Introduction
Wicca is a religion, that acknowledges the existence of multiple deities and desire to reconnect with nature. It involves understanding the natural cycles, particularly the yearly solar cycle and monthly lunar cycle. It focuses on personal experience with divinity, developing greater harmony within yourself and the rest of the world. It teaches that we are ultimately responsible for our own actions. And it emphasizes balance over extremism.
The Wiccan Rede
Live and let live; fairly take and fairly give.
Cast the circle thrice about, to keep all unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.
Soft of eye and light of touch, speak little but listen much.
Deosil go by the waxing Moon, sing and dance the witches' rune.
Widdershins go when the Moon doth wane, and werewolf howls by the dreaded wolfsbane.
When the Lady's Moon is new, kiss thy hand to Her times two.
When the Moon rides at her peak, then your heart's desire speak.
Heed the Northwind's mighty gale, lock the door and drop the sail.
When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth.
When the Westwind blows o'er thee, departed spirits restless be.
Nine woods in the cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Elder be the Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed you be.
Heed ye flower, bush, and tree, and by the Lady, Blessed Be.
Where the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth you'll know.
Whenever ye have a need, harken not to others' greed.
With the fool, no seasons spend, nor be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
When misfortune is enow, wear the Blue Star on your brow.
True in love ever be, unless thy love is false to thee.
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: "An' it harm none, do what ye will!"
Misconceptions
While it's beliefs are rooted in ancient pagan practices, it was founded in the 1950s.
Wicca is Satanism
They're entirely two different religions. That's like claiming Hinduism is Jewish.
Wiccans can't curse or hex because of the threefold law
While some wiccans do interpret the threefold law that way, it's not the only interpretation, nor do all wiccans believe in the threefold law.
Wiccans can't do spells for personal gain without facing consequences
This idea comes from the television series Charmed. It's entirely fictional.
Wicca is based on Aleister Crowley
Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca, did originally use some of Crowley's work when creating prototypes of certain rituals. However, Doreen Valiente was responsible for removing it and rewriting the majority of what became known as the gardnerian book of shadows.
Gerald Gardner only created Wicca became he wanted to see naked women
He was a nudist, that owned property in a nudist community. If he wanted to see naked women, creating an entire religion wouldn't have been necessary.
Wicca is cultural appropriation
Not inherently.. but it's a sensitive subject and should be discussed, both among wiccans and within the entire pagan community. The concept, terminology and conversations of cultural appropriation didn't exist during the time period that Wicca was founded. What is and isn't appropriation, within spirituality, is often debated. However, the difference between open and closed spiritual practices is arguably the deciding factor in conversations about paganism and cultural appropriation. Wicca originated as a closed practice, which is now referred to as Traditional Wicca. The idea that traditional Wicca is inherently cultural appropriation is false. However, non-traditional Wicca, especially eclectic wicca in particular, was considered apart of The New Age Movement. Which was responsible for promoting the idea of creating your own spiritual practices with little to no boundaries. Which resulted in creating an entire generation of neopagans, that would become associated with Wicca, despite not actually being wiccan themselves. Wiccans should acknowledge cultural appropriation, and in accordance with The Wiccan Rede, avoid causing harm to marginalized people and communities.