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Founding of Wicca
Wicca was initially founded in England in the early 1920s, created from pre-existing religions and movements. Typically practiced by British locals, believers of witch craft chose to bring back their faith and ancient practices. -
Margaret Murray
The first rituals of modern Witchcraft and practices can be traced far back to 1921, where Margaret Murray wrote many books on medieval traditions and witch cults. This encouraged the British to create their own cults and covens, creating a great influence withing Wicca. -
The Bricket Wood Coven
With the intent on practicing and building upon Witchcraft, Gerald Gardener founded the Bricket Wood Coven with his wife Dorothea Frances Rosedale. Many notable figures of Wicca were recognized within this Coven. -
The Father of Wicca
Gerald Gardner, also known as 'The Father of Wicca', had given Wicca its name in his book "Witchcraft Today." He released this book on Witchcraft in 1954 to which he coined the term "Wica." The extra c was then later added in the 1960's -
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Wicca in the U.S
In the 1960's, Wicca began spread from England into neighboring Scotland and Ireland. Eventually, the craft eventually spread to other nations like Australia and the U.S. -
First U.S. Coven
During the early 1960's, Gerald Gardner introduced Wicca to Long Island resident Raymond Buckland, who founded the "Gardnerian Brentwood Coven," the first offical U.S. Wiccan coven -
Wicca in Film & Pop Culture
In 1970, Alex Sanders founded a strain of witchcraft known as Alexandrian Wicca. He gained recognition and fame from him autobiography as well as his film "Legend of the Witches." -
Wicca and the Feminist Movement
Also occurring in the 1970's were feminist influence. In 1971, Z. Budapest, a Wiccan activist, practiced Dianic Wicca. As a result, she formed the "Susan B. Anthony" coven, the first feminist coven in the U.S. Because of Budapest's influence, many more feminist covens were founded after. -
Official Religion
In 1986, Wicca was recognized as an official religion in the United States. It was deemed a religion through the Dettmer v. Landon court case. -
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Wicca Today
Currently, the number of Wiccans in the U.S ranges anywhere from 300,000 to 3 million believers. While the numbers have been proven difficult to estimate, Wicca has created a huge influence across the country and Europe, especially all over social media and pop culture.