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GENERAL
TRADITIONAL WICCAN BELIEFS
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The
Goddess and God are revered. This is central to Wiccan thought. |
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Human
souls enjoy a series of incarnations in human form. Reincarnation is
one of the most wide-spread of Wiccan beliefs. Precisely how and why
we incarnate several times is open to mystical speculation. Few Wiccan
traditions have specific teachings regarding this doctrine. Some
simply state that we reincarnate and meet others we've known in past
lives. Others are more specific, some less specific. Some
traditions say that we never switch sexes from one life to another; still
others state that we choose whichever gender is appropriate for our
evolutionary lessons. There's little agreement. |
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Power
can be sent in non-physical form to affect the world in positive ways.
Thus, we accept both the practice of magic and its effectiveness. |
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What
is done will be returned to the doer. Precisely how this energy is
returned has been a matter of great speculation. Some Wiccans state
that the Goddess performs this function; others that it's a law of the
universe, like gravity, and that no one being is in charge of seeing that
this occurs. It's an automatic response, like a ricochet. |
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The
Earth is our home, our Goddess. It's not a tool that we can ruthlessly
abuse. Ecological concerns are rather new in Wicca, but now play an
important role. Many rituals are performed to give healing strength to
the Earth. The ecological movement has had a tremendous impact on
Wicca. |
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Wiccans
aren't evangelical. We have no need to go out and spread the
word. Answering questions about our religion is far different from
knocking on doors and asking strangers, "Have you heard the word of the
Goddess today?" Such practices are certainly understandable
(though irritation) in religions whose members believe that they've really
found the only way, but are absurdly out of place in Wicca. |
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Wicca
accepts that every religion is correct to its adherents. This doesn't
mean that we like every representative of every religion, but ecumenicist
must be the way of life. Not only must we all tolerate each other,
Wiccans will, in the future, share more dialogue with representatives of
other religions to increase their knowledge of our ways. This is
already occurring to a limited degree. |
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Wicca
accepts members from both sexes, from every race, national origin and,
usually, of every sexual preference. Unfortunately, racism and
prejudice does exist in Wicca: many covens simply won't let
non-Caucasians receive training and initiation. Such racism is usually
convert and is rarely openly stated, but it does exist. Though Wiccans
are human, and we've been taught from birth to like certain groups and to
dislike others, we must overcome such idiotic concepts and realize that
we're all people. Racism and prejudice in any form is anti-Wiccan.
(Besides, who ever said that the Goddess is Caucasian?) |
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Wicca
is a religion, no a political organization. Groups of Wiccan can and
sometimes do work toward a common cause, and individual Wiccans may indeed
become personally involved in the political system, but Wicca as a whole
isn't a religion that preaches issues or supports specific political
candidates. Some issues in which individual Wiccans have become
involved include woman's rights; reproductive freedom; land conservation;
animal rights; restrictive religious legislation and other issues.
*However, Wicca isn't a political religion. Some covens, in fact, ban
discussion of politics before, during and after circle. |
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Wicca
doesn't charge for private lessons or for initiation. Physical objects
created by Wiccans (pentacles, knives, wands, incenses, oils, books) and
services (such as public classes and Wiccan-based counseling) can and should
be paid for, but not personal, private Wiccan instruction or
initiation. In some groups, coven funds are kept to pay for ritual
supplies; this is the only exception. |
Virtually all Wiccans subscribe to the above list of beliefs.
Certainly most traditions do. It's impossible to discover precisely how
every individual Wiccan interprets these beliefs, but we can be assured that
most of them do in one form or another.
REINCARNATION
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We incarnate many
times to learn our lessons.
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We may incarnate with
people we've known in other lives.
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Cats reincarnate too.
What's
important is to bring your beliefs to paper. This crystallizes them.
Beliefs can become rather hazy. Such an exercise can define them.
Your
interpretations of the general Wiccan beliefs may and probably will charge as
you grow in experience and understanding. This is natural.
The list that you've made may become out of date. This too is fine.
Wicca
is a religion that teaches specific beliefs. We should be fully family
with them if we're to practice this religion. It may take time for you to
completely accept some of these beliefs. Study, think, pray and
experiment. Wiccan beliefs are the heart of Wicca.
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If
you have any comments or question on this section, feel free to email WGMorrigan. |