This is both an easy, and a hard question to answer sometimes. Most people who ask the question want a simple and short answer, not an entire novel. Though it would be easy to fill pages and pages on what Wicca is, the best and shortest answer to give is simply;
"Wicca is a positive, nature-based religion that uses Love, Positive Creativity, and and Spirit to enact positive change in their lives and empower themselves."
Let me set a few things straight. Many wiccans, witches, and pagans can get touchy on termonology, so its best to get these out of the way before we even begin.
Wicca is a religion.
Witchcraft is a Practice.
Pagan is any religion that is not Christian, Jewish, or Islam (or a derivitive thereof).
Not all Wiccans practice Witchcraft. Not all of those who practice Witchcraft are Wiccan.
The term Witch, however, can mean either a practitioner of Witchcraft, or a Wiccan. Though some Wiccans do not like being called a Witch, and some who practice Witchcraft don't like the idea of Wiccans who don't being called Witch. Unfortunatly, there isn't a way around that. So the best thing to do is just ask the person their beliefs, and if they prefer to be called a Witch, or not.
The Wiccan Rede:
You have probably heard of this once or twice, even if you are unsure exactly what it is. The Wiccan Rede is to a Witch, as the Ten Commandments are to the Christian. It is a code of moral and religious behavior. By its nature, Wicca is a very open religion. Unlike Christianity it is not overly strict and rigid, and can be described as a living, breathing entity that constantly grows and changes. Wiccan really allows the individual to practice their religion the way they want. As such, there are Wiccans who do not follow the Rede.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill:
An ye harm none, do as ye will.
And ever mind the rule of three,
what ye sends out comes back to thee.
Follow this with mind and heart,
and merry meet and merry ye part.
That is a small piece of the Wiccan Rede (and the most well known). The key phrases in the above is the actual Rede "and it harm none, do as ye will" and the three fold law "ever mind the rule of three, what you send out comes back to thee"
The Rede - This can be a very strict rule if you think about it. And it harm none, do as ye will. Well, almost any action can be seen as harming. Walk on the grass, and you kill dozens of bugs with each step. Use anti-bacterial soap, and you are killing billions of bacteria on your hands. Sneeze, and you may create a typhoon in Japan. Obviously, it is impossible not to sneeze, and not washing your hands is insanitary, so the Rede could almost be an impossible rule to follow completely. But, so long as you try, and consider your actions before you act, you shouldn't have much trouble. Even then, there may be situations that seem like no matter what you do, someone will get hurt. These are a fact of life, unfortunatly. Just do your best.
Threefold Law - It is a common belief among not just Wiccans, but many religions, that if you do bad things, bad things will happen to you (or if you do good things, that good will be returned). You may have heard of this as Karma. The difference between Karma and the threefold law, is that many wiccans (and other pagans) believe that by the time the energy you send out (be it good or bad) gets back to you - it has increased by three. Why three? Well, three is a very divine number.
Think of the holy trinity, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Now thing of an older trinity - Mother, Maiden and Crone (the trinity of the Goddess). There is more, mother, father and child. Sun, moon and earth. etc. So three just makes sense.
Gods and Goddesses:
Many Wiccans worship more then one God. In fact, they worship many. It is my belief that all religions worship the same great entity - the same Creator. Wiccans call this Spirit. Christians call it God. There are many names for it and many different religions, and paths to worship. I don't believe any are right, and I don't believe any are wrong. Wiccans view Spirit as having two halves, a male, and female.
Wiccans also view these as being split up to even more gods and goddesses. Wiccans often pic a pantheon to work with. For example, the Egyptian Gods, Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, Native American, some even choose to work with the Christian God, and use Jesus and Mary to represent the Lord and Lady.
Spells, Rituals and Rites:
This is the part of Wicca that incorperates Witchcraft. Not all Wiccans cast spells, or preform rituals. Some don't even have alters or anything like that. Some just choose to pray, and to believe. Those that are Wiccan and practice Witchcraft, use spells and rituals to bring about change.
Remember the first definition I gave? How Wiccans use Love, Positive Creativity, and Spirit to create possitive change? Well, spells and rituals is a way to do that. (There are other ways, like creating arts and crafts, or volunteering, or singing, or anything else that is positive, to create possitive change in the world). Spells, and rituals are ways to focus the energy of possitive creation, love, and spirit to create and effect change. You should always strive for this change to be a good change. Real Wiccans do not cast curses, or hexes, or jinxes on people. They work to help, to protect, and to make better.
How can I become a Witch?
Well, let me tell you, dressing in black, wearing a pentacle, and calling yourself a witch, does not a witch make. And it is not nice to threaten to hex, or curse your friends or enemies to get attention, or to stand out. You should only go into the practice of Wicca with an open heart, and an open mind.
Some Wiccans will tell you that to be a true Witch you must join a coven and complete 3 or more years of training.
Some wiccans will tell you that all you need to do is live as a witch, and a witch you will be.
I personally believe that when you begin to use Love, Possitive Creativity and Spirit to create possitive change in yourself and your life, then you are a fellow Witch in my eyes. :)
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