Why Wicca For African Americans?
In the almost 30 years that I have been practicing, one question often comes up to me by none students, and even people who are not African American. That question is, “Why would you want to practice Wicca?” or “Why not practice an African Tradition Religion?” My answer is always the same. I tell them that I don’t feel the need to practice an ATR because my African Ancestors reaches out to me through Wicca.
Understanding the Journey
I know that there are social pressures for melanated people to go to their spiritual roots and, in a sense, I definitely understand why. After all, we have been denied our spiritual culture of origin for many centuries. Our religion was replaced by a Westernized religion. Now in this time of a new spiritual awakening there is a movement to reclaim spiritual identity. There is a movement to not only reclaim the spirituality of the Ancestors, but also a movement to reclaim a spirituality that recognizes one’s own gender.
When I first began my spiritual journey, so many years ago, I did search for any mentor who could direct me to an African Tradition Religion. Unfortunately, ATR’s were not open to me. Finding someone was difficult. You had to know someone who was willing to initiate you. Personal computers were not around in those days, much less the Internet to find resources. The only people who were open to me were Witches. I was allowed in their open circles, they pointed me to resources and through meet ups they taught me the ways of magick.
Eventually I found Wicca. Since it is in my nature to seek light work, it was a perfect match for me. Since I had a religious nature, it felt right. I felt no need to be led by a pastor, Priest or spiritual leader, because I felt I was already being led by Higher-Self. I wanted to be my own Priestess, because I never was good at adhering to the will of pastors or Christian leaders anyway. I questioned and doubted too much, and especially when their advice would go against my own personal beliefs and understanding. While eventually I was initiated, I never felt a sense of heavy handedness from my Priest. He was patient and never asked me for much money other than the very minor amount I paid for my schooling with him.
When I first began my spiritual journey, so many years ago, I did search for any mentor who could direct me to an African Tradition Religion. Unfortunately, ATR’s were not open to me. Finding someone was difficult. You had to know someone who was willing to initiate you. Personal computers were not around in those days, much less the Internet to find resources. The only people who were open to me were Witches. I was allowed in their open circles, they pointed me to resources and through meet ups they taught me the ways of magick.
Eventually I found Wicca. Since it is in my nature to seek light work, it was a perfect match for me. Since I had a religious nature, it felt right. I felt no need to be led by a pastor, Priest or spiritual leader, because I felt I was already being led by Higher-Self. I wanted to be my own Priestess, because I never was good at adhering to the will of pastors or Christian leaders anyway. I questioned and doubted too much, and especially when their advice would go against my own personal beliefs and understanding. While eventually I was initiated, I never felt a sense of heavy handedness from my Priest. He was patient and never asked me for much money other than the very minor amount I paid for my schooling with him.
Depends on You
So let me come back to the question of “Why Wicca for African Americans?”
I would say it depends on the person. Everything is not for everybody. African Traditional Religions are important for many because of the spiritual connection of the homeland that is needed for many. However, many of us get that spiritual connection from working with Orisha, Loas, other African pantheons or other modalities.
Many students who take the basic course have told me that they started with Wicca or Witchcraft, went to ATR’s and came back to Wicca because they realized the African Traditional Practice was not for them. A few have even expressed to me their feelings that taking the AAW Course “was like coming back home.”
Many students who take the basic course have told me that they started with Wicca or Witchcraft, went to ATR’s and came back to Wicca because they realized the African Traditional Practice was not for them. A few have even expressed to me their feelings that taking the AAW Course “was like coming back home.”
But Is Wicca Right for you?
This is a good question. Here are a few bullet points that may help you answer that question. Wicca may be right for you if:
You seek to find or explore the Divine Feminine.
Most religions place emphasis on the male deity. Even African Traditional Religions that are polytheistic in nature may place the female deities in less important roles because it is more male driven. In Wicca the role of deity is based on your own priority and your own choice. In Wiccan circles speaking of the Goddess is not only acceptable but it is normalized. Wicca encourages one to find the Divine Goddess and or the Divine God in oneself.
You like the idea of Wicca but it troubles you that you feel it is just another Westernized religion.
