Saturday, January 10, 2015

Setting Up Tools And Wiccan Rituals

By Enid Hinton


When it comes to Wicca, there are a number of different private and public rituals which are held throughout the year. Most often these Wiccan Rituals are tied to one of the eight annual Sabbats The two and most popular, and often considered most sacred are that of Samhain and Beltaine.

First developed in Europe in the early 20th century, the use of Wicca laws, rituals and tools were later introduced to the public by a British Civil Servant. The servant found the diverse set of hermetic motifs and other symbols most likely related to ritual practices in a theological framework.

While there is no definitive definition of the term Wicca, or witchcraft, it should be noted that the two are separate and apart. For the act of witchcraft, often involves the use of man-made, or natural magic. Often that of man made being described as black, or evil magic, while that of natural being described as white, or good magic.

Like with mainstream religion, there are different aspects of the religion. While known as sects or denominations in others, most often these different groups are known as traditions, being that each follows a different high priest or priestess' pathway within the confines of the religion. Each of which often have different celebrations and rituals from one another though generally honoring the same Sabbat.

Unlike Christian denominations, pagan groups who follow different pathways often still gather together at major gatherings throughout the year. While some hold on to ancient pathways and shy away from new age practices, others are open to all neo-pagan spiritual pathways. Either way, it is often these group gatherings in which the most Spirit is not only felt but shared among participants.

Through these acts alone, it becomes clear that Wicca is not the only religion which has used rituals and ritual tools over years. In fact, many of the High Holy Days in the Catholic church and religion were born out of early Paganism. One of the main aspects of the Wiccan religion is that it celebrates both the male and female aspects of a deity both as a single, and united entity.

There are many different definitions which have been placed on those practicing Wicca. These include, devil worshipers, heathens and others. Nothing could be further from the truth, Wiccans are not devil worshipers, or heathens. Wiccans are members of a congregation of other like minded individuals same as Christians are a member of a church with like minded individuals.

The Wiccan Rede, or code as it is now know is often spoken as "Do what you will, harm none." Although, there have been attempts to change the language over the years, it has pretty much remained the same in all traditions. Something that seems different when it comes to the Bible and associated denominations of the Christian faith.




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