Magi's Homeland - Pagan Paths

Wicca is one of the most influential traditions of modern Paganism. Also known by the name Witchcraft, it began to emerge publicly in its modern form in the late 1940's. It is an initiatory path, a mystery tradition that guides its initiates to a deep communion with the powers of Nature and of the human psyche, leading to a spiritual transformation of the self. Women who follow this path are initiated as Priestesses and men are initiated as Priests. The following is by Janet and Stewart Farrar from Eight Sabbats For Witches, Robert Hale, London, 1981.

'Wicca is both a religion and a Craft. ... As a religion - like any other religion - its purpose is to put the individual and the group in harmony with the divine creative principal of the Cosmos, and its manifestation at all levels. As a Craft, its purpose is to achieve practical ends by psychic means, for good, useful and healing purposes. In both aspects, the distinguishing characteristics of Wicca are its Nature- based attitude, its small group autonomy with no gulf between priesthood and 'congregation', and its philosophy of creative polarity at all levels, from Goddess and God to Priestess and Priest.'

Those wishing to be initiated into a coven must be at least 18 years of age. Wicca does not seek converts and initiation is never offered. Initiation must be asked for and is only given to those who have proved themselves suitable. It is traditional to wait a year and a day before being accepted into the Craft, although in practice this varies.

In Britain, there are a number of Craft traditions: Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Traditional, Hereditary (Family), Dianic and Hedgewitch. In other countries, other traditions have evolved to reflect their own culture. Traditionalists claim their methods pre-date the modern revival and have been passed down from generation to generation. Hereditaries claim their traditions have been passed on by particular families through relations of blood and marriage. Dianic craft is based on feminist principles and Hedgewitches follow a more solitary path

Gerald Gardner, who was most responsible for the revival of the modern Craft, claimed to be an initiate of a witches coven in the New Forest, Dorset. Initiated by "Old Dorothy" the existence of which has been hotly contested by many historians and wiccans alike. She appears to be an actual person (not a fabrication) as Doreen Valiente (One of Gardner's first initiated under him) said he used to speak fondly of her in many occasions, as one would mention a relative, in one of her letters.

The origins of the beliefs and practices have been extracted from numerous sources (utilise what works - type of mentality) and items which were experimented by Gardner himself, with probable help from the coven he was a member of are the basis of the Book of Shadows. The current form of the Book of Shadows was further refined by Doreen Valiente, which is often given the title of the "Mother of Witchcraft

This is the only definable period, in history, that can be traced to modern Wicca. It must be understood that its origin was in the 1940's; any claim to the contrary does not have any evidence to support it. Primary evidence before this date has not been found. Similarities to pre-Christian times, although certain roots have been established is not a total replication and, therefore, the assertion of unbroken lineage is highly dubious. The sources he was said to have drawn upon are the Golden Dawn, OTO, Aleister Crowley and many others

It is noted that the material is not entirely from the New Forest covens book of shadows as it was likely that it was deficient of many points due to the secrecy and its relative isolation. Gardner obviously researched many items, for his book Witchcraft Today, and in that research it could be conceivable of a pattern of core principles coined the mysteries could be extrapolated in places where the original was deficient.

In 1951 the Witchcraft Act of 1604 and 1735 was repealed, in the United Kingdom, and replaced by a modified law Fraudulent Mediums Act 1951, thus allowing witches to come back out of the "broom closet".

The next publication, from Gardner, was in 1954 where in the book called Witchcraft Today where he gave the factual treatment to the beliefs and principles he hinted at in High Magic's Aid.

This allowed Wicca to grow as people became interested in its principles and beliefs, and gave precedence for existing covens around the world to become more visible, even though the law only existed in the UK.

Over time differences began to form in the way that Gardner and others would practice witchcraft. A deviation from the original was the inevitable result as the beliefs and practices were not to everyone's liking, and slight modifications were adopted. For example, Alexandrians descend from Alex and Maxine Sanders, who developed Gardner's ideas.

For some practitioners of the Craft, Witchcraft and Wicca are seen as two distinct paths, for others, the boundaries between the two are more blurred. Certainly, the word "Wicca" is less evocative and emotive than "Witchcraft" but whatever their perceived differences, they both share the same commonality in their beliefs and practises.

Witches celebrate eight seasonal festivals called Sabbats. Craft rituals, like all Pagan rites, are often conducted out of doors and involve simple rites to celebrate the seasons and the gift of life. Craft ritual is a means of contacting the Divine beyond our individual lives, but also a way of understanding our inner psyche and contacting the Divine within.

Witchcraft is a path of magick and love, the movement of a deep poetry of the soul, a sharing and joining with the mysteries of Nature and the Old Gods

Today there are a plethora of paths associated with Wicca (as the term Christian is to Catholicism, Protestantism, etc) some core, some peripheral, but the beliefs and practices all follow average criteria. As with everything there are traditions which closely follow that of the original.