Beliefs & practices

Initiatory Wicca centres on the worship of a goddess (often associated with the moon and the cycles of life) and a horned god (associated with hunting, fertility, and the seasonal year). The eight Sabbats — the solstices, equinoxes, and the four cross-quarter festivals (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain) — structure the ritual year, while monthly esbats are timed to the full moon.

The most widely cited ethical statement is the Wiccan Rede, “An it harm none, do what ye will,” published in its present form by Doreen Valiente. The Threefold Law, the principle that any action returns to the actor threefold, is widely taught but is not present in the earliest published material.

Initiation in lineaged Wicca is conferred only by an existing initiate of the same line; eclectic Wicca rejects this requirement and accepts self-initiation.