Overview
Wicca is a modern form of pagan belief that is usually classed as a religion. It emerged in the mid-to-late 1940s and is often described as part of the wider neo-pagan revival of the 20th century.
Origins
The tradition most commonly associated with contemporary Wicca was developed and promoted by Gerald Gardner, a British occultist and author. Gardner brought the system to public attention through several books published in 1949, 1954 and 1959. These works included High Magic's Aid, Witchcraft Today and The Meaning of Witchcraft, which introduced many readers to the practices and ideas that shaped early Wiccan groups.
Name and terminology
Gardner used several labels for the belief system, referring to it at times as a "witch cult" and as "witchcraft." He also applied the terms "Wica" and, later, "Wicca" to its adherents. The word witch itself is related to older language forms: the term "wicca" appears in Old English with a meaning connected to witchcraft or a practitioner of magical arts. Followers of the modern movement are commonly called Wiccans.
Contemporary usage
Today the label Wicca functions as an umbrella for a variety of lineages and traditions that trace some part of their practice to Gardner's early formulations. Different groups emphasize diverse rituals, deities, and organizational structures, so Wicca covers a wide range of paths within contemporary paganism.