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Basic Philosophy Texas Local Council Covenant of the Goddess Basic Philosophy What is Wicca? The short answer is that Wicca is a nature-based religion with a reverence for all life that views deity as male and female and celebrates the cycle of the seasons. Wicca also espouses an ethical Golden Rule known as the Rede. The Wiccan Rede Bide the Wiccan Rede ye must, In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust. Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill: And ye harm none, do as ye will. Except in thine own defense it be, Ever mind the rule of three. Follow this mind and heart, And Merry Meet and Merry Part Wicca, or Witchcraft, is an earth religion -- a re-linking (re-ligio) with the life-force of nature, both on this planet and in the stars and space beyond. In city apartments, in suburban backyards, in country glades, groups of women and men meet on the new and full moons and at festival times to raise energy and put themselves in tune with these natural forces. They honor the old Goddesses and Gods, including the Triple Goddess of the waxing, full, and waning moon, and the Horned God of the sun and animal life, as visualizations of immanent nature. Our religion is not a series of precepts or beliefs, rather we believe that we each have within ourselves the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery -- that feeling of ineffable oneness with all Life. Those who wish to experience this transcendence must work, and create, and participate in their individual religious lives. For this reason, our congregations, called covens, are small groups which give room for each individual to contribute to the efforts of the group by self-knowledge and creative experimentation within the agreed-upon group structure or tradition. There are many traditions or sects within the Craft. Different groups take their inspiration from the pre-Christian religions of certain ethnic groups (e.g. Celtic, Greek, Norse, Finno-Ugric); or in the liturgical works of some modern Witch poet or scholar (e.g. Gerald Gardner, Z Budapest, Alex Sanders, Starhawk); or by seeking within themselves for inspiration and direction. Many feminists have turned to Wicca and the role of priestess for healing and strength after the patriarchal oppression and lack of voice for women in the major world religions. There are many paths to spiritual growth. Wicca is a participatory revelation, a celebratory action leading to greater understanding of oneself and the universe. We believe there is much to learn by studying our past, through myth, through ritual drama, through poetry and music, through love and through living in harmony with the Earth. Page 1 of 3 Texas Local Council Covenant of the Goddess Definitions in Wicca Occult Occluded or hidden/secret; the study of secret or hidden knowledge. Secret societies include the Rosicrucians and certain fraternal orders. Earth Religion a religion whose main tenet is that the worshipper is in harmony with the Earth and with all life. Such religions oppose the idea that the world is a resource to be subdued and exploited. Pagan a practitioner of an Earth Religion; from the Latin paganus, a country dweller. Neo-Paganism a modern Earth Religion which borrows and adapts from the best of pre-Christian Pagan religions, sometimes with additions from contemporary religious thinkers. Wicca a life-affirming, earth- and nature-aware religion which sees all of life as sacred and interconnected, honors the natural world as the embodiment of divinity, immanent as well as transcendent, and experiences the divine as both feminine and masculine. Witchcraft a magical religion with many diverse traditions derived from various cultural sources around which covens and individual practitioners base their practices. The Craft another name for Witchcraft. Coven a congregation of Witches, usually limited to 13 members or less. Witch one who worships the Goddess, and sometimes also Her Consort, the God; practices magic; and considers her/himself to be following the spiritual path of Witchcraft. Magic a conscious direction of will to accomplish a goal. Sabbat one of the eight seasonal festivals equally spaced during the year, celebrated by individuals and covens of Witches. Page 2 of 3 Texas Local Council Covenant of the Goddess Esbat monthly meeting of a coven, usually held at full moon. There are about 13 full moons each year. Some groups also meet at the dark of the moon. Page 3 of 3 .
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