Knowra Wicca Wicca Wicca is a modern pagan religion centered on nature, ritual practice, and reverence for a Goddess and a God. Its beliefs and practices vary among traditions.
Wiccan Rede : A Wiccan ethical maxim commonly summarized as “An it harm none, do what ye will.” It expresses a widely cited ethical principle, though Wiccans interpret and apply it differently.
Gerald Gardner : An English occultist who helped establish modern Wicca in the mid-twentieth century. Gardner publicized a new witchcraft religion that became influential in Wicca’s early development.
Traditional witchcraft : A diverse set of modern practices drawing on historical folklore and magic, generally distinct from Wiccan religious traditions. The label distinguishes some contemporary witchcraft paths from Wicca’s recognizable ritual and theological frameworks.
Wiccan ritual : A structured religious ceremony using symbolic actions, spoken forms, and ritual tools in Wiccan practice. Ritual is a principal way Wiccans mark sacred time and engage with deities.
Wheel of the Year : A seasonal cycle of eight festivals observed by many Wiccans and other modern pagans. Its festivals connect ritual observance with seasonal change and agricultural cycles.
Doreen Valiente : An English Wiccan priestess and poet who helped shape early Wiccan liturgy and practice. Her writing helped define the language and devotional character of Gardnerian Wicca.
Witchcraft : The practice or belief in magic, often associated with ritual action, spells, or supernatural influence. Wicca is a religion that includes witchcraft, while witchcraft itself is not necessarily Wiccan or religious.
Casting a circle : A ritual practice of marking sacred space, often by tracing a circle and invoking spiritual protection or presence. Many Wiccan rites begin by establishing a bounded sacred space.
Esbat : A Wiccan ritual gathering, often held at the full moon, distinct from seasonal festivals. Esbats provide a recurring setting for rites outside the Wheel of the Year.
Witchcraft Today : Gerald Gardner’s 1954 book presenting witchcraft as a surviving religion and describing practices associated with Wicca. This book brought Gardner’s account of witchcraft to a broad public.
Show all 21