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National Geographic Explores Wicca

July 19, 2011 By 13 Comments

Wicca in EnglandNational Geographic visited England, where it took a look at Wicca, which it says stemmed from witchcraft and is now considered a pagan religion.  Wiccans worship the gods and spirits of nature and in return for their faith, the spirits grant them the power of magic.

Some practioners are careful about who they tell about their faith because of prejudice and fear.

When witches gather in a circle, they believe they can weave stronger magic.  In the coven featured in National Geographic's report, the witches gather once a month to form a circle.

Beltane — known as May Day to others — figures prominently in the National Geographic story.  For Wiccans, it is second to Halloween in importance.

Prejudice is beginning to wane toward Wiccans as people realize that the celebration of the earth, sky and seasons is humankind's oldest faith.

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Deborah is the owner and administrator of the site, starting it in February 2009. She received her business education at the University of Texas and operates a number of websites and small businesses. She hosts the God Discussion show and handles the site's technical work and editing.

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  • http://emichaelscoupons.com Eric

    i saw this on NAT GEO the other day i was freaked like anything,,, this thing does exists and its scary!!

    • http://www.goddiscussion.com Dakota O'Leary

      As a Wiccan, I must say that Wicca is a beautiful faith, nature affirming, with its first tenet to "do no harm" to anyone or anything. Misunderstandings about Wicca exist everywhere, as it does with most religions who are not Christian in nature.

    • http://johnthomasdidymus.blogspot.com JohnThomas Didymus

      Happy to confirm you're a witch Dakota. I guessed so the moment i saw your "image" on the editors' page…

  • Topas Jem

    I agree dakota. I an a wiccan as well and I have never been happier with a religion. The only trouble I face is telling my christian parents this.

  • Melanie Ogilvie

    What frightens me is that the woman is feeding her child formula, and straight out of a microwave! Horrid and dangerous.

    The Beltane parade just shows that religious genocide to kill the Earth's religion was not entirely successful, and that the soul of the Earth still speaks to those who will listen, though no wiccans I know would wear black at Beltane. How very drab and unjoyous.

  • ostarajane

    I am also very proud to be a witch and honor the earth, universe and all of the beings and all that the spirits have to offer. Many of the aspects of Christianity have been derived from Pagan ritual and Pagan holidays. I have found, from talking to people that there is a massive misconception of what we do and who we are by the Christian community. I have NEVER been scared by anything to do with Paganism or witchcraft or Wicca but I do find the thought of being molested by a priest nothing short of terrifying. I have been told that I would go to hell by a family member along with everyone else who does not believe the exact same way that she does. I would not want to be anywhere, heaven or elsewhere, that was full of such exclusively judgemental people. After searching many different aspects of religion, I have never had such a warm loving and non-judgemental group of people for my family. We are not scary, we are not evil. We love the earth, each other and I have learned so much patience from my witches. In perfect love and perfect trust
    Blessed be.

    • http://www.goddiscussion.com admin

      So true, Ostarajane, about aspects of Christianity that were derived from pagan rituals. The fear that people have about Wiccans is completely unfounded. Those who I have met are some of the most kind and thoughtful people that I've encountered.

      Deborah

  • Noelle

    I used to practice wicca for about ten years. It was mainly a love of nature, the earth, the moon and self empowerment after a traumatic time in my life. I had to wean back on this for the main reason that I believed in my heart that God created these things I love so much, and when I looked at the moon It was God I was talking to. How could he not be a part of something he made that was so beautiful. It became a contradiction to me and with that said I felt like I was discounting generations of ancestors who put God and their faith at the front of their lives. I love the sentiment and kindness of wiccan beliefs and that it is so old and honors the earth, however I just couldn't do it outright and not give credit where it's due..

  • Lree

    I was fortunate to find my heart's song early in this life and embrace my faith as a teenager. There is beauty and universal truths in all faiths. Finding the commonalities and respecting the differences is the only way to find the way to the peace table. That is true for many things, Race, Relgion, Politics, etc… Brightest Blessings )O(

  • http://www.witcheschat.com WitchesChat

    Without the million dollar budget of a big town church with its big town lights, cameras, and action, Wicca seems more dedicated its ideals than to its bling and head-count.

    Hard to understand is popular religions contradiction between "Thou shalt not kill" and the sea of crosses on Arlington National Cemetery's headstones. I would call it a conflict, except popular religion is smug in its wars.

    Wicca has one simple rule: An Ye harm None, Do As Ye Will. It's not so scary, if you think about it. It's actually something you can live with.

    • http://www.goddiscussion.com admin

      I don't see what is frightening about Wicca at all, and think that it has been grossly misrepresented by the folks who paint it as something to be feared. Thanks for your comment.

      Deborah

  • sherry

    I am not a witch or wiccan but Spiritual. I believe in some things and not others. I do practice some rituals and not others. I am what they call a "Solitary ". I will never belong to a coven. I feel more in tune with myself and my world when I respect the earth. I do not believe in one god or gods. There are to many elements in life to be respected to believe in one religion. I respect Mother Teresa and the Dali Llama , and many other great spiritual leaders.
    That being said, " Spiritual", people are still considered frighting. What makes us all frightening is that the people who are scared do not understand. If they would just ask questions instead of accusations they would see we are not all alike. If we were all alike this would be a very boring world.

  • http://www.religioustolerance.org/wicrede.htm RavenHorse

    I have been wiccan since 1990 when I was 18 yrs old, I am 40 now. I am proud to have discovered wiccan and becoming one. Christianity is NOT for everyone. Wiccans learn there is no devil or satan, your actions are your own. So it is ridiculous to accuse us of worshipping satan as a real entity/deity, is like worshipping a fictional character in a movie or book believeing he/she is "in the flesh or spirit" real. In truth of all the History and NatGeo shows on pagans in the dark ages,proves ALL our ancestors were worshippers of nature,the 4 elements,and nature Gods & Goddesses,before christianity existed. So those christians then and now who look at wiccan and all paganism as evil,are spitting on their pagan ancestors and their beliefs. I also think The Bible made the word "witch" into an ugly word, and that's why christians and other pro christian God people picture the wicked fictional version of witches, and Not the True meaning of what witches really are, which is healers of earth,nature, and man. In medieval times of the Black Plague witches were blamed for causing it and so were burned or hanged,even accussing a woman (mostly) of being a witch caused her death by burning at the stake or hanging. Witch hysteria has caused more executions to the innocent than to real witches. Being a wiccan/witch and hated for it is in one way being executed, not by physical death,but of character and freedom of religious right. Before pointing a prejudice finger at us, step into our shoes by opening your mind,read thoroughly on paganism and wicca,look at the spells we (not all wiccans do spellcraft)actually do. Our Wiccan Rede says "An Not Harm None,Do What Thou Wilt." That mean do what you wish as long as it hurts no one,not even yourself. Christians have their " Do unto others, as you would have done unto you." The wiccan Rede also has the rule of three,which means whatever we send out,comes back times 3. It's a "what comes around,goes around " karma. More on The Wiccan Rede better explained at this website here : http://www.religioustolerance.org/wicrede.htm