Witch or Wiccan?
What's The Difference?
Where Did They Come From?

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Wicca: Its modern origins...

Regardless of the claims that Wicca is thousands of years old, it is in actuality a comparatively new arrival on the religious scene.
In fact, Wicca, is most often traced to a man known as Gerald Gardner.
The (still) hotly debated story is that Gardner was initiated into a surviving Witches coven by one Dorothy Clutterbuck in 1938 or 1939. Some scholars doubt that this witches coven existed and have even accused Gardner of "inventing" the story to lend credence to his new Religion; Wicca.
(It has also been said that Gardner "revived and preserved the ancient religion" and that we owe him a debt of gratitude. The fact is: Witchcraft is not a religion (as Wicca is), and has been in continual practice, often underground, for centuries!)

What Gardner actually created was a hodgepodge Religion composed of ancient (and modern) traditions, with both history and fantasy elements. To this, he added his knowledge of magickal systems (from wildly divergent cultures), and then added some rituals, specialized tools, rules and regulations and threw in a religious structure for good measure. The result is known as Gardnerian Craft. The other "trads" of Wicca, either add or omit "traditions" from this "craft base."

Pre-Gardnerian Witchcraft:

Many Wiccans consider themselves to be Witches but fewer "traditional / hereditary witches" will call themselves WITCHES; and fewer still call themselves "Wiccan."
Let me also point out that the term, as used here, refers to the Anglo-Saxon, Teutonic, and Celtic descended ways of life and traditions.
(Strega or "Italian Witchcraft" is a religion; as is Voodoo and Santeria.)
Most witches eschew any sort of label; preferring to mumble some innocuous term like "seeker." (I know that in my more naive days, I tended to call myself a "Wiccan"!) For reasons of clarity, we are forced into calling this collection of people something, and "witch", although loaded with negative connotations, is a convenient term. (After all, if I called them all "seekers" the question would still force me into issuing a label, and possibly several sub-headers.)

The reasons for this reluctance to "stand up and be counted" are manifold. Not least of which is the fact that "witches" have been looked upon as suspect, since the dawning of humanity. Another reason is that most do not consider their way of life as being "special" or "superior", and in fact may not have ever considered whether or not they ARE a witch!
What most Christians will find surprising is that one can be a "witch" and ALSO a "Christian" or "Atheist" or whatever other religious or economic label that you can think of! In short, witches are human beings with likes and dislikes; subject to being generous or stingy; gentle or violent; loving or hating... just like anyone else!

What makes a Witch, a witch?

Witchcraft is about manipulating energy and seeking to find balance and harmony in this life. Witches use their affinity for the varied life forms on this planet, to attain those goals.
If it sounds like this definition could be applied to anyone who "strives for harmony", or one who tries to manipulate things to favor them, it is because it can ! The witches of the past didn't think of themselves as "special", they were and are, just trying to live as they were raised or taught. (In fact, the majority of witches think of themselves as being personally responsible for their actions; and strive to be as self-reliant and earth conscious as possible. So, you see, it is really about being empowered, self and earth reliant, and just plain trying to be the best person that you can be--magick is a means to that end, and to some, it is even secondary!)


The above excerpt was taken from
Ashlynn's Grove
There is a wealth of information there, please try to visit!

Just the facts please

Is Witchcraft a Religion?

No. Actually Witchcraft is more a state of being. You live, breath, eat, sleep it it is in your inner being You live it as a way of life. It is having an affinity with all the energies that are around you; earth, nature, your past, you present and future.

What is the Three-Fold Law?

This is actually another modern arrival, but the basic concept has been here for who knows how long; "What goes around, comes around!" Although this is a modern law, it is one that is taken seriously and many adhere to it both Witch & Wiccan, myself included, and in actually if everyone regardless of their religion would follow this law, our world would be better place to live this life in!

What is Widdershins and deosil?

Deosil" means "as the sun moves"; (clockwise.) Widdershins or Withershins means counter-clockwise. If, during dance, one dances Deosil (clockwise) it is producing positive energy or power. To dance Widdershins (counter clockwise) is to produce the opposite effect

What's with the pentacles?

The Pentacle, a 5-pointed star, is not a sign of the devil, and does not have anything to do evil. It's five points symbolize the elements of life and the world around us- Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Spirit is always represented by the upward point and signifies Spirit over Matter. The circle surrounding the pentagram represents Unity and the continual cycle of Life, Death, & Rebirth. It is usually worn for protection. Some have taken the Pentacle and inverted it to represent Satan, just as they have inverted the Christian cross to represent Satan. The Pentagram has a bad reputation because movies and TV program continue to display the pentagram whether the film is about good, evil, or whatever, in it's upright form. I do wish these people would do their research! Oh...A pentagram is the correct name for the five pointed Star, minus the circle....it is still an important symbol!

Do Witches cast spells?

Some do and some don't. Spell casting is very, very serious business! Magick is the use of energies that exist within and around us. Magick is not supernatural. Magick is not good, nor is it bad, it is neutral Just as a knife is neutral, it can help us cut our food or... it can kill someone, it is ones use of the knife which is good or bad. The energy used in magic is the same... neutral. It is present in all things. Learning to use your own energy along with the energy of other things and/or people, you bring about the change you desire. A spell is the recipe to work the magick. casting the spell is directing the energy created from the recipe to a desired end For detailed information on this subject please go here

Are Witches only women?

No! Not at all. It is true though that here in America, there are more woman in Wicca, and probably in Witchcraft too, although in other areas of the world, the opposite is true

What are male witches called?

A witch. Or if following Wicca, Wiccan. Male Witches are NOT called "warlocks". To be called a warlock would be an insult due to the fact that "warlock" means "Oath Breaker"

What about white and black Witches?

Witches are people! We go to work, raise our families, have problems, fall in love. cry when we a loved one leaves us, have dreams and needs, and as such, there are "good" and "bad" Witches. There are "good" and "bad" Christians, Buddhist, Native Americans, Germans, Afro Americans, Doctors, Teachers...you get the point here. People have used the terms, "white", "black", or "gray" Witch to distinguish between those that follow the a "positive" path (white). A "negative" path (black). or a path that is a person that uses a mixture of the two, (gray)

What's the obsession with black?

Well, actually I don't think there is an "obsession" with black, although the majority of Witches and Wiccans are attracted to the colors black & purple. Each color gives of it's own vibration of energy. Personally, I love black, all colors of and near purple, and silver.

Who do Witches Worship?

Whew! This one is always a toughie, and I can only answer this in terms of how I see it myself. There is only ONE power, one creating force or energy. This force is composed of all things in balance, feminine, masculine, positive, negative, dark, light. This concept is extremely hard for the human mind to fully comprehend. many Wiccans and Witches will tap into a particular aspect of this energy force by associating the type of force they are wanting with the representation of different Gods and/or Goddesses that represent that same force. Also, Some Wiccans may call on nature spirits, Elementals, Elements (the two are different), spirits from the other side or those around us everyday

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