Diane Smith

Cheat Sheet / Updated 02-16-2022

Wicca, a sect of witchcraft, is centered in ritual that Wiccans perform for specific purposes, such as communicating with or honoring Deity. The sabbats are Wiccan solar holidays focused on the Earth's path around the sun, sometimes referred to as Wheel of the Year. Esbats are Wiccan lunar holidays that focus on the moon's cycle. All Wiccan ritual has a structure made up of basic steps.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Some people cautiously hide their beliefs and never tell others about their involvement in Wicca — not their families, not their friends, and certainly not their employers. They hide their altars, keep their books hidden in drawers instead of displayed on shelves, and find an excuse to leave in a hurry when people start talking about religion. They only share their beliefs with like-minded Wiccans, and sometimes with no one at all. Other people, from the moment they encounter Wicca, begin telling everyone they know about the wonderful new world that they have discovered. They heap books on their friends, they hang pentacles in their cubicles at work, and they wear bold T-shirts proudly displaying their devotion to Wicca. They're proud, and they want the world to know it. Both of these positions have merit. People who keep silent aren't just being paranoid. Most Wiccans are well versed in the long and brutal history of persecution against real and alleged Witches. Discrimination and persecution continue today around the world. In the United States, Wiccans are fired from jobs, lose custody of their children, are discriminated against in housing, or are forced to make other painful sacrifices because of their religion. Some people want to keep silent because they worry about being put in a position where they are forced to divulge the names of fellow Wiccans. In addition, some Wiccans are alarmed by the escalating use of technology to collect and reveal very private information about individuals. So, quite reasonably, some Wiccans choose to limit the number of people who know about their religion and could cause them trouble — or even put them in danger — now or in the future. Keep in mind that you should never ask someone directly whether he or she is a Wiccan or a Witch. Wait until the information is volunteered. If a person mentions the subject in conversation, show that you are open minded and receptive, but wait for the person to confide in you. And this advice goes double if others can hear your conversation. Never, and I mean never, "out" anyone. Don't divulge to others that someone is Wiccan without first getting permission in private. Please respect that some people want to keep their religion to themselves. In addition to concerns about discrimination or persecution, some Wiccans consider Wicca to be a mystery religion that should be kept secret. A mystery religion is one in which the Deity is revealed through individual, personal experience. These events are kept secret in order to preserve their power and significance. Also, according to this view, some things are best taught person to person and should not be made public. In addition, certain knowledge and techniques (magic, for example) may be dangerous if used by people who have not had proper training or who may intend to harm others. People who choose to openly share their beliefs also have some very good reasons for doing so. Personal empowerment as well as physical, mental, and emotional strength are central to Wicca. Some Wiccans feel that living in fear of discrimination or conflict is contrary to their beliefs and limits their ability to practice their religion. Being open and honest about Wicca builds self-confidence, which in turn makes magical work more effective and makes ritual more fulfilling. Some Wiccans believe that keeping their spirituality hidden encourages persecution and puts Wiccans in more danger, not less. Many feel that denying their religion dishonors the Goddess and the God. They also believe that silence dishonors the Witches and alleged Witches who have been killed in the name of Witchcraft. Most Wiccans, though, find themselves at a happy medium between these two extremes. Most share their beliefs with family and friends. A smaller number are open about their religion in the workplace. Everyone has to determine his or her own level of comfort. Many people find Wicca to be liberating and joyous. In their enthusiasm for their new religion, new Wiccans may be tempted to chatter on about their religion to anyone who will listen, without sizing up the person or the situation. If you are considering Wicca as your spiritual path, do some studying, get the facts, and make up your own mind about Wicca. Then, before you start moving that 50-pound pentacle into your cubicle at work, give some careful consideration to whom you want to tell and what you want to say about Wicca. Some Wiccan traditions advise that newbies study and train for a year and a day before disclosing their participation in Wicca to their personal communities. (A year and a day is a traditional time period in Wicca. The year-and-a-day approach is to ensure that Wiccans prepare well and consider all consequences before making major changes in their lives.)

