**Witch or Wiccan?**
Warlock came from the Old English word - "Oath breaker". Then in the 1400's, warlock came to mean "liar". Therefore, if you happen to call a male witch a warlock, then it is a rather nasty insult.
The words wizard and sorcerer can be interchangable, just as the term witch, either male or female. Wizard is derived from a term meaning "wise" and sorcerer means "witch" or "diviner". Wizard and Sorcerer isn't as common today.
Witch comes from the heritage of helping and healing individuals in their communities. Wice, the Anglo-Saxon term meaning "one who prctice's socerery" is the root of the words Witch and Wicca. At the beginning the term applied equeally to wise men and women, to those who practiced herbcraft or the cunning arts. After the crusades, the term carried rather negative connotations for both men and women.
Centuries ago, before the Burning Times, most witches learned their art as a part of the Family Traditon - from parents and grandparents. They also passed on their own sense of morality - right and wrong.
Witches do not have to believe in the Devine in order to perform magick. Witches don't necessarily have a code or tradition to adhere to, unless by family customs; however, this does not mean Witches don't recognize Karma, or don't possess a personal code of ethics.
Wicca A term coined by Gerald Gardner in 1950's to popularize The Craft and to renew the Old Religion of Witches...now known as Wicca.
The methods and tools of the Wiccan are often the same as those used by the Witches of yester-year and of today. The main difference is that Wicca is considered a relgion and a legal one in the States and in Canada. (What about the UK? Please let me know) This religion has specific rituals, moral codes, similiar to other faiths, as well as we celebrate religious holidays, which are known as Sabbats.
Wiccans follow specific Goddess and/or God, as well as honor several deities. The deities are chosen by the individual, group or coven, magickal tradition or the cultural interests of the country. Some of the more popular choices include: Apollo - Greece & Rome; Brigid - Celtic; Dagda - Ireland; Diana- Rome; Hectate - Greece; Herne - Celtic; Isis - Egypt; Pan - Greece.
Another difference is that Witches may or may not be concerned with any potential results of their spells or rituals. However, Wiccans are morally bound by the Three Fold Law - Karma. Nevertheless, this does not mean that all Witches lack respect toward the magickal energy and power; nor does it mean they are immoral or unethical.
The terms for the Modern Religion of the Oldest Religion, do they confuse you? They confuse me. I have been trying to clarify the meaning of Pagan, Wiccan and Witch, in my mind and on paper. There are various meanings of the above as well as personal views. When asked whether I am Wiccan, Pagan or A Witch; I would like to say all three.
Paganism is the overall term for Earth-Based Religions.
Witchcraft is the Religion of the Witch.
Wiccans are the Modern Day Witch?
Silver Ravenwolf believes that there are no differences between Wicca and Witchcraft.
Wiccans see themselves in tune with natural forces, to raise personal and natural forces; rituals for the Full and New Moons, we follow the phases of the moon; and celebrate the Sabbats and the Equinoxes and Solstices.
We honor the Old Goddesses and Gods of various times and places - Greek, Roman, Chinese, Celtic, Egyptian, Nordic and others. We honor The Triple Goddess of the Waxing, Full and Waning moon, and the Horned God of the Sun and Animal Life.
We believe that we each have within ourselves that the capacity to reach out and experience the mystery that is called Life.
Why are Witches not necessarily Wiccan? The short answer is that Witchcraf implies a methodology (the use of magick), whereas the word Wiccan refers to a person who as adopted a specific religious philosophy.
Morgan 12/02
