Brightest Blessings,
Welcome to a touchy edition of the Witchcraft Dawning Newsletter (which will probably be Two letters again!) Today, I will address an issue that has been in dispute for the last 60 yrs, beginning with the first "official" appearance of Wicca. Thousands of time have I been asked... what is the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft, and I've always responded on a personal level with that person.
I figure it is about time I respond to a large number of people who have most likely asked the same question, if not directly to myself. Furthermore, I realize this essay could be improved on, and the organization needs work. I usually do not put out articles I am not please with (especially if *I* write them!) but this one will sort of act as a rough draft for the one that will appear on site sometime in the near future. I ask all of you to send your feed back and criticism, whether you agree or disagree and why -- such information would be a great help.
So, at any rate, here goes...
~Markus
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Wicca vs. Witchcraft
I will Attempt to give a non-biased difference between the two, but like every human, I am subject to personal bias that is intertwined into all my thoughts and actions. Some parts may seem a bit heated, but this is merely my passionate nature and distaste for misinformation. Additionally, I will "pass judgment" on some principles of Wicca and am neither trying to degrade the principles nor will I promote them when I do not agree with them. Therefore, what will follow is "simply" my opinion, and I claim no pretensions of humility nor perfection.
*The Conflict
While some, especially Wiccans, find that there is little difference between Witchcraft and Wicca, Traditional Crafters find there is a world of difference. True, most Tradcrafters (short for Traditional Crafters) look down on Wiccans as lesser and weak, and believe them to pervert the "truth" behind the family traditions into a sick Hollywood type mosaic. Wiccans, on the other hand, defend that there is no difference between Wicca and Tradcraft, struggling as a religious community to be deemed "worthy." Their plight is extremely justified, as it is a serious religion that is taken as such by few. Many Tradcrafters think they are a joke, Christians either think they are Satanic or laugh at their "Halloween ritual costumes." Most persons of either party, Wiccan and Tradcraft, will not admit their role in this on-going disagreement, and even more just ignore the difference; either in hopes that it will resolve itself or will just go away, but few make any attempt to clear up the problem.
One fellow I spoke with defended that Wicca is not newage, that it has actually existed for over 20,000 years and that Gardner had not created the material, rather rejuvinated the "Old Religion." This, of course is means that what Gardner really did was "borrow" lore from the established and continuing family traditions (which is why he couldn't share his sources) and, because he didn't have permission to publish this information, was forced (presumably under some semblance of honor) to put the collective lore under a new name: Wicca! He was clever in his new label though, for "Wicca" means Country Dweller, just as "Witch" does; the two words are simply different branches of the same lingual family (which I assume to be the Germanic family, but am not positive.) Gardener combined his "newly discovered" Witchcraft information with principles from other paths, including Eastern Traditions and a large amount from Ceremonial Magick, to make what is now "Wicca."
So is Wicca the same as Witchcraft? No, but it retains some common lore.
*Witchcraft and Religion Misconceptions
First off, Witchcraft is NOT a religion! Period. Witchcraft is incorporated into religions, and it is a part of them, but not the religion. Witchcraft goes way beyond mere religious aspirations. It is a way of life, of thinking, of Being!
It is Used In religions often, but it is not the defining factor of the religious system, nor does the religious system define Witchcraft. Many sports use balls as part of the game, that does not make a ball a sport. The sports have guidelines and goals just like religions... the ball is used to reach that goal, just like witchcraft. As an example, my mother is a Christian Witch and my long time friend is a Jewish Witch. The two don't exactly agree, Jewish and Christian.
Again, diversity is one thing, but altering the meaning of words on a whim is not. Assuming we Did agree what constitutes a witch. Let’s say Person 1 is Christian. Person 1 behaves as a witch does, actions, thoughts and reactions all constitute the proposed definition of "witch" Person 2 is not Christian, she is .. oh... let's say Wiccan (though I have found few Wiccans I would agree are Witches) Person 2 also behaves as a witch, quite similar and mirroring Person 1 in most aspects (a label does not eliminate individuality). Both are Witches, but of a separate religious structure... You could change the label all you want... Mystic, Kabbahlist, Sorceress, whatever. The person still fits the terms of Witch AND follows separate religious paths. It is not a Wrong or Improper thing to point out a mistake that is commonly viewed as the correct simply because so many are misinformed.
