The Core Beliefs of Wicca

[Lark]

This is an important topic and one which needs to be considered seriously by anyone who believes that Wicca is the path for them.. Once upon a time everyone knew what the core beliefs of Wicca were because everyone studied the same set of beliefs.But as Wicca has grown and expanded things have changed. Some things have been addes which have enriched the path. But often things have been taken away which change the subsequent journey into something no longer recognizable as Wicca.

Worse yet it has come to the idea that Wicca is whatever we want it to be. Things are added or removed on a whim, sort of a buffet spirituality. As an example I once encountered a person who wanted to know whether or not they could omit the God and Goddess from their path and still be considered Wiccan. Well no, you can't.

Wicca is a specific religion with specific beliefs and practices which make it Wicca and not something else entirely. While I do feel that change keeps us as a vital and living faith, I also feel that if you change the core beliefs and practices too radically what you are doing may be a valid Pagan path, but it is no longer Wicca.

A number of years ago on another message board my husband and I and several other Wiccans both traditional coven types and solitaries engaged in a long conversation as to just what constituted the core beliefs which made Wicca a specific spiritual path. At the end of the discussion we came up with the following. And while I feel these pretty well sum up Wiccan beliefs, I allow as how others may put different priorities on each category. Also note that while these elements need to be present for the religion to be called Wicca, there is plenty of wiggle room in them to allow for individual practices as well.

1. Wicca is a mystery religion.

2. Wiccans believe that Divinity is made manifest in both masculine and feminine Forms.

3. Wiccans believe that the world was created and is maintained by the joining together of these two Forms in the Sacred Marriage.

4. Wiccans believe that Divinity is immanent within the world, and therefore all that is is in some part Divine.

5. The dates for Wiccan observances are determined by the changing phases of the moon, and the turning of the seasons.

6. Wiccans hold a religous observance at the time of the full moon.

7. Wiccans believe that magic is efficacious when worked in the proper forms and setting as part of a Wiccan religious practice.

8. Wiccans believe that each person is able to experience direct contact with the Divine without a need for an intermediary.

9 A re-enactment (in some form) of the Sacred Marriage is a necessary part of Wiccan ritual.

10. The ethics and behavior of Wiccans must be guided by the Wiccan Rede.

11. Wiccans believe that the world will return to them the same sorts ofenergies they send out into the world.

I think it is important to consider seriously what constitutes the core of Wicca. The present tendency for people to think it can be anything they want it to be puts it in danger of becoming a meaningless term. Wicca is a specific path. If what it is is not to your taste there are other equally valid paths to chose from. Or one can create a path that is unique to yourself. But to try to apply the Wiccan label to something which is not what Wicca is all about is foolish and misleading. Labels are important because we must use them in order to communicate clearly. So chose to label what you do correctly.

-Lark-

[Labrys]

What a wonderful and succinct statement of belief that is, Lark.  Now, if only half the books out there put it so clearly, there would be less of the regrettable confusion.

[Lark]

What a wonderful and succinct statement of belief that is, Lark.  Now, if only half the books out there put it so clearly, there would be less of the regrettable confusion.

As someone on another board pointed out in another board that I'm on, part of the problem is commercialism.  The people who are out to make money from the popularity of Wicca are marketing to those who want the trappings of the religion but don't want to do the hard inner work that is what Wicca is all about.  So they emphasize tools, candles, robes, and all the acoutrements and make it seem as though it is all so simple and feel good.  Think of it as the sugar that is added to everything so kids will eat it.  Sadly there is little nutritional or spiritual value to the product.

Publisher's are in the long run out to make money and that means that they will only publish what sells.  A good example of this was the hatchet job that Llewellyn did on Chas Clifton's "Living Between the Worlds" where they refused to publish four chapters that were not to the public taste.  And recently Llewllyn asked for books on advanced Wicca...but specifically said they were only interested in magical work and didn't want anything on theology or ethics.  It's pablum...with sugar...for the masses.

-Lark-

[Labrys]

It's pablum...with sugar...for the masses.

The high fructose corn syrup of the religious world.  And JUST as unhealthy as its physical twin.

[Lark]

The high fructose corn syrup of the religious world.  And JUST as unhealthy as its physical twin.

Well it won't make your teeth rot and fall out!

On the other hand if you are looking for something to nourish your soul it won't do that either, at least not over the long haul.

-Lark-

[Brijrian]

I distinctly recall seeking a book on the deeper spirituality of Wicca before I was invited into a local coven. All I saw was book after book after book of the same stuff reprinted and rearranged.

I did find one little gem, finally. Phyllis Currot's "WitchCrafting". That was such a pleasure to read when I found it.

*Brij

Hmm...If book sugar doesn't make your teeth rot and fall out, what does it do to the soul?

[Lark]

I distinctly recall seeking a book on the deeper spirituality of Wicca before I was invited into a local coven. All I saw was book after book after book of the same stuff reprinted and rearranged.

I did find one little gem, finally. Phyllis Currot's "WitchCrafting". That was such a pleasure to read when I found it.

*Brij

Hmm...If book sugar doesn't make your teeth rot and fall out, what does it do to the soul?

