WICCA241(1689), Discourses (1701), and Moral and
Religious Aphorisms (1703).
WHITEHEAD, ALFRED NORTH
(1861–1947). A mathematician and phi-
losopher who was highly influential in
promoting what is called process theism
or process philosophy. After co-authoring
Principia Mathematica (1910–1913, with
Bertrand Russell), a work that sought
to derive mathematics from logic,
Whitehead turned to metaphysics. He
developed an account of God’s relation to
the world in and through processes as
opposed to articulating a philosophical
theology involving substances. In Science
and the Modern World (1925), Whitehead
defended the view that the emergence of
modern science in the West was indebted
to theism. His most important work for
the philosophy of religion is Process and
Reality (1929).
WICCA. An earth-based religion, Wicca
involves working with the powers and
spirits of the world to produce white
magick. Wiccans worship both a Lord and
a Lady (the God and the Goddess) and
many lesser deities, including Diana,
Brigid, Apollo, and many more who rep-
resent different aspects of the Lord and
Lady. The Wiccan creed, ending “And it
harm none, do as you will,” provides a
basis for the practice of magick; this is
also referred to as karma. Wicca has no
official doctrines that all must follow, but
all practitioners subscribe to some varia-
tion of the Wiccan creed:Bide The Wiccan Law Ye Must
In Perfect Love, In Perfect Trust
Eight Words The Wiccan Rede Fulfill:
An Ye Harm None, Do As Ye Will.
And Ever Mind The Rule Of Three:
What Ye Send Out, Comes Back To Thee.
Follow This With Mind And Heart,
And Merry Ye Meet, And Merry Ye Part.Wiccans have eight holidays, or Sabbats,
that center around the changing of the
seasons: Imbolc (February 2), Ostara
(March 21, the Spring Equinox), Beltane
(May 1), Mid-summer (June 22, the
Summer Solstice), Lammas (August 1),
Mabon (September 21, the Autumn
Equinox), Samhain (October 31), and
Yule (December 22, the Winter Solstice).
When a person wants to begin practic-
ing Wicca, he or she is expected to study
the tradition solitarily and after a few
years, if desired, seek out an experienced
witch to further the his or her knowledge.
Witches (referring to both men and
women) can practice alone or in groups,
called covens. Within a coven, the most
experienced witch, known as the high
priestess, leads the worship services.
Because there is no doctrine or required
beliefs or practices, each coven or witch
practices differently. A typical worship
or spellcasting will begin with creating
a sacred circle and inviting in deities
from the four directions (north, south,
east, and west) to be a part of the service.