Wicca is a modern pagan religion influenced by ancient Celtic traditions and Egyptian/Greco-Roman goddesses. It focuses on nature and celebrates seasonal holidays and rituals. Key beliefs include practicing magic/witchcraft, following the Wiccan Rede of "harming none", and worshipping both a Mother Goddess and Horned God representing nature. Major holidays include Ostara/Easter in spring, Samhain/Halloween in fall, and Yule in winter. Rituals may involve elements, deities, and binding ceremonies like handfasting.
2. PAGANISM
o A definition of a Pagan: A follower
of a polytheistic or pantheistic
nature-worshipping religion.
o A definition of Paganism: A
polytheistic or pantheistic
nature-worshipping religion.
o EXAMPLES
o Native American’s, modern day
Wiccan’s, Louisiana Voodoo, etc.
3. Wicca
BASICS
oWicca is in no way related
to Satanism.
oFor 90% of it’s followers, it
is based on nature.
oCeltic Lore, Egyptian gods
and goddesses.
5. Wicca
GODESSES
oAstarte – fertility, sexuality,
war
oDemeter – Harvest
oIsis - Mistress of Magick
oHecate - magic, sorcery,
witchcraft, crossroads, trivial
knowledge, and necromancy
oInanna – Afterlife (Summerland)
oKali - Power
6. The Pentacle
Explained
o The star facing up within a circle
has been around for centuries. It
is not a demonic symbol, as it
represents all of the elements
and the spirit of all living things.
o Wicca (typically) involves the
elements, Mother Earth, Father
sun, and Sister moon.
7. Sacred Days
Ostara
March 21 – Spring Equinox
• Is more commonly known as Easter by
Catholicism and Christianity.
• The next full moon (a time of
increased births) is called the Ostara
and is sacred to Eostre the Saxon
Lunar Goddess of fertility (from
whence we get the word estrogen,
whose two symbols were the egg and
the rabbit.)
8. Sacred Days
Samhain
(Halloween)
o Spirit night.
o Laws of the world and nature are
temporarily halted, and the thin veil
between worldsis lifted for a very
brief amount of time.
o Offers a chance to be with loved ones
and ancestors before you.
o Brief History of Samhain
9. Sacred Days
Yule
(December 20-23)
o The darkestperiod of the year comes
to end and gives way to the light.
o Celebrated the Giver of Life or Sun
King
o Bonfires are lit and trees are
decorated with cider and toasts.
o Children (and adults in modern time)
receive gifts and go from home to
home giving gifts.
10. Hand Fasting
• TYING THE KNOT?
• Dates back to the ancient Celts.
• Binding two people together for a
year and a day, a time of engagement.
• Typically performed by a high
priestess.