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Did Wicca and Witchcraft exist throughout history? People in many fields of study have been debating this issue for decades. No definitive answers have surfaced. Wiccans and others usually believe and promote one of three explanations about Wicca: Wicca is a new form of spirituality that re-creates some older practices and ideas. Wicca is a return to or revival of an old, even ancient, form of religion. Because not a great deal is known about the old Craft, contemporary Wiccans must add to the old tradition. Wicca is a continuation of a very old religion that has been passed down through families and covens in an unbroken line since ancient times. What you believe about Wicca and Witchcraft really comes down to how you define the terms and who you believe. Deciding whether Wicca and Witchcraft were real Determining whether Wicca and Witchcraft really existed depends on how you define those terms. Here is what researchers know: Historical and archeological evidence clearly shows that many groups throughout history did worship the Goddess or Goddesses. For example, hundreds of carvings of the fertility icon Sheela Na Gig date back to the Middle Ages or later. These startling similar representations are on display on buildings — even Christian churches — throughout Great Britain, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland and may be artistic representations of the Goddess. Many groups throughout history saw Deity in nature; they believed that Deity was all-present in the world, that people come from and are part of the Divine and that Deity is in everyone. Some people did practice herbalism, healing, divination, and magic. Throughout history, people attended agricultural and fertility rites, festivals, and celebrations that were timed to the cycles of nature. So one definition of Wicca and Witchcraft is as a set of beliefs and practices that people followed but didn't label — a natural way of life, as opposed to a religion. But was there an actual, organized religion called Wicca or Witchcraft? That's a more difficult question to answer. Some researchers believe that Witchcraft was an organized religion that was invented by the Catholic Inquisition during the great Witch hunts of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. According to the Witch hunters, Witches worshipped and served Satan. Proponents of this theory believe that the invention of Witchcraft was either a mass delusion by members of the church, who fervently believed in Satan's power to deceive humankind, or a deliberate ploy by church and government to persecute people for political and social reasons. Other people, including Margaret Murray, believed that Wicca and Witchcraft were organized, pre-Christian religions of Europe. Defending or doubting Margaret Murray Margaret Murray (1863-1963) was a British Egyptologist, folklorist, and anthropologist. She is also regarded by many to be a grandmother of modern Wicca, because her books so heavily influenced modern Wicca. Murray's claims In 1921, Murray published her book, The Witch-Cult in Western Europe (1921). In her book, Murray argued that Witchcraft was the universal, organized, pre-Christian religion of Europe. This ancient religion survived across Europe until early modern times. Murray based her argument on her examination of the Witch trial documents of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Murray believed that the ancient Witches worshipped a horned God, which the Christians of the Inquisition claimed to be their Satan. That's why Witches were accused of Satan worship. She called the ancient religion the Dianic Cult, because the female form of this God was Diana, the Queen of the Witches. However, the male Deity dominated the religion. Murray's Witch cult had come from a British race of small people, now known as the Fairies. The Witch cult celebrated eight festivals every year (Sabbats) and minor events (Esbats). They organized themselves into small covens of 13 people. Researchers have been attacking Murray's scholarship for decades. They say that she assumed that the confessions of the accused in the Witch trials were true, when in reality the victims of the trials were tortured until they would say anything to stop the pain. Some researchers do accept that small pockets of the ancient pre-Christian religions did survive into modern times in various areas of Europe. They acknowledge that these isolated groups may have retained fragments of the old rituals and practices. However, they don't accept Murray's idea of an organized and widespread pre-Christian religion that remained intact throughout history. Murray also showed no documentation for her claims about the religion — the Sabbats, the covens, and so on. Again, scholars say that these terms were created by the Inquisition during the Witch trials. Leland and Graves: Other voices Charles Leland (1824-1903) was an American writer who believed that the Craft survived from ancient times. His works, like Murray's, had a big influence on the modern Wiccan revival, especially, Aradia, Gospel of the Witches (1890, and reprinted 1974). Leland was an author from the United States. Apparently, he led an adventurous life as a political radical, an abolitionist, and a folklorist. Leland claimed that he knew a woman, Madellena, who was from an old Witch family of Italian heritage, and she provided him with the family's book of magic. The book tells the story of Diana, the Queen of the Witches and her union with Lucifer, the God of the Sun (not Lucifer, the Christian Satan). This mating produced a daughter, Aradia. Aradia went to Earth to teach Witchcraft to the peasants, so they could use the magic against