Wicca In The 1940s

In the 1940s, a sub-culture of Paganism arose and those who followed gave it various names such as “Witchcraft” or “Witch-cult” which people believed to rival Christianity. Those who adhered to the existence of this religion believed that “Christian authorities who controlled Europe during the Medieval and Early Modern periods actively attempted to suppress this rival faith, declaring it to be Devil-worship and executing many of its followers, but that it survived, predominantly in rural areas, where being concerned with the fertility of the earth it offered a more practical and relevant alternative to Christianity” (White 13). Originating from ancient pan European paganism in the 1940s in the United Kingdom, Wicca is said to be a survival

. . focuses on the holiness of nature and the earth and its festivals, sabbats and esbats follow the cycles of the year” (Jarvis 45). Sabbats follow the changing seasons, each representing various themes of nature, being season based they are also referred to as the “Wheel of the Year.” The eight sabbats include Solstice, which occurs twice, once when the sun reaches its highest and another once it reaches its lowest point in the sky at noon. Equinox, which also occurs twice a year when day and night are about the same length because of the sun being directly above the equator. Sabbats also include four cross-quarter days: Imbolc (rebirth), Beltane (fertility), Lammas (harvest), and Samhain (death) that signify seasonal changes. Meg Yardly further explains in the article Social work practice with Pagans, Witches, and Wiccans: Guidelines for practice with children and youths “Rituals vary widely depending on the participants and the occasion, but usually center around a symbolic action to work magic or to celebrate the season.

Sabbats celebrate change and growth within seasons, not only in life but also in nature. Samhain, celebrates the end of the harvest season where participants will light candles for loved ones who have passed while also engaging in a feast to honor ancestors October 31st through November 1st. Yule, a winter solstice celebrated around December 21st when the sun is reborn resulting in longer days where lighting a yule log symbolizes the return of the sun while also engaging in another feast along with gift-giving to celebrate with the community. Imbolic, celebrated February 1st and 2nd through cleansing rituals and lighting candles to symbolize return of light as it is where spring shows its first signs and is time for purification and renewal. Ostara, a part of the Spring Equinox around March 20th in which light and dark are balanced as well as fertility and renewal; participants will plant seeds to symbolize new growth and decorate eggs to celebrate fertility and