Are Wicca and Satanism one and the same thing? Wiccans are often lumped into the same category as Satanists when in reality the two belief systems share very little in common. In fact, Wicca and Satanism are completely different belief systems and can actually be considered the complete opposite of each other.

It is true that the terms “Satanism”, “Paganism” and “Witchcraft” can have many different interpretations. However the term “Wicca” has only one accepted definition amongst its practitioners. Wicca and Satanism could never be one and the same since a Wicca does not recognize the existence of Satan. However the word Satanism does apply to a range of religious traditions.

While many still view Wicca and Satanism as the same thing, Satanism in a distinct religion. The Church of Satan is the largest organized group of Satanists. To these groups Satan is a pre-Christian symbol of pleasure, virility, and strength; not a living entity. They use the Sigil of Baphomet as their prime symbol i.e. a goat’s head, drawn within an inverted pentagram (5-pointed star with one point downward and two up), and encircled. This kind of Satanist does do rituals, either alone or within a group.

The Temple of Set worships Satan as a pre-Christian deity (the Egyptian god Set). They use as their symbol a simple inverted pentagram in a circle and meet in temples. Some Satanists engage in black magic rituals intended to harm others. This would never be allowed under the Wiccan Rede which prohibits the use of magic for harm or manipulation. This is another way in which Wicca and Satanism are diametrically opposed.

Wiccans do not practice black magic, do spells to harm others or make animal sacrifices as is the case with some Satanists. Wiccans worship a Goddess and a God (sometimes only a Goddess) and do not recognize Satan or other supernatural evil beings at all. Wicca and Satanism can therefore not be connected in any way.

The prime Wiccan symbol of the upright pentagram or pentacle is the exact opposite to the symbol used by Satanists in their worship. Wiccans meet in covens not grottos or temples. Wiccans do not align themselves with the Christian God or Devil. Their God and Goddess have no connection to these symbols of good and evil. Wicca and Satanism cannot be lumped into the same category based on this view alone.

While Wicca and Satanism are often viewed by Christians as being the same religion this is obviously not based on an understanding of the beliefs and ethics of the Wiccan. The three interpretations of Wicca deity can be summed up as follows, and understanding these concepts will help to dispel the myth that Wiccan and Satanism are in any way related:

1) The Wicca deity – God and Goddess together make up a whole being. This is like saying that the God and Goddess are part of the same coin and therefore equal. There is never any mention of Wicca and Satanism in the same breath.

2) Other Wiccans do not believe in the existence of two deities. Instead they believe only in the Goddess. This is a feature of what is known as Dianic Wicca, in which most members are female. Another reason why Wicca and Satanism are not related in any way – Satan is definitely a male energy.

3) Another view of Wicca deity is that the Goddess gave birth to the God. While both are seen as important the Goddess is believed to be the primary force in the universe, not the male energy. Wicca and Satanism are poles apart in this respect.

Because Christians believe that there are only two supernatural forces acting in the world today i.e. God and Satan it is very difficult for these groups to understand the God and Goddess worship practiced by Wiccans or any other faith for that matter. While Wicca and Satanism are likely to continue to be lumped into the same category the beginner Wicca should never confuse the two.