Wiccan ideologies include a variety of beliefs and practices that are central to the religion. Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft-based religion that emerged in the mid-20th century and is characterized by its reverence for nature, celebration of the cycles of life, and belief in the divine presence in all things. One of the key elements of Wiccan ideology is the belief in a dualistic divine, often represented as a God and Goddess. Wiccans see the divine as both immanent and transcendent, present in the natural world and also beyond it. This belief in a divine duality reflects the balance and harmony that Wiccans strive to cultivate in their lives. Another important aspect of Wiccan ideology is the recognition and celebration of the cycles of nature.
Another important aspect of Wiccan ideology is the recognition and celebration of the cycles of nature. Wiccans observe eight seasonal holidays, known as Sabbats, which mark the changing seasons and correspond with agricultural and astronomical events. These Sabbats include celebrations such as Samhain, Beltane, and Litha, and are often marked by rituals and gatherings to honor the changing of the seasons.
Wiccan Beliefs & Practices: With Rituals for Solitaries & Covens (Paperback)
Modern Wicca is a vibrant, uplifting nature religion practiced by hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. But wearing "witchy" jewelry and casting a few spells does not make one a witch, for Wicca is a lifestyle and those who walk its path have solemnly dedicated themselves to the service of the Goddess and God.
Wiccan Beliefs and Practices was written for the solitary witch or non-traditional small coven. Written by a Wiccan High Priest and retired aerospace engineer, Wiccan Beliefs & Practices includes crucial information not found in other introductory Wiccan books, including:
- Ethics of a Witch, including the Code of Chivalry
- How to write and develop your own spells and rituals
- The physically-challenged Witch
- Out of the broom closet: is it right for you?
- Know your rights: the legal protection of Wicca as a legitimate religion
Author Gary Cantrell speaks from personal experience with Wiccans of all ages and degrees of physical ability, bringing you an earnest examination of modern Wiccan beliefs and a practical guide to the Craft of the Wise.
In the following excerpt, the author explains why he chose to "come out of the broom closet."
I elected to reveal my practice of witchcraft publicly simply because I personally feel that the time for intentionally hiding ourselves has come to an end. We are practitioners of a kind, gentle, and peace-loving religion. We are not the bloodthirsty or depraved, orgiastic fanatics all too often portrayed by the entertainment and news media. The general public has been misled about witchcraft for over a thousand years, and now with our numbers reaching an all-time high, possibly in excess of one million people worldwide, we need to stand up and set that record straight.
We are out there by the hundreds upon hundreds of thousands. We are in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. We are law enforcement officers, engineers, builders, doctors, and farmers. We are a legally recognized religion under the protection of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and our isolation from the rest of the religious community should and must come to an end. With the phenomenal growth of witchcraft since the 1970s and with the free and easy interchange of information afforded to us by things like the Internet, that time will come to pass and it will happen soon. It may be happening now.
About the Author
Gary Cantrell was a Priest in an Eclectic-Celtic Path of Wicca and High Priest of a small Coven. He recognized the divinity of nature since the early 1970's but did not fully realize that he had been following the Pagan path until about 1991. He began a study of witchcraft in 1993, initiated as a witch and Priest of Wicca at Imbolc of 1995 and accepted the responsibilities of Coven High Priest in 1998. He retired after forty years as an engineer in the aerospace industry, and then wrote books on witchcraft and related subjects as a hobby. Wiccan Beliefs and Practices: With Rituals for Solitaries and Covens is Cantrell's second book, the first title being Out of the Broom Closet? In addition to authoring two books on the Craft, Cantrell had several articles on Wicca published in local newspapers as well as in Pagan publications and had been the featured guest on a Los Angeles area television talk show to discuss Out of the Broom Closet. Gary Cantrell passed away on June 28th, 2002. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter, and three grandchildren.
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Comparative Religion
- Paganism & Neo-Paganism
Wiccans also hold a deep reverence for nature and the Earth, seeing it as sacred and worthy of protection. Many Wiccans practice forms of eco-spirituality, seeking to live in harmony with the natural world and take actions to preserve and protect the environment. This ideology connects Wiccans to their surroundings and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living things. Magic and witchcraft are also central to Wiccan ideology. Wiccans believe in the power of intention, ritual, and energy manipulation to create change in the world. They often practice spellcasting, divination, and other forms of magic as a way to connect with the divine and manifest their desires. Wiccan magic is seen as a natural and inherent ability that can be developed and honed through study and practice. Overall, Wiccan ideology emphasizes the importance of personal experience, individual in.
Reviews for "The Influence of Wiccan Ideologies in Modern Witchcraft"
1. John - 2 stars
As someone who has studied different religions and spiritual paths, I found "Wiccan ideologies include" to be extremely lacking in substance. The book offers a regurgitation of basic Wiccan beliefs without delving into the deeper aspects of the religion. It felt like a superficial overview that failed to provide any unique insights or thought-provoking ideas. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Wiccan ideologies.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I was highly disappointed with "Wiccan ideologies include". The book does little to challenge or expand upon commonly held Wiccan beliefs. It reads more like a beginner's guide rather than a comprehensive exploration of the ideologies. The author seems to rely heavily on generalizations and fails to offer any new or unique perspectives. I found it to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for in-depth insights into Wiccan ideologies.
3. Thomas - 2 stars
"Wiccan ideologies include" presents a shallow and clichéd perspective on Wicca. The book offers little more than an overview of basic Wiccan beliefs, without providing any substantial analysis or critical examination. I found the writing style to be unengaging and lacking in depth. It feels like the author simply compiled a list of well-known Wiccan ideas without offering any personal insights or original thoughts. Overall, I found this book to be unimpressive and would not recommend it to those seeking a deeper understanding of Wiccan ideologies.
4. Emily - 1 star
I picked up "Wiccan ideologies include" with hopes of gaining a fresh and insightful understanding of Wicca. Unfortunately, this book failed to deliver on its promises. The content felt incredibly repetitive and lacked any real depth. It seemed to be more concerned with promoting a particular Wiccan agenda rather than offering a well-rounded exploration of the ideologies. I found it to be poorly researched and overly simplistic. I cannot recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Wicca or its ideologies.