the ruling class and raise themselves out of poverty. The Charge of the Goddess is a very popular piece of poetic prose from this book. This passage has been rewritten often, and most traditions of modern Wicca use a version of it. The term "the Old Religion" probably originated with Leland's books. Leland maintained that women were treated equally with men in the old Craft, and he remains popular with many feminist Wiccans. He is not at all popular with scholars, however, and they have dismissed his books as bunk because he provides no documentation beyond his claim that Madellena was a practitioner who shared her knowledge with him. Robert Graves (1895-1985) is a British writer who promoted the idea that the Craft existed in Britain from ancient times, and he claimed that several of the old covens survived. His book, The White Goddess, also influenced the modern Wiccan revival. Graves' writings about the Great Goddess are poetic and inspirational, but few people view the book as a work of scholarship. Wiccans differ in their opinions of Murray, Leland, and Graves and about the historical timeline of the Craft. However, they take the period of the great Witch hunts very seriously.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Wiccans who are successful and effective, both in their spiritual and general lives, tend to have some coping skills and lifestyle choices in common. These practices and paths are far from odd or eccentric — just often missed amid the haste of everyday business. Grounding Grounding power or Earthing power means to connect personal energy with the Earth. In times of stress or anxiety, grounding is a way to release excess energy from yourself. At times when you need energy, grounding enables you to draw it up from the Earth, offering a wellspring of power that can flow through you without exhausting your own resources. To ground yourself and release energy, sit in a comfortable position and flatten the palms of your hands on the ground or floor, or lie down, placing your body flat on the ground. Take three deep breaths. Visualize (picture in your mind) the energy flowing through your hands or your body and into the Earth. If you need energy, visualize the energy flowing up from the Earth and into your body. Maintain the visualization until you begin to feel the desired result. An alternative method is to sit or stand upright and imagine the excess energy flowing down your spine and deep into the Earth. Some people picture themselves as a tree with roots sinking into the Earth. If you need energy, imagine the energy flowing up from the Earth and traveling up your spine. Centering After you have grounded excess energy, you may want to center your own energy or power. Your physical center is your center of gravity, your place of balance, where your weight is equally distributed. It is usually somewhere between the breastbone and the navel, although for women it may be lower. You also have an energy center, the source of all your personal energy. It's probably in the same area as your physical center. If you don't know where your center is, try picturing something that you truly love (your dog or cat, a piece of music, and so on). When you bring up that loving, self-satisfied, serene, warm feeling, try to pinpoint its source in your body. That is your center. To center yourself, relax your body into a comfortable position (the same position you used for grounding will work), and then rest your mental, emotional, and physical awareness at that spot in your body. Shielding Shielding is a technique to protect yourself from negative, counter-productive, depleting, or even dangerous energy. Shielding is a simple process. In your mind, create a clear bubble or sphere of energy or light around your body. It moves with you and protects you. Instead of a bubble, you also may construct, in your mind, a shield of energy or light layered over your skin. With practice, you may become able to shield your car, your bed, or your entire living space. Visualizing Visualization is the ability to experience something in the mind, instead of in physical reality. If you can visualize, you can form a complete mental image of a person, place, object, or event. Visualization enables you to see, hear, touch, and taste in your mind. Most people can experience the senses in their dreams; visualization allows you to do it while you're awake. Visualizing something in the nonphysical world makes it much more obtainable in the physical world. For example, if you can visualize yourself as the author of a successful novel, you are more likely to achieve that goal in the physical world. To get the idea about how to visualize, follow these steps: Remember a time when you were very happy or content. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Picture yourself back at that scene in the past. Try to remember the event vividly (if possible, engage all of your senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste, and feeling). Try to practice visualization during the time just prior to or just after sleep. These times offer enhanced interaction with the unconscious mind. Meditating Meditation is a technique to turn off the mundane chatter of the mind and achieve profound contemplation or deep relaxation. Meditation is reported to have many positive effects on the mind and the body (reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and relieving pain). Some people meditate only for the health benefits or as a means of relaxation. Other people incorporate meditation into their spiritual practice and use it as a way of gaining insight or communing with Deity. For Wiccans, meditation is a way to clear the mind and prepare for ritual, magic, or divination. The two basic types of meditation: Concentration meditation focuses the mind on a single image, sound, object, mantra (a repeated, usually sacred, word or phrase), or the body's own breathing. Mindful meditation doesn't focus on a single purpose; the goal is to remain aware of all the thoughts, feelings, sounds, and images that pass through the mind. A person trains his or her mind to notice each perception or thought that passes without stopping on any one of them. The following is a simple concentration meditation: 1. Sit or lie in a comfortable position with your eyes closed. If convenient, change into comfortable, loose clothing and remove any restrictive jewelry or eyeglasses. 2. Focus on the sensation of each breath as it moves in and out of your body. An alternative is to focus your attention on the repetition of a word, sound, phrase, or prayer, doing this silently or whispering. 3. Every time your attention wanders (which occurs naturally), gently redirect it back, without judging yourself. Relaxing Anxiety obstructs the flow of energy. Stress and anxiety take a tremendous toll on physical, emotional, and mental health, and they erode quality of life. Stress has been linked to all the leading causes of death, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, accidents, and suicide. The best strategy for coping with anxiety and stress is to choose a method and stick with it. Practice relaxation for half an hour every day. For Wiccans, relaxation may be part of the preparation for ritual. Relaxation aids focus and concentration. A common exercise is to breathe deeply, and focus on and relax each of the muscle groups in the body, one at a time (the hands, and then the arms, and then the shoulders, and so on). Exercising Good health improves the quality of life, including spiritual life. Rewarding ritual, especially effective magic, requires stamina and concentration. A fulfilling spiritual practice is easier to achieve for someone in good health, physically and emotionally. Regular aerobic exercise benefits the body, as well as helping to reduce stress and protect against depression and other mental and emotional disorders. Everyone's exercise needs and abilities are different. Ask your doctor to develop the best plan for you, based on your age, fitness level, lifestyle, medications, available equipment, and so on. Living Well Many people regularly don't get enough sleep, and catching up on weekends doesn't work. Sleep deprivation diminishes physical and mental functioning. Lack of sleep reduces productivity, weakens concentration, impairs memory, and poses a threat to safe driving. Nobody can function at peak physical, emotional, and mental levels without proper nutrition: the right foods in the right amounts, as well as plenty of water. That's the goal, but few people even get close. Without sufficient vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, phytochemicals (from fruits and vegetables), and water, no one can live up to his or her potential. Serving Many Wiccans find that serving the larger community encourages their own self-development, builds inner strength and empowerment, anchors their spiritual practice, and provides a deep sense of satisfaction. Generally, Wiccans believe all living beings come from and are a part of the Divine energy, and the Divine is within everyone. Everything is interconnected. All of nature is an unbroken circle or web of energy, manifested from Deity. Any action within the web of life affects everything else. For Wiccans, the concept of community encompasses all of the natural world, including people and animals. All people are equal in the web of life. Doing harm to anything, even by neglect or apathy, violates Wiccan ethics. Any energy that a person sends out into the world is ultimately returned to him or her with three times the intensity. The following are examples of Wiccan service, based on shared beliefs: Preserving the Earth and its resources Protecting animals Ending poverty Ensuring equality of people of both sexes and all races and ethnicities Helping to sustain indigenous cultures Promoting conflict resolution Championing education Supporting the arts Working for legal freedom of religion and equal protection for the Craft Laughing All people seek pleasure; it's one common drive that reminds us of our interconnection. Humans desire and respond to pleasure, play, and laughter. Laughter is therapeutic, releasing endorphins (chemicals in the brain) that create a sense of well-being. Laughter also may boost the immune system, elevate mood, improve brain functioning, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. A need for laughter is part of the way that humans have evolved, and people are manifestations of Deity. Joy, laughter, delight, and bliss are expressions of the life force. Wicca is not a religion of sacrifice, self-denial, and repression of emotions. It is a spiritual path of celebration and satisfaction.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

