A lesser-known religion, Wicca draws on a set of diverse ancient pagan beliefs. It has no central authority, but is instead made up of autonomous followers across the world. Senior Olivia May, a follower of Wicca, emphasizes the religion’s custom of individuality.

“We have what’s our mantra, or our golden rule, that’s basically that you can do anything you want as long as you’re not hurting someone,” May said. “That’s definitely really big in my life. I don’t want to hurt anybody, I just want to be my best self on my own, independent, let everyone else grow and do their own thing.”

According to May, Wicca is more philosophical than religious, and it is individualized and personalized for each person.

“Something about Wicca, is that it’s ever-changing and that does make it timeless, and I think that more people are going to start converting to it,” May said. “It’s not a globalizing religion. It’s not something you’re born into. It’s something you can come into yourself.”

May said that due to the pagan aspects of her religion, she sometimes gets called a witch.

“I think the one that kind of hurts the most is when people call you a witch because it’s just so incorrect and I think they just don’t know what they’re talking about,” May said. “Wicca itself is not just about witchcraft, and neither is any other religion. Witchcraft is not a religious thing, it’s just something that you can do.”

May primarily practices through prayer, crystal healing, aromatherapy and observation of Wiccan holidays.

“I did a lot of research before converting to Wicca. There were lots of religions I was looking at, and I would not have chosen it if I had thought this were something sketchy or weird,” May said. “The biggest part of Wicca that we’re all our own person, we all need to do what we need to do to be happy, but you shouldn’t step on anyone else to be happy.”