While it is said that Wicca comes from Westernized ideas, Wicca is basic witchcraft, and witchcraft is the oldest religion. No other religion is older than witchcraft. Witchcraft originated from every area all around the world. Furthermore, while Gerald Gardner introduced Wicca in his writings, it was taught to him by other Witches in the coven that he was initiated in. It is said that these Witches got their teachings from organizations like the Golden Dawn, and it is very well known that the Golden Dawn learned their techniques from the ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.
You are a man. You are interested in Wicca, but do not feel Wicca is open to you.
Actually, many men are Wiccan. It is actually becoming more popular with men for many reasons. Many feel the need to find balance of both the Goddess and God. Many men like the convenience of Wicca without the initiation. And many men know that Wicca is well rooted in fundamental magick, and is a great modality to learn and engage.
You seek your own autonomy and to be free to practice as you will without the constant instructions of spiritual leaders.
In Wicca you have the choice to worship on your own (solitary practitioner) or you can join a circle with other people and be added by a Priestess or Priest. Depending on the circle you can be as free as you wish or work closely with the spiritual leader. If you join a circle and later decide that you no longer want to be under a Priest or Priestess you can leave the circle. This will not make you any more or any less of a Wiccan. In Wicca no initiation is needed. Many people have chosen to self- initiate oneself.
You wish to be Wiccan and you would also like to practice or continue to practice another religion like Buddhist, Christian or Bahai for example.
Many people are Wiccan and are also connect to other religions. This does not make you any less of a Wiccan. As a matter of fact, any other spirituality that you practice can only enhance your Wiccan practice. Many people are Jewish Wiccans, Christian Wiccans, Buddhist Wiccans, Kemetic Wiccans or etc.
You want to incorporate African Deities, and not European deities in your practice, or you want the right to not exclude any deities.
Wicca is a very accommodating religion. You can incorporate any pantheon you wish in your spiritual practice. You can pay homage to any deity that speaks to you, calls to you or that you feel is close to you. How you wish to practice it totally up to you and your higher consciousness. Personally, once I started the metaphysical path, I was called by an Orisha before I knew who She was. So I am more than confident that all patron deities are energies that work through the blood and the spirit, and not necessarily through a particular religion or initiation.
You don’t want to pay a lot for initiations or pay a lot to be a Wiccan.
Wicca does not require you to pay anything if you do not wish to. While some circles may charge some membership fees or ask for contributions for the circle or coven, usually those fees are minimal. But again, you don’t have to join any circle or coven. Most people read books, take online courses like this one or watch videos to learn the basics. If you would like to join a coven, I would suggest you shop around to see what each circle has to offer. There are also many online circles. You don't even have to pay much for your spiritual practice. Many people practice inexpensively by just using natural elements or inexpensive items.
You seek to find or explore the Divine Feminine.
Most religions place emphasis on the male deity. Even African Traditional Religions that are polytheistic in nature may place the female deities in less important roles because it is more male driven. In Wicca the role of deity is based on your own priority and your own choice. In Wiccan circles speaking of the Goddess is not only acceptable but it is normalized. Wicca encourages one to find the Divine Goddess and or the Divine God in oneself.
You like the idea of Wicca but it troubles you that you feel it is just another Westernized religion.
While it is said that Wicca comes from Westernized ideas, Wicca is basic witchcraft, and witchcraft is the oldest religion. No other religion is older than witchcraft. Witchcraft originated from every area all around the world. Furthermore, while Gerald Gardner introduced Wicca in his writings, it was taught to him by other Witches in the coven that he was initiated in. It is said that these Witches got their teachings from organizations like the Golden Dawn, and it is very well known that the Golden Dawn learned their techniques from the ancient Egyptian Mystery Schools.
You are a man. You are interested in Wicca, but do not feel Wicca is open to you.
Actually, many men are Wiccan. It is actually becoming more popular with men for many reasons. Many feel the need to find balance of both the Goddess and God. Many men like the convenience of Wicca without the initiation. And many men know that Wicca is well rooted in fundamental magick, and is a great modality to learn and engage.
You seek your own autonomy and to be free to practice as you will without the constant instructions of spiritual leaders.
