Wicca
Wicca is an Earth-centered religion that honors a Mother Goddess and a Father God. The God and Goddess of Wicca, were introduced to us by Gerald Gardner (the creator of Wicca), based on the Gods of old Pagan religions and the themes outlined by people such as Margaret Murray. The idea of a single "Great Goddess" and her consort the "Great God" really came about around the 18th Century, though these popular themese were not yet religious characters (or east, belonged to no one religion), but became themes of thinking that were based around the ancient Gods of the past. These themes were picked up by people such as Margaret Murray and Charles Leland, but they were given a formal and complete reigious grouding when Gerald Gardner created Wicca.
Since then, the idea of the Goddess and the God has had a great infuence on many neo-pagan paths.
However, the Goddess and God are not ancient deities and there is little to no evidence that shows they were worshipped any earlier than the 1930's. There are traditions, however, that honor one or the other. It also incorporates magick. Magick is not a religion, just a tool that helps us connect with the deities and many other tasks as well. We also usually incorporate divination into our practices. Although there are many sects of Wicca there is a "rule" for lack of a better word.
The highest law I now shall teach, mind well your actions, thoughts, and speech; many beings can hear and spirits know the wickedness you seek not to show.
So turns the wheel from year to year. Live in their love and have no fear; this ancient wisdom to you I tell, as it harms none do what you will.
Take caution of the next law too, for all you do comes back to you; the wheel keeps turning, three times three, as you will, so mote it be.
This is not the Witch's, or Wiccan, Rede. It basically states that: Do what you want as long as it harms none (especially yourself) and what you do good or bad comes back to you. All good witches obey this rule, and it helps the world stay in balance.
The aforementioned piece of writing is a more poetic version of the rede that I personally like. The actual rede is as follows.
AN IT HARM NONE, DO AS YOU WILL.
Wiccans also believe in reincarnation. This is the process of living multiple lives on this Earth as well as others. Some believe that we go through stages to get to human beings. (i.e.. grass-flower-tree-bird-dog-monkey-men-women)
I personally don't believe this, but to each his own. My belief is that we come down into physical manifestation to perfect our souls through multiple lifetimes as humans only, but like I said everyone is different.
