Defining Twin Cities Wicca: The Emergence of Wicca as a Polyaffiliated Pagan Movement

Abstract

An exploration of the literature associated Wicca and Paganism. Bibliographies and narratives are studied to determine the most influential authors and practitioners in the Wiccan and Pagan tradition. The history of Wicca from England to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, the focus of this study, is outlined. Building on Murphy Pizza’s ethnographical research of Wicca in Paganistan (the Twin Cities), I confirmed Pizza’s hypothesis of Paganistan Wiccans polyaffiliating with a variety of Pagan traditions. Eight factors contributing to the erosion of Gardnerian Wicca are introduced, and recent trends of Wiccans polyaffiliating are detailed. Rodney Stark’s theoretical model for predicting the future success or failure of a new religious movement is utilized to forecast Wicca and Paganism in the Twin Cities. Challenges for Christians evangelizing Wiccans and Pagans are discussed, and nine perspectives are offered for Christians seeking to engage Wiccans and Pagans with the gospel. Avenues for further research into Wicca and Paganism are suggested.