Religion of Self-Expression

978 Words2 Pages

In my family, we see religion as our own personal decision; different to each individual. All the children in the Meyer family have been encouraged to explore religions and find what fit us best. As a child I was looking for a religion that I could relate to. I wanted to get in touch with nature and myself. I explored many different religions but I found no connection to them. My grandmother, a few cousins, and an aunt practice Wicca, and when I was nine I took immediate interest. I quickly felt like I belonged somewhere and had a purpose. My nana took me under her wing and I studied and practiced under her supervision. My nana is a High Priestess, an equivalent to a Pastor or Priest, and was therefore qualified to instruct me in Wicca. Over the course of my adolescence I have learned a great deal about Wicca, and I devoutly practice Wicca each and every day. There are multitudes of non-believers and some extremists that aim to harm Wiccans, but Wicca is not violent, or evil. Wicca is a beautiful, enthralling religion that is self- and nature-based and focuses on the journey of life through knowledge, wisdom, and exploration.

The history of Wicca is odd because Wicca, unlike many other religions, does not go back thousands of years. Wicca is a New Age denomination that stems from age-old practices of Paganism, Hebrew mysticism, and Greek folklore. The name “Wicca” stems from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicce” which translates to one who practices sorcery or herb craft(Wicca-Butler). Ancient Pagan-European tribes practiced early magick that is very similar to Wiccan practices today. These pagans used rituals to utilize nature’s energy to grant their people whatever they needed or desired includ...

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"History of Paganism and Wicca." History of Paganism and Wicca. N.p., 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Mankey, Jason. "Becoming a High Priestess." Raise the Horns. N.p., 7 Oct. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.

Robinson, B. A. "Partly Real; Partly Imaginary." The History of Wicca. N.p., 30 Jan. 2014. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

Rose, Evylyn. "Site Menu." MIM-Elements in Wicca. N.p., 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Rose, Evylyn. "Site Menu." MIM-Wiccan Rede. N.p., 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Rose, Evylyn. "Site Menu." MIM-Wiccan Sabbats. N.p., 2012. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Strix. "Afterlife in Wicca." Afterlife in Wicca. N.p., 14 May 2000. Web. 31 Mar. 2014.

"Wicca." - Butler University. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

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