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The history of Wicca documents the rise of the Neopagan religion of Wicca and related witchcraft-based Neopagan religions. [a] Wicca originated in the early 20th century, when it developed amongst secretive covens in England who were basing their religious beliefs and practices upon what they read of the historical witch-cult in the works of such writers as Margaret Murray.
Wicca (English: / ˈ w ɪ k ə /), also known as "The Craft", [1] is a modern pagan, syncretic, earth-centered religion.Considered a new religious movement by scholars of religion, the path evolved from Western esotericism, developed in England during the first half of the 20th century, and was introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant.
There are two separate definitions of the term Wicca that have been used in Paganism and Pagan studies since circa 1980. [1] The first developed in England during the 1960s. Broad and inclusive, it covers most, if not all, forms of modern Pagan Witchcraft, especially if they share sufficient theological beliefs and ritual practices to be considered denominations within a common religious movement.
Beyond black hats and broomsticks, here's what to know about witches, witchcraft, spells, magic, covens, Wiccans and beyond. Learn about the facts and history.
Celtic Wicca is a modern form of Wicca that incorporates some elements of Celtic mythology. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] It employs the same basic theology, rituals and beliefs as most other forms of Wicca. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Celtic Wiccans use the names of Celtic deities , mythological figures , and seasonal festivals within a Wiccan ritual structure and belief ...
Wicca, an alternative minority religion whose adherents, regardless of gender, call themselves witches, began in the. Most Wiccans in the U.S. practice alone, though they congregate in large ...
The author Philip Heselton, who largely researched Wicca's origins, came to the conclusion that Gardner had held a long-term affair with Dafo, a theory expanded upon by Adrian Bott. [128] Those who knew him within the Wiccan movement recalled how he was a firm believer in the therapeutic benefits of sunbathing.
This emphasis can be seen in the Sabbat rituals, which focus on the relationship between the Wiccan Goddess and God. As compared to Gardnerian Wicca, Alexandrian Wicca is "somewhat more eclectic", according to The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism. [3] Maxine Sanders notes that Alexandrians take the attitude "If it works use it ...