Excerpt from
the Military Chaplains' Handbook... (pgs 231-236) [page headers read "Wicca; Witchcraft" on odd
numbered pages, "Religious Requirements and Practices" on even
numbered pages.]
From:
ab158@DAYTON.WRIGHT.EDU" "Andi Woods Fasimpaur" 21-NOV-1994 14:23:45.47
OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN: Witchcraft;
Goddess worshippers; Neo-Paganism, Paganism, Norse (or any other ethnic
designation) Paganism, Earth Religion, Old Religion, Druidism, Shamanism. Note:
All of these groups have some basic similarities and many surface differences
of expression with Wicca.
LEADERSHIP: No central leadership. The
Covenant of the Goddess annually elects a First Officer and there is a
constitutional limit of two consecutive terms, but in practice officers have
almost always served for one year only. In 1991, there are two co-First
Officers, Phoenix Whitebirch and Brandy Williams.
MEMBERSHIP: Because of the complete autonomy
of covens, this cannot be determined. There are an
estimated of 50,000 Wiccans in the United States.
HISTORICAL ORIGIN: Wicca is a reconstruction
of the Nature worship of tribal Europe, strongly influenced by the living
Nature worship traditions of tribal peoples in other parts of the world. The
works of such early twentieth century writers as Margaret Murray, Robert Graves
and Gerald B. Gardner began the renewal of interest in the Old Religion. After
the repeal of the anti-Witchcraft laws in
In 1962, two of his students Raymond and
Rosemary Buckland (religious names: Lady Rowen and Robat), emigrated to the United
States and began teaching Gardnerian Witchcraft here.
At the same time, other groups of people became interested through reading
books by Gardner and others. Many covens were spontaneously formed, using
rituals created from a combination of research and individual inspiration.
These self-created covens are today regarded as just as valid as those who can
trace a "lineage" of teaching back to England.
In 1975, a very diverse group of covens who
wanted to secure the legal protections and benefits of church status formed Covenant
of the Goddess (CoG), which is incorporated in the
State of California and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. CoG does not represent all, or even a majority of Wiccans. A coven or an individual need not be affiliated
with CoG in order to validly practice the religion. But CoG is the largest single public Wiccan organization, and it is cross-Traditional (i.e.
non-denominational).
BASIC BELIEFS: Wiccans
worship the sacred as immanent in Nature, often personified as Mother Earth and
Father Sky. As polytheists, they may use many other names for Deity.
Individuals will often choose Goddesses or Gods from any of the world's
pantheons whose stories are particularly inspiring and use those Deities as a
focus for personal devotions. Similarly, covens will use particular Deity names
as a group focus, and these are often held secret by the groups.
It is very important to be aware that Wiccans do not in any way worship or believe in
"Satan," "the Devil," or any similar entities. They point
out that "Satan" is a symbol of rebellion against and inversion of
the Christian and Jewish traditions. Wiccans do not
revile the Bible. They simply regard it as one among many of the world's mythic
systems, less applicable than some to their core values, but still deserving
just as much respect as any of the others.
Most Wiccan groups
also practice magic, by which they mean the direction and use of "psychic
energy," those natural but invisible forces which surround all living
things. Some members spell the word "magick,"
to distinguish it from sleight of hand entertainments. Wiccans employ such means as dance,
chant, creative visualization and hypnosis to focus and direct psychic energy
for the purpose of healing, protecting and aiding members in various endeavors.
Such assistance is also extended to non- members upon request.
Many, but not all, Wiccans
believe in reincarnation. Some take this as a literal description of what
happens to people when they die. For others, it is a symbolic model that helps
them deal with the cycles and changes within this life. Neither Reincarnation
nor any other literal belief can be used as a test of an individual's validity
as a member of the Old Religion. Most groups have a handwritten collection of
rituals and lore, known as a _Book of Shadows._ Part of the religious education
of a new member will be to hand copy this book for him or herself. Over they
years, as inspiration provides, new material will be added. Normally, access to
these books is limited to initiated members of the religion.
PRACTICES AND BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS: The core ethical statement of Wicca, called the "Wiccan Rede" states "an
it harm none, do what you will." The rede
fulfills the same function as does the "Golden Rule" for Jews and
Christians; all other ethical teachings are considered to be elaborations and
applications of the Rede. It is a statement of
situational ethics, emphasizing at once the individual's responsibility to
avoid harm to others and the widest range of personal autonomy in
"victimless" activities. Wicca has been described as having a
"high-choice" ethic.
Because of the basic Nature orientation of
the religion, many Wiccans will regard all living
things as Sacred, and to show a special concern for ecological issues. For this
reason, individual conscience will lead some to take a pacifist position. Some
are vegetarians. Others will feel that, as Nature's Way includes self-defense,
they should participate in wars that they conscientiously consider to be just.
The religion does not dictate either position, but requires each member to
thoughtfully and meditatively examine her or his own conscience and to live by
it.
Social forces generally do not yet allow
Witches to publicly declare their religious faith without fear of reprisals
such as loss of job, child-custody challenges, ridicule, etc. Prejudice against
Wiccans is the result of public confusion between
Witchcraft and Satanism. Wiccans in the military,
especially those who may be posted in countries perceived to be particularly
intolerant, will often have their dogtags read
"No Religious Preference." Concealment is a traditional Wiccan defense against persecution, so non-denominational dogtags should not contravene a member's request for
religious services.