A four-leaf clover for luck. The suit that you always wear to job interviews for success. The ring you never take off because it represents your love for another person. The pendent you wear around your neck every day for protection. The small statue hanging from the rearview mirror of your car for safe travel. These items can all be considered charms. Magic is alive and well throughout modern society. The people of the Craft have always used and appreciated charms. In general, a charm represents the change or outcome that a person intends to magically bring about. However, Wiccans use the word charm in two different ways: Definition 1: An object that represents a desired change or outcome. The object focuses the mind and helps the person casting the spell to move and direct energy, causing the desired change to occur in the physical world. The object may be carried on the person, left in the home or other space, or used during magical or other ritual workings. Don't create a charm for someone else before getting his or her permission. You may give a charm as a gift, but generally Wiccans give charms only to other people in the Craft. Definition 2: A set of words and actions that represent a desired change or outcome. These words and actions focus the mind and help the person casting the spell to move and direct the energy, causing the desired change to occur in the physical world. In this context, charm is a synonym for the word spell. Alternatively, some Wiccans may say that they use charms to repel or attract specific energies, but if you think about it, that definition means the same as the above: to magically bring about a desired change or outcome. Wiccans cleanse, charge, and/or consecrate their charms before they use them. Several types of charms are common in Wicca. Amulets and talismans are popular types. Unfortunately, like the word charm, Wiccans aren't real precise about the meanings of these two words, either. Sigh. . . . Charming basics The following are steps for making an easy charm bag: 1. Find a small square or circle of cloth. Plain cotton is fine, but you can also use silk or velvet if you want to spend the money. Choose an appropriate color. 2. Pour any combination of the following onto the center of the cloth: herbs, stones, coins, seeds, fossils, or other materials that are relevant to the magical goal. 3. Bring up the edges of the cloth and tie with a natural vine, some string, or a ribbon. 4. If you desire, decorate the bag with words or symbols that reflect your magical intent. Amazing amulets, nature's gifts The following is probably the most common Wiccan definition for the word amulet: An amulet is a natural object used as a charm. Amulets may include: stones, crystals, fossils, bird feathers found on the ground or in trees, four-leaf clovers, pieces of wood, nuts, shells (especially cowrie shells), dried flowers or other herbs, and seeds. A good example of an amulet is a holey stone, also known as a hag stone, which is a stone with a natural (not a human-made) hole through it. Holey stones have long been carried as charms. The holes are considered doorways or portals through which someone can draw or repel energy. For example, the holey stone can bring luck or send away misfortune, bring wealth or banish deprivation, and so on. Many people look at the Moon through the holey stone in order to charge it with lunar power. Many cultures use holey stones for divination. To divine with a holey stone, the holder of the stone peers through the hole to see visions and gain wisdom. Some fossils, such as the sand dollar, also have natural holes in them and assume the same magical qualities as a holey stone. Sand dollars have special meaning because they are natural pentacles. Amulets may be found by accident or deliberately acquired. Crafting talismans The following is probably the most common Wiccan definition for the word talisman: A talisman is a human-made or manufactured object used as a charm. Talismans may have natural elements, but they are incorporated into a human-created design. A talisman is a magical tool, and the magic is more powerful if the person being affected by the spell is the one to make or acquire the talisman. In other words, magic is more effective if the person with the need makes the talisman and casts the spell. Making your own talisman is considered better than purchasing a manufactured one. Many Wiccans wear or carry their talismans at all times. A common talisman is a piece of metal, wood, stone, or paper with words, symbols, or objects that are engraved, carved, painted, printed or attached. The words and/or symbols reflect a person's magical goal or intention. A common talisman is a metal disk (often made of copper) worn on a chain around the neck. If you want to wear or carry a talisman: Identify the talisman as yours. Put your name on it (your common name or a Wiccan name). Possibly mark it with your birth date or astrological signs, or some other symbol that clearly represents you. Add words, symbols, or objects that represent your desired change or outcome for the magic to the talisman. For example, if your goal is to overcome depression, write the word joy or optimism on your talisman. You may want to use an alphabet or symbol system from your cultural heritage, instead of the language you use every day. Or you may use an image or a symbol instead of words, for example, a butterfly emerging from a cocoon or a Phoenix bird rising from the ashes. You may attach (using glue, solder, or other means) a meaningful object, such as an appropriate stone or a found bird feather. If your talisman has two sides (for example, a metal disk), place the identification on one side and the desired magical outcome on the other. In addition to charms, which are used for magical purposes, many Wiccans own personal and/or ritual jewelry or other items that serve as a reminder of Deity, the Otherworld, or their own personal power or goals.