Often Witchcraft and Wicca are used interchangeably, however, they are not synonymous. If some people use the term "Witchcraft" as a synonym for "Spellcraft" then they are using the word wrong. Simple enough and a more than common mistake. I point at a dog and say Cat I am obviously mistaken, but I guess there is more than one way to view a cat?
Simply because a lot of people use any word incorrectly does not rewrite its meaning. No more than non-Pagans saying we pagans are evil makes it so. The argument of "Diversity is the Beauty of Paganism" often crops up. And, yes, diversity is the beauty of paganism, but that doesn't mean that misinformation does not exist. I am not attempting to dictate the "absolute truth," but merely stating that while there may not be an "absolute truth" there most certainly is a Wrong!
Witchcraft is not a religion. (It may seem like I'm over doing this point, but it is the greatest misconception of Witchcraft next to the Christian label of Satanic and Evil. Only a extremely small minority of Web Sites accurately detach the imposed label of "religion" from Witchcraft -- I only know of 3)
*So What IS Witchcraft?
What constitutes Witchcraft is the extreme separating factor from Wicca. At the heart of any Tradition of Witchcraft is the principle of Balance; balance of every aspect of self and life. Wicca, on the other hand, teaches only the "Light" side and expulsion of All emotions and aspects that are considered "negative." The flaw there is that the "negative" emotions are a part of our nature, and completely inseparable from the "positive" emotions.
Don't think this is true? You cannot know true Love without knowing true Hate, and in truth, more know the complimenting degrees of both than know the absolute ends of either. Similarly, you cannot know Darkness without having the contrast of Light to contrast. It is impossible to "ignore" these emotions, and furthermore, on a more serious level, it is Dangerous to attempt magickal workings while trying to also ignore emotions. Anyone emotionally imbalanced is vulnerable to outside and entities, and will 99% of the time produce undesired results or even astral "backlash." Denying emotion is the surest way to disrupt your own efforts.
The terms "Good" and "Evil" have always been debatable: "You kill one, they call you a murderer; you kill ten thousand, they call you a conquer." The term "Balance" is solidly defined and immovable, unlike moral labels placed on emotion.
Emotions are ingrained into everything you do, even the idea to Ignore emotion stems from a emotional dislike of your "negative" emotions! People who claim they ignore emotions effectively, truly are only pushing them down on top of each other. Like any constant piling, the pressure soon builds until it is beyond the persons ability to resist and the emotions erupt; usually at THE most inconvenient time. Trying to do something without emotion is like trying to see without your mind. It's just not possible.
Wicca teaches to strive to achieve this imbalance of "Light," and for this reason, it is very unlikely (but not unknown) to find a Wiccan who is also a Witch. Regardless of whether or not they claim the label, it is just that, a label, completely with subjective interpretation and hypocritical openings.
In any case, an imbalance of "Light" is just as stagnant and unproductive as an imbalance of "Dark." Therefore, Traditional Witchcraft (particularly many family traditions) places the Balance as the ultimate goal. An acceptance of "Dark" and "Light" and the knowledge and understanding to know when each is required.
*Problems with the Rede and the Three Fold Law
Many people think that the Rede at the heart of the imbalance, but this is not true. The Rede holds an obvious paradox, so obvious it is simply ignored. While the shortened Rede says "An ye harm none, do as ye will" it is quite impossible to harm no one and help another. The rain you bring to save one farmers crops drowns out his neighbor's fields!
The imbalance comes in when Wiccans think they can dismiss all bad from their souls at a whim. What many do not understand when the recite the Rede, is that it is meant to be taken as a moral guideline (much like the Ten Commandments) and not as literal dogma. The same goes for the Three-Fold Law, which exaggerates the basic natural law to produce a stronger, more binding moral code. These moral guidelines hold to Wicca, not Witchcraft. I wish I could say that all of the Witches out there are wonderful, kind souls who wouldn't harm a gnat, but that would undermine the entire concept of Balance. Witches' are morally governed by their own standards, not those imposed by a religious structure.
