Exploring Definitions of Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism and Eclectic - Rev. Angelle

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Exploring the Definitions of Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca,
and Eclectic
(c)1997-2005 Angelle
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To define these words, let us NOT go to the Oxford English Dictionary (an otherwise very good resource for wordiphiles like myself). Unfortunately, it lists words such as "Pagan" as one who does not worship the ["true"] God. Instead let us begin by describing these things as they flourishe in the modern-day United States.

PAGAN: (1) A practitioner of Earth-based or Nature-based spirituality, such as the various Native American tribes; (2) a person of polytheistic orientation, or non-Judeo-Christian mono-theistic orientation (3) any non-Christian, (but please note this does NOT assume any disdain for Christianity or its tenets).

WITCH: (1) Wise one; seeker/teacher of Wisdom; (2) A Wise Craftsperson; i.e. one who can create or bring into being various things, and/or who can manipulate, bend or shape resources with a focused intention on an expected result or outcome (3) one who observes and learns from the energy and developmental cycles inherent to Nature, and who implements such knowledge in his or her practices of living, practices of manifestation, skill, and Philosophy. (4) A person capable of intentionally manipulating cycles of energy and other resources, both in the seen and the unseen world, with a heightened level of awareness that such manipulations are part of the Human (and the Divine) experience; (5) One who works to be adept at all of the above.

WICCA: The Religion practiced in the USA and around the world today, (pronounced wick-u, with the u sound found in the word "up"), that has its etymological roots in the word "witch" (see below) This religion has developed in its current incarnations largely over the last 50 years or so, however the roots of its philosophies and methods date back much further than this.
The tenets and practices of Wicca are based on a way of life that has been around for thousands of years, pre-dating the Judeo-Christian systems, such as the tendency to hold in high regard the changes of Nature with the seasons. These practices, and others, date back about 10,000 years, when humankind entered into our agricultural practices.

Let me offer you some way-back history of the language that describes the word Wicca itself, with much thanks to Skeet's Etymological Dictionary:

The word "Wicca" is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and implies Wisdom, (with wicca being the masculine form of the word, and wicce the feminine). Wicca is a corruption of the word "Witga", commonly used as the short form of the word "Witega", meaning a prophet, seer, magician, or sorcerer. Also from the Anglo- Saxon we have the word "witan" which means "to see" or "to know". While I am uncertain of the cultural origin, I have also known the history of the word "Wicca" as meaning "to bend or to shape"; which of course someone wise might know how to do with the elements around him or her.

The word "Witch", in Medieval English "Wicche", both masculine and feminine, refereed to a Wizard or a Witch. In Icelandic, "Vitki" a wizard, is based on the root "Vita", which means "to know"; "Vizkr" meant "cleaver" or "knowing". "Wizard" is a Norman French word, based on "Wischard"; the original French being "Guiscart" or sagacious.

Obviously, the meaning of the word "Witch" implies wisdom and the practice of it in any language. My favorite example of this would be the old, wise woman who lived in the woods, that folks would travel out to see when they had deep questions that needed answering....

She lives in town now. ;)

ECLECTIC: (1) One who expands the parameters of knowledge regarding religion, or metaphysical topics beyond the views of his or her own culture, though not necessarily excluding them, and combines more than one as a personal choice in Spirituality; (2) a seeker of spiritual and/or cultural guidance from sources beyond the views of the mainstream (i.e. predominantly accepted mono-theistic religions or other manifestations of Western culture) who subscribes to mainstream views, but continues to seek enlightenment from other sources as well; (3) one who practices Metatheism, or an all-encompassing approach to spirituality, i.e. recognition that all religion has commonalities in purpose and origin, that the eye of the beholder is what gives it power, and that the worship of Deities is a tool with which to access certain Paths, regardless of the brand name.

And an important note, just in case the point has been missed: in the Christian Bible, no one ever denies the existence of other deities; it is merely the interpretation of those who passed down the knowledge that Holy Book contains that the God of Abraham was a jealous God and forbade the worship of any other deities. I and others are of the opinion that God is far less petty than our ancestors would have us believe, and that a good strong path is built from learning when and where one is capable of doing such, not from an isolated vacuum in which the only information available is that which is sanctioned by another.

Your heart will tell you what is true and what is not true, not a person who says that "God is on MY side"; It is how God speaks to us all. But who among you would limit God to One Voice?

About "Becoming" a Witch
In my humble opinion, there are no predetermined rituals or all-encompassing requirements one must meet to "become" a Witch. Some covens have rituals they use to welcome and initiate new members, but that is a "tradition" rather than a prerequisite. Some traditions have a series of lessons they require one to complete before obtaining specific degrees, levels of skill, and/or titles.

While these things could very well be useful and educational, I do not believe that they are mandatory to one choosing the path of the Wise. Study is good in religion, and I condone the study of comparative traditions and theologies. But isn't one capable of selecting a Spiritual path and practicing it by way of life experience and gut instinct as well? A person without education may have lesser skills in some areas than one who has been trained, but not in every case....

Being a Witch is a WAY OF LIFE, an attitude, a level of awareness, if you will. Each day, we go about about our business. There are magic and miracles around us at all times. Being a Witch means you seek a path of wisdom, and that you value and pay attention to respect both the seen and the unseen worlds, the common and the undiscovered. You wish to strive to be in touch with the magic that is already around us, and to develop the skills to bend and shape as well. So... what requirements are there for being Wise? for being talented? for being crafty? The secret is to learn and grow, and practice what you have learned. Don't just talk the talk; you must also walk the walk (to quote one of MY Elders).

Rev Angelle is an eclectic woman who limits not the sources from which she seeks knowledge; A Priestess of the Universal Ministry, dedicated to the perpetuation of positive energies, and a Bard of long-standing. Oh - would I prefer to avoid labels when living my Spirituality; they can be so confining! I *am* nothing. I *am* everything. However..... labels most DEFINITELY come in handy when one is using a search engine!!!!! :)

I hope these words have helped to guide and enlighten you.
Much Love, Health and Success,
Rev. Angelle
Universal Ministry

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Exploring the Definitions of Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca, and Eclectic

(c)1997-2005 Angelle

Exploring the Definitions of Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca,
and Eclectic