Wicca is a modern, earth-based religion whose roots date back to the pre Judeo-Christian pagan religions of our ancestors. Wicca, itself, is not an ancient religion that dates back to these times, however. Instead, Wicca is about fifty years old; the concepts it is based on, though, are nearly as old as time itself.

The main goal of wicca is to become in tune with the cycles of life and nature.

Within wicca there is no *one* particular set of dogma or beliefs. In fact, it is this concept that is so difficult for people to understand. Wicca is a nature religion, and within nature there are many paths & many choices to make for yourself. You might call this a "build-your-own" religion. However, there are some general ideas and common opinions that many Wiccans share:

• An' it HARM none do what thou will.
  
  This is the basic precept of all wicca, the "golden rule," the wiccan rede (albeit a short bit of the rede). It is, in fact, very similar to the golden rule of so many other religions. What it means is that you will do nothing to harm anyone, including yourself. It also provides us with the freedom to do anything as long as we keep this one rule in mind (and of course whatever laws you need follow where you live). While some apply this rule to their magick rites only, it can, and I think should, be used in every aspect of your life.
  
  Principally, this rule calls for balance.
  
  
• The Rule of Three
  
  Simply put, whatever you do comes back to three times. Consider this the ultimate in karma - if you perform a good deed, that deed will come back to you three times for the good. On the other hand, the opposite is also true: if you hurt someone, or do something mean/bad/ugly/whatever it will also come back to you three times for the bad. I think it goes without saying that this rule goes hand in hand with the wiccan rede.
  
  
• The Ethic of Self-Responsibility
  
  Continuing along the lines of the Wiccan Rede, and the rule of three, you must be responsible for your own actions. If you hit someone's car, it is only right that you stay there and accept the punishment. It is not easy, but it is necessary.
  
  Another aspect of this ethic is to not place yourself in the way of danger. When living in a community that is openly hostile to anything other than Judeo-Christian beliefs, it would not be the responsible to stand up and throw your beliefs in everyone's faces. Instead be secure in the fact that you can commune with the divine, and need not the acceptance of other's to do so.
  
  
• The Ethic of Constant Improvement
  
  Constant improvement is growth; the bettering of one's self and one's environment by whatever means causes the least harm. Some take this to mean the enrichment of themselves, their families and friends. While others see it as a means to affect improvement in the world around. I think, perhaps, both ways are correct; that by enriching ourselves we realize we must enrich the world around us.
  
  
• The Ethic of Attunement
  
  Simply put, we should strive to be in tune with the world around us - whether that is through ritual, prayer, meditation - It is your choice.
  
  
• Every object is "alive."
  
  Nature imbues all objects with certain "energies." We tap into these energies for use in ritual, magicks, and every-day life. In spell-casting we communicate with the many forces of nature using particular objects to "tune-in" to what we are trying to attract. These objects share their energy with the caster.
  
  The divine Spirit is present in all creatures and things: people, animals, plants, stones... This helps present a sense that all "living" things are connected. When I say living, I mean filled with Nature's energy. Try this, go out to a tree (preferably an older, big tree) at a time of day when there are few people around. Allow yourself to get rid of all the day's tensions, forget about the dog barking across the street, forget about the noisy motor scooter driving past every five minutes. Concentrate on the Nature that surrounds you. Relax, sit under the tree and notice the environment around you - close your eyes and feel the environment around you (don't physically touch, feel with your heart). Allow yourself to feel how close the tree is to you, the wind around you, the sun above you. Just take a moment to really appreciate what Mother Nature has given us, to feel all the energy around you.
  
  
• There are several different aspects of the deity:
  
  
  • Pantheism - the Goddess/'s & God/s are found everywhere, they are in everything. You can connect with the Gods because they *are* in everything.
    
  • Dualism - The Goddess and the God. The yin and the yang. Dark and light. Two sides to every coin.
    
  • The Ultimate One - All power comes from this level. It is everything, neither good nor evil, only power. All things come from this power.
  
  
  
• Personal interaction with the divine.
  
  You do not have to be part of a coven, church, etc. to connect with the God/dess. Participation can be a completely solitary experience focusing completely on your connection. Even when you are a member of a group, you actively take part in ceremony, there is no separation between you and the divine - you are all part of the same circle sharing the same experience.
  
  We use ritual, magick, and personal devotion to connect with the divine.
  
  
• All of Nature is connected.
  
  Many wiccans strive to live in tune with the cycles of life and nature. Their holidays, or Sabbats, reflect the cycle of Nature: celebrating the cycle of life for the god and goddess. In this same way reincarnation mirrors the cycle of Nature - at the end a point, it dies and is then reborn. Life to death, death to birth and so on it continues. It is a large circle with no beginning, and no end. There is a time and a place for all things..
  
  
• There is no one religion for all people
  
  Everyone must find the path that brings them closer to divinity.
  
  
• We do NOT preach.
  
  We simply believe, that is enough for me. I don't plan to be knocking at your door anytime in the future telling you about my religion. There are many religions out there in the world; everyone is free to make their own decision as to what they believe. If you really want to learn, just approach someone and ask questions, usually they're more than happy to help.

-Suzanne L. Gordon
May 31, 2002