Witchcraft or Wicca?
What is the difference? *Is* there a difference and do we need to be concerned about it?
Wicca, or often called "Traditional Wicca" is a modern religion that has been influenced by pre-Christian practices in many countries. Gerald Gardner is considered to be the primary founder of Traditional Wicca, and there are many offshoots of Gardnerian Wicca that fall under the Traditional Wicca umbrella and can trace their lineage back to Gardnerian. This form of Wicca is generally coven-oriented, initiatory and have degree-based systems of study.
Modern Wicca, unlike "Traditional Wicca" has a looser organizational foundation, often it is practiced by solitaries or covens that are self-initiatory, self-taught, may or may not have a degree system, and are usually more eclectic in practice. The 1980's brought another influence to Wicca, as many Wiccans began to define distinctions between Wicca and Witchcraft, and many Wiccans dropped the usage of the word "witch".
Why should we be concerned with this usage of labels? Wicca and Pagans in general claimed a great victory when the Military included Wicca in it's Chaplain's Handbook, however lumped under Wicca were such paths as Druidism, Asatru and others. This is highly inaccurate, and should have gone the opposite direction... The original entry should have listed Paganism or Neo-Paganism as the umbrella term, with Wicca, Druidism, etc under that heading. There are many who consider themselves Wiccan but not witches, or Pagans and witches but not Wiccan. These distinctions may not seem important to all of us, but they can be important to others, especially when we are seeking accurate and fair representation on official levels.
So how do we define these words, witch and Wiccan? Below you will find some opinions I have found, these opinions are not necessarily my own, nor do they reflect the official opinion of the ~*Druid Grove*~ Staff or membership.
- The word "witch" is inflammatory and should be avoided to prevent misunderstandings and misconceptions.
- The word "witch" should be reclaimed so that we can educate people on it's proper meaning to correct the damage that misconceptions have done.
- Witchcraft is the spirit within, Wicca is the spirit without.
- Witchcraft is the use of nature oriented system of magick... it is not a religion.
- Wicca is a religious dogma, Witchcraft is a personal spirituality.
- Wicca is a modern creation, influenced by history. Witchcraft is historically based, with little modern influence.
The majority of opinions I have read seemed to sway toward the "witchcraft is a system of magick, Wicca is religion" viewpoint. Some people consider themselves a witch, but not Wiccan. Rarely have I seen a Wiccan say they aren't a witch unless they believe the word to be too inflammatory to use or they just don't like the word. Believe it or not, I have seen a witch who does not consider themselves to be Wiccan or Pagan... in other words, they define themselves as "Christian witch".
So, which is right? In my opinion, there really is no right or wrong. What is most important is for each individual to decide what is right for them. What is right for YOU?
This page is maintained by habibidancer
last updated 4/22/01