*Witchcraft as a part of "Being"
This is where Witchcraft surpasses religion. The understanding of when and how to act, as related to the Balance of "good" and "bad," "Light" and "Dark," becomes second nature. This goes beyond moral understanding and standards, and unfortunately I'm finding it very difficult to explain. It becomes impossible to separate Craft from yourself. People can ignore religion teachings, and they can preach spiritual faith over action, and they can then proceed to act a different way, but never can one separate Craft from spirit, mind or body, once it is ingrained.
In Scott Cunningham's "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner," he states that one of the goals of a "Witch" is to "Know Yourself," and I fully agree with his statement here (if not with most of his book). The balance is established by understanding yourself, and at the heart of Witchcraft is a lack of hypocrisy to yourself, if not outwardly; a Witch is not beyond pretending to be what they are not, just like anyone. Teaching that one can be all Light, never harming self or another, and banishing all "negative" tendencies is hypocratic. It is also the fundamental principle of Wicca.
For many, the "Know Yourself" truly does become a personal goal. It is impossible to label it as a goal of all Witches because you cannot accurately account for all of their personal aspirations; there is no Witch genre.
Beyond the magickal applications, Witchcraft extends into everyday life: knowing which herbs treat illnesses, divining, and overall, observing the patterns of nature and the patterns become a foundation for thought and action. It is a search for knowledge, for only through full understanding can one obtain complete balance. Largely, Wicca is not recognized to expand beyond the magickal workings, which is a misconception. I know Wiccans who are just as knowledge thirsty as myself! Indeed, in my opinion, the magickal area is where Wicca separates from Witchcraft and borrows more from Ceremonial Magick, using more tools; Tradcrafters generally see this as frivilous and unnecessary. Where Wicca overlaps Witchcraft is in the herbal lore and other such mundane fields.
Magickal practices between Wicca and Tradcraft vary greatly! Of course, each family Tradition does somethings differently, but the principles hold true. One problem with saying this is that the family lore is kept within the family. You might argue: "That's mighty convinent! You say your way is different and obviously think it is more effective, but you won't share why or how." But I ask: "Who am I to say you are wrong? If it works for you, it's fine."
What I can say about the magickal difference is larger than it seems at first. My family Tradition credo: SIMPLIFY! Expanded, complex and largely superficial rituals are Not necessary! Witches know this and practice it, Wiccans don't. Tradcrafters do not spend $80 on candles a week, nor do we purchase magick knives for large sums of money, or have a different ritual garb for everyday of the week, or wear large pentacles as a symbol of being a "Witch." (The Pentacle derives from Ceremonial Magick, not from Witchcraft, and though a Witch may chose to put it to use, it is NOT an identifying symbol. Personally, I see it as just the opposite.) What a Wiccan will do in a two hour ritual, a Tradcrafter will generally accomplish in half and hour or so. This is simply because we omit what is not necessary, what is frivilous and more stage acting than magick.
Extending from this is the truth that Tradcrafters know WHY each part of the ritual exists, the significance, and the effect. Witches understand why a specific herb is used and where the concept of its effect originated from; not just "because the book said so," which is the most common answer I've come across -- next to "I don't know" -- when asking Wiccans "Why?"
A major problem I have with Wicca... Actually, I should rather say, with Society, is the over abundance to want to be the "real thing." I understand this is human nature, to want to be validate, to want to feel like you are really "doing it," and it is this superficial wish that sells the stage acting. From what I see on the shelves of bookstores, people aren't intersted in being Wiccan or being a Witch, they are interested in embracing the Image of being "witchy" or taking the most magickal "short cuts" to get what they want.
Today, judging by books and talks with a number of Wiccans, one cannot Tie Their Shoes without a spell! Not only that, but the demand for Love Spells is sickening! This will come off as vulgar and rude (and definetly politically incorrect!) but: "Are people today so socially incompetent that they cannot build or maintain a relationship without using magick to bind their partner???" Entire books of Love Spells have been published, with titles including "how to keep your man loyal" and "how to bring back an unfaithful lover." Books like this would not be on the market if they were not selling, and it shows there is something seriously wrong with what people see as the purpose of Wicca: to get a mate, quick and easy.
