What is Wicca? Part 2

My first introduction to Wicca came one afternoon in early 1996.  

My husband and I had moved to Atlanta, GA the previous Summer.  He worked as a traveling sales representative for a Christian book publisher.  As the representative for the Southern region, Atlanta allowed him to be centrally located.  However advantageous, the move meant leaving friends and family for an unknown city.

We actually chose a small suburb of Atlanta, Stone Mountain.  It had a quaint little tourist town which served the state park at the base of the mountain and seemed vaguely reminiscent of home to me.  

Life in Stone Mountain was a very lonely time for me.  I didn’t know anyone and spent every week at home with my two daughters , who were under the age of five. My husband, Thom, was on the road Monday through Friday.  We had one car, which he needed for work.

My only option for getting out of the house was to put the children in a stroller and walk to the local library, half a mile from our apartment.  We would go to the library once a week.  A time to enjoy fresh air and find good books to read.  One benefit of these weekly excursions was the opportunity for the girls to experience “story time” with two of the librarians. I always timed our visits to coincide with the children’s activities as it gave me few minutes to peruse the aisles alone.

One particular afternoon as the girls were being entertained I happened to wander into the religion section.  I noticed a book called Ariadne’s Thread: A Workbook of Goddess Magic by Shekinah Mountainwater.  Always interested in mythology, and being on shaky emotional and spiritual ground, so I decided to read it.

The book was filled with positive messages about nature and the beauty of womanhood.  Fostering a connection between both through the feminine divine.  At the time I felt neglected by my husband, but also by my Father God.  Left alone in a large city, I could not seem to connect with people, even those I met at church. I longed for some kind of connection.

I took the book home and read it cover to cover within a few days.  I practiced some of the meditation techniques and visualization exercises.  Excited about the prospect of learning more, I admitted my interest to Thom.

Considering we were both Christians, his reaction was less than serene.

Not wanting to push the issue, I chose to forget the book.  Of course, once Pandora’s Box was opened, my interest remained piqued about Wicca.  Four years later I gave in to that buried desire to learn more.            

We had moved to Falls Church, VA.  My husband and I had been experiencing difficulty in our relationship.  Thom had begun questioning his own belief in God.  I was angry and depressed.  Disconnected from God, the church, and my husband. 

I remembered my previous interest in Wicca and began exploring internet sites about Wicca, goddess worship, and witchcraft …anything I could find on the subject.  I became a member of several message boards on occult websites and connected with many people who also came from a Christian background. They too were dissatisfied and longed for something different. The church had hurt, burned out, or disappointed them in some way, as it had me. 

I believed I’d found what was missing in my life through those online friendships. Connection.  I read books by authors such as Scott Cunningham, Margot Adler, Starhawk, Dorothy Morrison, and Silver Raven Wolf.  Devouring their writing, I  kept my explorations secret.  Hiding the books under my bed or in a box in the closet.

I began practicing Eastern meditation techniques to train my mind for communion with the goddess and spell craft.  I studied ancient mythology, and the mystical properties of crystals, gemstones, herbs, oils and plants.  Spent hours memorizing the Wiccan Rede, the Charge of the Goddess, and the Threefold Law.  I created a Book of Shadows, which recorded my spiritual journey.

Eventually I dedicated myself to the goddess.  Promised to spend a year and a day studying Wicca.  Ultimately I became a Solitary Eclectic Witch rather than a Wiccan. However,  I embraced much of what I learned during that time of study.  Adopting those beliefs into my spiritual identity.

What Christians need to understand about Wicca is that it addresses a need in women who may feel marginalized, neglected, or unwanted in many mainstream or evangelical churches.  Enabling them to feel powerful and appreciated. Women personally identify with the goddesses, with their various moods and idiosyncrasies.  This is why Wicca can be so appealing to teen and college aged women, or women like I was.  Burned out and searching for a spiritual connection.

The sad irony is that Jesus was…and is…the true reformer of women of faith. 

Jesus' regard for women is evident throughout his teaching and ministry.  Spiritual equality between men and women is also found in the writings of Paul, Peter, and James.  Women hosted early church congregations in their homes.  Others expressed prayer, prophecy, teaching, and encouragement.  

There are ample opportunities for women to minister with equality in a majority of churches today..  Women are taking their rightful place in kingdom work.  However, there is still a perception of inequality to people outside the church….or even in the church where scripture is applied out of context.  

Unfortunately, many women (and men) have been hurt by Christians who’ve adopted a legalistic view or presented scripture out of context to suit their own purposes.   Accusations of hypocrisy and prejudice against the church abound, leading some to question the value of the Bible and the traditional church in today’s spiritually transient world.  This notion sends people in search of spirituality devoid of Biblical truth…even in many church congregations.  

As Followers of Christ we need to address these issues, especially for those who've turned to Wicca or the occult.  We must care for those who have been wounded and be sure they know the truth of the freedom and grace available through Jesus Christ.

Christians understand the Bible is the written word of God.  We can trust it as a faithfully and accurately translated document.  The Bible is very clear that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through belief in Him as Savior and Lord.  As faithful followers of Christ we need to show love to everyone and share the truth of Christ with respect…and this includes Wiccans or those attracted to Wicca.  

Technorati Tags: Atlanta, Belief, Bible, Christian, christianity, faith, Gerald Gardner, God, Goddess, Horned God, Religion, Religion/Belief, Silver Raven Wolf, Thom, wicca, wiccan, Wiccan morality, Wiccans, witch, witchcraft