Definition of "Wicca"
Wicca, in modern terms, is a nature-oriented religion originating in Europe. It honors a Goddess and a God, believes in the existence of magic, and tends toward small congregations called "covens," which are usually headed by a woman or by a man and a woman together. The word "Wicca" itself has been given a couple of different entymologies, causing it to mean either "to bend," for the practice of magic, or "wise." Wiccans usually call themselves Witches, but are not the only people who use that word--there are Witches who do not practice Wicca. There are also other pagan (meaning pre-Christian and/or nature oriented) religions that are different from Wicca. These are important distinctions to remember when meeting other pagans; they will appreciate your understanding that they may not be Wiccans.
Traditional Wicca focuses on the concept of polarity between the Goddess and the God, thinking of them as the negative and positive poles (like the poles of a magnet) between which everything is suspended. This polarity is different from Christianity’s duality of Good and Evil in an important way: both poles are honored equally and are considered to be lovers, rather than enemies. Wiccans do not believe in a monolithic Evil Being that tries to overthrow the cosmos, or a monolithic Good Being who, despite being good, is willing to condemn its creations to eternal suffering if they don’t behave. In Wicca, as in most other religions that believe in reincarnation (rebirth in different bodies), it is believed that the only "evil" is ignorance and hatred, and that all beings will eventually reawaken to the love of the Gods and be united with Them. (Please note that this doesn’t necessarily mean that we don’t believe that demons and "evil" entities can exist--we just don’t believe that they are immortal and divine forces.)
By honoring the passage of the seasons and the phases of the moon, we attune with the energies at work around us, and we also learn the mysteries of the Goddess and God and Their theology. By working magick, we seek to become active partners with the Gods in shaping the world; for unlike religions in which "we shall be as children forever," the Wiccan gods want us to *grow up,* to take responsibility for ourselves, to shape ourselves into powerful and well-balanced beings. To do this, we also do inner work, seeking to understand both the "light" and "dark" parts of ourselves, accept them, and claim the powers they have to offer us. We further balance ourselves and enrich our understanding by working with the other children of the Gods, including plants, stones, animals, spirits of nature, our human ancestors, and the many races of astral beings.
Today, since there are so many introductory materials available, many people practice eclectic styles of Wicca, both with and without any formal individual training. Some of the rules of traditional Wicca are relaxed or absent in these styles. This does not make them inferior, as long as enough thought, training, and practice takes place to cause spiritual growth. However, one book does not a well-trained Wiccan make; and some books by eclectics contain false claims of "heritage" in order to gain respectability. Ironically, although new students are often fooled, most experienced Wiccans are not, and some hold the claims against eclectics as a group. At the other extreme are traditional Witches who become so enamored of their own ways that they refuse to see any value in other paths...or in those who practice them. Treebridge (the name of our created tradition) seeks a state of balance between these two extremes.
Our tradition is *new.* It is based on training we have received, combined with our own understanding, practice, and research. Although it is not an old tradition, as "eclectic" paths go it is true to the old ways, complex, and rigorous, both intellectually and spiritually. Along with normal spiritual and magickal work, we emphasize building relationships with elementals and other nature spirits and astral beings, and the principles of Guardianship (a role of protection). We expect and encourage study, practice, and independent research. As an introspective, mystical path, faery styles of Wicca (like ours) tend to stir up what lies hidden in the student's Shadow to be worked through--this seems to be an innate part of the process, not any deliberate tweaking on the part of the teachers--so students must be prepared to face emotional as well as intellectual trials.
It must also be noted that by the standards of what has become standard fare in mainstream Wicca, some of the Treebridge material will seem foreign, being influenced as it is by Guardianship, Otherkin/Fey work, and older folklore. Please be prepared for this when you enter into our tradition.