I think the biggest problem is that most people who come to Wicca are content with the superficial trappings and have no interest whatsoever in delving into the deeper spirituality.  That's one reason that we are beginning to see an increasingly large laity in Wiccan practice...something which goes completely against the concept that we should each be our own priest or priestess.  But that takes work and they would rather sit there in circle and let someone else do it all for them.  And the books reflect that.

If you haven't read it yet you must pick up a copy of Ellen Cannon Reed's "The Heart of Wicca".  It's a wonderful read.  I have a short list of books that I consider important when you really want to think about Wiccan spirituality.  But they aren't the ones that the bookstores tend to stock because they don't jump off the shelves.

-Lark-

[Labrys]

That's one reason that we are beginning to see an increasingly large laity in Wiccan practice...something which goes completely against the concept that we should each be our own priest or priestess.  But that takes work and they would rather sit there in circle and let someone else do it all for them.

Not that I am Wiccan...but the idea that EVERY person is their own intercessory with the Divine is the root of my own belief and practice.  I used to do very rare open sabbats from time to time, but was terribly depressed by those who showed up wanting to sit down for a "show."   

[angelrn]

I think the biggest problem is that most people who come to Wicca are content with the superficial trappings and have no interest whatsoever in delving into the deeper spirituality. 
-Lark-

Deeper spirituality is exactly what I'm looking for and having such a frustrating time finding.  I'm not looking for spells or fairies... I'm looking for something that I need, something I feel my soul is lacking.  It is sooooo frustrating when all I can find is fluff, I just want to pull out my hair.
Please keep coming w/ your wonderful info. Lark.  It always brings me back to thinking that I am going in the right direction.
BB
Mary

[Lark]

Deeper spirituality is exactly what I'm looking for and having such a frustrating time finding.  I'm not looking for spells or fairies... I'm looking for something that I need, something I feel my soul is lacking.  It is sooooo frustrating when all I can find is fluff, I just want to pull out my hair.
Please keep coming w/ your wonderful info. Lark.  It always brings me back to thinking that I am going in the right direction.
BB
Mary

Mary, it sounds like you are doing this for all the right reasons.  I'm glad you're finding my writings useful to you.  One of the things that I point out to people (and which is the difficult thing that many avoid) is that the deeper spirituality comes from within not from reading "advanced" books on Wicca.  The advanced work we do as Wiccans is really a thing between us and our Gods.  It's something which can't well be explained in books.  In fact when I recommend books to some of my students who are past the basics those books often include writings from other religions because it is the concepts that they need to grasp not the "how to" of the 101 books.  I send them off to read theology, comparative religions, philosophy, etc.  Because these are things that help us open up to the inner work we need to do.

So keep working at what you're doing.  You're definitely on the right track. 

-Lark-

[angelrn]

Thank you Lark.
Right now I've been taking a break from the books, mostly from frustration.  I'll try meditating and talking w/ the Goddess and God more and trying to look w/in myself for a bit. Then of course go back to the books. But for a while I'll try delving into my own soul to see what I can find.
BB
Mary

[Sorsha]

I think the biggest problem is that most people who come to Wicca are content with the superficial trappings and have no interest whatsoever in delving into the deeper spirituality. 
-Lark-

Deeper spirituality is exactly what I'm looking for and having such a frustrating time finding.  I'm not looking for spells or fairies... I'm looking for something that I need, something I feel my soul is lacking.  It is sooooo frustrating when all I can find is fluff, I just want to pull out my hair.
Please keep coming w/ your wonderful info. Lark.  It always brings me back to thinking that I am going in the right direction.
BB
Mary

I feel that angelrn posted here sums up exactly what I'm looking for! My soul is lacking, somewhere I've lost my way, I need that meat and potato's re-ingrained for things to fall back in place for me.
Lark has been such a blessing to me, and to others also! I did not have a chance to meet Branwen but, I believe the empty shoes left, are being filled with all the honesty, nurturing, and wisdom one would have come to expect.
I wonder if it would be proper to honor Branwen with a candle on Samhain? Perhap's I will speak to those who knows more than I about this!

[angelrn]

I don't see why not, Samhain is also known as the Day of the Dead, so to light a candle to a lost loved one would be perfectly appropriate in my book.
BB
Mary
btw I love the meat and potatoes reference, so true.

[Lark]

Lark has been such a blessing to me, and to others also! I did not have a chance to meet Branwen but, I believe the empty shoes left, are being filled with all the honesty, nurturing, and wisdom one would have come to expect.
I wonder if it would be proper to honor Branwen with a candle on Samhain? Perhap's I will speak to those who knows more than I about this!

I think Branwen would be honored if you would do so.  I know I remember her every Samhain amongst my blessed dead.  The statue of Bast which sat on her altar now sits on mine and reminds me every day of what a wonderful Witch and friend she was to me.

-Lark-

[Rowan CedarWolf]

I too honor Branwen on Samhain. She was such wonderful person, and so helpful. I miss her very much. She is grealy missed.

On another note that Lark brought up, "The Heart of Wicca" I love this book! It speaks volumes. I have read it and re-read it many times. It is one of my favorites. and one I recomend to those who are somewhat new to wicca, to help them take off the rose colored glassed so to speak.