Some Wicca Basics Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gerald Gardner

Gardner was born in England in 1884 and is credited with bringing Wicca to public attention. He founded Gardnerian Wicca and formed his own coven called the Bricket Wood coven. He initiated many high priestesses into Wicca and expanded the modern religion to include the worship of a female goddess.

The key ethical guideline associated with Gardnerian Wicca is "do what you like so long as you harm no one."

Answer: Dianic Wicca

Dianic Wicca is named after the Greek Goddess Diana and was founded by Zsuzsanna Budapest in the United States in the 1970s. At the forefront is female empowerment and the female experience. Only goddesses are honored and covens are made up only of women.

There are many similarities with other Wiccan practices but the focus on females is the biggest differentiator. Dianic Wiccans also practice meditation and visualization as well as magic spells.

Answer: George Patterson

Georgian Wicca is named after its creator, George Patterson, and although it does not trace its lineage back to English covens, it does generally follow the traditions of British Traditional Wicca groups. It started when Patterson began teaching two students in California. Georgian Wiccans are flexible and individualistic, and do sometimes make up their own rituals. Georgian covens spread throughout North America, including in British Columbia, Canada and Florida, California and Utah.

Answer: Eight

The Wheel of the Year is the name given to the cycle of festivals that are held throughout the year. Another name for festival is sabbat. The festivals are tied to major solar movements (solstices and equinoxes). One example of these festivals is the Spring Equinox, or Ostara, which begins on March nineteenth and symbolizes new beginnings.

Answer: Yule

Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, is celebrated in a variety of ways depending on the coven and the individual. It celebrates midwinter and some commonalities in celebration include making sacrifices, feasting and giving gifts. Decorations include evergreen plants like pine and seasonal plants like holly. Similar to Christmas traditions, trees are decorated.

Answer: Samhain

Samhain is a celebration of all those who have passed on, including pets, family members or ancestors. Wiccans believe that at this time of year, the line between the spirit world and the natural world is the thinnest and so it is a good time to connect with the spirit world. It is aligned with Halloween and the Day of the Dead.

Answer: Moon

An Esbat festival shows honor and respect for the moon and its impact on the natural world. Esbats typically take place during full moons and begin at midnight and end when day breaks. During an Esbat, dancing, singing and magic rituals take place as Wiccans celebrate the feminine.

Answer: Aether

The five elements are invoked during magic ceremonies, especially when consecrating a magic circle. The five elements are symbolized by the five points of the pentragram which is often used as a symbol of Wicca. Spirit (or Aether as Wiccans call it) unites the other four elements and is also depicted as being in the center of the other four elements, which represent the cardinal points. Spirit, or Aether, connects all things that are natural and helps to bring a harmony to the world.

Answer: Animism

Animism is the belief that all natural things (even inanimate objects) are alive and contain a spirit. This can include trees, rocks, animals, people, flowers etc. It is the belief that all of these things are interconnected and when one thing is lost, there is an imbalance in the world. All animists honor nature and pay respect to what they use or take from nature. Nature is honored in all the Wiccan festivals.

Answer: Duotheistic

Duotheism is the belief in two deities - typically a god and a goddess who enjoy equal power. In Wicca, the two deities are the Horned God and the Triple Goddess. The Horned God represents unity between the divine and animals (this includes humans). The Triple Goddess represents the three phases of women - the maiden, the mother and the crone, and is symbolized by the moon and the oceans.