Paganism has taken many forms over the years. Over recent decades, a branch known as Wicca has become incredibly popular amongst younger populations. Despite how long it has been in the public eye, there are still plenty of people who hold misconceptions about this religious movement. Some of these misunderstandings are innocent, but some tend to have negative consequences. In order to set the record straight, it can be a good idea to read up on some basic facts surrounding Wicca and get a better feel for what the religion is about.
Give yourself a moment to explore some of these interesting tidbits about Wicca. With a little research, you’ll have a much better idea of what this movement involves.
Witches and Wicca
One of the biggest misconceptions about Wicca is that all people who practice it are witches. While it is true that many people who follow this religious movement consider themselves to be witches in one form or another, it is not a prerequisite. In fact, a vast majority of people who practice Wicca have no association with witchcraft. Still, it involves a lot of pagan rituals that outsiders often misconstrue as being related to witchcraft and other paganistic belief systems.
Similarly, a large chunk of the population also associates Wicca with the worship of Satan. This can be a loaded situation for a number of reasons. For one, the association with Satan normally stems from a lack of public understanding. In the 80s and 90s in America, authorities wrongfully associated paganism and innocent fantasy games like “Dungeons & Dragons” with the worship of the devil. This led to misinformation being spread like wildfire as the media continued to spread the lies. While devil worship can be a part of certain Wicca circles, it is not nearly as commonplace as some would think.
Write Your Own Destiny
Paganism and Wicca are often associated with the casting of spells, which is another reason the religions are associated with witchcraft. Interestingly, one does not need to merely follow any prewritten spells. In fact, Wiccans are encouraged to tap into themselves and write their own spells to share with others. Creating unique rituals and spells is one way that the practice remains fresh and interesting, always evolving to meet the needs of those who pay worship. Spells can range from simple prayers to more complicated incantations involving all sorts of herbs and other ingredients.
Many people also assume that being involved with Wicca requires a lot of different tools While it is true that some people who practice have all kinds of mortars, pestles, vials, satchels, urns, boxes, and bags, you actually don’t need much to be successful with your spells. According to those who have been practicing for a long while, the most important instrument involved is you. While a candle or two might be able to add some nice ambiance, all of the rest is extraneous when it comes down to what matters.
Together and Alone
Finally, Wicca is interesting because followers have the choice of practicing with a congregation or alone. The congregations, usually referred to as covens, can be a great way for individuals to have a sense of community and discuss the religion with others. Still, many Wiccans choose to worship in a solitary manner. It does not matter which way you practice, so long as you feel true to the spirits that guide you.
Despite being around for a long while and having a number of dedicated followers, Wicca is a religious movement that has a lot of misinformation associated with it. Learn more about this religion to discover what impact it might be able to have on your life.