Is there a Wiccan guide? (Catholics, Christianity, Christian, believers)

[Mooseketeer]

All my great-grand Mother's Wiccan practises were passed down from generation to generation through Matrilineal relations.
She had a book a "grimoire" I suppose with all her herbal lore remedies and healing practises as well as charms for good magic. This was passed on from previous generations and added to as the knowledge was dissipated.
She believed in the duality of the divine ( man/woman) but it is a strongly matriarchal philosophy based on mother earth so to speak as giver of life. The Goddess is a triple entity of "maiden, mother and crone" and most Wiccans have animist tendencies such as the belief in natural spirits and the power of the Sun and the Moon.

Wicca was "rediscovered" as a religion and philosophy fairly recently and as such there has been a lot of trendy nonsense about it, and a lot of bizarre off-shoots ( exploited by the media and the Hollywood commercial machine) and is now I believe classified as "New Age"( !!!- one of the oldest religion) but there are still people who practice the old ways and whose families have done so since the dawn of time. I think it has become a popular philosophy as we live in an age of technology driven greed which takes us away from our own natural self. Human beings nowadays feel bereft and a return to one's roots is seen as the only answer to not having a sense of belonging in our modern world.

I myself do not believe in Wicca but I see it as a positive philosophy, bringing us closer to our natural state which can't be all bad.

Sadly because of Christian intolerance many had to convert and pretend to blend in , but it has remained there as have many Native religions subjugated by Christianity, under the surface , never forgotten and always passed on.

There is no "book" as Wicca has always been in many ways a very intense and individual perception of one's relationship with Nature. Most Wiccans will make their own books throughout their lives, adding to it always.

There is nothing remotely sinister about it despite the ridiculous hysteria by some Christians about devil worshipping and such idiotic and ignorant notions.

[Veiled Prophet]

Originally Posted by Trebek

I asked this about Paganism (still trying to figure out the results). Is there a Wiccan bible or central book that Wiccans subscribe to?

What are the foundations of Wiccanism?

Is this what you mean?

The Wiccan Rede
(Full Version)

Bide within the Law you must, in perfect Love and perfect Trust.
Live you must and let to live, fairly take and fairly give.

For tread the Circle thrice about to keep unwelcome spirits out.
To bind the spell well every time, let the spell be said in rhyme.

Light of eye and soft of touch, speak you little, listen much.
Honor the Old Ones in deed and name,
let love and light be our guides again.

Deosil go by the waxing moon, chanting out the joyful tune.
Widdershins go when the moon doth wane,
and the werewolf howls by the dread wolfsbane.

When the Lady's moon is new, kiss the hand to Her times two.
When the moon rides at Her peak then your heart's desire seek.

Heed the North winds mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail.
When the Wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast.

When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss you on the mouth.
When the wind whispers from the West, all hearts will find peace and rest.

Nine woods in the Cauldron go, burn them fast and burn them slow.
Birch in the fire goes to represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest towers with might, in the fire it brings the God's
insight. Rowan is a tree of power causing life and magick to flower.

Willows at the waterside stand ready to help us to the Summerland.
Hawthorn is burned to purify and to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning adds its strength to the bright fire burning.
White are the flowers of Apple tree that brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine giving us both joy and wine.
Fir does mark the evergreen to represent immortality seen.

Elder is the Lady's tree burn it not or cursed you'll be.
Four times the Major Sabbats mark in the light and in the dark.

As the old year starts to wane the new begins, it's now Samhain.
When the time for Imbolc shows watch for flowers through the snows.

When the wheel begins to turn soon the Beltane fires will burn.
As the wheel turns to Lamas night power is brought to magick rite.

Four times the Minor Sabbats fall use the Sun to mark them all.
When the wheel has turned to Yule light the log the Horned One rules.

In the spring, when night equals day time for Ostara to come our way.
When the Sun has reached it's height time for Oak and Holly to fight.

