But modern wicca is not ancient. I would know, I practiced the stuff for years. There may be elements that go back to ancient times, sure, but the rituals made by Gardner are completely made up, a modern invention. Almost all wiccans practice some variation of those ritual inventions.
Freemasonry studies ancient mystery religions, so yeah they are ancient. How long has human sacrifice been around? Since ancient days.
But modern wicca is not ancient. I would know, I practiced the stuff for years. There may be elements that go back to ancient times, sure, but the rituals made by Gardner are completely made up, a modern invention. Almost all wiccans practice some variation of those ritual inventions.