Wicca, also known as modern witchcraft, is a contemporary pagan religious movement that promotes spiritually based practices. One of the core beliefs within Wicca is the concept of time. Wiccans view time as a cyclical and interconnected process, rather than a linear progression. They perceive time as existing in three realms: the past, present, and future, all occurring simultaneously. This belief is rooted in the idea that everything in the universe is interconnected and influenced by various cosmic energies. Wiccans often emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and being aware of the cycles of nature.
In 1971 Wiccan activist Z. Budapest started the Susan B. Anthony coven, which practiced Dianic Wicca, a form of matriarchal lunar worship. Budapest wrote the Feminist Book of Shadows. A number of feminist covens were outgrowths from Budapest’s coven.
Drawing on the gay rights movement, the Minoan Brotherhood was established in 1977 by Eddie Buczynski 1947 89 as a Wiccan tradition for gay and bisexual men. Laurie Cabot, the Witch of Salem, began to gain attention in the United States in the late 1960s teaching classes at Salem State College and helping police solve cases.
Wiccans often emphasize the importance of living in the present moment and being aware of the cycles of nature. They celebrate seasonal festivals, known as Sabbats, which mark the changing of the seasons and acknowledge the Earth's cycles. These festivals are based on the Wheel of the Year, which consists of eight major holidays, such as Samhain, Yule, and Beltane.
Wiccan Religion & Beliefs
Wicca is a neo-pagan religion based on the formal use of witchcraft, which consists of spells, rituals, and magical traditions performed by a witch. The term Wicca itself translates to witch, stemming from the Scottish term wica, meaning wise ones. However, it's important to note that not all witches follow the Wiccan religion. Many pagans follow ancestral or self-taught beliefs and customs surrounding their practices.
Witchcraft itself is not a religion, but Wiccans use witchcraft to honor deities, nature, and the moon. They also follow The Wheel of the Year, a calendar reflecting eight seasonal sabbats, or celebrations, that connect to the four seasons. While witches have often been depicted as scary old women who curse townsfolk in fairytales, modern-day witches are generally ordinary people who care for the environment, practice plant healing, use the moon cycles to manifest their desires, and worship various gods and goddesses. Wiccans traditionally worship the triple goddess and the horned god, but many worship the Greek goddess Hecate, who was said to preside over magic and spell casting.
The Wheel of the Year contains the eight sabbats that Wiccans observe.
The concept of a religion of witchcraft has been around for centuries, as witches, druids, healers, mystics, and seers all fall under the umbrella of pagan practitioners who use various forms of nature and deities in their practices. However, Wicca itself is an established religion. While most of the rituals and practices used today stem from pre-Christian European traditions, Wicca was formalized in the 1960s and became a recognized religion in the U.S. in 1986. Most believe the founder of the religion to be a man named Gerald B. Butler, a famous practitioner and author whose published works paved the way for neo-pagan worship and modern witchcraft in the United States and England. Using the information he gathered from his own coven, and that of Aleister Crowley, he helped make Wicca a recognized religion that is now estimated to have as many 1.5 million practicing followers in the United States alone.
Wiccan Beliefs
Wiccan practices stem from pre-Christian paganism, rooted in various customs and traditions from tribes in Europe. Groups such as the Celts, Vikings, Gauls, Scythians, and many more all looked to the stars for guidance; paid reverence to various gods affiliated with nature, war, and love; and used holistic practices, such as plant medicine, seasonal festivals, energy healing, dream interpretation, and more to navigate the world they lived in. However, the forced introduction of Christianity changed the face of spirituality in Europe. Pagan practices on the continent were condemned as blasphemous, leading to the death of many who were or were perceived to be witches. However, Christian groups took The Wheel of the Year and modified it to connect pagan customs to a growing Christian tradition, such as shifting Samhain to All Hallows Eve, Yule to Christmas, and Imbolc to St. Brigid's Day.
Most Wiccan practices and lore come from these ancient pagan traditions, with slight modifications for the modern world. While Wicca does not have a figurehead or traditional rules, there are moral codes all Wiccans pledge to live by.
Here is a list of the thirteen informal Wiccan rules:
1. We have a responsibility to nature, and we live as one with nature.
2. Rites are practiced in harmony. in accordance with the phases of the moon.
3. Witchcraft is practiced in accordance with religious practices and magic.
4. Witches have special powers that ordinary people do not possess.
5. The creative power that is practiced by men and women is equal, and sex is revered as a natural part of life.
6. There is a recognized connection between the physical and supernatural worlds.
7. Leaders are respected, but there is no recognized social hierarchy.
8. Only through actions, like living as one with nature and committing to do no harm to others, can one call themselves a witch.
9. Our emphasis is on living a fulfilled life that allows us to bring meaning to the greater universe.
10. Other religions are only criticized by us if they fail to respect religious practices unlike their own.
11. The history of witchcraft is not threatening; our concern is only with present and future practices.
12. There is no practice of evil and no making others suffer.
13. Nature can supply us with the tools to maintain health and to heal.
The foundation of Wicca promotes peace, love, and inner understanding by practicing rituals to connect witches to the natural world.
An error occurred trying to load this video. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.Each of these holidays represents a different stage within the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. By recognizing the cyclical nature of time, Wiccans seek to become attuned to the natural rhythms of the Earth and the universe. They believe that by aligning themselves with these rhythms, they can enhance their spiritual connection and personal growth. This belief in the interconnectedness of time also influences Wiccans' approach to magic and spellcasting. Many Wiccans perform rituals and spells during specific phases of the moon or at certain times of the year, harnessing the energy of those moments to manifest their intentions. In conclusion, the Wiccan belief about time centers around the idea of cyclical, interconnected existence. By embracing the present moment and aligning themselves with the rhythms of nature, Wiccans aim to deepen their spiritual connection and manifest their desires through magic..
Reviews for "The concept of time in Wiccan cosmology"
1. John - 2 stars - "I found 'Wicca Belief Time' to be quite confusing and hard to follow. The author throws around a lot of obscure terms and concepts without much explanation, leaving me feeling lost and frustrated. It felt like the book was written for people who already have a deep understanding of Wicca beliefs, rather than someone like myself who is just starting to explore the topic. I also didn't appreciate the author's biased tone towards other religions, which made the book come across as judgmental and exclusionary. Overall, I would not recommend this book to beginners or those seeking a more inclusive and accessible introduction to Wicca."
2. Sarah - 1 star - "I was really disappointed by 'Wicca Belief Time'. It felt more like a collection of unrelated ramblings rather than a cohesive book on Wicca beliefs. The author's writing style was difficult to follow, and it seemed like they were trying to impress readers with their extensive knowledge rather than providing clear and concise explanations. I also found the layout of the book to be messy and confusing, with chapters and subchapters that didn't flow logically. In my opinion, there are much better introductory books on Wicca out there that are more beginner-friendly and organized."
3. Emma - 2 stars - "As someone who was interested in learning more about Wicca beliefs, I was disappointed by 'Wicca Belief Time'. The book lacked structure and clarity, making it difficult to grasp the core concepts and principles of Wicca. The author's frequent use of jargon and unexplained terminology further hindered my understanding. Additionally, I found the book to be unnecessarily repetitive, as if the author was trying to fill pages rather than providing valuable content. Perhaps this book could be useful for someone with prior knowledge of Wicca, but as a beginner, I would not recommend it."