Wicca
A new religious movement developed and popularized by Gerald Gardner in the mid-20th century, Wicca represents an effort to return to pre-Christian beliefs and practices from ancient Europe. It has no central authority structure or canon, but Wiccans usually form autonomous communities called covens. What unites them is a reverence for the forces of nature and for the divine feminine that they believe has been neglected by Christianity. Many Wiccans also practice magic rituals that feature symbols like brooms, wands, and crystals. Feared or despised by some Christians, they are often forced to insist that they are peaceful and do not worship the Devil.