WICCA (sometimes called Wicce, The Craft, or The Old Religion by its practitioners) is an ancient religion of love
for life and nature.

In prehistoric times, people respected the great forces of Nature and celebrated the cycles of the seasons and the
moon. They saw divinity in the sun and moon, in the Earth Herself, and in all life. The creative energies of the
universe were personified: feminine and masculine principles became Goddesses and Gods. These were not
semi-abstract, superhuman figures set apart from Nature: they were embodied in earth and sky, women and men, and
even plants and animals.

This viewpoint is still central to present-day Wicca. To most Wiccans, everything in Natures -- and all Goddesses and
Gods -- are true aspects of Deity. The aspects most often celebrated in the Craft, however, are thr Triple Goddess of
the Moon (Who is Maiden, Mother, and Crone) and the Horned God of the wilds. These have many names in various
cultures.

Wicca had its organized beginnings in Paleolithic times, co- existed with other Pagan ("country") religions in Europe,
and had a profound influence on early Christianity. But in the medieval period, tremendous persecution was directed
against the Nature religions by the Roman Church. Over a span of 300 years, millions of men and women and many
children were hanged, drowned or burned as accused "Witches." The Church indicted them for black magic and
Satan worship, though in fact these were never a part of the Old Religion.

The Wiccan faith went underground, to be practiced in small, secret groups called "covens." For the most part, it
stayed hidden until very recent times. Now scholars such as Margaret Murray and Gerald Gardner have shed some
light on the origins of the Craft, and new attitudes of religious freedom have allowed covens in some areas to risk
becoming more open.

How do Wiccan folk practice their faith today? There is no central authority or doctrine, and individual covens vary a
great deal. But most meet to celebrate on nights of the Full Moon, and at eight great festivals or Sabbats throughout
the year.

Though some practice alone or with only their families, many Wiccans are organized into covens of three to thirteen
members. Some are led by a High Priestess or Priest, many by a Priestess/Priest team; others rotate or share
leadership. Some covens are highly structured and hierarchical, while others may be informal and egalitarian. Often
extensive training is required before initiation, and coven membership is considered an important committment.

There are many branches or "traditions" of Wicca in the United States and elsewhere, such as the Gardnerian,
Alexandrian, Welsh Traditional, Dianic, Faery, Seax-Wicca and others. All adhere to a code of ethics. None engage in
the disreputable practices of some modern "cults," such as isolating and brainwashing impressionable, lonely young
people. Genuine Wiccans welcome sisters and brothers, but not disciples, followers or victims.

Coven meetings include ritual, celebration and magick (the "k" is to distinguish it from stage illusions). Wiccan
magick is not at all like the instant "special effects" of cartoon shows or fantasy novels, nor medieval demonology; it
operates in harmony with natural laws and is usually less spectacular -- though effective. Various techniques are used
to heal people and animals, seek guidance, or improve members' lives in specific ways. Positive goals are sought:
cursing and "evil spells" are repugnant to practitioners of the Old Religion.

Wiccans tend to be strong supporters of environmental protection, equal rights, global peace and religious freedom,
and sometimes magick is used toward such goals.

Wiccan beliefs do not include such Judeao-Christian concepts as original sin, vicarious atonement, divine judgement
or bodily resurrection. Craft folk believe in a beneficent universe, the laws of karma and reincarnation, and divinity
inherent in every human being and all of Nature. Yet laughter and pleasure are part of their spiritual tradition, and
they enjoy singing, dancing, feasting, and love.

Wiccans tend to be individualists, and have no central holy book, prophet, or church authority. They draw inspiration
and insight from science, and personal experience. Each practitioner keeps a personal book or journal in which s/he
records magickal "recipes," dreams, invocations, songs, poetry and so on.

To most of the Craft, every religion has its own valuable perspective on the nature of Deity and humanity's
relationship to it: there is no One True Faith. Rather, religious diversity is necessary in a world of diverse societies
and individuals. Because of this belief, Wiccan groups do not actively recruit or proseletize: there is an assumption
that people who can benefit from the Wiccan way will "find their way home" when the time is right. Despite the lack
of evangelist zeal, many covens are quite willing to talk with interested people, and even make efforts to inform their
communities about the beliefs and practices of Wicca.