UNDERSTANDING WICCA
BY
Charlyna Butterworth
Yampah Mountain High School
Senior research paper
2016
Sally Kilton: Advisor
Wicca is a word that is sometimes feared in this country because people
relate it to witchcraft and many people view witchcraft as evil. Wicca is a religion.
Wicca is not just one religion; in fact some Christians and Catholics study Wicca.
According to Wikipedia, Wicca was developed in 20 th century in England and wasn’t
introduced until 1954 by Gerald Gardner, who was a retired British Civil Servant.
Wicca calls upon a diverse set of ancient Pagan and 20 th century hermetic motifs for
its theological structure and ritual practice (www.wikipedia.com).
Gardner and Doreen Valiente originally made Wicca’s traditional beliefs and
principles, as well as practices known in the 1940’s, in published books and in secret
writings and oral teachings. There are many variations on the core structures and
Wicca keeps growing (www.wikipedia.com). According to the web site religious
tolerance Wicca has no high authority no single leader or prophet and no bible to
dictate it’s laws and beliefs. Most Wiccans are solitary practitioners, which means
they practice alone instead of in a coven, which is a small group of witches who
practice Wicca together. Because of this there are probably as many beliefs as there
are Wiccans. According to the research there are thirteen principles to the practice
of Wicca but three are of particular interest:
Principle #2 stresses the importance of taking care of the environment.
Principle #4 affirms the equality of men and women. It shortly touches on
sex magick.
Principle # 10 talks about how the hatred for Wicca is slowly stopping.
These 13 principles where set in place because people fear and hate the wiccans and to prove we are a peaceful religion and peaceful people.
BY
Charlyna Butterworth
Yampah Mountain High School
Senior research paper
2016
Sally Kilton: Advisor
Wicca is a word that is sometimes feared in this country because people
relate it to witchcraft and many people view witchcraft as evil. Wicca is a religion.
Wicca is not just one religion; in fact some Christians and Catholics study Wicca.
According to Wikipedia, Wicca was developed in 20 th century in England and wasn’t
introduced until 1954 by Gerald Gardner, who was a retired British Civil Servant.
Wicca calls upon a diverse set of ancient Pagan and 20 th century hermetic motifs for
its theological structure and ritual practice (www.wikipedia.com).
Gardner and Doreen Valiente originally made Wicca’s traditional beliefs and
principles, as well as practices known in the 1940’s, in published books and in secret
writings and oral teachings. There are many variations on the core structures and
Wicca keeps growing (www.wikipedia.com). According to the web site religious
tolerance Wicca has no high authority no single leader or prophet and no bible to
dictate it’s laws and beliefs. Most Wiccans are solitary practitioners, which means
they practice alone instead of in a coven, which is a small group of witches who
practice Wicca together. Because of this there are probably as many beliefs as there
are Wiccans. According to the research there are thirteen principles to the practice
of Wicca but three are of particular interest:
Principle #2 stresses the importance of taking care of the environment.
Principle #4 affirms the equality of men and women. It shortly touches on
sex magick.
Principle # 10 talks about how the hatred for Wicca is slowly stopping.
These 13 principles where set in place because people fear and hate the wiccans and to prove we are a peaceful religion and peaceful people.