What is Wicca?
I don’t consider myself an expert on what is or what isn’t Wicca or what you should or shouldn’t do in your own practice. I consider myself to be primarily a Witch. I have studied and practiced Wicca, though of a solitary, eclectic slant, and have since 1997. Even if I have incorporated many other traditions and practices along the way to develop my own faith. I am constantly examining my beliefs and practices and really believe that is one of the core tenants of Wiccan beliefs and witchcraft in general – to discover what you believe and why you believe it. So, this is my current understanding of what it means to be Wiccan.
A Bit of History
At its heart, Wicca is a religion, and it is loosely defined by Principles of Wiccan Belief as set down by a group called the American Council of Witches in 1973/1974. While there are many people who claim traditions or lineages that go back however long, officially Gerald Gardner is considered to be the father/founder of the current religion of Wicca. Following the 1951 repeal of Britain’s archaic witchcraft laws, Gardner published Witchcraft Today (1954), founded his first coven of followers, and, with the assistance of high priestess Doreen Valiente (1922–99), developed what became known as Gardnerian Wicca. During the 1960’s and 70’s, following the civil unrest and social revolutions that were happening in the US, Wicca started to develop a following in the US.
From there, more books were published, people were more public with their beliefs, and media and pop culture began to notice. I know that for me, personally, the development of the world wide web had a huge influence, because when I started to have questions and was looking for support I was able to reach out in the early chat rooms of the mid-90s to connect with other people and practitioners. Books on alternative religions and beliefs were available in local bookstores. To Ride a Silver Broomstick by Silver Ravenwolf was published in 1994. Scott Cunningham actually passed away in 1993, but he was a very popular and prolific author through the 1980’s and 90’s. His Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (1985) and Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic (1987) are excellent references that I still use today.
The 1990s and Pop Culture
The period from the 1990s to the present day has been a time of dramatic transformation for Wicca. Groups and covens began to be a little more open in the late 90’s and Wicca as a religion started to show up more in pop culture. It moved from a relatively niche, countercultural religion to a widely recognized and increasingly mainstream spiritual path. I also know several people who found paganism in general through this root. Wicca – the religion – wasn’t for them personally (Leland is one of these), but paganism as an umbrella of beliefs is what they were looking for. This evolution was driven by several key factors, including the internet, popular culture, and a significant shift toward solitary and eclectic practice.
The 1990s was a watershed decade for Wicca, largely due to its portrayal in popular media. Films and television shows like The Craft, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Charmed brought the idea of witchcraft to a massive audience, particularly among teenagers and young adults. While these portrayals were often criticized by Wiccans for their inaccuracies and sensationalism, they sparked immense interest and led a new generation to seek out real information about the religion.
This influx of interest coincided with the rise of the internet. The early days of the World Wide Web, with hosts like GeoCities, Tripod, and Angelfire allowing people to create their own webpages, mailing lists like eList and Onelist (later Yahoo groups) and forums like Witchvox, provided a new way for solitary practitioners to connect. For the first time, people who lived far from a coven or who were not interested in initiatory traditions could find a community, share knowledge, and learn about the craft. This period saw a shift from the coven-based, initiatory model of British Traditional Wicca, toward a more decentralized, eclectic, and solitary practice.
The teaching coven that I joined in 1999 was a Celtic-based tradition. While I have always dedicated myself to the Greek Pantheon, have a group to interact and learn from (in the age before social media) was a huge advantage. The social connections and elders that I met through this group and the early internet were invaluable to my growth as a witch.
The 2000s and 2010s and Going Mainstream
As the internet became more sophisticated, so did the online Wiccan community. Blogs, social media platforms, and online stores became hubs for learning and commerce. This period saw a greater acceptance of Wicca as a legitimate religion, and Wiccans became more visible in public life. The American military, for instance, officially recognized Wicca, and Wiccans gained legal rights, such as the ability to have a pentacle on a grave marker in a military cemetery.
The emphasis on self-directed learning and online communities also led to a significant increase in the diversity of Wiccan practice. While traditional BTW covens maintained their lineages, the wider community became a melting pot of different influences. Practitioners began to blend Wiccan principles with elements from other spiritual paths, creating new traditions and practices. This led to a more nuanced and complex understanding of Wicca, moving away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach of the 90s.
However, this period also brought internal conflict. Debates emerged over the validity of solitary practice, the commercialization of the craft, and the rise of what some traditionalists derisively called “fluffy bunny” Wicca—a perceived “love and light” approach that lacked depth and understanding of the religion’s more serious aspects.
The 2020s and the Future
Today, Wicca and the broader pagan community are more visible than ever, largely thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. #Witchtok, for example, has become a massive subculture where millions of people share spells, rituals, and personal spiritual journeys.
This new wave of online practice has both positive and negative consequences. On one hand, it has made the craft more accessible than ever, breaking down geographical and social barriers. On the other hand, it has led to the commodification of magical tools and a potential “dumbing down” of complex practices. The ease of access can sometimes lead to misinformation and a lack of understanding of the historical and philosophical roots of the religion.
Nowadays, Witchcraft and Paganism are popular book topics on Amazon. Witchtoks and YouTube channels about witchcraft and Wicca are common. Many more traditions and both cultural and individual beliefs are being explored. The area outside of the broom closet has gotten a lot bigger.
Looking ahead, Wicca seems poised to continue its growth. It has moved beyond a subcultural phenomenon to a recognized, albeit still minority, religion that continues to attract followers, particularly among young people seeking a spiritual path that is nature-based, empowering, and personally fulfilling.
I am super happy to see the current exchange of books, TikToks, blogs and overall social exchange of practices that exist today. I look forward to watching younger content creators on YouTube, reading new books that are published, and meeting new pagans at events that Leland and I attend. I am glad not to be stuck “in the broomcloset.”
