The Wiccan Religion

The Wiccan religion is seen by some as an old tradition steeped in taboo and suspicion of devil worship, but the people who practice the Wiccan religion today are intelligent, community conscious, earth attuned people who view their religion as a step forward as opposed as a step backwards into the past. The Wiccan religion is far more relevant to the times of today than the majority of established traditions with recognition of personal and social responsibility and an acknowledgement of a holistic approach to the universe. The basis of witchcraft is equal rights, feminism, ecology, attunement, respect among the sexes and planetary care.

Depending on which view is taken, Wicca is either one of the oldest religions, or one of the many newly created religions. Wicca was recently created as a Neo Pagan religion whose many branches can be traced back to Gardnerian Witchcraft which was founded by Gerald Gardener in the UK during the late 1940s. Gardner and many other practitioners of this religion draw from ancient religions, customs and ceremonies from such sources as Celtic traditions, goddess worship, and some argue freemasonry influences as well.

The religion is practiced in a personal and individual way by each member but there are standards and guidelines to be observed. Followers of the Wiccan religion worship the male and female aspects of divinity, and they are worshipped together in a balanced way just as they believe the universe is designed and operates in this same balanced way. The main tenet of witchcraft is, "And it harm none, do what thou will" which means do what thou will in worship of the deities and spell work as long as it does not harm anyone. This was adopted in more modern times as a way of ensuring people that Wicca and witchcraft were not negative nor do the practitioners of it produce harm to others.