do you have to be vegetarian to be wiccan?

Question

I am learning wiccan but i have heard several sides to wether or not you must be vegetarian..so whats the deal?

Answer 1

There is nothing within Wicca doctrine to say you must be vegetarian, or anything else for that matter, Wicca has no hard and fast 'rules' about how to act or what to do as it is none dogmatic.

Some people would argue that it goes against the rede – an if it harm none, do as thou wilt – however first of all the rede is rarely followed by Wicca, it is more common within Neo-wicca or taught to Seekers or new initiates to help them consider their actions, later on within Wicca they have nothing but their own morals and ethics to live by. The rede is also not 'harm none', if it were that simple this moral code would have been adopted long before Wicca was founded, for one you have to consider what is harm, secondly you have to consider that harm is part of life, a necessary part of life, the rede is more about cause and effect.

When it comes to eating meat most will point out that if it was part of Wicca morality it would actually be in praise of eating meat because we humans are meat eaters by nature, because it is part of the life cycle of the planet, and because plants are no more or less worthy of respect than animals.

I would make a general statement to say that most Wicca are probably of the belief you should at least be respectful of the loss of life to insure your survival, but even then many would not really consider this, Wicca is a diverse path and with no dogma it's followers go via their personal ethics and morals – Wicca may be more likely to go vegetarian, kosher or organic, but it is in no means a necessity of being Wicca.

Answer 2

There are so many different types of wiccan's and whilst some are vegetarian, other's do have an awareness about the natural world and respecting animals in the natural world and therefore happen to buy food dependant on those factors. There are also wiccan's who choose to support non-factory farmed animals, and free range eggs and other non-destructive to the environment eating habits. Then there are other wiccan's who eat meat and concentrate not so much on the natural world but rather on doctrine, or culture.

Answer 3

No you dont I am Wiccan and I eat meat occaisionally. It is true though that a lot of Wiccans are vegetarians. Blessed be sister.

Answer 4

No. There are many Wiccans who are vegetarian, but it's not necessary.

Answer 5

I do not know the answer to your question; but, I believe that each coven is different. you will need to decide that with someone from that coven. If you are practicing on your own, then I recommend that you do some research on your chosen religion to get the answers that you seek. ask.com can get you headed in the right information direction. I recommend this, because it gives really get info and leads to follow-up on.

Answer 6

Wicca is a non-legalistic, non-dogmatic system. In most cases one is encouraged to find ones own way. When it comes to moral issues the goal is to search your own soul and find where you stand.

If you have no moral dilemma eating meat, eat meat.

If it bothers you be a vegetarian.

Answer 7

i think it's a personal choice...just like eating meat on fridays for Catholics. I'm a vegetarian, but i wouldn't dismiss you and say that you aren't a true wicca if you choose to eat meat.

Answer 8

LOL The God Herne is the Hunter silly.

Your Choice,


GOD bless ya

Answer 9

I eat it every day, nobody tells me what to eat. You have a very nice avatar. If I made one up it would scare everybody.LOL

Answer 10

No. I have known many Wiccans that eat meat. It's natural. It's what we humans are meant to do. Don't feel guilty for being human. Just give thanks to the animal.