Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: Building Bridges: A World Religions Program for 8th-9th Grades

Handout 3: Neo-Paganism and Wicca Fact Sheet

Emerged: Neo Paganism is based on what is assumed to be ancient, indigenous religions, but modern day Wicca is dated as beginning in 1959 and the current Neo-Paganism movement can be dated to the founding of the Church of All Worlds and Feraferia in 1967.

Adherents: estimated 1 million

Ranking: 19

Texts: Various, depending upon the branch.

Prophets: None

Clergy: Varies. Some are non-hierarchal; others have priests/priestesses or other leaders.

Symbols: Many, depending upon branch. Pentacle, Triple Goddess, Kabalistic or Celtic Tree of Life; Wheel of the Year; Eye of Horus, Celtic Cross, the Green Man, the Ankh, and others.

Terms and Fundamental Precepts:

Magic or magick — the art/science of psychically control the energy of the universe toward a specific goal

Druidism — modern Neo-Pagan religion based upon the beliefs of the ancient Celts

Triple Goddess — the Goddess exists as Maiden, Mother, and Crone

Polytheistic — worshipping more than one and/or goddess

Shared with Unitarian Universalism:

  • Sixth Source
  • Seventh Principle, and a determination to stay connected to and protect nature
  • A belief that there are many paths to the divine
  • A belief in gender equality
  • In Singing the Living Tradition, Readings 446, 451, 517, 524, 663, and 703 and Hymns 57, 72, 73, 91, 155, 226, 235, 327, 337, and 387 are about the seasons, solstices, equinoxes, and other Pagan traditions.