What is Wicca?

[Ebony]

WHAT IS WICCA? - Excerpts from an article by Herne

Contrary to what those who choose to persecute us wish to believe, Wicca is a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of thinking, and a lifestyle that promotes oneness with the divine and all that is.

Wicca is a deep appreciation and awe in watching the sunrise or sunset, the forest in the light of a glowing moon, a meadow enchanted by the first light of day. It is the morning dew on the petals of a beautiful flower, the gentle caress of a warm summer breeze upon your skin, or the warmth of the summer sun on your face. Wicca is the fall of colorful autumn leaves, and the softness of winter snow. It is light, and shadow and all that lies in between. It is the song of the birds and other creatures of the wild. It is being in the presence of Mother Earth's nature and being humbled in reverence.

Wiccan learn from and revere the gift of nature from divine creation by celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon and seasons. We search within ourselves for the cycles that correspond to those of the natural world and try to live in harmony with the movement of this universal energy. Our teachers are the trees, rivers, lakes, meadows, mountains and animals as well as others who have walked this path before us.
...To follow the path of Wicca or other nature-based religions, is to be a healer, a teacher, a seeker, a giver, and a protector of all things. If this path is yours, may you walk it with honor, light and integrity.

Blessed Be!
Herne
To read this complete article go to: wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm

[pixiedust]

That's realy pretty!

[starhawk]

That is really lovely and describes a witch quite well,
however the Gardinarion and Alexandrian traditions claim that you cannot be wiccan if you are not initiated into a coven with provable linage.
I think it is very sad for them.

[lunarose]

Thank you Ebony Rose. This is beautiful, and I feel the same way whenever I look at the Moon. I feel Awe and I am definitely humbled in Her presence. Could I actually ever fathom to know all of Her mysteries? Secrets? Songs and Poetry? *sigh* Absolutely beautiful.

starhawk said:

That is really lovely and describes a witch quite well,
however the Gardenarian and Alexandrian traditions claim that you cannot be wiccan if you are not initiated into a coven with provable linage.
I think it is very sad for them.

Me too, but what was good for me to know was that I could still be a witch even though I wasn't initiated or anything. Hell, I felt like a witch all my life anyways, who's to say the Goddess didn't initiate me? This rule only applies if you want to be a Gardenarian or Alexandrian Wiccan.

[vermindaspirit]

Great information Ebony Rose, thank you...

[blackvelvet64]

Beautifully put and on this day when the sun is shining and the sky a brighter blue , its fantastic to walk this path and see awe and wonder everywhere and within all living things ,

[Jen]

Blackvelvet you're from my neck of the woods.
;D

[Shadow_Kitten]

Aww, that's lovely.

[watershield]

The article in question was written by Herne a number of years ago.
Herne was the founder of a web forum called "The Celtic Connection" where his wife an d daught still carry on with the forum and an internet store.

Herne died several years ago with the forum taken over by the mods and a hand full of longtime members.
I've read the original post by Herne. What is was attempting to say is not what wicca IS, but rather what being wiccea gives to him.

[oshun11]

It's very beautiful, and I think we all share that feeling of awe and connectiveness when we're immersing ourselves in or observing nature. (Although I could live without the mosqutioes though. They're so prevalent where I am, lol) I'm getting glasses soon so that when I look at the moon I don't have to squint to see it. I can't wait!

[moondaughter]

Very beautifully written article!

[shrine]

Thank you for that beautiful way of describing wicca.

[marisol]

I have read many of Hern's article, I would have loved to know him.