Wicca:
A Neo-Pagan Religious Movement

Augusta State University
Word Count:1873

Abstract
Wicca is defined as a Neo-Pagan nature based Earth worship religion. Unlike many orthodox religions, Wicca does not have a defined book or doctrine. Although the basis for all Wiccan beliefs, celebrations, and rituals are similar; no two followers perform them identically. There are many issues that define the Wicca Movement. The movement is motivated by their aspiration to be formally recognized as a religion; their desire for religious equality; and informing other about Wicca and other Neo-Pagan religions. The one main issue driving the Wicca Movement is the desire to be formally recognized as a religion by society. There are a number of factors that the Wicca Movement is trying to achieve. Although Wicca is recognized as a religion within the United States government, the movement wants to be formally recognized and accepted by the public. They desire the same religious equality given to orthodox religions. Universally, Wiccans aspire to demolish all uneducated ideals which illustrate them negatively.

Wicca is a Neo-Pagan nature based Earth worship religion. Gerald Gardener established the term Wicca for three reasons: “(1) to encompass the feeling of a grassroots movement, since ‘Wica’ was the old European word for Witches; (2) to avoid the fear, hocus-pocus, and disbelief associated with the word ‘Witchcraft;’ and finally (3) because the religion he wanted to spread was not actually ‘Witchcraft,’ but a reinvention of a Celtic-based tradition of Witchcraft to meet the spiritual needs of modern society” (D’Amaurot 1998). Today’s Wicca and Wiccan Movement were established by Gardener in the early 1950s. “Gardener supposedly first made contact with what he claimed were surviving witchcraft traditions…From the beginning, Gardener claimed that the origins of