Online Class: Wicca 101

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.

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  • 11
    Lessons
  • 13
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 3
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.3
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

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.
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Course Motivation

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. 

Think about the perceptions you might already have about Wicca and witches: evil women, pointy hats, and long noses perhaps? Images of witches are scattered throughout popular culture and rarely do any of them match up with contemporary witches, let alone Wicca.  Yet, these images continue to influence how Wicca and witches are perceived.  Indeed, anytime a practitioner of the faith is public with their religion, it can often create fear and lead to the loss of friends or jobs. Troops fighting in the U.S. military only recently were granted the ability to recognize their faith on their identification and gravestones; before, they were simply "other." Religion is a major part of nearly every society and changing the stereotypes associated with a faith can be difficult. Hopefully, as you progress throughout this course, you will come to understand that the images that are commonly associated with witches are just that, images, and have little to do with reality or religion.


Myths and Urban Legends About Wicca:

Misstatements abound, from pointy hats to devil worship, it's all bumble, bumble, toil, and trouble:
 
  • "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.

The Takeaway:

What does all of this ultimately mean? Wiccans are just like everyone else. They don't wear pointy hats to match their long pointy noses.  They believe in their gods, they respect nature, and they try to get by and be good people.   Wiccans should not be shunned or feared.  In fact, you've probably met several without ever knowing it.
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Lesson One: Wicca Overview

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. 11 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: Course Introduction and Goals
  • Assessment: Lesson One: Introductory Overview

Lesson Two: The History of Wicca

Wicca was founded in the 1940s by Gerald Gardner, but its traditions are steeped in much older Pagan rituals that stretch back throughout history. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Two: The History of Wicca

Lesson Three : The Paths of Wicca: To Initiate or Not Initiate Parts One of Two

Traditional Wicca generally requires initiation by a High Priest and Priestess who have proven their lineage. The two most common traditional paths are Gardnerian and Alexandrian. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Three: The Paths of Wicca: to Initiate or Not Initiate Part One of Two

Lesson Four: To Initiate or Not Initiate, Part Two of Two

Now that we have looked at how you can initiate into the traditional paths of Wicca, it is time to explore the other option: non-traditional Wicca. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Four: To Initiate or Not Initiate Part Two of Two

Lesson Five: Understanding the Faith: the Gods, the Rede and Tenets

As we have seen, there are many different pathways you can take to begin to explore and understand Wicca. However, even though there are many different paths, they all emanate from one source, which is the basis of the Wiccan faith. 8 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Five: Understanding The Faith: The Gods, The Rede and Tenets

Lesson Six: The Wheel of the Year and The Moon

The Wheel of the Year is the name of the Wiccan calendar, it refers to the cycle of sacred days throughout the year, and is another foundation of the Wiccan faith. 8 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Six: The Wheel of the Year and The Moon

Lesson Seven : The Tools of Wicca

Wiccans employ many different symbols and tools in their practice. Some are meant to aid visualization, some are meant to represent specific things, and others are tools used to perform specific functions. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Seven: The Tools of Wicca

Lesson Eight: The Elements

The four elements: earth, air, fire, and water make up four points of the pentacle and hold important roles in Wiccan ritual and practice. The elements have many correspondences and associations that are meaningful for Wiccan practice. 9 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Eight: The Elements

Lesson Nine: Casting a Circle

Rituals for creating a circle can be created by the group or individual practitioner, as well. It is important for practitioners to feel connected to the sacred space they are creating. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Nine: Casting a Circle

Lesson Ten: Spellcraft and Its Place in Wicca

Spells instantly conjure images from stories and movies about curses, and hexes. This lesson will examine and correct some of those misconceptions. 10 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Lesson Ten: Spellcraft and its Place in Wicca

Lesson Eleven: Correspondences and Review

This lesson is meant to show how the "correspondences," mentioned throughout, work in more detail, as well as to provide you with a short review. 59 Total Points
  • Lesson discussions: Final Course Poll - Your Opinion; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson Eleven: Correspondences and Review
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
154
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Summarize the history of wicca.
  • Describe the paths of wicca.
  • Describe the faith behind wicca.
  • Describe the wheel of the year and the moon.
  • Describe the tools of wicca.
  • Summarize the elements.
  • Describe casting a circle.
  • Summarize spellcraft and its place in wicca.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
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Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Wicca 101
Course Number: 7550084
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: December 2022
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.3 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Course Fee: $95.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "Easily worded and thorough instruction. Visually stunning." -- Silent W.
  • "What was most helpful was the common sense approach to the topics. The format was easy to follow and understand." -- Marcella C.