Wiccan.
| “ | There's good witches and bad witches. Wiccans are the naturally good ones. We help those who need it, but when we're crossed we can be just as bad as they say we are. | „ |
| ~ Wiccan |
Wiccans are pagan witches who draw upon a diverse set of ancient pagan and 20th century hermetic motifs for their religion's theological structure and ritual practice.
Overview[]
Wiccans are typically duotheistic, worshiping a Goddess and a God. These are traditionally viewed as the Moon Goddess and the Horned God, respectively. These deities may be regarded in a henotheistic way, as having many different divine aspects which can in turn be identified with many diverse pagan deities from different historical pantheons. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as the "Great Goddess" and the "Great Horned God", with the adjective "great" connoting a deity that contains many other deities within their own nature.
These two deities are sometimes viewed as facets of a greater pantheistic divinity, which is regarded as an impersonal force or process rather than a personal deity. While duotheism or bitheism is traditional for Wiccans, broader Wiccan beliefs range from polytheism to pantheism or monism, even to Goddess monotheism. An unattributed statement known as the Wiccan Rede is a popular expression of Wiccan morality, although it is not accepted by all Wiccans; these eight words the Rede fulfill: "In Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will".
Description[]
Wiccans are generally regarded as benevolent, as they rely more on the power of nature than the powers of darkness. Wicca often involves the ritual practice of magic, though it is not always necessary.
Wiccans have no central authority. Their traditional core beliefs, principles and practices were originally outlined in the 1940s and 1950s by Gardner and Doreen Valiente, both in published books as well as in secret written and oral teachings passed along to their initiates. There are many variations on the core structure, and the religion grows and evolves over time. Their movement is divided into a number of diverse lineages, sects and denominations, referred to as traditions, each with its own organizational structure and level of centralization.
Rituals[]
Wiccan celebrations encompass both the cycles of the Moon, known as Esbats and commonly associated with the Goddess, and the cycles of the Sun, seasonally based festivals known as Sabbats and commonly associated with the Horned God. Wiccans have respect for all living things, and as such do not believe in harming living animals. In fact, it is against many wiccan philosophies to make any blood sacrifices.
A variety of other symbols are also used in the Wiccan religion, with magic circles playing a large role in Wiccan rituals. These serve as portals between the spiritual and physical worlds. They are also used as a protection tool. Candles are also widely used tools by Wiccans during rituals and their colors symbolize a power or force a Wiccan is channeling. Example are black candles which represent total protection against black magic or sorcery, or conversely negative magic or for force directed against rivals and enemies. Blue candles and images of the deity they worship indicate wisdom. Brown is used to invoke spirits from beyond while purple, like yellow, usually symbolizes health
Although Wiccans do not believe in the devil, the most common among these symbols is the Pentagram. In wicca, the star does not represent Baphomet but instead signifies the Four Primal Elements of Nature, with the 5th point of the star being space or spirit.