My name is Ristoria, and I'm going to be teaching you about the basics of Wicca in a few lessons.
In this lesson we're going to learn what Wicca is and what it is not, a brief history of the religion and then some basic tenets that all Wiccans adhere to.
First, though, I'll give you a little information about myself. As I said, my name is Ristoria and I'm 21 years old. I've been on this path for a little over 6 years, however I've only been actively practicing for about 3. I started off as many Pagan/Witches/Wiccans do: afraid to start.
So, my advice to you, if you're afraid to circle because you think you're going to screw up: just do it. I promise it'll be ok. I waited for two years before I started to cast a circle and it was silly of me. As long as you have pure intentions and trust in the God and Goddess (because Wiccans believe in the duality of deity) then you will be fine. One of my Coven sisters cast her first circle and mixed up East/Air and South/Fire. She didn't burst into flames, demons didn't shoot out of the ground. Don't let your imagination get to you. Go with your instincts - they're there for a reason. Everything will be ok.
Now, onto the lesson.
What is Wicca?
Wicca is an earth based religion that comes under the Pagan "umbrella" and was founded in the 1950's. No, it is not from pre-Christian times. Wicca recognizes the duality within the Universe of both male and female energies; a God and Goddess (as I said before) or a Lord and a Lady, Light and Dark. Wiccans recognize that without both those energies, the world would not exist and that both are necessary for the world to continue in existence.
In this class Wicca and Witchcraft are two separate things. Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a practice. It is something you do. Just as you practice an instrument, Witchcraft is something that you create, it is an art. You can be a Witch without being a Wiccan. You can practice Witchcraft and have no spiritual ties to Pagan deities. Many Wiccans (myself included) do use Witchcraft in order to help them revere the divine, to help them to establish relationships with their deities.
What Wicca Isn't.
Wicca is not a pre-Christian religion. Gerald Gardner founded the religion in the 1950's and used some pre-Christian themes and ideas in his founding of the religion.
Wicca is not what you want it to be. A common misconception that has been passed around in the Wiccan community is that the religion is what you want it to be, that you can pick and choose what you want and don't want and while that is true to an extent, it isn't all pick and choose. Wicca is a religion. That means that it is an organized thing. It has rules and guidelines and in order to label yourself as a Wiccan you should adhere to those guidelines.
As I mentioned Wiccans believe in the duality of the universe and that means that Wiccans believe in a God and a Goddess. Some just call them that, with no specific deity, others have matrons and patrons - the deities that they are dedicated to.
Wiccans don't have a Bible, or a specific book that outlines what to believe and how to behave. Wiccans do have the Wiccan Rede.
There are a few versions of this, and here is one that I'm fond of.
The Wiccan Rede
(Full Version)
Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.
For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.
Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.
When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.
Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.
Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.
Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.
Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.
Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.
Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.
As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.
When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.
Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.
In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.
Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.
Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.
With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.
Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.
These Eight words the Rede fulfill:
"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"
Important Note: A copy of the Rede that you can download can be found here. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/efwyhww6rknmezj/yJWZMseL39
This will be the place where I upload various documents for the class. Please check regularly for new documents. OR, if you email swampcircle@gmail.com with the subject line "Dropbox." I will invite you to the folder so that you can access the folder yourself, instead of having to follow the link.
And that's where I'm going to leave off for this lesson.
If you have any questions you can either comment on this post, or email swampcircle@gmail.com with the subject "Wicca 101 Question/Comment "
How did you guys feel about this? Would you like to see something else for the next lesson?
Blessed Be
Ristoria.
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