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Wiccans and witches can now practice their faith in the open. On the cultural front, people of all faiths and opinions seem to be embracing the natural knowledge that is at the heart of the Wiccan religion.
The increased interest in spiritual and New Age topics has led many people to explore Wicca and witchcraft, and even if these people don't become witches, they are incorporating many aspects of the faith into their lives.
One reason that witchcraft has become so popular is that it tends to focus on the individual. Wiccans are taught to think for themselves and to live by the golden rule, which says, "An harm ye none, do what ye will." As moral aspiration its a worthy one, and Wicca is a religion that takes a responsible approach to its relationship with all beings.
Wicca as we know it today, is not the sole survivor of antiquity, nor is it an entirely modern creation. It is a blend of many spiritual persuasions.
Modern Witchcraft has two branches, Devotional and Functional. Devotional deals with the worship of the God and Goddess, Functional Witchcraft employs the use of magick in rites. Both classes work with the phases of the moon and the changing of the seasons to enhance mystical rites. Wiccans see the divine in nature, both within and around us, as we are part of nature rather than standing outside of it.
Wicca teaches us to place love and respect at the forefront of our relationship with all beings, and to ensure that harm is caused to none. This derives from what our pagan ancestors counted as wisdom.
On portals of the temple of Apollo at Delphi are inscribed two exhortations: 'Know thyself' and 'Nothing in excess'. These perhaps best epitomize the approaches that we combine within Wicca; an aspiration for self-knowledge and the attainment of harmony and balance.
