Gerald Gardner founded Wicca,shortly after World War 2 had ended and after repeal of Englands Witchcraft laws,he went public with his coven in the early 1950's.Gardner formed a series of covens in England prior to his death in 1964.
Contrary to what some believe,Wicca is a peaceful and balanced way of life.It is a nature based spiritual path,worshipping a God and Goddess.It is the intent of Wiccans to live in harmony with and achieve balance with all things.All things of the Earth are treated with respect.We believe we are not superior to nature or it's creatures,we dont own the Earth we are part of it.Although because of man's greed for money and power,we are taking and not giving enough back to the Earth,therefore we face eventual extinction.
Paganism and Wicca are always closely associated with Witchcraft,but you do not have to be a Witch to be a Wiccan and you do not have to be a Wiccan to be a Witch.Witches have been given a bad name through the years and have been mistakenly associated with evil,which is miles from the truth.Witches are everyday people with ordinary lives,families and jobs,there is nothing sinister about them at all.
Wicca is a modern religion with spiritual roots and a reverence for nature,the God and Goddess,the Lunar Cycles and the changing seasons.
Eight sabbats are celebrated,Samhain,Imbolc,Beltane,Lughnasadh,Yule,Ostara,Litha and Mabon.I will explain more about these on another page I hope this has given a small insight into Wicca,i will of course add more on other pages
