As long as modern man has been discovering evidence of how their ancient ancestors lived and went about their lives they have been also discovering evidence of ancient religious practices. Archaeologists tended to be at a loss as to how to understand what ancient paleolithic peoples were doing when they practiced their religion so what they found tended to be “written off” as mere cave paintings or “Voodoo”.
It was in England in the early to mid part of the twentieth century that the word “Wicca” was coined and original religious practices of mans ancient ancestors began to be revived and spread from continent to continent. So, while many people who are unfamiliar with the actual origins of Wicca may view it as a relatively new religion, the irony of the fact is that it is quite possible one of the oldest.
Other misconceptions abound regarding Wicca and paganism including many people interpreting the word “Pagan” to have some connection to Satanism. The fact is that the word “Pagan” was a word that the ancient Romans used that in Latin translation simply means “country folk”. In ancient Rome it was Rural farmers that practiced a nature based religion that was based on the simple life that they lived and the natural world that sustained them.
2 responses so far ↓
rhiannon // Mar 2, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Wicca basically has taken from the ancient pagan religions. What I follow – is something that has been passed down through my direct Celtic ancestors – not what was based by the invention British Civil Servant gerald gardner. I don’t want people to get the wrong idea, that Wicca is an old religion – cause it is not. by the time Wicca was invented last century – my great great great great grandmother was already passing down through the lineage what she had been taught from her fore mothers. There is Celtic Wicca – then there is the ancient Celtic religion – which is viewed as pagan. I have been a practitioner since age of 6, and an ordained. This is a part of my life, and has been through the bloodlines, not because I saw a stupid show on tv or the movies. But my view is – if it has WICCA in the explanation – it is not associated with the ancient beliefs. It takes from it – but it is not what has been passed down through the generations.
Ahmeenah // Jun 22, 2009 at 9:58 am
@rhiannon *sigh* Why is it that people must make up stories of antiquity to feel validated for believing or practicing a religion or following a spiritual path that might be only 50 years old?
Really, adding the story line of antiquity —or the “grandmother story” as those of who really are in the know call it, is really pathetic. I’ve known people who make the claims you have and don’t know the first thing how to cast a circle, or what the airts are…look it up, I”m sure you’ll have too, yet those who have followed and explored this 50 year old spirituality created by Gardner for maybe a few years are probably the most spiritual, self empowered and magickal people I know!
It not a matter of how “Old” something is but rather is it a system that works for you AND is your life a reflection of the positive growth and changes because of it?? People get caught up in the allure and “mysterious” and like the idea that they are tapping into something “ancient and dusty” as if that gives them more power, and as I said, adds more validity to what they are doing. They feel like some super Witch or mega Merlin…whatever….it’s all valid as long as it works for the healing and helping the soul.
Blessings,
)O(
Ahmeenah
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