What is Wicca?

References:
Ethan Doyle White, Wicca: History, Belief, and Community in
Modern Pagan Witchcraft, (Sussex Academic Press, 2016)


Sabina Magliocco, Witching Culture: Folkore and Neopaganism
in America, (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2004)


Ronald Hutton, The Triump of the Moon: A History of Modern
Pagan Witchcraft, (Oxford University Press, 2019)


Leon A. van Gulik, “The Blind Moondial Makers: Creativity and
Renewal in Wicca,” in Magic and Witchery in the Modern West
(Palgrave Macmillan, 2019)


Patricia Iolana, “Pagan Scholarship from a Pagan Perspective,”
Religious Studies Project.

Photo Attributions:

[thedebatehitman]

I love how he explains religion while treating others’ faiths and spiritual practices with the respect that they deserve.

[Spicyfeathers]

I, raised a Wiccan, came ready to be upset. I’m leaving impressed. A local Wiccan teacher said to me once “ask 12 witches what Wicca/witchcraft is and you’ll get 13 different answers.”

[tdogg]

I'm takin religious studies at university, you're the Khan Academy of the subject

[Alexander-wqqo]

I will say that this is probably the most detailed and accurate video on the Wicca done by a non-Wiccan in all of Youtube. Most Neo-Wiccans on Youtube don't even include this information on their beginner videos. I am extremely proud!

[ashleyrose]

I was raised Wiccan, which is not common based on my life experience. My mom privately practiced wiccan and concealed her beliefs between herself and I alone. This was to keep both herself and little me from judgement.

It was some of the most pleasant experiences I've had in my life. My mom had told me to choose to believe or not believe in anything I wanted, and that it was acceptable for me to practice any religion I wanted. And I did, I went to different churches quite a few times and unfortunately I had a scary experiences. I was not religious for most of my life but did feel spiritual at times. I now enjoy reading texts / watching videos about daoism. I do still appreciate wicca and occasionally I practice. I have since met peers who practice wicca who are also very pleasant.

I decorate very "witchy" according to my friends/peers, which encourages me to hide this side of me more. As this is not a compliment and anything that is not one of the six major religions is seen as psuedoscience that weird girls like.

This is all to say that wicca is not that weird! A lot of people secretly practice this religion. Thank you for making a respectful and educational video on this religion.

[thomfiel]

If you've been brought up in a particular religious tradition, and are intellectually curious enough to learn about all the others around the world, then this is a good place to start. This channel does a good job summing up a complex belief system in just a few minutes.

[dashingtherouxthesnow]

Awesome, I'm glad you're touching on more that just the 'Big Six' religions. It's really refreshing to see you touch on smaller religions/religious movements/spiritual movements. Can't wait to watch - keep it up!

[EpikStorm]

7:27 Can we just take a moment to appreciate that Jedi Knight and Heavy Metal are also on this list.

[michaelfeist]

Living in Ecuador. Enjoying your show. Age 67. Contiuing my education. Age 67. Good for the brain.

[Sandalwoodrk]

I have some wiccan friends but I've never looked into it much
Its a lot more greek inspired than I realized
makes me really interested in learning more

[jeanettewaverly]

Thank you for an excellent, even-handed presentation on Wicca. I’ve been a (non-Wiccan) Pagan for nearly 50 years, and this is one of the best introductions to Wicca I’ve come across.

[JackRackam]

7:29 Ah yes, the church of heavy metal

[JBSwanstrom]

What I love about this channel is there is no judgment on the subject and that judgment is what drove me away from organized religion. Thank you for the straightforward information as I continue my journey.

[backwardsbandit]

I dont practice Wicca anymore, however the eclectic approach to Wicca that I practiced in my adolescence was a pivotal part of me learning about myself and developing my understanding of the world. It was the self-directed form of spirituality that drew me to it, because to self-direct your own religious practices means that you have to understand yourself to the best of your ability, which is a journey within itself. Sometimes I feel as though I moved on from it with too many unanswered questions. Maybe I'll rejoin my spiritual journey into Wicca in the future, although I worry that I've become to cynical.

[joho]

I love how he keeps it moving fast and just gets right to the point. So many You Tubers blather on and on with loooong introductions. He gets right to it! 👍

[kriegh]

I didn't know of the Wiccan gods, but the Horned God reminds me rather heavily of Cernunnos. The tripartite goddess is also a common "trope" in Indoeuropean pagan religions: the Matres, Brigid/Brigantia, the Norns, Fates, Furies...

[chironpl]

As a Wiccan minister I'll give you kudos for accuracy and, given the brief time, completeness. Well done!

[laurenmiller]

I really appreciate your channel. It’s where we can just learn about different religions or ways of thought without bias. (I have taken college courses where professors taught with bias and hatred for ideas that were against their own.) It’s a breath of fresh air to know you will inform without pushing an agenda. (: Thank you for your hard work.

[lme]

I never knew the correct way to pronounce Samhain. I love your channel. Every October I watch your dia de Los muertos, voodoo vudu, wicca, etc videos. They're so interesting! I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in school! I dont know if it's got anything to do with being a Scorpio, but when autumn hits, my interest in spirituality really peaks!

[couragebuff]

As an eclectic witch I find my strongest connection to my faith by working with and taking care of the earth, even if it's just my garden. I do celebrate the Oak King and Holly King as well as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. To me, humans are not above nature, we are equal to the great whales and smallest mice. We are equal to all the plants, oceans, and stars. We are chaos and peace. It makes me feel full and inspired to be connected to nature and I often worry that humanity is getting further and further away from nature. This video was wonderful and thank you for making it. I am always researching my faith and trying to learn more so I appreciate you helping with that. Blessed be!