Author's note: This hub was written in response to a request that potentially covers a very broad, varied, and intricate topic. I certainly do not mean to offend anyone with any generalizations made here. Before you comment with "but that's not right!", please realize that I understand that Wicca is as individual as its followers. So please accept this hub for what it is - a small answer to a very big question.

However, if I've completely buggered something up - something that flies in the face of all Wiccan beliefs - I want to know.

"Wicca", as it appears in today's society, is a collection of spiritual beliefs and practices derived from pre-Christian Europe. The term itself is relatively new - it is attributed to Gerald Gardner, who popularized Wicca in 1954. As far as it exists as a "religion", it implies belief in a God and Goddess, is celebrated by eight nature-based festivals (which correspond with seasonal changes and events), and carries a simple moral code of "An Harm Ye None, Do What Ye Will".

Adherents of Wicca can either be sole practitioners, or belong to a coven - a gathering of like-minded practitioners who seek to teach and learn from each other while furthering the presence of Wicca.

Modern Wicca carries various influences, depending on the individual practitioner or coven - some incorporate Celtic influences into their practices, while others have more readily adapted their beliefs and rituals to modern culture.

The Goddess, as she appears in Wicca, is typically portrayed as a "triple Goddess" (maiden, mother, and crone), and is believed to be embodied in all aspects of nature.

The God, the male deity of the Wiccan belief system, is alternately viewed as a horned being representing sexuality and hunting, or as a "Green Man" figure that is an extension of nature itself.

Some followers of Wicca see the God and Goddess as having multiple forms, rather than just one. You will find that there are dozens of dieties that are honored/revered/worshipped under the wide umbrella of Wicca... too many to list in this short hub.

"Witchcraft" is a broader term which signifies the belief in, and use of, supernatural and magical powers. This differs from Wicca in two distinct ways: First, not every practitioner of Wicca chooses to use magic, as part of a ritual or otherwise. Second, the Wiccan rede (moral code) prohibits adherents from using magic for negative or destructive means. Witchcraft, conversely, does not necessarily attach a moral code to the use of magic or supernatural powers - thus, a follower of witchcraft can be seen as having freedom to engage in both good and bad (black) magic.

Wicca hasn't just recently been the subject of derision, insult, persecution, and strange looks... in fact, until very recently, the lines between Wicca and witchcraft have been non-existent in the eyes of the general populace. Lest we forget, it wasn't that long ago that Wiccans, practitioners of witchcraft, and people who were neither but seemed a bit odd, were hung/stoned/burned/tortured. The funny looks you get from the checkout lady at the supermarket are pretty tolerable by comparison.

Now, that said... the main reason Wicca is frowned upon in today's society is a simple matter of a lack of understanding. Most people in Western culture still don't understand the difference between Wicca followers and witchcraft practitioners. Plus, much of the Western world is, like it or not, rooted in Biblical teaching. You've probably heard the passage, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." (Exodus 22:18), and maybe even, "There shall not be found among you any one who maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination[...]or a witch." (Deuteronomy 18:10).

Regardless of the fact that "witch" meant something entirely different in those days (specifically, a woman who used spoken curses to injure people, destroy possessions, or generally wreak havoc), these mandates still have a strong presence in Western consciousness. And even though drowning/burning/hanging/subjection to election campaign advertisements is no longer considered in good taste, it will probably be a very long time before you can openly admit to being Wiccan without getting some pretty disapproving glares.