Wiccans practice witchcraft and vice versa.
Wicca was first publicly introduced in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner, a British civil servant. Its ritual and initiatory structure consisted of elements from Masonic ritual and other occult and ceremonial magick systems, as well as regional witchcraft.
Gardner originally named his new religion "Wica" (pronounced "Wee-cha"). The extra "c" was later added to create the term Wicca which is used today. Wicca today has evolved (and is still evolving) to include non-Gardnerian traditions along with many eclectic and solitary practitioners.
Wicca is not, therefore, an ancient practice. Nor is it based directly on pre-Christian matriarchal societies. That's not to say modern Wicca has not "borrowed" from pre-existing faiths. It has for some practitioners. One of the beauties of Wicca is that it is not a rigid belief system. Everyone can follow the path they feel is right for them.
Although most Wiccans worship two deities, the Goddess and the God, some traditions mainly worship the Goddess and the God plays no role (or a diminished one), others practice the worship of many gods and goddesses, and some practice an atheistic form in which the God and Goddess are deemed symbolic rather than actual entities.
Most Wiccans are solitary practitioners but some join or form covens and practice their magick together. Either way is perfectly valid. |
