Introduction to the Wiccan Religion and Contemporary Paganism             by Selena Fox, High Priestess of Circle Sanctuary    The Wiccan religion, also known as "The Craft," "Wicca," "BenevolentWitchcraft," and "The Old Religion" is a diverse and decentralized religion    that is part of contemporary Paganism. Today, there are thousands of individuals and groups practicing various forms of the Wiccan religion and   other Pagan paths throughout the United States, Canada and around the                                  world.There are many forms of the Wiccan religion. Hereditary, Shamanic,Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Celtic, Traditionalist, Dianic, Faerie, andEclectic are just some of the variety of Wiccan traditions, or paths. Inaddition to Wiccans, Contemporary Paganism includes Pantheists, Goddessspirituality folk, Druids, Animists, Gaians, Eco-feminists, and otherNature Spirituality practitioners. Within most Wiccan and other Pagantraditions, there are a variety of types of groups as well as individualpractitioners. Groups differ widely in size, structure, purpose,orientation, symbology, ritual practices, and other ways. There is evenmore variation among those practicing Wiccan/Pagan spirituality on theirown without being part of a group that meets regularly. Some Wiccan andPagan traditions are initiatory; others are not. Initiatory practices varyfrom tradition to tradition and include initiations by deities andspiritual helpers through dreams and vigils/vision quests,self-initiations, and initiations by teachers and groups.Although there are many differences, there are also some spiritualpractices and philosophies that Wiccans and other Pagans tend to have incommon. They love and respect Nature and seek to live in harmony with therest of the ecosphere. Many have personal communication and friendshipswith various animals, plants and other lifeforms. They honor the cycles ofNature. Many do rituals at New and Full Moon times and also at the eightseasonal Festivals, called Sabbats, spaced six to seven weeks apartthroughout the year and coinciding with the Solstices, Equinoxes andmidpoints between, usually called the "Cross Quarters." Samhain, popularlyknown as Halloween, is the New Year in most Wiccan traditions.The Wiccan religion and other forms of Paganism are pantheistic in that theDivine is seen as everywhere and in everything. They also are animistic inthat every human, tree, animal, stream, rock, and other forms of Nature isseen to have a Divine Spirit within. Many traditions are monotheistic inthat there is an honoring of Divine Unity. They also are polytheistic inthat the Divine is honored in a variety of female and male deity forms -Goddesses and Gods -which are aspects of the Divine Female and Divine Maleand their Unity.Wiccans and other Pagans also honor the Elements of Nature -- Earth, Air,Fire, Water, Spirit -- and their associated directions -- North, East,South, West, Center -- in the sacred Circles where rituals are held.Rituals usually include a combination of meditation, invocations, movement,music, and the use of magical tools.As part of their spiritual practice, many Wiccans and other Pagans developtheir intuitive abilities and practice magic, directing psychic energy forparticular healing and helping purposes. In working magic, Wiccans are toadhere to the Wiccan Rede, which is the central ethical law of thereligion: "And it harm none, do what you will." Most Wiccans acknowledgethat whatever magical force is sent out returns magnified to the sender.Wiccans do not perform evil magic and do not worship the devil or Satan,which is the anti-God of the Christians. The Wiccan religion ispre-Christian and post-Christian, not anti-Christian.Although the Wiccan religion and other forms of Contemporary Paganism drawon ancient roots, especially from pre-Christian Europe, they also embodythe new. Many practitioners are creating new chants, meditations andrituals, and are sharing them with others through publications,correspondence and face-to-face contact at ecumenical festivals.To become more involved with Wiccan/Pagan spiritualities, we suggest you:   * Become part of Circle Network. When you are part of our Circle Network     mailing list, you will receive mailings from us about events, books,     tapes, and other information of interest to Wiccans and other Nature     Spirituality practitioners. Your name and address will be kept     confidential, unless you elect to have them published through one or     more of our networking periodicals. There is no fee for joining the     Network and receiving the Circle Network Bulletin which is mailed out     occasionally, but donations to cover the costs of postage and printing     are very much appreciated and are tax deductible. Please keep us     informed every time your mailing address changes.   * Join the Pagan Spirit Alliance (PSA), if this appeals to you and you     meet the membership requirements. PSA is a special network within     Circle Network designed to promote friendship among Pagans who share     similar ethical perspectives. PSA has it own quarterly periodical, the     PSA Newsletter, and its own twice yearly PSA Directory which are     available to PSA members only.   * Read Wiccan and other Pagan periodicals in order to learn about     different viewpoints, practices and philosophies. Here are a few     samples from the current issue of our quarterly newspaper, Circle     Network News. It is the most widely circulated and read Wiccan/Pagan     periodical today, and is available from us by subscription.     Information about most other periodicals currently being published by     various centers and groups in the world is included in our Circle     Guide to Pagan Groups.   * Read Wiccan and Pagan books. A few good titles: The Spiral Dance by     Starhawk; Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler; Ancient Ways by the     Campanellis'; and Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by     Scott Cunningham. These are available from Circle and other Pagan     resource centers.   * Listen to Pagan music, especially ritual songs and chants. This will     help you get a feeling for what Pagan ways are all about. We carry a     variety of cassette tapes of Wiccan/Pagan music.   * Attend ecumenical Pagan festivals in order to meet a wide range of     practitioners from different Wiccan/Pagan paths. One of the largest,     oldest and most well known of these kinds of festivals is the     International Pagan Spirit Gathering which we sponsor each year at     Summer Solstice time in Wisconsin.   * Write others in your area, and if and when it seems right, make     face-to-face contact. If you are not yet legally an adult and want to     get involved with adult practitioners face-to-face, you should discuss     this with your parents first and get their permission, or wait until     you reach the age of consent and focus on doing reading and personal     practice until then. Most groups, teachers and festivals are not open     to involvement with non-adults unless parental permission has been     obtained.   * Visit Wiccan/Pagan centers and sacred sites. Circle Sanctuary, where     our center is headquartered, is open to visitors during our Sabbat     celebrations and at other events. Other centers are listed in the     Circle Guide to Pagan Groups.   * Take part in classes, seminars, retreats, and/or other learning     experiences. Workshops and other training are offered at Circle     Sanctuary as well as through other centers, groups, and traditions.   * Spend time spiritually communing with Nature. When you feel ready, do     some of the meditations and rituals published in our newspaper and in     our recommended books. Keep a journal and record your experiences.Blessed Be. Circle Sanctuary PO Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 USA Phone:(608) 924-2216, weekday afternoons 1-4 pm central time.[Image] 1994, Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary, Box 219, Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 USA[Image]