What Do Wiccans Believe?

Number of Followers: 1.5 Million

Date of Origin: ca. 1950

Founder: Gerald Gardner. Gardner had been part of other neo-pagan groups and founded Wicca as a continuation of the pre-Christian pagan religion.

Core Tenets:

• God

While there is diversity in belief between various Wiccan groups, most witches believe in both a God and Goddess. Wiccans are generally pantheistic or polytheistic, and see divinity expressed in both masculine and feminine aspects. They often hold that divinity is present in nature, and honor the natural world as an expression of Divinity.

There is a heavy emphasis on the dual nature of the God and Goddess and their masculine and feminine natures making up the whole of divinity. This interplay and polarization is important in Wiccan understanding of divinity.

• Wiccan Rede and Threefold Law

The Wiccan rede is a motto that defines much of how Witches live their lives. It states, “If it harm none, do what you will”.

The Threefold Law states, “All that we send out, for good or ill, returns to us threefold”.

These tenets govern the practices of Wiccan Covens (groups of no more than 13 practicing witches), and the practice of Wiccan Magick.

• Magick

Witches believe that magick is the ability to change and impact the natural world around them. Witches practice things such as tarot cards, crystals, herbal magic, candle spells, and many other methods to see intentions play out. Witches maintain that their practice of magick is always mindful of the Rede and Threefold Law.