Phyllis ,
I own (and have read) a number of books on both Wicca and pre-Christian Celtic religions, so I'm familiar with the terms. Once had a subscription to Green Egg, too.
Phyllis , let me preface the following by saying it is NOT aimed at YOU or any other individual on this board! I don't know your particular beliefs, nor I am a position to judge you as a person even if I did! However, it's been a tough day, so please indulge me in a little rant against "some" Wiccans:
While I respect almost all religions that don't feature wanton rock-throwing and unrestrained hate, I have developed a little bit of scepticism about the agenda (if not the practice) of some who follow Wicca.
It seems that many (if not most) Wiccans have a "cafeteria feminist" approach to doctrine, gladly scarfing up any and all beliefs that will validate their "I am Woman" and "men are pigs" and "matriarchal Europe was a feminist paradise before those patriarchal Indo-Europeans came invading" bias. Blah blah blah.
Now, altho I respect both for their devoutness and good works, I also have many problems with the "exclude-female" practices of both Catholicism and most of the Southern Baptist churches, and truly believe that the former at least will eventually and rightly be superseded by a "new" Catholicism, independent of Rome, that gives women full equality in the clergy. (My wife and I were both Catholic as kids, and she still attends Mass occasionally altho a practicing Protestant.)
However, both the Catholic and Baptist faith structures cited feature an acceptance of women that is in no way paralleled for men in many branches of Wicca. In such cases, about the only men who participate are gay and therefore no "threat" to the militants.
Sorry, but I believe the purpose of religion is to give us a benchmark and meaning for our lives while at the same time leading us to glorify God, in whatever aspect you perceive God. It's not simply to validate our own little prejudices.
The Mass is ended, go in peace. : )