Harvesting comes to one and all when the Autumn Equinox does fall.
Heed the flower, bush, and tree by the Lady blessed you'll be.

Where the rippling waters go cast a stone, the truth you'll know.
When you have and hold a need, harken not to others greed.

With a fool no season spend or be counted as his friend.
Merry Meet and Merry Part bright the cheeks and warm the heart.

Mind the Three-fold Laws you should three times bad and three times good.
When misfortune is enow wear the star upon your brow.

Be true in love this you must do unless your love is false to you.

These Eight words the Rede fulfill:

"An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"

[Veiled Prophet]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Wicca is only a few decades old. It is an attempt to rediscover an ancient religion.

Whether or not that ancient religion predated the Celtic religions is pure speculation. With no written records and only sporadic archaeological evidence, it's all guesswork.

If you go back far enough, the Celts and Germans were all one people to begin with. Both Indo-Europeans. So I guess if you go back far enough, their religion was probably the same thing.

So anyone who tells you that Germanic nature worship predated the Celtic religions...well, there just isn't enough evidence to prove or disprove it either way.

Unless someone reading this has a time machine. If so, please invite me over. I really do think I was born in the wrong century.

Ahem!!!! This coming from a person who thinks that Pagans and Wiccans become so because of a stupid movie?! Please!!!!!

[Veiled Prophet]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

All my great-grand Mother's Wiccan practises were passed down from generation to generation through Matrilineal relations.
She had a book a "grimoire" I suppose with all her herbal lore remedies and healing practises as well as charms for good magic. This was passed on from previous generations and added to as the knowledge was dissipated.
She believed in the duality of the divine ( man/woman) but it is a strongly matriarchal philosophy based on mother earth so to speak as giver of life. The Goddess is a triple entity of "maiden, mother and crone" and most Wiccans have animist tendencies such as the belief in natural spirits and the power of the Sun and the Moon.

Wicca was "rediscovered" as a religion and philosophy fairly recently and as such there has been a lot of trendy nonsense about it, and a lot of bizarre off-shoots ( exploited by the media and the Hollywood commercial machine) and is now I believe classified as "New Age"( !!!- one of the oldest religion) but there are still people who practice the old ways and whose families have done so since the dawn of time. I think it has become a popular philosophy as we live in an age of technology driven greed which takes us away from our own natural self. Human beings nowadays feel bereft and a return to one's roots is seen as the only answer to not having a sense of belonging in our modern world.

I myself do not believe in Wicca but I see it as a positive philosophy, bringing us closer to our natural state which can't be all bad.

Sadly because of Christian intolerance many had to convert and pretend to blend in , but it has remained there as have many Native religions subjugated by Christianity, under the surface , never forgotten and always passed on.

There is no "book" as Wicca has always been in many ways a very intense and individual perception of one's relationship with Nature. Most Wiccans will make their own books throughout their lives, adding to it always.

There is nothing remotely sinister about it despite the ridiculous hysteria by some Christians about devil worshipping and such idiotic and ignorant notions.

Very well put and I hope that our supposed authorities about Paganism and Wicca will read your post. It amazes me how little people really do know about different religions and then try to act like some kind of authority. Hell, most Christians don't even really know their own religion.

[Chado2423]

Originally Posted by Trebek

Is there a Wiccan bible or central book that Wiccans subscribe to?

No there is no single book that Wiccans adhere to. There are books entitled "Wiccan Bible" such as the one written by Janet and Stewart Ferrar, but these books are not considered to be inspirationally written through Divinity in the same sort of reverance that many Christians hold to their Bible. Wicca is a very broad Earth-based religion.... but a better question to ask would be Are their Certain Beliefs that All or Most Wiccans Share? and the answer to that would be yes. These are most commonly referred to as "The Thirteen Principle's Of The Witch." Search for "Thirteen Principles Of The Witch" online and you'll see some basic beliefs... The 13 Wiccan Principles These have been adopted by The American Council of Witches... but these principles come from Gardnerian and Alexanderian Traditions.