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The Wiccan view of an interconnected world isn't just a mystical, spiritual notion. Modern science, especially cutting-edge ideas in quantum physics, supports the ideas of life's interconnection and interdependence. The following are some of the leading theories that blend perfectly with Wiccan belief. Going quantum: Matter versus energy People see the physical world as a bunch of independent and stable objects, but that's not exactly the truth. Modern science reveals that matter and energy are not separate. Energy flows in waves that form patterns. What you see as a separate object (a dog, a bird, or a tree) is really just a pocket of reality where the energy is more dense, according to quantum physics. Quantum physics Physical matter is made up of molecules and atoms, which are made up of smaller components, called subatomic particles. In quantum physics, particles of matter and waves of energy are the same thing. A subatomic particle isn't a little dot of matter that scientists can hold still and examine; it's more like a little dancing point of energy. These particles can't be understood as separate units. Scientists can describe subatomic particles only by talking about how they act with one another. The only way to meaningfully describe these particles is to explain the way that they interconnect. Wicca meets quantum physics Quantum physics clearly demonstrates the Wiccan belief that all reality is an integrated web of energy. Even at the subatomic level, life is interconnected. Tuning up the strings and dancing with the universe The preceding section describes subatomic particles as dancing points of energy. String theory suggests that they may not even be points, but strings. String theory is bold and beautiful, but complicated. String theory A subatomic particle is not pointlike but is made of a tiny loop. Like a super-thin rubber band, each particle contains a vibrating, dancing string. Like a guitar string, each tiny string can vibrate. Every string is identical; the only difference is the way that it vibrates. Each string has a different vibration, like each guitar string creates a different musical note. The movements of the string — the "note" it creates — determine the kind of particle it will be. These itty-bitty vibrating strings make up everything in the universe — all physical matter and all forces (such as gravity). These strings vibrate throughout space-time. We live in space-time. Space-time consists of three dimensions of space (length, width, and depth) and the dimension of time. All objects and all events exist in these four dimensions. Well, that's what scientists used to think. According to string theory, space-time can have up to nine dimensions of space, plus the dimension of time. Wicca meets string theory String theory unites matter and energy, and confirms the Wiccan view that the cosmos — from the smallest particles to the largest solar systems — operates by the same principles and is made from the same stuff. At all levels, life is interconnected. Spreading chaos String theory shows the interconnectedness of life at all levels, big and small. Chaos theory deals only with the big — and super-complicated. Chaos theory Chaos theory suggests that the weather and other huge, complex systems in nature have an underlying order, but they are chaotic and virtually unpredictable. The problem with predicting the weather and the behavior of other big systems is that nature is extremely sensitive to changing conditions. Very tiny changes can have major effects. Nature on a large scale can drive a scientist nuts! Any small inaccuracy in evaluating the initial conditions leads to growing errors in the calculations. For example, the flapping of a butterfly's wings in one location may affect the weather on the other side of the Earth. Wicca meets Chaos Theory The important lesson here is that any action, no matter how small or insignificant, can affect everything else. Earth's ecology is a network of relationships. All the members of Earth's environment are interdependent. The success of the whole community depends on each living thing, and the success of each living thing depends on the success of the community. This idea forms the core of Wiccan ethics. Gazing at Gaia The universe appears to be made up of individual parts, and these parts may function on their own. However, the parts are all made of the same energy and are connected to form one giant whole. For example: An individual cell is a part of a human being. Human beings are part of life on Earth. Earth is part of the solar system. The solar system is part of the universe. The point is that each part isn't separate and isolated from the others, even though it may function by itself. Small parts join together to form a living thing. That living thing joins others to create a bigger living thing. Bigger living things join into groups to form an even bigger living thing, and so on. Throughout reality, small parts join together to form an integrated whole. The grand mystery is that the whole is always much greater than its parts. For example, a human being is so much more than just a collection of simple little cells. The human brain's cells work together in networks, and together, they create a brain that is so complex and sophisticated that the world's top scientists can't fully figure out how it works. Some scientists believe that Earth as a whole is one big living system. The Gaia hypothesis Atmospheric chemist James Lovelock, microbiologist Lynn Margulis, and others have developed a theory termed the Gaia hypothesis, in honor of the Greek Goddess of the Earth. This concept describes all of Planet Earth as a living system that organizes itself and keeps all its parts in balance. The Gaia hypothesis links Earth's inanimate objects (rocks, oceans, gases, and so on) with living parts (plants and animals) and brings together all the planet's cycles and rhythms into one unified whole. The hypothesis links the evolution and survival of a species to the evolution and conditions of its environment. Lovelock and Margulis never suggested that Earth is a sentient being (a conscious, creative being), but others have expanded the theory to arrive at this idea. Wicca meets the Gaia hypothesis Of course, the view of Earth as a living being isn't new. From Neolithic times, human cultures all over the globe have worshipped Mother Earth. This scientific theory reveals that life organizes itself into larger and larger networks that form one big integrated whole. If this is the model of the universe, then the idea of immanent Deity is rational and even probable. All reality may, indeed, arise from and be embedded in one creative source.