When Did Wicca Begin?
When Did Wicca Begin?
There is great debate and controversy over when Wicca became a religion. Some argue it started in the late 1940s while others insist that it began in the ancient days of Celtic society circa 800 BCE.
Those that agree with 1940s camp say that it started with a man named Gerald B. Gardner, who publicly came out as a witch after the repeal of the Anti-Witchcraft laws in the U.K. in 1951. His frustration about not being able to practice his faith openly began in 1939. He joined an existing Wiccan coven and had to take the usual vows of secrecy. In 1949, he managed to convince the coven to let him write a book about Wicca, which came to be known as “High Magic’s Aid”. Later in 1954, he wrote another book titled “Witchcraft Today” in which he described even more information about the religion. Lastly, he wrote “The Meaning of Witchcraft” which pertained to the history of Wicca in northern Europe. Gardner died in 1964 and left behind a legacy of Wiccans who would use his teachings and writings to create their own religion.
Another influential writer that helped shape modern-day Wicca is Margaret Murray. She wrote the book titled “The Witch Cult in Western Europe” and also wrote “The God of the Witches”. The books pushed the idea that some of the witches that were killed during the “Burning Times” (1450-1792) were descendants of an earlier, organized and dominant pre-Christian religion in Europe. Murray died in 1963 but her books would go on to become significant background information for the Wicca faith.
A third writer named Charles Leland also greatly contributed to Wicca. He wrote the book “Aradia: Gospel of the Witches”, which mainly pertained to the Goddess Diana. It appears as an ancient document that recorded the doctrines of the Old Religion, i.e. Italian witchcraft.
As for the Wiccans that maintain it started with the ancient Celts, there is unfortunately not enough evidence to confirm or refute their claim. There are only a few myths and legends left behind by the Celts and not enough archaeological proof to sustain theories that it began with the Celts.
Either way, Wicca has a rich history filled with fascinating legends and myths as well as a politically charged awakening in the 1940s. Suffice it to say, Wiccans could give intriguing history lessons to the new initiates.
