Some commonly held Wiccan beliefs and practices include:

_ The Wiccan religion and related pagan religions incorporate revivals, continuations, and adaptations of customs, mythology, symbology, folkways, worldviews, and spiritual practices from pre-Christian Europe.

_ Those who follow the Wiccan religion refer to themselves as Wiccans. Some use the ancient term for wise ones, witches, but others avoid this term because of negative connotations. Groups of Wiccans sometimes are called circles or covens.

_ The major branches of paganism include the Wiccan religion, Unitarian Universalism Paganism, Druidism, Teutonic Paganism (Asatru), and Eclectic Paganism.

_ Honoring nature is considered central to Wiccans’ spiritual practice. Humans are viewed as part of nature, not as its dominators or owners.

_ Wiccans worship “The Divine,” or god, in one or more forms, often as a Mother Goddess and Father God.

_ Wiccans recognize eight holy times during the year, known as Sabbats, which are marked by rituals and feasting, and which include the Solstices, Equinoxes and mid-points between.

_ Wiccans invoke the elements of nature — earth, air, fire, water — at the start of rituals and thank them at the end.

_ Most Wiccans and pagans believe in an afterlife and some form of reincarnation. They believe it is possible to contact and communicate with dead people.

_ Some pagan holy places include Stonehenge in England, Newgrange in Ireland, and Delphi in Greece.

_ Some of the ceremonial tools used by Wiccans for their worship include the pentacle, chalice, incense, candles, herbs, wands, crystals, and Tarot cards.

_ The predominant form of ritual and social space for Wiccans and most pagans is the circle.

Source: International Herald Tribune

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