The question "What defines a Wiccan" has certainly become more important lately. What are the core beliefs or values that are needed to be Wiccan? It's the question that, if explored, might lead us to an eventual consensus on the current "Witch/Wiccan" crisis of definition. However, equally important to this issue is the question "WHO defines a Wiccan."? Who gets the final word on who can consider themselves Wiccan? Is there one authority that we can all agree on?
In considering how to define a Wiccan, I had to first get over my gut reaction of "Who am I to offer a definition of Wicca?" After all, I don't have a lineage chart that ties my name directly to Papa Gerald. (Gerald Gardner; primary founder of modern "British Traditional Wicca")
That thought stopped me cold. This question exposed my internalized belief that Gardner, as founder of Wicca, can dictate the terms of Wicca. Ahhh... those nasty little hidden beliefs that lurk at the edges of our awareness, soaking into all related thoughts... This realization has implications for why this debate of definitions gets so messy. But let’s examine that belief. Is it true?
Should defining Wicca be left to Gardnerians?
Truthfully, although I was not fortunate enough to train within a coven and earn my degrees within that tradition, by belief and practice I have identified myself as Wiccan for these past umpteen years. I have had the honor of learning from some truly spectacular people along the way... from very traditional Gardnerian to very eclectic solitary. Furthermore, I have been teaching what I call "Shamanic Wicca" for the past decade or so. If, deep down, I grant the Gardnerians the right to define the term Wicca, then I might have to totally redefine who and what I'm all about.
That's a very uncomfortable thought. It is precisely because I honor and respect Gardnerians that I feel less able to assert my own legitimacy if challenged. If a Gardnerian said "You must believe/practice *thus* to be Wiccan", and I didn't.... I'd be reluctant to argue the point. I'd be much more likely to get defensive and say "Fine. Keep the party to yourselves then. I'm going to go do my own thing.". In fact, I think this is exactly what we've been seeing lately. Perhaps people are shucking the term "Wiccan" because of a perceived intolerance of the variety of beliefs and practices that generally have been accepted as "Wiccan" in the past.
Perhaps I'm lucky because I haven't directly experienced any of this supposed intolerance. I've always had a good working relationship with Wiccans and Pagans of all shapes and sizes. I've never been made to feel defensive from lack of a lineage. And yet, I'm hearing it more and more lately from people who feel that, without the "pedigree", they might as well call themselves "Witch" and save themselves grief. Like wearing the word "Witch" was an easier choice in this culture! Ye gods, what have we come to, that we alienate ourselves this way?
To tell the other side of it, Gardnerians have often felt cornered and defensive about how they practice their Craft. They've been accused of everything from being sexual predators to anal-retentive rule-mongers to fundamentalist purists. For the most part, I've found Gardnerians (and other traditions) to be dedicated, disciplined, and skilled practitioners. Although I've heard about ego-maniacal High Priestesses, I've never met the object of the legion of jokes told about her. Rather, I've met committed people who are trying to preserve the dignity and integrity of their Craft, as they have learned it and practice it. I find that entirely worthy of my respect.
So who defines Wicca?
We do... here in the trenches of our practice. We, who explore, discuss ideas, and share inspirations, should be able to work out common terms of agreement. No one person, path, or tradition should hold the final “authority” on the shape that Wicca has become. This is not to mean that there shouldn’t be standards or core beliefs... this doesn’t mean that “anything goes” and call it Wicca. What it means is that all who have demonstrated a commitment to Wicca should have the right to define their own practice as such if they wish.
What about core beliefs?
Are there some beliefs or ideas we should have in common? What is needed to make a Wiccan? Here is a summary of some proposed core beliefs, and where I stand.
The Wiccan Rede:
No two Wiccans can ever seem to agree on what the Rede really means, so where does this fit into our discussion of core beliefs? I rather like the fact that the Rede is so open to debate. It keeps us all talking about ethics and forces us to think deeply about the ethical choices we make. I don't think there would be nearly as much thought involved if the Rede (which merely means advice) were any clearer. This is definitely an area where I think people need to think, and keep thinking. Don't let a dogma do your thinking for you.
Rule of Three:
I don't think too many people believe in a literal interpretation of this, and I don’t think a literal interpretation in necessary to be Wiccan. I find it a useful allegory of how energy flows and ripples. The Rule of Three reveals the real core beliefs of Wicca: the awareness of consequences and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
Cosmology:
I think belief in a God and Goddess are core beliefs, but Wicca is all about the individual relationships you establish with Them. I've met Wiccans who lean very heavily toward one or the other, but still at least acknowledge the other. Whether or not you feel that they are distinct individual Deities or aspects of the Universal Life Force is open to personal introspection and interpretation.
Great Rite:
Either actual or symbolic, it represents a great spiritual truth that is embodied as a core belief. Like the belief in God AND Goddess, the complementary combination of energies is a fundamental concept.
The Charge of the Goddess:
I've never memorized more than parts of it. I sometimes feel like I should. But as a lifelong poet, I've never memorized my own stuff, either. Doreen Valiente did a beautiful job on this piece, and it expresses a sense of joy and beauty that we ought to all remind ourselves of often... but to actually adhere to the "Charge" as dogma strikes me silly. I place it firmly in the category of inspirational, but not required as a core belief.
Sabbats & Esbats:
I'm not sure I'd rank celebrating the Sabbats and Esbats as a "core" belief, however acknowledging the seasons and cycles in some way seems pretty important. After all, Wicca isn't as much a "belief" as it is a practice. If you don't actually do anything, then it's mostly just a brain exercise. HOW and HOW OFTEN they're celebrated should be flexible and open to individual practice.
You are Clergy:
This seems like a basic, core belief to me. I’ve never heard it even debated within Wiccan discussions. The idea that you become a priest or priestess of the Craft is central to what makes a Wiccan.
This is a fundamental concept in defining a Wiccan: we become our own priest or priestess, and therefore do not acknowledge any authority over regulating our own spiritual lives. Since we don’t have an outside authority to provide a definition of what a Wiccan should be, Wicca should be defined by those who practice it.
The word “eclectic” has long been used to distinguish a Wiccan practice that varies to some extent from Gardnerian Wicca, but that’s now become almost a “dirty” word. “Eclectic” has been abused by new seekers who cobble together a patchwork of beliefs from a variety of cultures, regardless of contradictions, and call it Wicca. Wiccan elders get understandably affronted by these stumbling efforts of those beginning a spiritual journey.
Although long-time practitioners might bemoan the perceived “lapse of standards” that sometimes accompanies eclectic practice, it is unfair to create divisions within the spiritual community because of clinging to rigid definitions. The answer is not to say that “only those who believe as I do shall wear the name Wiccan”. Instead, we should each look to our own practice and see how it measures up to our own core beliefs. Those of us who wish to follow the Wiccan way should listen to the experience of our elders, those who have been walking their talk for many years. Those who are newer to their practice should seek support and guidance from those with more experience, and those with experience should expect that.
Rigid definitions end up excluding the valuable diversity that the Pagan community has thrived on. By thoughtful examination of our core beliefs and the open exchange of ideas among the Wiccan community, we can build on our strengths, instead of building walls to divide us.
~Flame RavenHawk
June 19, 2003