Post by Mystical Forums on Aug 22, 2014 18:21:06 GMT
The Differences Between Wicca & Witchcraft
"What is the Difference between Wicca and Witchcraft?"
This is a question I get all the time (almost on daily basis) and so I figured I'd better add it to our Wicca & Witches Coven Forum! First I would like to say that most of the confusion lies in the term Witchcraft itself. Most people tend to think of spell craft when they hear Witchcraft, but Witchcraft has developed into a religion unto itself that may include the practice of spell craft within it. Spell craft is a collective term for magical systems, folklore, etc. It is not synonymous with Witchcraft.
Please also note that I do make several generalizations below, that may not apply to any other Traditions, and are often a quick description of what they do and believe...In other words, this is for you to get a general idea, but it's not the detailed, dirty-gritty low-down, word of the Fates.
(most of below is taken from a brief article that someone wrote to the Daily
for the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft. Wicca is the faith made public by Gerald Gardner (firstly), which combines supposed traditional Witchcraft with ceremonial magic, Eastern philosophies, and many of the ideas and thoughts of the Freemasons and Rosicrucian (basically more ceremonial magic). It was then added to by many people, from Sanders, the Farriers, and Star hawk to nowadays Silver Raven wolf, Scott Cunningham, Buck land and many more. The ceremonial magic aspect is still heavily present, even though many people have had their hands in making it something else. You have very formal ideas, and certain ways of doing things (not uncommon in anything actually), which leads up to a fairly collected system. Not uncommon is the hierarchical structure of degrees and covens, heavy use of magical tools and formal casting of circles...also very prevalent, the focus on the "Lord and Lady". This is a rough generalization of modern day Wicca.
Now, for me, my own tradition that we lovingly call "Modern Traditional" is of the religion of Wicca. You will rarely find ceremonial magic in their circle.
Many people still do Believe that Wicca is what today witches are called instead of being called Witches.
Wicca is forum of religion and most Wicca Don't cast spells but they are some Wicca Coven that do practice witchcraft.
All Witches Practice witchcraft and they are the ones who cast spells for others.
"What is the Difference between Wicca and Witchcraft?"
This is a question I get all the time (almost on daily basis) and so I figured I'd better add it to our Wicca & Witches Coven Forum! First I would like to say that most of the confusion lies in the term Witchcraft itself. Most people tend to think of spell craft when they hear Witchcraft, but Witchcraft has developed into a religion unto itself that may include the practice of spell craft within it. Spell craft is a collective term for magical systems, folklore, etc. It is not synonymous with Witchcraft.
Please also note that I do make several generalizations below, that may not apply to any other Traditions, and are often a quick description of what they do and believe...In other words, this is for you to get a general idea, but it's not the detailed, dirty-gritty low-down, word of the Fates.
(most of below is taken from a brief article that someone wrote to the Daily
for the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft. Wicca is the faith made public by Gerald Gardner (firstly), which combines supposed traditional Witchcraft with ceremonial magic, Eastern philosophies, and many of the ideas and thoughts of the Freemasons and Rosicrucian (basically more ceremonial magic). It was then added to by many people, from Sanders, the Farriers, and Star hawk to nowadays Silver Raven wolf, Scott Cunningham, Buck land and many more. The ceremonial magic aspect is still heavily present, even though many people have had their hands in making it something else. You have very formal ideas, and certain ways of doing things (not uncommon in anything actually), which leads up to a fairly collected system. Not uncommon is the hierarchical structure of degrees and covens, heavy use of magical tools and formal casting of circles...also very prevalent, the focus on the "Lord and Lady". This is a rough generalization of modern day Wicca.
Now, for me, my own tradition that we lovingly call "Modern Traditional" is of the religion of Wicca. You will rarely find ceremonial magic in their circle.
Many people still do Believe that Wicca is what today witches are called instead of being called Witches.
Wicca is forum of religion and most Wicca Don't cast spells but they are some Wicca Coven that do practice witchcraft.
All Witches Practice witchcraft and they are the ones who cast spells for others.