In Wicca you have the choice to worship on your own (solitary practitioner) or you can join a circle with other people and be added by a Priestess or Priest. Depending on the circle you can be as free as you wish or work closely with the spiritual leader. If you join a circle and later decide that you no longer want to be under a Priest or Priestess you can leave the circle. This will not make you any more or any less of a Wiccan. In Wicca no initiation is needed. Many people have chosen to self- initiate oneself.
You wish to be Wiccan and you would also like to practice or continue to practice another religion like Buddhist, Christian or Bahai for example.
Many people are Wiccan and are also connect to other religions. This does not make you any less of a Wiccan. As a matter of fact, any other spirituality that you practice can only enhance your Wiccan practice. Many people are Jewish Wiccans, Christian Wiccans, Buddhist Wiccans, Kemetic Wiccans or etc.
You want to incorporate African Deities, and not European deities in your practice, or you want the right to not exclude any deities.
Wicca is a very accommodating religion. You can incorporate any pantheon you wish in your spiritual practice. You can pay homage to any deity that speaks to you, calls to you or that you feel is close to you. How you wish to practice it totally up to you and your higher consciousness. Personally, once I started the metaphysical path, I was called by an Orisha before I knew who She was. So I am more than confident that all patron deities are energies that work through the blood and the spirit, and not necessarily through a particular religion or initiation.
You don’t want to pay a lot for initiations or pay a lot to be a Wiccan.
Wicca does not require you to pay anything if you do not wish to. While some circles may charge some membership fees or ask for contributions for the circle or coven, usually those fees are minimal. But again, you don’t have to join any circle or coven. Most people read books, take online courses like this one or watch videos to learn the basics. If you would like to join a coven, I would suggest you shop around to see what each circle has to offer. There are also many online circles. You don't even have to pay much for your spiritual practice. Many people practice inexpensively by just using natural elements or inexpensive items.
In Summary
If any of the bullet points are not for you, then I would have to say Wicca is not for you, and perhaps an African Based Religion has more to offer you for your spiritual needs. ATR’s are steeped in rich Motherland traditions and fashions. They only use the pantheons that are native to their practices. And, if you are one who needs intense hands-on spiritual direction, then African traditions can offer that as you work under, for example, a Priest Iyanifa (female) or Babalawo (male). Initiations can be very costly, but many think of it as a spiritual sacrifice for their ascension. ATR’s offer both the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine, however the Divine Feminine is not as pronounced, and the female patrons have lower statures than the male aspects in the African Patheon.
You may want to look into Wicca. While it may not be for everyone it definitely does not hurt to explore its magickal and spiritual possibilities.
You may want to look into Wicca. While it may not be for everyone it definitely does not hurt to explore its magickal and spiritual possibilities.
In Wicca, while the Goddess is central to the religion, but both the male and female aspect are considered divine. It is your choice of what deity or deities you pay homage to, and how. This brings balance to the soul and is good for those who seek balance from a world of spiritual patriarchy.
While much of the lore, stories and holidays originated from Western culture, much of its practices pay homage to the seasons, which are similar to the secular holidays and practices that we all do today. For example: Yule and Christmas, or Ostara and Easter. They are the same holiday but just different names and different ways to look at them.
Wiccans are either solitary practitioners or they attend covens. There is no mandatory rule to be initiated or work under a Priestess or Priest. Your studies can be what you wish them to be. The gods and goddesses you choose are up to you. You can apply Asian, African, Celtic, Egyptian or even Sumerian pantheons to your practice and rituals.
As I said before, you may want to consider looking into Wicca. While it may not be for everyone it definitely does not hurt to explore its magickal and spiritual possibilities.
While much of the lore, stories and holidays originated from Western culture, much of its practices pay homage to the seasons, which are similar to the secular holidays and practices that we all do today. For example: Yule and Christmas, or Ostara and Easter. They are the same holiday but just different names and different ways to look at them.
Wiccans are either solitary practitioners or they attend covens. There is no mandatory rule to be initiated or work under a Priestess or Priest. Your studies can be what you wish them to be. The gods and goddesses you choose are up to you. You can apply Asian, African, Celtic, Egyptian or even Sumerian pantheons to your practice and rituals.
As I said before, you may want to consider looking into Wicca. While it may not be for everyone it definitely does not hurt to explore its magickal and spiritual possibilities.