Samantha Gibbs

World Religions
S. Atkinson
12/1/2014

Nature and the Wiccan Religion

"On every full moon, rituals ... take place on hilltops, beaches, in open fields and in
ordinary houses. Writers, teachers, nurses, computer programmers, artists, lawyers,
poets, plumbers, and auto mechanics -- women and men from many backgrounds come
together to celebrate the mysteries of the Triple Goddess of the Dance of Life. The
religion they practice is called Witchcraft."
-Starhawk
The Wiccan religion is a Pagan, nature based belief system. Wicca was introduced
by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Gardners form of the Wiccan religion was very
secretive and did not reveal much to anyone who had not gone through initiation. After a
few years other Wiccan groups began to form. There are many branches of Wicca
throughout the world which believe in many different things. There is no main religious
text recognized by all branches of the Wicca, therefore there are many different views and
traditions throughout the religion. Many Wiccan groups are based on the principles taught
by Gardner.
Though there many different beliefs in the Wiccan culture there are a few practices
which are universal within the Religion of Wicca. They believe nature and the earth is
Divine and should be worshipped and respected. They believe all cycles and changes
within the earth are important and they strive to be as close to nature as possible. They

Samantha Gibbs
World Religions
S. Atkinson
12/1/2014

The Wicca religion is an earth-based religion. There are many things involved
such as the elements, the seasons, spells and divination. I attended the service at the
Church of the Sacred Circle. It is a nondenominational earth based church. I interviewed
the Reverend Heron who personally identifies as a Wiccan though they support any earthbased religions and allow anyone one to perform a service in their temple. She was very
helpful in answering all my questions.
The temple is located in Rev. Hurons backyard, it is a round room decorated with
many bright and colorful things. The ceiling is draped with five colors green, yellow I
walked in and Rev. Huron asked me to sit down in the circle in the middle of the room
with the others. She then handed me a book which contained all the chants and songs
used in their services. The format of the service was similar to other Christian services I
have attended. Everyone comes in, Rev. Heron says a welcome and we sang a short song.
She then mixed salt with water together and lit an incense stick. One of the other
members went around the circle sprinkling the salt water on each one of us then Rev.
Heron went around with the incense stick moving it left to right over our heads. Heron
explained that this was meant to ground us and to bring us into more of a meditative state.
We then took the hand of the person on our right and said our name, after everyone
had finished we had formed a circle which Heron referred to as the Sacred Circle and
mentioned that we are all connected. Later I asked Heron about the circle and what it
meant and she explained to me that she believed all are connected and that we are all

Samantha Gibbs
World Religions
S. Atkinson
12/1/2014

Deitys interconnected with the Gods and Goddesss. She explained to me that they
recognize the divine within and that female and male deitys are in everyone. I asked her
what deity they recognize and she explained that they are very open and believe that there
are countless deities. She said that in their particular church they recognize the ancient
Greek gods and goddesses and also deities in eastern religions.
The service I attended was called open circle and it was more of a meditative,
quiet service. I asked Heron why that was and she explained to me that, that day was a
celebration of the new moon. She said that they meet every other Sunday to celebrate the
moon phase. I asked Heron what the moon phases meant and why there were so
important. She said that it was important because the moon brings balance to the world
and each phase brings something different with it. The new moon represents a new
beginning, faith, hope and a fresh start. The waxing moon represents growth, creativity
and positive transformation. The full moon represents abundance, the harvest and
achievement of dreams. The waning moon represents letting go, making space and
undoing habits. The dark moon represents peace wisdom and divination.
The seasons also play an important role in the Wicca religion. The service I
attended we discussed the season of fall and what it meant to the earth. Rev. Heron
explained that seasons are very important in their church because it is natures way of
healing and balancing the earth. She explained that fall is when Demeter, mother of
Persephone is mourning and that is why everything is starting to die. Persephone is taken

Samantha Gibbs
World Religions
S. Atkinson
12/1/2014

to Hades during the cold months and allowed back during that warm months that is why
everything is alive and well during spring and summer and dead during the fall and
winter. We chanted and meditated on many things pertaining to the season. Many of
these chants were thankfulness to the earth and all that it gives us. We also meditated on
thankfulness for our bodies and love from other and ourselves.
I am extremely happy I was able to attend a service at The Church of the Sacred
Circle. It was very interesting to see that they really werent the kind of witches you see
in movies who sacrifice animals and worship the devil. They are an extremely
wholesome religion full of love and acceptance. After attending I have more of an
appreciation for the earth and all that it gives us. I want to have more of a relationship
with nature and a better understanding of our interconnectedness.

Refrences:
Interview with Reverend Heron 11/23/2014

Samantha Gibbs
World Religions
S. Atkinson
12/1/2014

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/holidaysandcelebrations/
http://sacredcirclesite.blogspot.com/2009/03/faq.html