In my family, we view religion as our own personal decision; different for each individual. All of the children in the Meyer family were encouraged to explore religions and find the one that works best for us. As a child, I was looking for a religion that I could identify with. I wanted to get in touch with nature and myself. I explored many different religions but found no connection to them. My grandmother, a few cousins, and an aunt practice Wicca, and when I was nine years old, I immediately became interested in the practice. I quickly felt like I belonged somewhere and had a purpose. My grandmother took me under her wing and I studied and practiced under her supervision. My grandmother is a high priestess, the equivalent of a minister or priest, and was therefore qualified to instruct me in Wicca. During my teenage years, I learned a lot about Wicca and practice it devotedly every day. There are plenty of non-believers and some extremists who aim to harm Wiccans, but Wicca is neither violent nor evil. Wicca is a beautiful and exciting religion, based in itself and nature, and which focuses on life's journey through knowledge, wisdom and exploration. The history of Wicca is strange because Wicca, unlike many other religions, does not go back thousands of years. years. Wicca is a New Age denomination originating from the centuries-old practices of paganism, Hebrew mysticism, and Greek folklore. The name “Wicca” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “wicce” which translates to one who practices witchcraft or herbal crafts (Wicca-Butler). Ancient Pagan-European tribes practiced ancient magic that is very similar to Wiccan practices today. These pagans used rituals to use the energy of nature to grant their people whatever they needed or desired, including...... middle of paper...... "PANTHEON. Np, January 17, 2011. Web. March 21, 2014. Herne. “What is Wicca, Witchcraft and Paganism?” March 2014. Mankey, Jason. “Becoming a High Priestess” Raise the Horns, October 7, 2013. Web March 24, 2014. Robinson, BA “Partly Real; Partly Imaginary.” Np, January 30, 2014. Web. March 31, 2014. Rose, Evylyn. “Site Menu.” MIM-Elements in Wicca. Np, 2012. Web. March 21, 2014. Rose, Evylyn. “Site menu”. MIM-Wiccan Rede, 2012. Web March 21, 2014. Rose, Evylyn. “Site menu”. “Afterlife in Wicca.” Afterlife in Wicca Np, May 14, 2000. Web March 31, 2014. "Wicca" - Butler University, March 21.. 2014.