Where can I find some good accurate information about Wicca?

Answer 1

Wicca is a Neopagan religion and a religious movement found in various countries throughout the world. It was first popularised in 1954 by a British civil servant named Gerald Gardner[1] after the British Witchcraft Act was repealed. He claimed that the religion, of which he was an initiate, was a modern survival of an old witchcraft religion, which had existed in secret for hundreds of years, originating in the pre-Christian Paganism of Europe. Wicca is thus sometimes referred to as the Old Religion. The veracity of Gardner's claims cannot be independently proven, and it is thought that written Wiccan theology began to be compiled no earlier than the 1920s.[2] Various related Wiccan traditions have since evolved or been adapted from the form established by Gardner, which came to be called Gardnerian Wicca. These other traditions of Wicca each have distinctive beliefs, rituals, and practices. Many traditions of Wicca remain secretive and require that members be initiated. There is also a movement of Eclectic Wiccans who do not believe that any doctrine or traditional initiation is necessary in order to practice Wicca.[citation needed] The 2001 American Religious Identification Survey estimated that at least 134,000 adults identified themselves as Wiccans in the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm
http://www.witchvox.com/
http://www.wicca.org/
http://www.witchway.net/

Answer 2

I'd suggest:


The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft - Ronald Hutton

Witchcraft Today - Gerald B. Gardner.

Witchdom of the True - Edred Thorsson

Wicca: the Old Religion in the New Milennium - Vivianne Crowley

Advanced Wiccan Spirituality - Kevin Saunders

The Elements of Ritual: Air, Fire, Water & Earth in the Wiccan Circle - Deborah Lipp

Witch Crafting: A Spiritual Guide to Making Magic - by Phyllis W. Curott

Positive Magic - Marion Weinstein

The Circle Within: Creating a Wiccan Spiritual Tradition - Dianne Sylvan

Book of Shadows - Phyllis Curott

The Second Circle - Venecia Rauls

The Heart of Wicca: Wise Words from a Crone on the Path - Ellen Cannon Reed

Evolutionary Witchcraft - T. Thorn Coyle

The Wiccan Path: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner - Rae Beth

21st Century Wicca - Jennifer Hunter

Witchcraft: A Concise Guide - Isaac Bonewits

Way of Four - Deborah Lipp

Answer 3

That is a very loaded question. If you want to know what Wicca is about then you need to read only Gerald Gardner since he is who is considered the architect of the religion. Anything that is beyond his teachings can't always be considered true Wicca. I especially balk at nude or skyclad rituals "cause" my body looks like I washed it and let it dry in a pile. No amount of ironing will get the wrinkles out!

It is common that many "witches" follow a conglomerate of religious ideals, pulling together the best of all and a personal dogma which is more related to what they feel. I was taught that there is no polarity in magickal energy, but there are those out there who will tell you I am wrong... based on their physics teachers claim that there is positive and negative energy. I believe there is neutral energy and it is labled positive or negative based on what it is used for.

Wiccans and other alternate religious people have many ways to express their beliefs, even if this Country's government is willing to ignor and deny that we have as much right as anyother religion to exist and be guarded from being discriminated against.

Brightest blessings,
Rev. Ray

Answer 4

Don't let the christians bother you. They live in padded boxes and want to believe no one else is as good or better than them. I can give you a tiny bit on this forum, but I have a whole library of informantion if you decide you want me to attach files in regular e-mail. My Yahoo Answers E-mail is open.

Here is just a copy and paste of a bit. a short decriptions of 3 of the traditions

A. Gardnerian:
Started by G. Gardner, in England, in the mid 1950's, this Tradition claims
to have existed, in secret, since the Witch-Burnings began during the Middle
Ages. While there is some doubt as to whether or not it is as old as it
claims, there is no denying that the Gardnerian Sect has been one of the most Influential of the Traditions. In fact, many of the groups which follow were started by people who had been introduced to Paganism and the Worship of the Lord and Lady as members of a Gardnerian group.
Characteristics:
A structured religion with definite hierarchy within each group (known, as a
Coven), but little to no Authority of one coven over another. Within the
coven, a Matriarchy exists, with the High Priestess generally being considered the leader (there are, of course, exceptions to this, but these descriptions are, for the most part, only generalizations based upon information gathered from many sources).
The typical Gardnerian view of the God/dess is that of a Dominant
Three-Faced Goddess (Maid, Mother, and Crone) with a Male Consort (Who has 2 sides.. the Young Summer King, and the Old Winter King).
Ceremonies include a series of initiations into higher levels of the Craft,
various Holiday Celebrations (based, of course, upon the "Wheel of the Year" calendar of Feast days.

B. Alexandrian:
Started about the same time as Gardner's, this tradition is fairly similar,
with a little more emphasis upon Ceremonial Magick. There are numerous Covens in both US and Europe.

C. Dianic:
This is more of a Sub-class, rather than a particular Tradition. There are
several Feminist Traditions which are considered Dianic. This sub-class tends to emphasize the Female aspect of the Goddess, sometimes to the exclusion of the Male God. Some feel that these groups are rather reactionary and self limiting. Be that as it may, the Dianic Covens tend to be more politically active.

Answer 5

Well, there's Wicca and there's "wicca".

Wicca is British Traiditonal Witchcraft, and you can read about it here:

http://www.wargoddess.net/essay/btw.php

"wicca" as it is popularly used, can mean:

* the "entry level" Wicca that one can learn from books
* Witchcraft in general (inappropriate useage of the term)
* whatever some people say it means, apparently (also inappropriate usage of the term)

There is a set of religions called "Paganism" which includes Witchcraft, Druidism, Asatru, and other neo-Pagan and reconstructionist Pagan religions

Within that set there is a sub-set called "Witchcraft" which includes Wicca, Santaria, Strega, etc.

Answer 6

You got a lot of good answers. I would also suggest checking out the yahoo 360 pages of some of the pagans here for more information.

I don't suggest anyone who charges to teach Wicca.

Answer 7

indexed here are 3 books to study. "Wicca: A instruction manual for the Solitary Practitioner," via Scott Cunningham, "inventive Witchcraft," via Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, and "Witchcraft: A Concise instruction manual," via Isaac Bonewits. in case you study those 3 books, written via 3 authors with diverse comments on the issue, all of whom are Wiccan, you will income a competent appreciation of what precisely Wicca is. (As an outsider) there is not any usual creation to Wicca nevertheless, through fact the Catholic Church has JPII's Catechism.

Answer 8

Exactly what are you interested in finding out? Any book by Scott Cunningham is great. You could also look at Buckland's book (just search for Buckland and Wicca and you'll find it easily enough). Alternatively or in addition, write to me and I'll send you some more sources after I know better what type of info you want/desire.

Answer 9

Nothing by silver ravenwolf.

Find a celtic or new age store around where you live, there should be some books
Crowly is a good author


6this site will realy some good wiccan books to you
http://www.isisbooks.com/Items.asp?CAT=WICC

Answer 10

There are a crap load of Wiccan websites out there. Check em out and educate yourself. Knowledge= Power

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca0.htm
http://www.wicca.com/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm