Wicca, a modern pagan witchcraft religion, devotes its worship to a variety of deities. These deities are derived from different cultural and mythological traditions, including those of ancient European and Celtic civilizations. One of the main deities worshipped in Wicca is the Horned God, also known as the God of the Hunt. He symbolizes fertility, the natural world, and the cycle of life and death. Often depicted with antlers or horns, he represents the masculine energy in the religion. Alongside the Horned God, Wiccans also worship the Goddess, who embodies femininity, nurture, and the Earth.
the antlers of the wild stag,
According to Phyllis Curott, the maiden is the virgin or a young woman who is still innocent, excited, and enchanted about new beginnings and wild ideas but most importantly independent. Pop culture often depict the appearance of witches that are in this phase long nose, wrinkled skin, and crooked back who are thirsty to bring back their youth by sacrificing children.
Alongside the Horned God, Wiccans also worship the Goddess, who embodies femininity, nurture, and the Earth. She is seen as the counterpart and equal to the Horned God, representing the dualistic nature of humanity and the interplay between the masculine and feminine energies. The Goddess is associated with the moon, cycles of life, and the power of creation and transformation.
Who are the Wiccan Gods?
Wicca is a religion based on neo-pagan teachings and beliefs and its accordance to the principles of nature. Like most religions, Wicca shows high reverence to deity because they acknowledge their supreme divine power. Being a typically duotheistic religion, Wiccans believe that deity is a twin; a God and Goddess that both have equal footing and power. In the previous articles, we have already debunked the myth that Wiccans worship Satan and the devils, let us now get to know more the primary Gods and Goddesses of Wicca.
The Horned God
Horns are usually misinterpreted as the symbol of evil and Satan in Christian teachings. But in Wicca, the Horned God is also known as the Sun God, the Sacrificed God, and the Vegetation God. Wiccans see God in the sun, governing their daily activities from sunrise until sunset or a lifecycle and without him, life would not exist. In addition to this, the God is a symbol of a tender of wild animals. According to Scott Cunningham, he is seen as the God with horns that symbolizes his connection with animals which gave birth to its name as “master of the hunt”. He also oversees the protection of forests, desserts, and towering mountains untouched by human hands. Other symbols used to worship and often associated with God are objects that represent masculinity and strength like swords, horns, speark, candle gold, brass, diamond, sickle, arrow, knife, and others. While its animals symbols are dog, snake, fish, dragon, wolf, bear, eagle, and many more.
According to the father of modern Wicca, Gerald Gardner, the Horned God’s name is Cernunnos – which means “the horned one” but like other Gods, he has many names such as Osiris and Apollo. Wiccan traditions shows the cycle of seasons that follow the relationship of God and the Goddess. According to Patti Wigington, the horned God dies during the fall where vegetation and land become dormant and becomes resurrected during the spring to impregnate the goddess of land – where he becomes a symbol for fertility. To practice the worship of Cernunnos, familiarize yourself with this prayer:
“A Prayer to Cernunnos
God of the green,
Lord of the forest,
I offer you my sacrifice.
I ask you for your blessing.
You are the man in the trees,
the green man of the woods,
who brings life to the dawning spring.
You are the deer in rut,
mighty Horned One,
who roams the autumn woods,
the hunter circling round the oak,
the antlers of the wild stag,
and the lifeblood that spills upon
the ground each season.
God of the green,
Lord of the forest,
I offer you my sacrifice.
I ask you for your blessing.”
Wiccans often revere specific deities from ancient pantheons. For example, the Celtic goddess Brigid is widely worshipped in Wicca. Brigid is the goddess of healing, poetry, and smithcraft. She is linked to the hearth and is often depicted as a triple goddess, symbolizing her presence in three different aspects of life. Another deity worshipped in Wicca is the Norse god Odin. He is associated with wisdom, knowledge, and magic. Known as the Allfather, Odin is believed to have sacrificed his eye for wisdom and governs many aspects of nature and the spiritual realm. In addition to specific deities, Wiccans also recognize and draw inspiration from a vast range of spirits, nature beings, and elemental forces. These entities include fairies, spirits of trees, animals, and elemental beings such as nymphs and sylphs. Wiccans often connect with these beings through rituals and altars, seeking their guidance and assistance in their spiritual paths. In conclusion, Wicca encompasses a diverse range of deities derived from various mythologies, with the Horned God and the Goddess being central figures. Alongside specific deities, Wiccans also honor spirits and elemental forces. The worship of these deities and spirits is a core element of Wiccan practice and belief, representing a reverence for the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things..
Reviews for "The Divine Coven: Working with Covens and the Deities of Wicca"
1. Jonathan - ★★☆☆☆
I was quite disappointed with "Deities worshipped in wicca". As someone who is interested in learning about different religious beliefs, I was expecting more depth and insight into the deities worshipped in Wicca. However, this book only provided a superficial overview without delving into the rich mythology and symbolism associated with these deities. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly understand the spiritual significance and practices of Wiccan worship.
2. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Deities worshipped in wicca" to be extremely biased and lacking in credibility. The author seemed to have a narrow perspective and did not present a well-rounded view of the deities worshipped in Wicca. Additionally, the information provided was limited and did not offer any real depth or analysis. I expected a more balanced and informative read, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Robert - ★★☆☆☆
I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the different deities worshipped in Wicca by reading this book. However, I found the content to be quite repetitive and lacking substance. The author did not delve into the historical context or provide any real insights into the significance of these deities. The book felt like a shallow overview and failed to meet my expectations as a reader looking to expand my knowledge of Wiccan spirituality.
4. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
"Deities worshipped in wicca" was a disappointment for me. The book lacked depth and failed to do justice to the complex and diverse pantheon of deities in Wicca. I was looking for a more comprehensive exploration of each deity and their individual attributes and roles within the Wiccan belief system. However, the information provided was brief and didn't go beyond surface-level descriptions. I would recommend seeking out more authoritative and in-depth resources for a better understanding of Wiccan deities.