The Role of Men in Wicca

The Role of Men in Wicca

When discussing gender in relation to Wicca, usually the sacred feminine and sacred masculine come up. When looking at correspondences, the energy will often be listed as feminine or masculine. Water and Earth are feminine, for example, while Fire and Air are masculine. Many Wiccan traditions believe in a God and a Goddess that represent all the aspects of nature. Gender is discussed this way in all aspects of the Craft, with the masculine being viewed as powerful and sacred just as the feminine is. Though this binary is often a focus in Wicca, it can be argued that there also exist energies of the non-binary or multi-gendered throughout the Craft as well.

It’s no wonder that women find Wicca and other Pagan traditions attractive. Most are feminist in that everyone is viewed equally and holds equal power. For example, there will usually be both a High Priestess and a High Priest in mixed covens. With many mainstream religions being patriarchal to the point they subjugate women, stripping them of power and agency, Wicca and Pagan sects offer a faith that embraces their feminine power rather than trying to stifle it.

Contemporary media also puts the focus on the female when it comes to portraying witches. Though there are some male witches in shows like The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, most iterations of witches and witchcraft revolve around women. Think of The Craft, Charmed, The Witches, Practical Magic, Witches of Eastwick, even Bewitched. The focus is primarily female in relation to witchcraft. Even the popular Harry Potter book series portrays women as witches and men as wizards.

With these pop culture frames of reference and the inherent nature of the Craft attracting women, it is perhaps not surprising that there is a common misconception that Wicca is purely female-focused and a religion only for women and non-binary practitioners. With this misconception that Wicca and other Pagan traditions are exclusively female-focused, it leaves some to believe there isn’t a place for male Witches in Wicca. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Though Wicca obviously has its roots in pagan traditions that are centuries old, the modern Wiccan religion was brought about largely by a man named Gerald Gardner. Many religious texts still used today were written by Gardner in the 1940s and 1950s. Gardnerian Wicca is so named because it follows the traditions, rites, and rituals Gerald Gardner started with his coven. He is known as the “Father of Wicca.” Hard to argue that there is no place for men in a religion largely shaped by a male witch, isn’t it? Even predating the modern revival of Pagan traditions by Gardner, the witch trials across Europe and the Americas saw many men accused of witchcraft and executed or jailed based on those accusations.

That isn’t to say there aren’t female-only spaces in Wicca. Dianic Wicca is solely focused on the feminine, and its covens are usually strictly women-only. Some Wiccan covens choose to be female only, allowing a safe space from any patriarchal influence. So, as a man or non-binary person looking to become initiated in the Craft, if you encounter a women-only group, simply move on and keep looking. Online communities are especially great for finding kinship in the practice, learning, and meeting others of the same or similar faith. With the socially constructed gender binary slowly beginning to dissipate, you’ll find some changes to the Craft and covens. While some won’t change, others will adjust their practices to be as inclusive as possible. If you are ready to learn more about Wicca and begin practicing, there is a place for you to do so no matter your sex or gender—you just have to find it.

For solo practitioners, it seems much easier. Pick up a few books and get started! And there are many books out there focused on men in Wicca. You may find, though, that some of the more general texts feel female focused. How then, as a man or non-binary person, do you make these spells, rituals, and rites work for you?

The great thing about Wicca is that it is not written in stone! Take any ritual or spell and make adjustments, so it fits you. For example, if a spell is written “I am a daughter of the Goddess,” you could instead make that “I am a son of the God,” “I am a son of the Goddess,” “I am a Child of the Universe,” “I am a Child of the Sun and Moon,” or any combination thereof or something entirely different. Do what feels right for you personally. This holds not just for something such as sex and gender but anything that needs to be tweaked to make sure the spell is truly in line with you. If a word feels off, there is no reason not to change it to something that best fits you. Though often practiced in groups, Wicca is a deeply personal belief system, and your spells and rituals should reflect that.

Some rites, spells, and rituals, however, should remain with their gendered language. A rite honoring mothers should maintain its focus on motherhood and the sacred feminine, with adjustments only coming as it pertains to your personal sex or gender. A dedication to the Horned God should not be refocused on the feminine, as it is meant as a celebration of the masculine. It is important to note that we all have a multitude of energies inside us. So if you are comfortable as a man calling on your feminine aspects (or as a woman calling on your masculine), you may not need to change the language that much in some rites and spells.

While there are many ways to practice Wicca, and some are indeed more female-focused, there is absolutely a place in Wicca for anyone who wants it, regardless of their sex or gender.