What is Paganism/Wicca?

Paganism/Wicca, is a nature-based faith based on pre-Christian traditions believing that nature is sacred and that the natural cycles of life in the world around us carry profoundly spiritual meanings. Human beings are seen as part of nature, along with other animals, trees, stones, plants and everything else that is of this Earth. Paganism and Wicca have been around longer than you can probably imagine, but recently Wicca has progressed in many ways. Witchcraft has a long history of misunderstanding. In the sixteenth century, even being suspected of practicing it could lead to being punished by death. (Also just to note the difference...a Pagan follows Paganism, a Wiccan also follows Paganism but adds elements of Witchcraft into their faith!) By the twentieth century, Wicca was firmly established by secretive covens. Witches were often perceived as crazy women - this began to change as films and TV shows such as Bewitched, True Blood and the Harry Potter franchise, fashion trends and an increasing number of books on and featuring Witchcraft and Wicca fostered interest. Society is slowly realising that wiccans do not, in any way promote evil concepts or use magick to turn people into frogs (*eye roll*) but more, aim to live a peaceful way of life that benefits us and those around us. People from all backgrounds, cultures, races, genders and sexualities are finding their feet in Wicca, creating their free path within their faith. They are discovering ways to empower themselves and others. Wicca sparks creativity and allows people the choice to use elements of it to help them make their lives the way they want them to be. Pagan traditions and expressions vary widely and can involve communal outdoor rituals, solitary meditation or contemplation, or the use of symbols, talismans, or altars. Pagan magick is a spiritual practice aimed at creating change in an individual and in the world through and physical actions.

"We live our faith and respect our earth"

Nature is everything to Wiccans. Nature is the basis behind our practices; it is everything that we believe in, live by, worship, use and honour. Nature is all around us, everything that the earth has produced, natural occurrences, weather, the trees, the grass, flowers, plants, animals, insects, the stars, the sea, the moon and the sun. The Earth owes us nothing. Humans do not own the earth; nor are they more important than it. The Earth is here with us - and in Wicca we work alongside nature. We love the Earth and help it, respect it and honour it as much as we can; that's why many of us chose to be vegetarian/vegan. This is also one of the main reasons the ethos of my business is being so eco-conscious!

To Wiccans, the natural world is much like a church is to Christians. Nature made us; we all evolved from the same place. In nature, everything has found its own natural balance, and in Wicca we strive to do the same within ourselves. This is why we treat everything as equal and respect that everything should maintain a balance. We realise that nothing can be perfect, no good without bad, no light without dark, no life without death etc.

Wicca is a faith that promotes equality in all aspects, one that hasn't been warped to suit one gender or race and has flexibility. Where some may feel trapped in some religions or even just their every day lives, Wicca can help break through those barriers, it teaches equality, love and tolerance; it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, your race, gender or sexuality. Everything and everyone evolved from the same place; the Earth and the natural world that created us.

Some Pagans choose to wear sacred jewelry. Pagan symbols include the pentagram, an interlaced five-pointed star that is often worn by Wiccans. The star is pointed up to align with an upright human body, with one point up for the head and outward- and downward-facing points for the arms and legs. The pentagram is a symbol of life and the union of the elements; earth, air, water, and fire with spirit, though it has often been misrepresented as a symbol of evil in popular horror films (I could perhaps suggest that this is largely due to the vilification of Wicca/Pagan religions throughout the history of western civilisation...maybe the religious figures in charge were threatened by the power and connection that this faith holds...)

An alter, decorated with; crystals, candles flowers and a pentagram

Building an altar - a place for divinity, and a sacred workplace for performing rituals - is one of the first ways many Pagans/Wiccans begin their spiritual practice. They often have altars in their homes, sometimes tucked in a corner of the bedroom. The altar may contain natural objects such as crystals, candles, photographs of beloved lost ones, ritual tools, and objects of beauty or personal power. At the altar, you might leave an offering for a deity, enter into meditation, create an herbal charm, or undertake a personal cleansing or healing ritual. Gazing at an altar is a reminder of your spiritual life, and meditating there can lead to spiritual insight.

One important form of daily practice for many Pagans is meditation, such as grounding (which connects the individual with the energy of the Earth and helps to maintain physical and emotional balance). Another is the practice of divination, which may take the simple form of asking about the day ahead, or inquiring about a specific question. "Meditation" doesn't always have to be sitting in the lotus position or chanting sounds; it is a form of contemplative thought and focusing on your surroundings and your connection with them.

Some Pagans consult astrology, while others use Tarot cards, runes, or pendulums to access sources of spiritual knowledge. Others look to movements in the natural world - interactions with animals, plants, wind, and water - to gain intuitions about patterns in the local environment. The sense of connection gained through these practices helps Pagans live out their belief that divinity is present in the world around them.

I could carry on talking about Paganism/Wicca all day, such as the Sabbats we celebrate throughout the year and all the other elements of the faith! But I wanted to just share a little bit with you of what it's all about and what it means to me! I hope this has helped to change your view on Wicca as it really is so misunderstood and I feel that so many people could benefit from it being their way of life! Ever since I was a child I have always been interested in nature, crystals, the moon and making 'potions' with herbs etc. It wasn't until my early adult years that I started to explore the ideas of Pagan and Wiccan faiths, but doing so really opened my eyes and guided me to such a beautiful way of life.

One of my main frustrations with Wicca/Paganism is the number of misconceptions about the faith; what's the most ridiculous thing you've heard about it?

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