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The purpose of this project is to describe and graphically represent a religious place using human geographic terms and concepts. In addition to descriptive information about the site, this research situates a religious site geographically by 1) providing information on the global distribution of the religion; 2) by indicating the diffusion of the religion globally, nationally, locally; and 3) by communicating the uniqueness of place (i.e., how this site is unique for a religious community).

Wicca, according to the definition in Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe that affirms the existence of supernatural power (as magic) and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature and that emphasizes ritual observance of seasonal and life cycles,

The Circle Sanctuary was founded in 1974 by Selena Fox and her husband and is located in Barneveld, Wisconsin. It is a non-profit organization and a

legally recognized Wiccan Church. The primary location is a densely wooded 200 acre area that is used for nature meditations, to sponsor other

Wiccan gatherings, workshops, and encourage nature conservation.

The Circle Sanctuary also owns one of the first “green” cemeteries in Wisconsin called the “ Circle Cemetery.” Created in 1995 the Circle

Cemetery has become a very important part for those who wish to continue their life in the Wiccan faith after death. Also, with helping preserve

nature when buried bodies cannot be embalmed and must be placed in biodegradable caskets. Cremains are disbursed on the land as well. Within

the cemetery there is a specific place for Veterans to be buried called Veteran's Ridge. This is a very important part to the Circle Cemetery

because the headstones have a pentacle on them as a means of showing their faith.

The Circle Sanctuary, unlike most churches, only holds worship times on special events that are usually a weekend long. During these weekend long

events the participants, which are not always Wiccan, camp right on the Circle Sanctuary grounds and take part in different rituals that are usually help around a specific circle with a fire that burns in the middle. They also

take part in activities like burning prairies and taking measures to preserve other parts of the land.

On our visit, we were taken on a tour of the 200 acre expanse of the church’s land. We were shown projects centered on preserving the earth like the Savannah project, a project centered around preserving natural

Savannah lands on the acreage. Also, we were able to see the Stone Circle the Circle Sanctuary used for rituals and gatherings. The circle is made up of precious stones or rocks that had meaning. Their particular circle had pieces from the Wall of China and rubble from the World Trade Center. It

was a beautiful and eye opening experience.

Diffusion in Wisconsin of the Wicca religion came largely from person to person and online networking. Followers of the Wicca religion now a days is nothing in comparison to what it used to be. Because of the

internet there is a significant increase in the number of followers. Many of followers have created groups or organizations that help

them get together to worship and share their beliefs with each other..

Wicca is widely practiced throughout the state. However, unlike circle sanctuary, many practices don’t have a site to call their own and to practice at. Wicca, being an Earth based religion, can be practiced anywhere with available space and a connection to the Earth. The internet has made it easier for people that practice Wicca to meet at a predetermined place as a group to have rituals. These places are not always the same and vary upon the group. Sites like WiccanTogether.com and Northern Lakes Temple are websites for people of the Wiccan faith to come together

www.circlesanctuary.orgwww.spiritpathways.com/groups.html

www.religioustolerance.orgwww.wiccantogether.com/group/wiccansofwisconsin

www.wiccanspace.com/usa/wisconsinnorthern-lakes.org/

www.abc.net.au/religion/stories/s796571.htm

Although there is no official origin of Wicca, it is known that it started in 20th Century in the area that is now Great Britain. It started as a worship of nature and natural interactions

with nature by the Celtic clans and indigenous peoples of Western Europe.

The religion of Wicca is based off of Paganism—beliefs other than those of the main world religions. These people celebrated the Earth and held on to the belief that all living things have a spirit. The religion spread in countless ways, but is mostly untraceable because the

religion was practice in secret, and still is today, especially around the time of the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church.

Natural rock which became a serene place of worship.www.circlesanctuary.org

Veteran Memorial in the Circle

Cemeterywww.circlesanctuary.org

Full body burial at the Circle Cemetery

www.circlesanctuary.org

Although there is no official origin of Wicca, it is known that it started in 20th Century in the area that is now Great Britain. It started as a worship of nature and natural interactions with nature by the Celtic clans and indigenous peoples of Western Europe. It most likely spread through hierarchal diffusion and relocation diffusion. The religion of Wicca is based off of Paganism—beliefs other than those of the main world religions. These people celebrated the Earth and held on to the belief that all living things have a spirit. The religion spread in countless ways, but is mostly untraceable because the religion was practice in secret, and still is today, especially around the time of the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church. 

Stone Circle is located at the top of Ritual Mound and used for worship. It was started in 1983 as a ceremony sight. In the circle are the four

points- North which represents Earth, South which represents FireEast which represents Air and West which represents Water and at each

Of these points there are rocks that symbolize their meaning.When a person comes to Worship at the Stone circle they are to bring a rock.

The rocks are placedAll throughout the circle to continue its’ growth.

www.circlesanctuary.org