“Coming out of the broom-closet”, a term used by wiccans who reveal their religion to family, friends, or others. Wiccans practice Wicca, also known as Pagan Witchcraft. Wicca is new religious movement that stems from pagan ideology and is considered by academics to be a nature religion. The religion came about in England in the early 20th century. Many of those who marginalized in the 1960’s turned to the Wicca religion for spiritual escape, even though many rejected the idea of Wiccans. Wiccans became very secretive in their dealings as to avoid the persecution they would face. The religion is not centralized resulting in many sects, and denominations. Due to the different denominations, there are arguments over what constitutes a Wiccan.
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Gardner initiated many others into what is known as “Gardner network.” He initiated people like Monique Wilson who spread covens across Scotland, and Raymond Buckland who brought Gardnerian Witchcraft to North America. He initiated many others that founded covens and spoke openly of Wicca such as Patricia Crowther, Eleanor Bone, and Jack Bracelin (Bromley). Gardner was able to educate many of the beliefs of Wicca. There have been multiple types of Wicca that have stemmed from Gardnerian Wicca, such as Alexandrian Wicca. Alex Sanders claimed to be initiated by Gardner. He claimed to a powerful witch and according to Bromley styled himself as “King of the Witches.” He claimed much of his hereditary line of witches went way back in times. Many of his claims have been disputed, but still those initiated into the Alexandrian tradition still see him as a powerful witch and real occult teacher. As well, solitary witches started to come about. According to Keith Cates in Wicca and Neo-Paganism: Primer for Counselors, “Solitary emerged to represent individuals who adhere to a Neo-pagan worldview, but are not affiliated with a local coven or circle, usually due to isolation from and lack of access to other neo-Pagans.” Solitary witches have been debated real Wiccans due to not being a part of a coven, yet they still practice …show more content…
In Elizabeth Shuler’s school journal, Balancing Act: A Discussion of Gender Roles Within Wiccan Ritual, she says, “Every aspect of Wiccan Ritual is aimed toward enacting embodying balance and unity.” There are two rituals which exhibit the immanence of the divine: Drawing Down the Moon and the Great Rite. During this ritual the High Priestess of the coven will enter a trance and the High Priest will kneel before the High Priestess. The priest calls upon the Goddess that symbolizes the moon to ask her to enter the body of the High Priestess and speak through her. The same can be done to a High Priest and it is called the Drawing Down the Sun, but it far less common (Bromley). The Great Rite ritual is the tradition of marriage between the High Priestess and High Priest. This ritual is one of the ones that involves sexual intercourse, although mostly it is done in private now. The ritual begins with a marked circle on the floor which the priest and priestess walk around clockwise. This is intended to make the circle sacred and safe for the magic to work. There is an altar in the middle of the circle that has a representation of each of the five elements upon it. Other ritual objects may be on either side of it as well, for other rituals are occurring. The ritual is structured like many of their other rituals to create balance and tradition. The Great Rite ritual can be done symbolically too, as
Gardner initiated many others into what is known as “Gardner network.” He initiated people like Monique Wilson who spread covens across Scotland, and Raymond Buckland who brought Gardnerian Witchcraft to North America. He initiated many others that founded covens and spoke openly of Wicca such as Patricia Crowther, Eleanor Bone, and Jack Bracelin (Bromley). Gardner was able to educate many of the beliefs of Wicca. There have been multiple types of Wicca that have stemmed from Gardnerian Wicca, such as Alexandrian Wicca. Alex Sanders claimed to be initiated by Gardner. He claimed to a powerful witch and according to Bromley styled himself as “King of the Witches.” He claimed much of his hereditary line of witches went way back in times. Many of his claims have been disputed, but still those initiated into the Alexandrian tradition still see him as a powerful witch and real occult teacher. As well, solitary witches started to come about. According to Keith Cates in Wicca and Neo-Paganism: Primer for Counselors, “Solitary emerged to represent individuals who adhere to a Neo-pagan worldview, but are not affiliated with a local coven or circle, usually due to isolation from and lack of access to other neo-Pagans.” Solitary witches have been debated real Wiccans due to not being a part of a coven, yet they still practice …show more content…
In Elizabeth Shuler’s school journal, Balancing Act: A Discussion of Gender Roles Within Wiccan Ritual, she says, “Every aspect of Wiccan Ritual is aimed toward enacting embodying balance and unity.” There are two rituals which exhibit the immanence of the divine: Drawing Down the Moon and the Great Rite. During this ritual the High Priestess of the coven will enter a trance and the High Priest will kneel before the High Priestess. The priest calls upon the Goddess that symbolizes the moon to ask her to enter the body of the High Priestess and speak through her. The same can be done to a High Priest and it is called the Drawing Down the Sun, but it far less common (Bromley). The Great Rite ritual is the tradition of marriage between the High Priestess and High Priest. This ritual is one of the ones that involves sexual intercourse, although mostly it is done in private now. The ritual begins with a marked circle on the floor which the priest and priestess walk around clockwise. This is intended to make the circle sacred and safe for the magic to work. There is an altar in the middle of the circle that has a representation of each of the five elements upon it. Other ritual objects may be on either side of it as well, for other rituals are occurring. The ritual is structured like many of their other rituals to create balance and tradition. The Great Rite ritual can be done symbolically too, as