Wicca, the Apocalypse, and the Future of the Natural World.

According to Haviland, Kilmurray, Fedorak and Lee (2013), religion is universal across cultures, and it serves several purposes for humankind, both psychological and social. It meets human needs by explaining the unknown, promoting group membership, denoting right from wrong, and absolving accountability for individuals by placing responsibility on god(s). In recent years, however, interest in mainstream religions has declined. In its place, Haviland et al. (2013) explain that there has been a resurgence of pagan religions, now referred to as neo-paganism. The most followed, according to Jorgenson and Russell (1999), is known as Wicca, and they say that most Wicca practitioners are white, Western middle class women. Arthur (2008) says that Wicca is a matriarchal, Goddess based religion, and its focus is on Earth, nature and the environment. It includes practices such as white magic and rituals that are said to heal the body and the earth. He says that it is difficult to make any assertion about Wicca that would be relevant to all followers; this is because aside from the core beliefs that “…the 'Earth is a deity' and 'All life is sacred'…” (p. 202), Wicca comprises a diverse assortment of beliefs. However, while every individual’s reasoning for following Wicca is unique, as a group this demographic’s interest in Wicca is related to attempts to satisfy human needs once fulfilled by mainstream religion, including assuaging apocalyptic fears and providing a sense of identity and group belonging.

First, Haviland et al. (2013) say that religion and the questions it answers, like explaining life and death, have always been universal across cultures. In addition to offering answers, comfort, and solace to individuals, religions offer ind...

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...for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 2(2), 199-217. doi:10.1558/jsmc.v2i2.199

Haviland, W., Kilmurray, L., Fedorak, S., & Lee, R. (2013). Cultural Anthropology, 4th Canadian edition. Toronto: Nelson Education.

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Jorgensen, D. L., & Russell, S. E. (1999). American Neopaganism: The Participants' Social Identities. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 325-338.

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Minkjan, H. (2008). Seeking Guidance From the Spirits: Neo-Shamanic Divination Rituals in Modern Dutch Society. Social Compass, 55(1), 54-65. doi:10.1177/0037768607086498