How is Shinto related to Wicca?
This is where the Eastern religious meet the Western religious.
To begin with, Shinto is a traditional religion founded in Japan. In contrast, Wicca is launched in Europe. 明治維新
Shito is called ‘the way of the gods.’ They believe in elements of the earth, the water, the wind, etc., and even aspects like dead objects. Usually, if the dead object stays untouched for 100 years, it becomes yokai. Yokai are not necessarily bad for humans; some Yokai also help humans solve problems. They believe that both God and Yokai can be good or bad because they are just like humans with superpowers. According to Shito, when people die, they all become Budha (hotoke), unlike how Chinese Buddisum said we must pay our debt in the next life. This concept of becoming Hotoke comes from Indian Buddhism.
As for Wicca, they believe in the element of nature, but they practice witchcraft. They often go to the forest and seaside to make themselves to be more comfortable, and this can raise their connection with nature. They are pagans, but they are mostly closeted because of the witch-hunt. Unlike Shito, they practice witchcraft (to bring love candles to make wishes, so as writing spells, playing tarots, planting, and using those ingredients to make tea). People often misunderstand actual witchcraft, once they hear, Witchcraft, the image is associated with unfortunate events, and practicing it is to harm others or themselves. As for Wicca, we are responsible for this life only, the debt payment of the afterlife does not exist in Wicca’s concept.
Another significant difference is that they have their covents or practice witchcraft alone. Unlike Shinto when they went to the temple and asked for a blessing.
In conclusion, Shinto and Wicca have similarities as they were polytheistic. But to be sure, both Shinto and Wicca discourage and are not responsible for people who make a wish to harm themselves or other people.
