Online Class: Wicca 101

Wicca is a word that comes with a lot of baggage.  Many people fear Wiccans or Witches, folklore tells us that Witches of any breed should be shunned or feared because they will do bad things to you. This may be the case for a few vindictive individuals and their misguided ideals but it is not the norm. A growing number of people in contemporary society have started looking toward Paganism in general and Wicca specifically as a way to reconnect with nature and religion in a more spiritual and less dogmatic way.  Wicca is a rich religion in this vein that is focused on understanding and living simply within nature, taking a positive approach to life and being a positive example for others.

With that understanding in mind, this course is meant to give you a beginning overview of the Wiccan faith.  We will outline all the major aspects of Wicca that are spread throughout its traditions as well as try to correct some of the misconceptions that are common in the popular understanding of Wicca and Witches. Here you will learn about what drives the faith, what its philosophy is, and we will also illustrate what its practices are from holidays, to concepts of afterlife, to basic rules. While this course isn't meant to be inclusive of the entire religion and its different paths, it will show you the largest groups and provide books and linked resources throughout so you can find more information should you choose to explore this religion more deeply.

This course is designed to give you an understanding of the Wiccan faith, its philosophy, and its approach to understanding the world we live in. 

• "Wiccans worship Satan," - This is a big one.  In fact, Wiccans cannot worship "Satan" or "the Devil," because there is no such archetype in the Wiccan faith. Nor is there a concept of "Hell."  Wiccans believe in a "Spirit World" -- a world where the spirits of the dead are watching over us. The shape of the pentagram is also used in conjunction with this myth as a moniker of the Devil. While those images may overlap in popular culture, Wiccans understand the pentagram to represent the elements earth, air, fire, and water -- with the fifth point of the star representing the spirit.  
• "Wiccans practice animal sacrifice,"- Eye of newt, wool of bat, tongue of dog right? Wrong. The Wiccan faith honors and revers the natural world and this includes animals. Ritual sacrifice is not present in any form -- animal, vegetable, or mineral -- in Wicca.  This is a concept that has its roots more in movies than reality.
• "Wiccans practice black magic," - Another one from the movies. Although it might make a catchy song lyric, there is no "black" or "white" magick.  Wiccans follow the rule of three, which means they see whatever they do good or bad coming back to them three times more. As such, they prefer harmony and balance in their lives. No stirring up cauldrons full of potions and hexes here.
• "Wicca is a cult," - If only Wiccans were that organized! But seriously, cults tend to be centered on a strong dogmatic belief followed to the letter. Wicca is a broad and diverse group of people, paths, religious, and philosophical views.  As we get through the next lessons, it will become clear that the way one goes about practicing the Wiccan faith is as much about personal choice and freedom as religious tenets.

The Reality:

Wicca is a faith centered around honoring a God and a Goddess, the natural world, and being a positive force in the world. Hexes, the devil, and cauldrons full of potions are all the stuff of movies and Halloween decorations. The folklore surrounding the witches of popular fairy tales are just that, folklore and fairy tales. To understand this, let's look a little deeper.

The Philosophy of Wicca:

• Wicca is a nature-based religion.  What does nature-based mean?  Nature-based means that the traditions of Wicca are steeped in the natural world.  Wiccan holidays follow the seasons, and celebrate what changes with each new phase of the year.  Wiccans focus in on the nature to learn and feel connected.
• Honor, not worship.  Wiccans honor their Gods, ancestors, and nature.  Where other religions worship their god(s), Wiccans approach faith from a place of reverence, but also equality and mutual understanding. They learn from the Gods, their ancestors, and nature without being submissive.
• Ancestry is important. Wiccans look to members of their family, and key figures in their heritage for lessons.  Some even include them in religious rituals or celebrations. Wicca is as much about knowing what has come before, as understanding what is going on now.
• Everything is cyclical. The seasons, life cycles, the waxing and waning of the moon; life moves in circles. The Wiccan calendar of sacred days is called the Wheel of the Year, it is oriented around the phases of the moon, the equinoxes, and seasons. The Wiccan faith moves with these changes and celebrates what happens in each phase.