Military Chaplin's Handbook on Wicca
WICCA
ADDRESS: No central
address. Wiccan worship groups, called covens, are essentially autonomous.
Many, but far from all, have affiliated with: Covenant of the Goddess,
P.O. Box 1226 Berkeley, CA 94704
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 (1).
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 Britain in 1951, Gardner publicly declared himself a Witch and
began to gather a group of students and worshipers.
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 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 tha`t 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.
HOLIDAYS: Wiccans celebrate
eight festivals, called "Sabbats," as a means of attunement to the seasonal
rhythms of Nature. These are:
January 31 [Called
Oimelc, Brigit, or February Eve]
March 21 [Ostara or
Spring Equinox]
April 30 [Beltane
or May Eve]
June 22 [Midsummer,
Litha or Summer Solstice]
July 31 [Lunasa or
Lammas]
September 21 [Harvest,
Mabon or Autumn Equinox]
October 31 [Samhain,
Sowyn or Hallows]
December 21 [Yule
or Winter Solstice]
Some groups find meetings
within a few days of those dates to be acceptable, others require the precise
date. In addition, most groups will meet for worship at each Full Moon,
and many will also meet on the New Moon. Meetings for religious study will
often be scheduled at any time convenient to the members, and rituals can
be scheduled whenever there is a need (i.e. for a healing). 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 or 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. Therefore, 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 quiet 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 religions 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.
A Handbook for Chaplains
(US Armed Services)
Wicca Information
The US Army has prepared
a book for the guidance of its chaplains when dealing with a soldier of
a non-traditional faith. The book is:
"Religious Requirements
and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains" (1990)
It can be ordered from:
Maxwell AFB
USAF Chaplain's Service
Institute
Resource Division
525 Chenault Circle,
Montgomery, AL 36112-6429
This Handbook
is Property of the Public domain
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