A question we’ve been getting frequently from our Wiccan community is about Dianic-Wicca meaning and Dianic tradition. This Wicca religion female-centered movement has been around for 5 decades or so, and it’s been influential to Wiccan tradition as a whole.
In this article, we will write about Dianic Wicca, its origins, and beliefs. Feel free to leave your questions or comments in the comments section below.
What Is Dianic Wicca? The Main Characteristics
Dianic Wicca (also known as Dianic Witchcraft) is a neopagan religion lineage that focuses on the feminine divine and the Goddess. This female-centered religion was created by a woman named Zsuzsanna Budapest in the United States by the 1970s.
It is a feminist form of Wicca with an emphasis on the Goddess, also known as “the female-only variety”. The religion is based on an Earth-centered philosophy and mainly focuses on egalitarian matriarchy. The main characteristics are that rituals are often performed by female practitioners only, in a circle, they follow the eight-fold path, and their teachings are rooted in the Earth.
In other words, Dianic Wiccans follow most of the Mainstream Wiccan traditions. But they focus on empowering women and fighting patriarchy in a more “extremist” way (by literally taking out “everything manly” from their Wiccan lineage). BTW these last couple sentences are my own perspective, do not quote anyone else on this.
Origins of Dianic Wicca
The roots of Dianic Wicca may be based on the Goddess Movement, which can be taken back to 30,000 years ago. But the modern Goddess Movement also emerged in the 1970s, so it’s pretty much contemporary with Dianic Wicca.
Dianic Wicca was created as a feminist movement in response to the sexism inherent in Gardnerian Wicca. It was created in the early 1970s when many women were struggling to break free from the confines of patriarchal society. The name “Dianic” comes from the Roman Goddess Diana, protector of women and wild nature (also known by her Greek name, Artemis). Dianic Wiccans believe that the Goddess, in her many forms, is their sole deity. Many Dianic Wiccans choose to worship the Goddess, Goddesses, and Demi-Goddesses. Some do not believe in a supreme deity, but instead, believe that the Goddess contains all goddesses, naming her the “Great Mystery” or “Great Goddess”.
Dianic Wicca vs Mainstream Wicca
Dianic Wicca is similar to Mainstream Wicca in many ways. Many traditions and tools like altars, spells, rituals, holidays, festivals, coven gatherings, among many others are shared between both Wiccan traditions. Where they really differentiate is Dianic Wicca’s female-centered standpoint.
Dianic Wicca is a feminist form of witchcraft that advocates female empowerment, while Wicca is a neopagan religion that often embraces and welcomes all genders.
Dianic Wicca Lineages
After Zsuzsanna Budapest’s lineage, some other “spinoff” movements with similar beliefs appeared. In addition to Budapest Dianic Wicca, some of the most prominent ones are:
- McFarland Dianic – Started by Morgan McFarland and Mark Roberts. This Dianic lineage accepts both male and female practitioners.
- The Living Temple of Diana – Started by Devin Hunter. This movement focus on their creed “We were created as a whole”, so they don’t have any gender limitations and accept male, female and transgender practitioners.
- Independent Dianic Witches – A lineage with similar beliefs and traditions as Budapest’s lineage, but non-Wiccan.
Many Dianic practitioners may not consider themselves part of any Dianic lineage, coven, or circle. Instead, they’re solitary practitioners by choice or current situation but follow Dianic traditions.
Conclusion/TL DR
Dianic Wicca is a female-centered Wiccan tradition that focuses on female empowerment and protection. It was started by Zsuzsanna Budapest in the 70s. It is very similar to Mainstream Wicca in many of their tools and rituals, but it differentiates since Dianic Wicca is a women-focused movement (while Mainstream Wicca doesn’t have any gender limitations). There are other lineages that consider themselves Dianic but accept all genders as well.
What is your opinion on Dianic Wicca? Do you think a female-centered Wiccan religion is needed, or should we all Wiccans be together as equals? Let us know in the comments below.