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Wiccan holidays, or Sabbats, are timed to the seasons and the Earth's natural rhythms. Sabbats celebrate the Earth's journey around the sun, called the Wheel of the Year, and Wiccans refer to commemorating the Sabbats as Turning the Wheel. Most Wiccans celebrate these eight Sabbats annually: Yule, Winter Solstice: December 20, 21, 22, or 23 Yule is the longest night and the shortest day of the year. Some Wiccans consider Yule to be either the year's beginning or the end. This is the time to celebrate the return of the light. Yule is the solar turning of the tides, and the newborn Sun offers a fresh start and, literally, a new day. It's a time of renewal and hope. Brigid, Imbolc, Candlemas, Imbolg, or Brigid's Day: February 1 or 2 Brigid, or Imbolc, is a preparation for spring. At Brigid, Wiccans clean and organize their living environments, as well as their minds and hearts, in preparation for the upcoming season of growth. It's a time to shake off the doldrums of late winter and light the fires of creativity and inspiration. Eostar, Spring Equinox, Ostara, or Oestarra: March 20, 21, 22, or 23 Winter is now over. Light is increasing. The day and night are equal in length at the equinox. Spring has arrived or is coming soon. Eostar is the time of fertility, birth, and renewal. The ice is thawing, and the growing season for plants and animals begins. Growth is the theme of the day. Beltane, May Eve, Beltaine, Bealtaine, or May Day: April 30 or May 1 Beltane is the time of the marriage and union of the Goddess as Mother Earth and the God of the Greenwood. It is an ancient fertility festival marking the beginning of the planting cycle. The festival was to ensure a good growing season and a bountiful harvest. Beltane is light-hearted and joyful. Litha, Summer Solstice, or Midsummer: June 20, 21, 22, or 23 Litha is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. Light triumphs, but will now begin to fade into darkness as autumn approaches. The crops are planted and growing. The woods and forests have reached their peak fullness. This is the time of abundance for wildlife, including people! The holiday is joyous. Lughnasad, Lughnasadh, or Lammas: August 1 For the ancient Pagans, Lughnasad was a time of both hope and fear. They held hope for a bountiful harvest and abundant food, but they feared that the harvest wouldn't be large enough and that the cold months would be filled with struggle and deprivation. At Lughnasad, modern Wiccans also face their fears, concentrate on developing their own abilities, and take steps to protect themselves and their homes. Mabon, Fall Equinox, or Harvest Home: September 20, 21, 22, or 23 At Mabon, the day and the night are equal in length, in sublime balance. For many locations, Mabon coincides with the final harvest of grain, fruits, and vegetables. Mabon, also called Harvest Home, is the time of thanksgiving. The beauty and bounty of summer gives way to the desolation of winter, and the darkness overtakes the light. Samhain, All Hallow's Eve, Hallowmas: October 31 or November 1 For many Wiccans, Samhain marks the New Year and is the most important Sabbat. It's the time to remember the ancestors, and the time to celebrate the harvest and all that has been accomplished over the year.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The Esbats, or Wiccan lunar holy days, celebrate the moon's passage around the Earth. The Esbats offer Wiccans a chance to regularly put aside time to step away from the ordinary world and dedicate time to spiritual reflection or magical work. The approach to the holy days isn't all-inclusive. For each phase of the moon, some groups have particular rituals, and the Esbats can be celebrated by individuals or covens. Some Wiccans celebrate an Esbat on the: Full Moon New Moon Full Moon and New Moon Full Moon, New Moon, and the Quarter Moons Some Wiccans use the word Esbat to describe any Wiccan gathering (especially if ritual or magical work takes place) that doesn't occur on a Sabbat.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

For Wiccans, ritual is a ceremony performed for a specific purpose such as feeling a connection to Deity, and the essence of Wicca. During ritual, Wiccans honor or worship the Divine, many work magic, and participants search their hearts and spirits letting the ritual evolve naturally. The following list shows the basic steps for a practicing a Wiccan ritual: Decide why you want to conduct a ritual. Make sure that your intention is clear. Decide how you want to perform your ritual; write the words that you want to use during the invocation and the other steps. Decide when to do the ritual; for example, you may want to time your ritual to a specific phase of the Moon or to a Wiccan holiday. Decide where to do the ritual, set up an altar, and assemble the tools and other necessary objects. Purify the space. Purify yourself. Cast a circle to create sacred space. Invoke, evoke, or welcome Deity, according to your beliefs. Conduct a ritual observance (for example, celebrate a Sabbat or an Esbat), if you desire. Raise power and work magic, if you have a good reason. Earth the power. Thank (or dismiss) Deity. Take down the circle.