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Encounter & Dialogue with Wicca

by Andrea R. Hayes

I interviewed Lesley a female in her thirties. She works as a billing manager and if it had not been for her pentacle necklace I never would have thought to interview her. I have always been interested in the Wicca faith. And I have found that most people of the Wicca faith are underground and don’t like to be drawn into the public eye. When I asked what her religion was she hesitated, seemed uncomfortable then answered Wicca. I was thrilled that Lesley agreed to do a brief interview with me. Every other person I found from this faith did not want to speak with me.

The first question I asked her was if the Wicca faith was the same religion she was raised with. She answered, “No, I was raised in a strict Baptist family. However, I never fully felt comfortable with some of the beliefs and views from this faith. I never really felt as if I belonged. I did not feel that Christianity had enough balance.” When she was older she decided to go out on her own to find a faith that better suited her. She found that earth based religions had more balance. She feels they use science and faith together, which suited her personality and personal beliefs better. 

When I asked Lesley what her perspective on the creation of life on earth she responded, “Quite honestly, I do not have one. I guess I believe more in evolution over the earth being created in seven days. But, I tend to lean toward logic and science.” I asked Lesley what she thought happened to people after death she replied, “ I believe people are reincarnated. I believe souls are reborn into many different situations over and over. In one life you may be born in poverty in the next life you may be born into a mansion. Once you experience life in all of its forms you will move on to a place similar or equivalent to heaven.” I asked her if the was a main book that all Wiccans referred to. She explained to me that there are many different books to reference but there is not one required book that holds the answers to every question. Like the bible does for Christians. I also asked what celebrations or Holidays she practiced. Lesley celebrates the typical eight Sabbats including Solstice’s, equinox, Samhain, and Beltane. Her favorite being Samhain, which is the witches New Year, also known as Halloween. 

The thing, which she held as most sacred to her, was her pentacle necklace. She wears her pentacle as a Christian would wear the cross. She says it lets people know what she believes in and it is her most valuable possession. Lesley explained to me that she felt everyone should follow the path that fulfills him or her the most. She does not believe that there is a wrong religion. She says no matter what you believe there is one thing to remember and that is all religions are essentially the same, they all believe in a higher power. The only difference in our beliefs is the stories we pass down. And all the stories give about the same, basic meanings of a higher power, which is greater than us.

I enjoyed discussing this topic with Lesley. I feel she is a very open minded and excepting individual. I was thrilled that she agreed to answer my questions and she even told me of places to go and people to ask for in order to learn more about her faith. I feel that if more people like Lesley would open up and speak out, the general public would change the way they think about Wicca. She is an exceptional individual and I find it outrageous that someone can go from a strict Baptist faith to an earth religion and be capable to maintain an acceptance of both and have the capability to intertwine the both, simply because they are so different.

July 30, 2003 I attended a Wicca service. I was a little unsure of what to expect since this congregation is so different from my faith. The service was held at a bookstore in Occoquan called, "A woman's wish". Now the service was more like an instructional class on meditation with the elements. This service was only open to women. I sat with many different women from all different races, and ages. Every woman was accepted into the circle and there were no restrictions on dress or appearance. I showed up in jeans and a tank top the other women were dressed similar. I was amazed to find out that it was not all the mumbo-jumbo that you see on TV. We were walked through a meditation series and then were asked to share our thoughts and feelings with the circle. I felt this group of people was more interested in bonding with one another than actually discussing religion. It felt as though the congregation was more about discussing their personal lives and emotional struggles with others who are willing to listen.

Arlene was our mentor for the service and is the one who described the elements to us. She described the elements as being the four essences, which make up the physical and nonphysical universe. The four elements being air, fire, water, earth. There is a fifth element, which is the spirit. She described to us what each element was associated with and the animals that represent that element. Air is associated with the east and the rising sun. Air represents thought, intellectual processes, intuitive, and psychic work. Animals that represent air would be animals that fly such as the raven, hawk, and eagle. Air is what helps us express ourselves it provides us with inspirations and the ability to communicate our ideas to others. Fire is associated with the south and the noonday sun. Fire represents passion and will, transformation, and sexuality. Fire stands for energy, creativity, and courage "the will to act". The animals, which represent fire, are the dragon, lion, and phoenix. Water is associated with the west and the setting sun. Water represents emotion and intuition, love and sorrow. Animals that represent this element would be anything that swims such as fish, dolphins, etc. Water is associated with the great mother, the universal womb, birth, and fertility. Water is life giving and life destroying abilities of the cosmos. Water is vital to survival and without it we would perish. Earth is associated with the north and midnight. It represents the physical world, stability, practicality, and silence, Mystery and growth, fertility, material abundance, business, industry, and possessions. Animals that represent earth would be the bear, bull, stag wolf, worm, and moles. Earth is the foundation on which Mother Nature has built her extravagant world. Earth holds, nourishes, and affirms. Now the fifth element Spirit is not really an element but is the life energy that extends through and joins all the elements. It is associated with the center of the circle and eternity. It represents transcendence and the void, the presence of God/Goddess/source/Creator/Deity. Also the spirit of the body, the sense of hearing or intuition. The ability "to be part of the ALL".

I found this service a little unusual. I like some of the ideas of this religion but I could not see myself attending one of these services on a regular basis. If I were in the Wicca community I would be one who practiced alone. I wanted to learn about the beliefs and rituals. I did not want to sit in a circle and listen to what other people saw in a meditation and how it reflects what is going on in their personal lives. Now, this is possibly due to the fact that my imagination is lacking and I always have a hard time focusing in meditation. It bothers me when someone is speaking the whole time I am trying to relax. But, regardless I still find this religion interesting and would like to learn more. I may attend a service for Wicca that addressed issues of more complexity. I enjoyed speaking with Arlene I found her views interesting. I would advise anyone who is interested in learning about the earth faiths to visit her bookstore in old Occoquan and to invite her into conversation. Arlene seems very open and willing to speak with anyone.

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