Wicca, Witchcraft

[ladyrowan]

Not being either, i don't really know the difference between the two.

Can sometime enlighten me please?

[Faolan]

hmm, well I see Wicca as a worshiper, someone who follows The Lord and Lady, and worships them. Witchcraft is the spells part, rituals, incantations, stuff like that. just my opinion, not sure if I'm right.

[ladyrowan]

Now you've really confused me.

I thought a Wiccan was one who followed Wicca, as opposed to a Witch who is into Witchcraft.

Are they not different 'branches' of the same, or similar, path?

[Myst]

Depends on who you ask. There are a few trains of thought;

1. They are the same, and the two words can be used interchangeably.

2. Witchcraft is just the magickal part, Wicca is a religion based on a Lord & Lady. Witchcraft can be practiced within Wicca or with other religions such as Catholicism, etc.

3. Wiccans always follow the Rede no matter what, Witches don't. Wiccans believe you always work positively and with positive energy.

4. Wiccans are new age whereas Witches follow the "old religion" - ie. Wicca is neo-Pagan, Witchcraft is hereditary and an ancient religion. Witchcraft is passed down from generation to generation and Wicca's new-age.

5. Witches belong to a coven, Wiccans don't have to.

[Laiste]

Originally posted by WillowRaven
Depends on who you ask. There are a few trains of thought;

1. They are the same, and the two words can be used interchangeably.

2. Witchcraft is just the magickal part, Wicca is a religion based on a Lord & Lady. Witchcraft can be practiced within Wicca or with other religions such as Catholicism, etc.

3. Wiccans always follow the Rede no matter what, Witches don't. Wiccans believe you always work positively and with positive energy.

4. Wiccans are new age whereas Witches follow the "old religion" - ie. Wicca is neo-Pagan, Witchcraft is hereditary and an ancient religion. Witchcraft is passed down from generation to generation and Wicca's new-age.

5. Witches belong to a coven, Wiccans don't have to.



Ok I get what you said in 1-4 but have to dissagree with 5 It is my understanding that there are many solitary Witches. I actually consider myself one. I do not follow any one path I incorporate bits and pieces of what I see fit for my puposes.

Blessed Be,

laiste

[Myst]

That's ok, I don't necessarily agree with any of them. Those are just the ideas I've heard :)

[Armitage]

My understanding is that Wicca is a religion, but Witchcraft is the crafting of magick. One can be Wiccan but not a Witch, or vice-versa, or both.

[D~M]

I always thought it was like all witches are pagans, but not all pagans are witches, and all wiccans are witches, but not all witches are wiccans type of thing:D

[Myst]

You can think of it that way too but then you ask why aren't all Witches and Wiccans and so on and so on. So yeah that's an answer but not really a complete one.

[Black Magic]

I always thought that they were the same but I don't know much

[Myst]

Merry Meet and Welcome Black Magic!! A lot of people think of them as the same too.

[ladyrowan]

Thankyou everyone, that was as clear as mud! haha

So really it's just the normal sort of general pagan answer - it means something different to everyone! haaaaa

[Myst]

hehe yup

it's confusing but kinda great too :)

[ladyrowan]

Now I know how I must sound to other people when they ask me what a Druid is!

[Armitage]

lol...Getting a clear answer out of this group is like herding cats...:D

[Isis]

Hey all,


Thought I'd weigh in on this if you don't mind. The way I understand it is there is a difference in the rede. Basically if you do harm to a witch, intentionally trying to destroy her home, livelihood, or family he/she'll come at you with everything in their reptoire.

Also, I'm a solitary. Most witches practice as solitaries for many different reasons.

Well, I suppose that's all I have to say for now, LOL.

Isis

[Myst]

haha I recognize the "herding cats" reference from Amber K's "CovenCraft".... :uzi:

[gunner]

funny how often we hear that one around here, could it be there's more than a grain of truth in it?

[sherry]

Originally posted by Laiste




Ok I get what you said in 1-4 but have to dissagree with 5 It is my understanding that there are many solitary Witches. I actually consider myself one. I do not follow any one path I incorporate bits and pieces of what I see fit for my puposes.

Blessed Be,

laiste

BINGO!! this is exactly how I feel too. I follow a Pagan path now although I was born with the gifts I have. And only when I started a Pagan path have additional gifts unfolded for me. I do have alot of respect for Wiccan paths because without the knowledge I picked up through my years of reading books on Wicca I would have never understood how to get a grip on my gifts and to controll emotions and know the difference.

[Black Magic]

I have done extensive research and i think that witchcraft is what wiccans do. I am proberbly wrong but i tried