For most Wiccans (but by no means all), magick is the center of Wicca. Magick to get money, to get a date (or more), to get a job, to find a house, to do everything! What happened to good old-fashioned hard work? Magick is not the principle factor of being a Witch. If it was, all the Witches of the world would have obtained the desired balance with a single spell and be free to reap wealth from the rest of the world. Contrary to popular belief, magick is not what Witchcraft is all about; magick being secondary is a separating factor between Wicca and Witchcraft.
What we can take a look at next is the level of dedication trends I've noticed.
*Dedication To Who? How Dedicated?
Another defining factor is whom the person honors. Wiccans honor the Goddess and God, while Tradcrafters revere their ancestors. Note how this plays into Witchcraft not being a religion; no Deity figure at all, unless it is coupled with a religion. The idea is to pick an ancestor whose characteristics and achievements match those you would aspire to embrace. There is a realistic relationship formed between decendant and ancestor.
Now, this may be only my opinion, but how many out there would take a Wiccan seriously who said he works to mirror the Goddess? Delusions of Godhood do not usually bode well in line with the words "credibility" or "sane." With Wicca, a bond does indeed form between the God/dess and the individual, but there is a failure to define a workable goal or a solid role model to work towards. I feel an ancestral link is more useful and preferable than a link to a Deity. Because Godhood is so obviously unattainable, it presents a problem of dedication level.
Regretfully, I find half-assed (pardon the term) Wiccans everywhere I turn, usually young adults who have found the kewl thing to do, become Wiccan and practice "witchcraft," which is more "Spellcraft" with an Extreme emphasis on Love Spells! Does this invalidate the Wiccan path? Absolutely not! I simply have not found a single Tradcrafter that was not completely dedicated to their path, which is a pointed comparison when compared to the number of medium-rare Wiccans; I attribute this to the more "practical" bond to ancestry. For most of new Wiccans, it's something that goes against society, and most of us, at some age, fought to escape the norm; it means they are "extraordinary" (even though the fad has now Become the norm.)
The older generations are not exempt; there are more than a few half-assed adult Wiccans around as well. Regardless of age, many of them claim the label "Witch," because it exemplifies the anti-social goal, using the past Witch Hunt eras and the Inquisition as the foundation for this theory. Of course, some would defend that these types of persons are no more Wiccan than they are Witches, but religions have a set of theological ideas and those define the religion. Because of this you can have different denominations, all based on the same theological system (Methodist and Baptist), and therefore, anyone who worships the God and Goddess and celebrates the Sabbats are indeed Wiccan. However, someone who claims to be a Witch and makes no effort to attain balance (which is most Wiccans) is not a Witch. There is no moveable ground in this defining factor: Balance.
*Shadow Dancing
I have heard this term more than once, and use it myself to describe those who have chosen to embrace the struggle for balance. Shadow Dancing is the gray area, between Light and Dark, evil and good. Hence, Shadow Magick is also called "Gray Magick," though I find it inaccurate to give a personifying label to magick, which is the same regardless of its use.
Shadow Dancing is itself the struggle for balance translating into action, which extends into all aspects of life, not merely magickal workings. At times it dips into Dark, and at other times it soars into Light, but those "transversals" are always subjective. I'll give a very real example:
A man molests a young girl and goes to jail for it. A few years later he gets out of jail and the girl fears he will come after her. You place a Binding on him to keep him from harming the girl and others.
To you and the girl that was violated, you have embraced the epitome of Light! The guy, however, would obviously not agree and consider it a crime! This is another flaw in the Rede,
it is always subjective, no escaping it, anyone who thinks they can do good by everyone heading themselves towards a major psychological complex!
It can be seen how Witchcraft practices can be mixed with Any religion, even Christianity, though it is uncommon. The struggle for balance is simply a lifetime goal, and can be applied within any religious structuring. Being Wiccan does not make one a Witch, nor does being a Witch make one Wiccan, they are separate and an unlikely combination, but not exclusive.
Enlightenment and Balance,
~Markus
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Ending Note: I hope to have a letter about Mabon out sometime in the next day or so (yah, right... try 3 or 4 but gotta stay positive)
~Markus
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Editors:
Markus
Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster
http://www.oocities.com/CollegePark/4885/index.html
witchdawn@hotmail.com
&
Ralph
ralphmj@hotmail.com
(
geocities.com/collegepark)