Wicca facts for kids

A pentacle, a symbol of faith used by many Wiccans

Wicca, or the Craft, is a Neo-pagan (meaning "new pagan") religion popularized by a British man named Gerald Gardner in the 1940s. Gardner called Wicca the "witch cult" and "witchcraft" and its followers the "Wica". The word "Wicca" means "Witch" in Old English. People who follow Wicca are called "Wiccans."

Beliefs

There are many different traditions of Wicca, yet many are common beliefs shared by all Wiccans, such as the afterlife, magic and morality.

God and Goddess

Not all Wiccans believe in a god and goddess. Some of those that do, believe that the god and goddess are equal. Others believe the goddess is more important than the god. There are some Wiccans who mostly worship the goddess only.

The god and goddess can split into different gods and goddesses.

Practices

Altars

Many Wiccans have special places at home where they perform rituals, magic, and worship. These places are called altars. Wiccans put holy and special objects on their altars, such as the following items:

• A pentagram. This is an old symbol of a five-pointed star. A pentacle is a five-pointed star that is surrounded by a circle. It represents the five core elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. A pentagram is a type of pentacle, which is anything that protects the person who owns it, called a talisman.

• An Athamé. This is a magical knife (or sword) used in ritual. It is traditional to have a black handle, but not everyone does. It is never used to cut anything, but is used to 'cut' the air, and to direct energy. The athamé is also a symbol for man and God.

• A Wand. This is normally wooden, but can also be glass, metal, or clay. It might also have decorations such as crystals, paint, ribbons, or wire. It is used like the athamé to direct energy, and it is traditional for it to be the length from your elbow to your wrist. It also symbolizes man and God.

• A Chalice. This is a cup used within ritual and magic. People drink from it during ritual. It symbolises women and the Goddess.

Some Wiccans put other objects on their altars, such as statues Gods or Goddesses, a bell, candles, incense, and a broom (called a besom), used to "sweep" away negative energy or spirits.

Morality

The most important Wiccan teaching is called the Wiccan Rede. The word Rede means "advice" or "council" in Old German. "An harm ye none, do what ye will" is the very basic Wiccan Rede, which means, "Do what you want to do, but do not harm anything in the process." This means you must think about how your actions will affect yourself, other people, and the world. Many Wiccans believe that their actions have effects that come back three times as powerful. This is called the Rule of Threefold Return or "Rule of Three". This rule has different meanings depending on who you ask:

• Some believe it means whatever you send out into the world, good or bad, will return to you time three.
• Others believe whatever you do can take effect on three different levels: the mental, spiritual and physical levels.
• Although not all Wiccans adhere specifically to the "Rule of Threefold Return" belief, most Wiccans do adhere to some type of belief in which actions are returned in some way to the individual.

The Wheel of the Year

Wiccans have eight Sabbats, or 'Holy Days', which are:

Book of Shadows

In Wicca, a private book containing spells, rituals, potions, and occult knowledge, called a Book of Shadows, is kept. In some types of Wicca, such as Gardnerian Wiccan, the contents of the Book are kept secret from anyone but other members of the group, or coven. However, some versions of the Book have been published. Some parts of these published versions, such as the "Wiccan Rede" and the "Charge of the Goddess" have been used by non-Wiccans or eclectic Wiccans. Many eclectics create their own personal books, and keep them to themselves.

Music

Wicca music or Wicca rock is music influenced by the Wicca religion and its beliefs relating to nature and conservation.

An early band called Themis Themis toured Canada and the USA singing and talking about Wicca. The Themis body of works promotes things that are Wiccan such as the divinity of nature; the Lord and Lady (dual deity aspect of Wicca) and an ethical credo that resembles Wiccan philosophies.

Another Canadian band, a group of vocalists from Vancouver Canada, the Chalice and Blade, also perform original pieces based on the beliefs of Wicca and "sing songs which show (their) reverence for the earth and the balance of the God and Goddess".

According to The Religion Newswriters Foundation "Wicca is moving into the mainstream" smashing stereotypes as their movement matures. Throughout America, Wiccans are organizing congregations and youth groups, training clergy, pursuing charity work, sharing parenting tips and fighting for civil rights.

Images for kids

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  Wiccan event in Minnesota, with practitioners carrying a pentagram symbol, 2006

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  Altar statues of the Horned God and Mother Goddess crafted by Bel Bucca and owned by the "Mother of Wicca", Doreen Valiente

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  Sculpture of the Horned God of Wicca found in the Museum of Witchcraft in Boscastle, Cornwall

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  Beltane altar

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  A Wiccan altar erected at Beltane.

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  Athame, ritual knife or dagger used in Wiccan practices

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  Painted Wheel of the Year at the Museum of Witchcraft, Boscastle, Cornwall, England, displaying all eight of the Sabbats

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  Bust of Diana wearing a moon crown

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  Handfasting ceremony at Avebury in England, Beltane 2005

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  A Wiccan couple getting handfasted

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  Imbolc altar

See also

In Spanish: Wicca para niños