Contrary to public perception then, Wicca is quite a peace-loving religion, based on “harmonious and balanced way of thinking and life which promotes oneness with the divine and all which exists”. In other words, a profound reverence and appreciation for natural elements and natural phenomena lie at the heart of this religious faith. This sentiment is captured in lyrical prose by one of its followers thus:
“It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow. It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earth’s nature and being humbled in reverence.” (Ruiz, 2005)
Wicca could hence be described as a systematic philosophy of life based on the convergence of several pre-Christian traditions, symbolic acts and rites that originated from Western Europe. Much of the glorious past of Wicca was made inaccessible today as a result of Christian patrons’ efforts in obliterating all traces of this religion. Yet, it is to the credit of this stream of theology that it has managed to survive all this hostility and is actually gaining in follower-ship by the day (Ruiz, 2005).
In summary, it could be asserted that the core of Wicca is not one can easily sum up in words, given the obvious limitations of language and human thought. On top of that, the tenets of the religion can at times take on various meanings as the Lord and Lady touch its devotees in different ways. Through the passed down knowledge of the Wiccan tradition across the ages, we are able to see what its beliefs are based on and how they could be interpreted in the context of contemporary societies. In the words of Paula Maher, the Wicca follower interviewed for this report, “Your inner voice will also quickly let you know if the intent of what you are reading is for superficial purposes to benefit self instead of working to benefit the whole. Remember to read with your heart, for it is when you see life and the world with your heart and spirit that you truly gain an understanding of what Wicca is” (Hume, 1998).
References:
Hume, Lynne., (Oct, 1998), Creating Sacred Space: Outer Expressions of Inner Worlds in Modern Wicca., Journal of Contemporary Religion, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p309, 11p;
Cookson, Catherine, (Aurumn 1997), Reports from the trenches: A case study of religious freedom issues faced by Wiccans practicing in…, ,Journal of Church & State, Vol. 39 Issue 4, p723, 26p;
Cameron, Sam., (March, 2005),, Wiccanomics?, Review of Social Economy, Vol. 63 Issue 1, p87-100, 14p;
Ruiz, Mary Angelita., (December, 2005), WICCA’S CHARM: UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRITUAL HUNGER BEHIND THE RISE OF MODERN WITCHCRAFT AND PAGAN SPIRITUALITY., First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion & Public Life, Issue 158, p63-63, 1/3p;