This is one thing that confuses many people outside of Wicca... they cannot seem to grasp the idea that there is a religion with no central thematic book for reference... but for the Wiccan the Bible is Spirit, Energy, Life, Nature, everything in connection with one another rather than discord. Learning and Growing, Seeking and Finding, Questioning and Answering... Becoming and Being... Existence of Higher Self in alignment with lower self... understanding the cycles of nature... these things all in one uniform movement are the "Bible" We do not have a list of what is absolute truth, because we do not know precisely what is absolute truth... we do not believe that simply because someone or something says that it is absolutely that it necessarily makes it so, nor do we believe that simply because someone or something says that it is true that it is necessarily false either... Instead we are seekers, always learning, always wondering, always questioning... we find answers that suit us for a time, and later learn our errors... we have our beliefs, and you have yours, but this is something we see as one and the same....


What are the foundations of Wiccanism?

This is a tough question answer.... (btw, it is improper word usage here, you should write What are the Foundations of Wicca?) Modern Wicca is most attributed to Gerald Gardner, however much of the tradtion of neo-pagan practices pre-date Gardner. It is simply the way we practice the religion today that can in some cases be in connection with Gardner. Even some Wiccan scholars disagree about the precise historical connections of Wicca.

Wikipedia has done a pretty good job so far at getting at the heart of Wicca

Go to Wikipedia and search for Wicca.




Also, here is a short video that may help you understand a little more?

Wicca - Everything Wicca Part 1

Some of Wicca has been underground.... and some of it still is, yet there is much more information brought into the public eye than previously... many modern Wiccans believe that by hiding our hearts and ideas we adhere to the fears of the past... it is only by revealing the truth that people can understand who we truly are... Wiccans of the past hid their rites because of fear for their lives by persecution, but some of us believe that by doing so they only allowed the misunderstandings by outsiders to be kept... not shedding light on the darkness... thus prolonging the confusion that caused the persecutions in the first place.

--Chad

[Desdemona123]

Originally Posted by Mark S.

Most Wiccans I know started with The Mists of Avalon. I'm not joking.

That being said, I only know two practicing Wiccans very well. And a third is more of a friend of a friend.

Many of them like the book...but the book is historical fiction. It has NOTHING do to with Wicca.

[Chado2423]

Originally Posted by Desdemona123

Many of them like the book...but the book is historical fiction. It has NOTHING do to with Wicca.

I have heard of this work, but I have not read it. Personally I started with Gerald Gardner's and Raymond Buckland's writings.... but I am not a Gardnerian Wiccan, I'm an ecclectic solitary Wiccan. (yes, the Mists of Avalon is fiction.)

I forgot to mention earlier, the primary, often considered singular, ethical creed in Wicca is "An' it harm none do what ye will." and is known as The Wiccan Rede Sometimes this is referrenced as a commandment.

[happytown]

Is there a Wiccan guide?..I think you can find it along with...... The Bible For Dummies - Google Book Search

[TaraMoon]

Trebeck: There is no sacred text for Wiccans or other Pagans. In that regard, and many others, they differ from the Abrahamic religions. And a good thing, too. They aren't waging wars to kill each other over who has THE book or the the correct interpretation of a book. Wicca was created around 1950 in England and does not trace directly back to any earlier religion. It's essentially cobbled together from the Golden Dawn, Masonry, Woodcrafters' movement, and Eastern Mystery Religions. This is not to denigrate it because most, maybe all, religions are cobbled together. British Wicca is much more rigid and secretive than American Wicca. American Wicca is pretty much a New Age movement. In this sense, it differs from most other pagan faiths. No, I'm not a Wiccan, but I do know many Wiccans. If you want to know more about the history of Wicca, I suggest you skip the pseudo histories written by many Wiccans and read Ronald Hutton.

[TaraMoon]

Chado,

Wiccans and other pagans have no "commandments" and I know of no pagan who would ever refer to the Wiccan Rede as such. Pagans do not have dogma.