Hear ye the words of the Star Goddess; she in the dust of whose feet are the hosts of heaven, and whose body encircles the universe: "I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars, and the mystery of the waters, call unto your soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature who gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed, and unto Me all things must return. Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And you who seek to know Me, know that your seeking and yearning shall avail you not unless you know the Mystery: that if that which you seek you find not within yourself, you will never find it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning; and I am that which is attained at the end of desire."

- the Charge of the Goddess, original by Doreen Valiente, this version edited by Starhawk

What is Wicca?

Wicca is a contemporary Neo-Pagan religion. In the last few decades, Wicca has spread in part due to its popularity among feminists and others seeking a more woman-positive, earth-based religion. Like most Neo-Pagan spiritualities, Wicca worships the sacred as immanent in nature, drawing much of its inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of Europe.

What are some comon Wiccan beliefs?

In addition to its positive view of nature, many find Wicca more welcoming of women than other religions, with an emphasis on personal experience and a tolerance of other paths. As a whole, Wiccans value balance with a respect for diverse complexity, seeing sexuality and embodiment as essentially positive, spiritual gifts. There is a sense of personal connection to the divine life source, which is open to contact through psychic power, mysticism or "natural magic."

What god/desses do Wiccans worship?

Wiccans may worship many god/desses by many different names. Most worship some form of the Great Goddess and Her consort, the Horned God. In some traditions worship of the Goddess is emphasized, although in others the Goddess and God are seen as complementary co-equals. The Goddess and God may be seen as associated with certain things (such as the Goddess with the earth or moon, God with sun and wildlife, etc), but there are no hard and fast rules. Some traditions see Divinity as essentially beyond human understanding, with "Goddess" and "God" simply a convenient shorthand.

How do Wiccans worship?

There is no one bible or book of common prayer for all Wiccans, and great value is placed on creativity, poetry and the artful integration of different myths and ritual elements. Usually a Wiccan ritual will involve some sort of creation of sacred space (casting a circle), invocation of divine power, sharing of dance/song/food or wine and a thankful farewell and ceremonial closing. Rituals may be held at sabbats (Wiccan holidays), esbats (moon rituals), or to mark life transitions such as births, coming-of-age, marriages/handfastings, deaths or other rites of passage.

Does Wicca have a code of ethics?

Wiccan ethics vary widely among traditions and individuals, but most Wiccans follow the "Wiccan Rede" and the "three-fold law." According to most versions of the three-fold law, whatever one does comes back to one thrice-multiplied, in amplified repercussion. The Wiccan Rede states "An ye harm none, do what thou will." This means that Wiccans aren't allowed to harm anyone, including themselves. There are no universal proscriptions regarding food, sex, burial or military service.

What is a coven?

The coven is the basic, cellular congregation for some Wiccans, but is often very formal, selective and closed, aiming for an ideal of "perfect love and perfect trust" among members. Most Wiccans begin in less formal ways such as attending festivals, public rituals, classes or more open groups (often called "circles"). Many Wiccans begin and continue practice as solitary practitioners.

Is Wicca the same as witchcraft?

The short answer is no. Many cultures have a negative word like "witchcraft," often viewing it as a malevolent, supernatural tool used by the weak, old or malicious. Some people use the term "witchcraft" to cover more general skills, such as counseling, the occult and herbcraft. Some Wiccans call themselves "Witches," capitalizing it as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the Burning Times, but this is a personal decision. Although many Wiccans today may cast spells and practice magick, these are not considered an integral part of Wicca by all Wiccans.

Are Wiccans Satanists?

No. Wicca and Satanism are different religions with very different perspectives on the universe. The basis for Wiccan ethics is the Wiccan Rede, which states "An ye harm none, do as ye will." This means Wiccans must consider the consequences of their actions very carefully to make sure they harm no one with their actions, whether it be spiritually, physically, or emotionally. Satanists usually believe in acting in their own best interests, rather than in the interests of the community as a whole.

What were the Burning Times?

The Burning Times is the name used by many Wiccans for the era of the Inquisition, and of the other witch hunts which sprang from it. During that time, thousands of women (and some men) were persecuted, tortured and killed for practices objectionable to the Catholic Church, especially witchcraft. This time is considered a very important event by most Wiccans (comparable to the atrocities and devastation perpetrated during the Holocaust), one that should never be forgotten.