Wicca - An
Introduction
page 2
Wicca
/ witchcraft generally involves some form of god or goddess worship,
and many involve the invoking of spirits and guides as well. Wicca/witchcraft
is a very individualized religion, and each person chooses his or her
own deities to worship. Generally, the supreme being is considered genderless
and is comprised of many aspects that may be identified as masculine or
feminine in nature, and thus a god or a goddess. Originally, the horned
God of hunting represented the masculine facet of the deity, whereas the
female qualities were represented in the fertility goddess. The gods and
goddesses form the personalities of the supreme being and are a reflection
of the attributes that the worshipers seek to emulate. Wiccans may draw
upon the ancient civilizations of the Druids, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans,
or other polytheistic cultures to commune with the particular aspect of
the deity that they identify with. Some favorite gods include Osiris,
Pan, Cennunnos, and Bacchus. Favorite goddesses include Isis, Caridwen,
Rhea, Selene, and Diana.
Wiccans generally observe the four greater Sabbaths of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane,
and Laghnasadh; and the lesser Sabbaths - the spring and autumn equinoxes
and the sum- mer and winter solstices. These celebrations are typically
free-spirited, and are sometimes held "sky clad" (naked) or
in various styles of robes. Other services include handfasting (marriage),
handparting (divorce), and wiccaning (birth rite). Regular meetings called
Esbats are also held, at which magic and healing are performed. Wiccans
/ witches meet in small groups (up to twelve) called a coven, which typically
join with other covens to form a "grove."
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