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Wicca—A Practice from the Dawn of our Existence

Anita Burns
Special thanks to Carol Ann Shang for her assistance

Witchcraft: A practice of magic by witches.

Witches throughout the ages and all over the world have been called by many names, such as Incantrix, Lamia, Saga, Maga, Malefica, Sortelega, Strix, Venefica, Strega, Janana, and sorceress. By whichever name, witches and witchcraft is as old as humankind itself.

As gatherers and hunters, we sensed invisible powers and forces in our everyday world and devised ways to understand and use them. We painted the caves, carved fetishes, buried our dead, and developed rituals and behaviors that would bring the invisible forces under our control. We gathered before a hunt to invoke the forces to ensure success. We gathered, also, at a birth, a migration, and a death to invoke the forces for our good.

Sometimes, through history, we sought the mainly the Great Father for power. At other times, it was the Great Mother, the Goddess that was our primary source. The Great Mother, because all life springs from her, has been a driving force in all religions throughout history. Even the strongly patriarchal religion of Christianity has its goddess—the pure symbol of womanhood, Mary. All across the world, the Goddess is known by many names and forms. From Isis in Egypt to Kali in India, the Mother has been our source of creation, destruction and protection. Her consort, the Great Father is our source for the masculine side of power, protection, destruction, and preservation.

It was during one of the times when the Great Mother was dominant, that the Witch Cult, now known as Wicca (from the word ?Wiccae? meaning to bend or shape), came into existence. Techniques using the elements of fire, water, earth and air, particular vocal invocations, and symbols to focus the forces were developed. Either through trial and error or from direct spiritual communication, Wiccans, both male and female, developed a formal system for focusing and channeling the universal forces into daily lives.

They observed the natural cycles of seasons and planets and discovered special places in the earth that have unique power which can enhance the Wiccan practices. Shrines and temples were built on these spots. Stonehenge, in southern England is one such place. The hill on which Chartre Cathedral in France stands now is another “sacred” site, as is the place where water springs from the earth at Bath, England. And, the Great Serpent Mound in Ohio, is a good example of a power place in the United States of America.

Even though Wicca has been practiced in nearly every culture and civilization throughout history, we mainly know it from its European development. From this we know Wiccans as those who use the forces of nature to affect events in their daily lives and in the trends of the world. They alter the future and shape the forces for a higher good. According to a report by the Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery Alabama, there are an estimated 50,000 Wiccans in the United States. But since, Wicca, by some reports, is the fastest growing spiritual path in the U.S., the number of Wiccans is probably considerably higher.

Completely opposite of popular belief, Wiccans DO NOT worship Satan. Nor do they use their practices for harm and destruction. The “Black Arts” have their practitioners, just as Christianity had its “inquisitors.” But true Wicca is a benign cult, or religion, that shapes the forces for the good of all. Their power comes from the Gods and Goddesses —archetypes of the masculine and feminine aspects of nature. They draw the forces from the air, stones, earth, fire, trees, the Sun and Moon, and the natural cycles of time and seasons. They call on the great Goddess and her consort to release the forces to them. From there, the “work” can be simple or complex depending on the means and tools at hand, and the desired outcome. With symbols, incantations, movement and tools from the elements, the rituals bend the forces to the intended outcome.

For centuries much of Wicca has remained secret. Some still is, because it is thought to be so powerful, the danger of it falling into “evil” hands is too great. This knowledge is passed on from teacher to student. But since the late nineteenth century, more and more Wicca practices and formulas for magickal oils, healing herbs, rituals, and spells have been published. It is now possible to study Wicca as the ancients did—informally, and to begin using its power for practical purposes.

Wiccans, like most who follow ancient religions, do not believe they need a mediator to commune with God. Like the Hindus of India, they have gathering places for special rituals, but mainly worship throughout their daily lives. Wiccans can be found in every walk of life, all over the world. But, perhaps because they haven’t yet recovered from the persecutions that occurred from the 12th to the 18th centuries, called the “Burning Times,” Wiccans practice quietly and generally don’t seek political power as a group. But, Wicca is a great force in the world and those who use it are bound by the rules of Karma, like everyone else. If they do good, good will be returned. If they do evil, evil will be returned. Perhaps this is why the motto for Wiccans is “Do as you will, as long as you harm none.”

Blessed Be

 

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