by Wendy Mills

Created on: May 12, 2008

Wicca is a reconstruction of the nature worship of Tribal Europe. Often they personify this worship as Mother Earth and Father Sky. Other deities, usually prominent figures taken directly from Celtic, Gaelic, or Nordic mythology, play important roles in Wicca rituals and their belief system. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deities. Usually Goddesses or Gods are chose because they are particularly inspiring, and help individual Wicca's find focus in their personal devotions.

Not unlike many other religions, past and present, Wicca's have faced ridicule, persecution, and even death, simply because what they choose to believe is different from that of mainstream religions, particularly Christianity.

Outsiders often mistakenly refer to them as Satanists, and most Wicca's find this comparison, among others, highly insulting. Wicca's do not believe in nor worship Satan', or the Devil'. They do not revile the Bible, but simply believe that is another book, among many of the world's mythic systems, and less applicable to their individual belief systems or core values.

The core ethical statement of Wicca is the "Wicca Rede". "An ye harm none, do what ye will". All Wicca's abide by this solitary commandment or moral code. The Rede fulfills the same function, as does the "Golden Rule" for Jews and Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered elaborations and applications of the Rede. They also believe that the world consists of opposites and understand that to unite oneself and the world that it is necessary to find a balance in all things.

They seek first to find the balance within themselves first. To acknowledge both the feminine and masculine that is inside everyone. Through this often-difficult process to find personal balance, a Wicca will use different rituals to help them on their path to find enlightenment and peace.

Most Wicca's practice magic, by which the use of "psychic energy", the natural or invisible force, which surrounds all living things, can help them to find balance in their lives. Wicca's employ such means as dance, chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and direct psychic energy for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding members in various endeavors. Many, but not all, Wicca's believe in reincarnation. Some take this as a literal description of what happens to people when they die. For others, it is a symbolic model that helps them deal with the cycles and changes within this life.

While some of Wicca's practices are different from mainstream religions, its core belief in the betterment of oneself is shared by all belief systems.

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