Wicca
Wicca is a misunderstood religion. The definition of Wicca is: "A modern Pagan religion with spiritual roots in the earliest expression of reverence for nature," (Herne). Wiccans don't believe in the existence of the devil, or Satan, they believe in turn that "...Satan is a Christian creation," (Herne). In the United States there are over 200,000 practicing Wiccans. This number gets bigger every year. Some Wiccans worship in groups, called covens, or as solitary practitioners. Wicca has many mixed sects. These sects, and covens, are individual with varied worshipping styles and celebrations. Wicca celebrates nature, and the powers within nature. Most respect and honor all life as a part of Earth. However, the main beliefs of Wicca remain true throughout all of them. As part of Wicca, there are eight major celebrations in a year. These events are called "Sabbats". The Wiccan Sabbats are Samhain or All Hallows Eve, Yule or Winter Solstice, Candlemas or Imbolc, Ostara or Spring Equinox, Beltane or May Day, Litha or Summer Solstice, Lammas or Lughnasadh, and Mabon or Fall Equinox. These have been phrased this way since the Wiccan year runs from October 31 through October 30th. The actual dates can vary from coven to coven, and cha
Morrison, Dorothy. The Craft: A Witch's Book of Shadows. St. Paul: Llewellyn, 2001 The next holiday on the Wiccan calendar is Beltane. It starts what is called a fertile union, to add new life to crops and to hasten their growth. One of the customs is to collect branches and flowers and weave them together as a garland; also another one is the making of May baskets. It is a collection of flowers to be given to others in need of caring or healing. This is a high holiday celebrated on May 1st. The traditional foods are dairy items, and oatmeal cakes. The herbs are hawthorne, honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, woodruff, and all flowers. Herne. The Celtic Connection: Wicca. 1997 - present. http://www.wicca.com February 12, 2003 Imbolc means in the belly (of the mother). Some pagans this day is associated with Valentines Day. Purification of yourselves and the earth around us is a main theme for this Sabbat. It is also known as a time of renewal, and new beginnings. It is also a time for spiritual growth. Some pagan customs are to burn a candle in the window of their home on sundown on February 1st and were left burning until sunrise the next morning. Others include making a Brigit's cross, which is weaving straw and wheat together to hang in your home for protection, spiritual cleansing, and purification. Imbolc is a greater sabbat or high holiday and is celebrated on February 1st. The traditional foods for this day are dairy, spicy and full bodied foods, curries, peppers, onions, leeks, shallots, garlic, chives, spiced wines, and dished with raisins. The herbs are snowdrop, rowan, and the first flowers of the year. Grimassi, Raven. The Wiccan Mysteries. St. Paul: Llewellyn, 2000. Lammas is the celebration of the middle of summer. It marks the end of summer and the beginning of fall. During this time it is the festival of the first harvest. Early crops are brought in. This is a time to pay respect to Father Sun for his role in the bountiful harvest that has arrived. An important rule here is to give as much of ourselves as you take from the earth. Lammas is a high holiday that is celebrated on August 1st. The traditional foods are all breads and grains, berries, crab
Some common words found in the essay are:
Sabbats Holiday, Spring Equinox, Day Purification, John's Wort, Wiccan Thanksgiving, Herne United, Book Shadows, Low Holiday, Rede Rede, Fall Equinox, traditional foods, holiday celebrated, low holiday, lesser sabbat, book shadows, 1st traditional foods, fall equinox, 21st traditional, apples pears, 1st traditional, spring equinox, 21st traditional foods, february 12 2003, yule winter solstice, 1997 http//wwwwiccacom february,
Approximate Word count = 1476
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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