Wicca or Witchcraft?

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Wicca or Witchcraft? Many newcomers don't realize that there are some very key distinctions between the two terms. Because of those distinctions, the terms are not always interchangeable. Many authors on the subject have helped blur the line between them in the minds of their readers over the years, resulting in the terms often being used incorrectly.

The vast majority of the books available today which claim to be about "Wicca" actually deal with Witchcraft or Eclectic Paganism. Anything which advocates solitary practice is not dealing with Wicca. This does not by any means suggest that a solitary path is any less valid than practice within a group. Many people, myself included at this time, practice and enjoy a solitary path. I also am not suggesting that nothing useful may be gained from these books, as will become quite clear in looking over my suggested reading on the subject Wicca & Witchcraft. So what are the distinguishing features between Wicca and Witchcraft?

One clear, simple way to compare Wicca and Witchcraft is this:

Pagan > Witchcraft > Wicca

just as

Christian > Protestant > Baptist

Witchcraft is a fairly broad term. Some use it to refer to any and all practice of Magick. Some use it to refer to their own personal system of beliefs and practices as a religion in and of itself. Others refer to it as a "technology" which may or may not be incorporated with religious practices. Some systems of Witchcraft are heavily influenced by Ceremonial Magick, some not so much, being based more on Natural Magick (sometimes referred to as Low Magick or Green Witchcraft).

Wicca is actually a very specific form of religious Witchcraft. It is a lineaged, initiatory, duotheistic Mystery Tradition. In other words, two deities are worshipped (The Lord and The Lady/God and Goddess) and one must be initiated into a coven by a Priest or Priestess of Second Degree or higher. There is no "self-initiation" into Wicca, despite the word of many popular books to the contrary. In fact, a quick glance at the word "initiation" in the dictionary will show that the very idea of self-initiation in any context is contradictory:

From Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1996 edition -

Initiation 1. formal admission or acceptance into an organization or club, adult status in one's community or society, etc. 2. The ceremonies or rites of admission. Cf. rite of passage. 3. the act of initiating. 4. the fact of being initiated.

Wicca was founded by Gerald Gardner. As the founder of the religion, he defined the religion and its tenets, with a good deal of help from Doreen Valiente. There are several Traditions of Wicca which splintered from Gardnerian. However, they retained the majority of the core tenets and beliefs, including lineaged initiation. They remain Mystery Traditions, in which much of the core material is held as oathbound secrets, released gradually at points in the individual's development and advancement.

Eclectic Wicca, Solitary Wicca, Celtic Wicca......all oxymorons. Eclectic Pagan, Solitary Witch, Celtic Pagan.....valid terms. When you change the core tenets and beliefs of a religion, it ceases to be that religion and becomes something else. Lineage and oathbound teachings are such core tenets within Wicca.

There's a lot of information out there. Some of it good, some of it bad, some of it questionable at best. Sorting through it isn't always easy. This, above all else in my opinion, is the major pitfall of solitary study. It takes time, patience, and the willingness to step back and rethink things from time to time when better information becomes available to you.

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All contents of this site are © 2000-2005 except where otherwise noted, such as in the case of graphics or other content not created by Smiling Panther. Original author/creator retains all rights in those instances. All rights reserved.


	Smiling Panther's Den \| home Wicca or Witchcraft? © By Smiling Panther, August 4th, 2001 Wicca or Witchcraft? Many newcomers don't realize that there are some very key distinctions between the two terms. Because of those distinctions, the terms are not always interchangeable. Many authors on the subject have helped blur the line between them in the minds of their readers over the years, resulting in the terms often being used incorrectly. The vast majority of the books available today which claim to be about "Wicca" actually deal with Witchcraft or Eclectic Paganism. Anything which advocates solitary practice is not dealing with Wicca. This does not by any means suggest that a solitary path is any less valid than practice within a group. Many people, myself included at this time, practice and enjoy a solitary path. I also am not suggesting that nothing useful may be gained from these books, as will become quite clear in looking over my suggested reading on the subject Wicca & Witchcraft. So what are the distinguishing features between Wicca and Witchcraft? One clear, simple way to compare Wicca and Witchcraft is this: Pagan > Witchcraft > Wicca just as Christian > Protestant > Baptist Witchcraft is a fairly broad term. Some use it to refer to any and all practice of Magick. Some use it to refer to their own personal system of beliefs and practices as a religion in and of itself. Others refer to it as a "technology" which may or may not be incorporated with religious practices. Some systems of Witchcraft are heavily influenced by Ceremonial Magick, some not so much, being based more on Natural Magick (sometimes referred to as Low Magick or Green Witchcraft). Wicca is actually a very specific form of religious Witchcraft. It is a lineaged, initiatory, duotheistic Mystery Tradition. In other words, two deities are worshipped (The Lord and The Lady/God and Goddess) and one must be initiated into a coven by a Priest or Priestess of Second Degree or higher. There is no "self-initiation" into Wicca, despite the word of many popular books to the contrary. In fact, a quick glance at the word "initiation" in the dictionary will show that the very idea of self-initiation in any context is contradictory: From Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, 1996 edition - Initiation 1. formal admission or acceptance into an organization or club, adult status in one's community or society, etc. 2. The ceremonies or rites of admission. Cf. rite of passage. 3. the act of initiating. 4. the fact of being initiated. Wicca was founded by Gerald Gardner. As the founder of the religion, he defined the religion and its tenets, with a good deal of help from Doreen Valiente. There are several Traditions of Wicca which splintered from Gardnerian. However, they retained the majority of the core tenets and beliefs, including lineaged initiation. They remain Mystery Traditions, in which much of the core material is held as oathbound secrets, released gradually at points in the individual's development and advancement. Eclectic Wicca, Solitary Wicca, Celtic Wicca......all oxymorons. Eclectic Pagan, Solitary Witch, Celtic Pagan.....valid terms. When you change the core tenets and beliefs of a religion, it ceases to be that religion and becomes something else. Lineage and oathbound teachings are such core tenets within Wicca. There's a lot of information out there. Some of it good, some of it bad, some of it questionable at best. Sorting through it isn't always easy. This, above all else in my opinion, is the major pitfall of solitary study. It takes time, patience, and the willingness to step back and rethink things from time to time when better information becomes available to you. Background for this page provided by: All contents of this site are © 2000-2005 except where otherwise noted, such as in the case of graphics or other content not created by Smiling Panther. Original author/creator retains all rights in those instances. All rights reserved.