Wiccan Rituals

Paper Summary:

This in-depth paper details the rituals, literature, importance of mythology and rich history surrounding the ancient Celtic nature worshipping religion of Wicca (witchcraft). The Celts were pantheistic, meaning they saw the spirit world in all things and believed herbs, trees, animals and rocks represented different aspects of their gods and goddesses. A common Wiccan belief is that all gods are one God, all goddesses are one Goddess and both are united. This paper compares Wicca to Catholicism and explains which Celtic holidays and traditions were adopted by the Catholic church, albeit many of the reasons for this have since been forgotten. This paper discusses how Pagan followers are once again using the ancient Wiccan holidays and rituals as a means to renew their connection to the Mother Goddess in all Her forms, in a religion which views all things equally.

Table of Contents:
Patterns of Ritual
The Metaphor
The Sacrificial God
The Twin Gods
The Sabbats
Yule
Vernal Equinox
References

From the Paper:

"Most Wiccans also follow the eight sabbats of the year. These are the Wiccan holidays, marking the points of the greatest solar and lunar energy. The four greater sabbats mark the lunar peaks while the four lesser sabbats mark the solar peaks. During these festivals, sacred rites, blessings and divinations were performed. The sacred rites included fertility rites, engagements and marriages (trial marriages and handfastings), rites of passage and simulated deaths. Magical items and altars were blessed, as well as people, animals, homes, cities, fields and seeds. Divinations were done through scryes (reflective objects), fire, water or visions (dreams and meditations). Each holiday had its specific rites, blessing and divinations. Today, Wiccans still adhere to the specific ideas of the ancient holidays."

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