Essay, Research Paper

The Significance of Symbols in Modern Witchcraft

Witchcraft, besides known as Wicca, is a faith with lineage in an ancient Pagan faith of Northern Europe which pre-dates the Christian epoch ( Simms 30. ) It is an Earth faith and its chief divinity is a goddess. Most participants worship the Earth and belong to a coven, or group of trusters, run by a high priestess. Most covens meet on yearss determined by solstices and equinoxes or on seasonal or full Moon rites ( Luhrmann 46. ) During such rites, many symbols emerge so of import that the rite would non be without them.

Possibly one of the most of import facets of modern witchery is that of the Goddess. She is really different from that of the Judeo-christian God. She is considered both a divinity that controls the Earth and she is the Earth itself. The Goddess is the personification of nature and is of all time altering as the Earth is of all time altering. The Goddess is symbolized by the Moon. It is said that each stage of the Moon symbolizes a different clip in the Goddess? s life or in the rhythm of life. The new Moon stage symbolizes the Goddess giving birth to the Sun Child and new visible radiation is born. The first one-fourth stage signifies the point merely before life explosions Forth and the ironss of winter are broken. The full Moon stage indicates the connection of the Sun King and the Queen of Summer, a clip of copiousness ad fulfilment. The last stage in the lunar rhythm is the last one-fourth stage which designates a clip of crop, joy, and thanksgiving ( Simms 148. )

Another of import symbol used in witchery is that of the pentacle. Often viewed by Christians as satanic, it was non ever seen as such. Early Christians viewed the five pointed star as typifying the five lesions of Christ. The pentacle originated as the symbol of a Goddess who was worshipped over an country which extends from contemporary England to Egypt and beyond. Her name was Kore. Kore & # 8217 ; s sacred fruit is the apple. When an apple is cut through its equator, both halves will uncover a near-perfect pentacle form at the nucleus, with each point on the star incorporating a seed. The pentagram, a pentacle with a circle around it is the working signifier the pentacle. The circle around the pentacle can besides stand for the sacred circle drawn by the Witch in ritual. Within the circle, the Witch calls each of these elements ( each is associated with a different way, North, South, East, or West ) to guard the circle so that the energy raised by the charming working will stay within the circle. Today, many heathens wear the pentacle as jewellery and utilize it on their communion tables. The symbol is often traced by manus utilizing an athame ( a ritual knife ) during Wiccan rites. It is used to project and ostracize their healing circles. Some Wiccans interpret the five points as stand foring Earth, air, fire, H2O, and spirit: the four factors needed to prolong life with the add-on of spirit ( Simms 113. )

The four factors needed to prolong life are besides seen as of import symbols in modern witchery. These degree Fahrenheits

histrions are earth, air, fire, and H2O. During a ritual, each is represented by a specific object. Air is characterized by a plume. Fire is denoted by a taper that burns throughout the full rite. The candle both gives visible radiation and can typify the Goddess and air when the plume is waved in the fire. Water is a feminine facet and is represented by a goblet. The goblet is filled with a drink to imbibe during the ritual. Wine is frequently used, but some covens use milk or H2O ( Simms 117. )

One really personal tool used purely in rite is an athame. It is a double-edged sticker used to cut and direct energy. However, it is ne’er used to physically cut anything. The athame is such a personal tool that merely the proprietor uses. An athame is acquired about the clip of their first ritual and is consecrated during induction ( Simms 113. )

? Beyond all else, prestidigitators? submergence in symbolism is possibly the most compelling component of their engagement, and the experience which has the greatest impact upon them? ( Luhrmann 232. ) The inquiry of why these symbols are so of import remains. Luhrmann attempts to explicate the significance of the symbols. ? They specifically say that symbols transcend verbal restrictions, that they engage the mind? s pre-verbal nucleus, that the? secrets of the Mysteries? lie in experience, non rational cognition, and can non be communicated because the words can non incase them? ( Luhrmann 316. ) For Wiccans, symbols provide and outlet for look. They believe that the symbol is existent and that it represents something existent, hence, it is existent. ? Act as if the symbol is existent, and it will be existent for you? ( Luhrmann 237. ) Believing in the symbol is every bit of import as the symbol itself. The belief is farther installed through action.

Some Witchs and other Neopagans bless themselves and others with the mark of the pentacle. Their manus base on ballss from their brow to one hip, up to the opposite hip and shoulder, across to the other shoulder, down to the opposite hip and back to the brow ( Pentacles and Pentagrams. ) This blessing action farther enforces the importance of the pentacle. It is comparable to the significance of the Christian? s rood or cross. Like the pentacle is a symbol of a particular goddess, the cross is a symbol of Jesus, an of import figure in Christianity. Without the belief and symbolism that the cross possesses to Christians, it would non be.

It is imperative to acknowledge the importance of symbolism in any faith or religion. Each has their ain that should non be questioned. It is the symbolism that can find the verve of a religion to its members. For every bit long as there is strong belief and religion, the faith can last.

Luhrmann, T.M. Persuasions of the Witch? s Trade: Ritual Magic in Contemporary England. ( Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1989. )

Simms, Maria Kay. The Witch? s Circle. ( Minnesota: Llewellyn Publications, 1998. )

Pentacles and Pentagrams. Online. Available. hypertext transfer protocol: //www.religioustolerance.org/wic_pent.htm