Wicca, or Witchcraft, is one of the many pagan religions
of Yrth. It is a nature religion that worships the Goddess of Nature, Mother
Earth, and her consort, the Horned God. These two deities go by many local
names, such as Isis, Demeter, Innana, etc., and Osiris, Pan, Baphomet, etc.
Their basic tenets are to revere the Earth, to do no harm, to enjoy life
to the fullest, and to honor the God and Goddess in each other. Both sexes
may become Priests or Priestesses.
Witches are very loosely organized into groups called covens or circles.
The number of members may vary from two or three to several dozen; the "requirement"
for 13 members is a mere rumor. The coven is led by a High Priestess and
a High Priest, though more than two leaders are possible. Because of the
secrecy involved, a particular coven may or may not be in regular contact
with other covens; it is possible that only the priest or priestess knows
how to contact other Wiccans. Groups of covens often gather for large rituals
every year or two, usually at the summer solstice.
The rituals revolve around the turning of the seasons. For the Celtic-influenced
Wiccans, the most important holidays are the "cross-quarter" days
that fall hallway between solstice and equinox: Halloween (October 31),
which is also called Samhain (pronounced "Sowin"); Candlemas or
Imbolc (February 2); May Day or Beltaine (May 1) and Lammas or Lughnasad
(August 2). The solstices and equinoxes are also holidays; the spring equinox
is called Ostara, and the fall equinox is Mabon. The summer solstice is
called Litha, and the winter solstice is called Yule.
(Editor's note: These dates are correct for the real-world Wiccan
religion, and should replace the "generic" pagan holidays given
in GURPS
Fantasy when Wiccan groups enter the campaign. The first
name given for each holiday is the English, or Anglish, one; the second
is the old Celtic name.)
Rituals often occur on full or new moons as well. The rituals usually consist
of a procession, casting a circle, an invocation of the Goddess and the
God, chanting, dancing, singing, drama, poetry, offerings of food or crafts
to the gods, a healing or divination, and sharing of food and drink among
participants. Some rituals are performed in the nude or "sky-clad";
others may be performed in various colorful costumes. Rituals are held in
secluded clearings in the forest or in private homes.
Witches are generally misunderstood. Millennia of propaganda by Christian
foes have warped the public's perception of the Wiccan religion. Witches
do not worship demons or perform human sacrifice, and the use of magic for
harmful ends is prohibited.