Wiccans
celebrate eight festivals, called "Sabbats,"
as a means of attunement to the seasonal rhythms of Nature. These are January
31 (Called Oimelc,
Ritual jewelry is particularly important to
many Wiccans. In addition to being a symbol of
religious dedication, these talismans are often blessed by the coven back home
and felt to carry the coven's protective and healing energy.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Most Wiccans meet with a coven, a small group of people. Each
coven is autonomous. Most are headed by a High Priestess, often with the
assistance of a High Priest. Some are headed by a High Priestess or High Priest
without a partner, and some regard themselves as a gathering of equals. Covens
can be of mixed gender, or all female or male, depending on the preferences of
the members. Every initiate is considered to be a priestess a priest. Most
covens are small. Thirteen is the traditional maximum number of members,
although not an absolute limit. At that size covens form a close bond, so Wiccans in the military are likely to maintain a strong
affiliation with their covens back home.
There are many distinct
"Traditions" of Wicca, just as there are many denominations within
Christianity. The spectrum of Wiccan practice can be
described as ranging from "traditional" to "eclectic," with
Traditions, covens and individuals fitting anywhere within that range. A
typical difference would be that more traditional groups would tend to follow a
set liturgy, whereas eclectic groups would emphasize immediate inspiration in
worship.
These distinctions are not particularly
important to the military chaplain, since it is unlikely that enough members of
any one Tradition would be at the same base. Worship circles at military
facilities are likely to be ad-hoc cross-Traditional groups, working out
compromise styles of worship for themselves and constantly adapting them to a
changing membership. Therefor, the lack of strict
adherence to the patterns of any one Tradition is not an indicator of
invalidity.
While many Wiccans
meet in a coven, there are also a number of solitairies.
These are individuals who choose to practice their faith alone. The may have
been initiated in a coven or self initiated. They will join with other Wiccans to celebrate the festivals or to attend the various
regional events organized by the larger community.
ROLE OF MINISTERS: Within a traditional
coven, the High Priestess, usually assisted by her High Priest, serves both as
leader in the rituals and as teacher and counselor for coven members and
unaffiliated Pagans. Eclectic covens tend to share leadership more equally.
WORSHIP: Wiccans
usually worship in groups. Individuals who are currently not affiliated with a
coven, or are away from their home coven, may choose to worship privately or
may form ad-hoc groups to mark religious occasions. Non-participating observers
are not generally welcome at Wiccan rituals.
Some, but not all, Wiccan
covens worship in the nude ("skyclad") as a
sign of attunement with Nature. Most, but not all, Wiccan
covens bless and share a cup of wine as part of the ritual. Almost all Wiccans use an individual ritual knife (an "athame"_ to focus and direct personal energy. Covens
often also have ritual swords to direct the energy of the group. These tools,
like all other ritual tools, are highly personal and should never leave the
possession of the owner. Other commonly used ritual tools include a bowl of
water, a bowl of salt, a censer with incense, a disk with symbols engraved on
it (a "pentacle"), statues or artwork representing the Goddess and
God, and candles. Most groups will bless and share bread or cookies along with
the wine. All of these items are used in individual, private worship as well as
in congregate rituals.
DIETARY LAWS OR RESTRICTIONS: None.
FUNERAL AND BURIAL REQUIREMENTS: None.
Recognition of the death of a member takes place within the coven, apart from
the body of the deceased. Ritual tools, materials, or writings found among the
effects of the deceased should be returned to their home coven (typically a
member will designate a person to whom ritual materials should be sent).
It is desirable for a Wiccan
priest or priestess to be present at the time of death, but not strictly
necessary. If not possible, the best assistance would be to make the member as
comfortable as possible, listen to whatever they have to say, honor any
possible requests, and otherwise leave them as quite and private as possible.
MEDICAL TREATMENT: No medical restrictions. Wiccans generally believe in the efficacy of spiritual or
psychic healing when done in tandem with standard medical treatment. Therefore,
at the request of the patient, other Wiccan personnel
should be allowed visiting privileges as though they were immediate family,
including access to Intensive Care Units. Most Wiccans
believe that healing energy can be sent from great distances, so, if possible,
in the case of any serious medical condition, the member's home coven should be
notified.
OTHER: With respect to attitude toward
military service, Wiccans range from career military
personnel to conscientious objectors. Wiccans do not
proselytize and generally resent those who do. They believe that no one Path to
the Sacred is right for all people, and see their own religious pattern as only
one among many that are equally worthy. Wiccans
respect all religious that foster honor and compassion in their adherents, and
expect the same respect. Members are encouraged to learn about all faiths, and
are permitted to attend the services of other religions, should they desire to
do so.
GENERAL SOURCE BOOKS:
The best general survey of the Wiccan and neo-Pagan movement is:
Adler, Margot. _Drawing_Down_the_Moon_. Boston: Beacon Press, 1986.
595pp
For more specific information about eclectic
Wicca, see: Starhawk. _The_Spiral_Dance_. New York: Harper & Row, 1979.
For more specific information about
traditional Wicca, see: Farrar, Janet, and Stewart Farrar. _Eight_Sabbats_for_Witches_. London: Robert Hale,
1981. 192pp.
______________. _The_Witches'_Way_. London: Robert Hale, 1984. 394pp.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Warmest Blessings to all.
Andi.