The History of Modern Wicca

As early as cavemen, the Gods of Wicca have been around. Cave drawings depicting a horned god and a pregnant female with over-emphasized genitalia were common. Through the years, as we moved forward in our evolution, these gods became associated with the seasons of the year, the moon especially with the female Gods. As Agriculture was the center of attention, it only made sense that both the male and female Gods were recognized in Sun, Moon, and Earth.

The main origin of Wicca is to be found in the Celts’ history. Four major Sabbats are derived from the Celts: Samhain, Imbolic, Beltaine, and Lughnasadh (for more information on Sabbats, visit the Wiccan Sabbats page).

For hundreds of years, Pagan religions existed without conflict between them, many being based on the same ideals and roots. The advent of Christianity by the Romans, however, was the beginning of the end for those happy in their religion. Christian believers turned paganism into something evil, as they were intolerant of any way but theirs. Pagans became Satan worshipers and Gods of the Old Religions were depicted as demons. Many pagans were put to death, refusing to conform and be “Baptized” by these rulers.

However, the Church didn’t quite have the full faith they believed. Many converted Christians still worshiped the old Gods and Goddess’. To try and supplicate these followers, the church officially venerated the mother of Jesus as Virgin Mary, not Goddess, not just human, but “blessed by God” to offer a female deity.

The Church continued to condemn Paganism and Witchcraft for the next few centuries, even officially declaring Witchcraft (the practice of any religion not Catholic) as heresy. This allowed the prosecution of Witches to begin in Germany and soon flooded across Europe and the USA as well. With the blessing of the Church, thousands were put to death without real trials or proof and their possessions divided among the accuser and persecutor.

Pagan traditions still lingered, regardless of the suppression by the Church. Things such as Mayday, mistletoe at Yule, “Easter” eggs from Ostara, and many other examples of paganism blended into Christian Celebrations. In the 15th century, Paganism began to grow once more in the intellectual circles of Europe via the secret societies, such as the Illuminati, the Freemasons, and the Rosicrucians.

Beginning in 1899, published books began to appear… “Ariada or The Gospel of Witches”, “The Witch cult in Western Europe; A study in anthropology” up through the first book to truly bring Modern Wicca about, Gerald Gardner’s 1954 “Witchcraft Today” and it’s sequel, “The Meaning of Witchcraft” in 1959. Today there are more than 500 books available on the Wiccan religion, Paganism, and the worship of the Gods and Goddess’ of old.

Though our religion has been around for thousands of years, Gardner is considered the grandfather of Modern Wicca. His books began the revolution of Wicca that took it out of hiding and made it available, once again, to so many. Gardnerian and Alexandrian witches have become the backbone in today’s Wicca.