Wicca
WICCA
Wicca is a mystery tradition. Unlike ‘free-flying’ pagans, one can only join a Wiccan coven by initiation (or adoption, if initiated elsewhere).
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At first glance, Wiccans seem to have stricter rules and are often criticised as hierarchical. However, while there is some truth in this, covens and the wider Wiccan community are not governed by baseless rules, but are guided by love, trust and, dare I say it, by wisdom.
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Wiccan covens work with the elements, celebrate the seasonal calendar, and are trained in many aspects of magic. Many work with planetary magic, Kabbala and diverse mythologies and pantheons. Wicca is an alternative to ‘organised’ religion, a rich and diverse way of interacting with nature as an immanent expression of the divine.
The word Wicca can be traced back to witchcraft, and the key part for me is ‘craft’. One learns the skills of how to create ceremony, evoke atmosphere, and invoke energies and entities.
Wiccans are notoriously secretive, and I would say for good reason. We do not share ‘oath-bound’ material. However, some aspects of Wiccan secrecy are useful to discuss.
Even in this day and age of openness and equality, many pagans, witches and Wiccans feel they are still in the ‘broom cupboard’. Fear of being ridiculed or discriminated against, even losing one’s job, are all based on hard experience, and hold many back from disclosing their religious and spiritual affiliation.
Another aspect of secrecy relates to the spirit of intimacy involved in ritual. When entering a Wiccan circle (ritual) in ‘perfect love and perfect trust’, one is exposed and vulnerable, and not just due to being ‘skyclad’ (yes, most Wiccans practise naked, most of the time). I often like to compare it with having sex. While we know what happens between people engaging in the physical act of love-making, few would go blabbing about it down at the pub. The experience of being ‘in circle’ has a sacredness that we do not want to taint by careless talk in the outside world.
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The word taboo comes to mind. Nowadays, a taboo is considered a negative thing; however, a witch once told me that a taboo was something originally considered special, even holy, which had later been demonised, thus changing its meaning. As it was sacred, one did not talk about it, to avoid tarnishing it. The ritual experience of Wicca is much like this.
AETHER ALTAR
ALTAR FOR A
FULLMOON RITE
WORKSHOP ON THE ELEMENTS
IN WICCA IN SOUTH AMERICA
Getting ready for the Harvest at Lammas
The last point about secrecy relates to the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility” (I am sure that phrase existed before Spiderman!). As a Wiccan, one learns how to wield power and influence and to change one’s psyche and matter on a deep level, and that skill is best not made accessible to people who might abuse it.
Plato and Aristotle are alleged to have debated whether people trained in the art of rhetoric (the art of giving speeches and using language to influence others) ought also to be trained in ethics, in order to develop good morals and not abuse their skill and power. Plato was all for training in both arts at the same time, while Aristotle was not.
In Wicca, we have the Wiccan Rede:
“And it harm none, do what thou wilt”.
In simple terms, you can do anything you like, as long as you don't interfere with other people's will and freedom. That is not always easy and can be a balancing act, but still should be the goal.
‘Will’ and ‘need’ may not always be easy to discern, a challenge made more difficult by personal habit and by manipulation by family, community, culture, advertising and social media, to name but a few. There is much discussion to be had about the nature of ‘true will’.
In Wicca, no-one is forced into any practice or belief that they cannot commit to.
Entering a magical group also has a social side, as well as a human growth aspect. Your coven is your magical family and will often challenge you on a personal level; learning how to deal with this, and ultimately grow through it, is an important aspect of coven life.
WICCA
I often say that Wicca is a path of self-empowerment. If you ask for Wiccan initiation, you are asking to join a priesthood that deals with the esoteric and the deeper aspects of paganism, magic and spirituality.
Lastly, Wicca offers an incredible amount of beauty, mirth, joy and spiritual fulfilment.
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My Coven 'Aurora Veritatis' was established in 2019 and is a daughter coven of ' Vivianne&Chris'' coven and we are part of the Whitecroft line.
If all this hasn’t scared you off and you are interested to find out more, please contact me on:
frauhkmusica@gmail.com or click below.
