Wicca originated in 1940s Britain via Gerald Gardner's claimed initiation into nonexistent New Forest coven. Gardner drew from discredited Margaret Murray theory of prehistoric witch cults worshiping Horned God and Goddess. Average Wiccan is white male in 40s or female in 30s from lower middle class. Religion worships Triple Goddess and Horned God as dualistic nature deities or panteistic aspects. Practitioners perform ceremonial magic aligning with Wiccan Rede: harm none, do what ye will. Core ethic includes Threefold Law: actions return threefold. Celebrates eight seasonal sabbats in Wheel of the Year. Beliefs range from dualism to monotheism, atheism, viewing gods as archetypes. Reincarnation common with soul resting in Summerland between lives. Rites often skyclad or involve symbolic Great Rite sex magic. Splintered into Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Dianic, and eclectic traditions post-1964. Pentagram symbolizes five elements: earth, air, fire, water, spirit. Kowens limited to 13 members led by high priestess and priest. Solo eclectic Wiccans outnumber coven-initiated ones. Polish Wicca emerged post-1989, mostly eclectic without registration. Critics like Stark predicted quick extinction but growth continues among tech workers.