A Witch By Any Other Name (The Great Wicca vs. Witchcraft Debate)
"A difference that makes no difference is not a difference." --Ambassador Spock
It took more than twenty years before I first ran across the notion that Witchcraft and Wicca were not the same thing. I don't remember where I first read it, but I do remember feeling bemused at such an assertion, and assumed the author had failed to do adequate research into the origins of the word "witch". I also assumed I'd heard the last of it. I assumed wrong!
Over the years, I've seen this sentiment turning up more and more, in conversations, in online discussions and websites, and even in published works on Witchcraft. It is often stated with such conviction that one might conclude it is the very least one needs to know on the subject. The author is usually at pains to convey the distinction that Wicca designates a religion, whereas Witchcraft is merely the practice of magic. In recent years, I have come across three further amplifications: The first is that some groups identify themselves as practicing Wicca exclusively, as a religious or spiritual path. As such, they do not hold with the more "debased" practice of Witchcraft or other magic! The second is that some groups claim that Witchcraft predates Wicca (which they apparently believe was invented by Gerald Gardner) and is therefore more "authentic". The third is that only practitioners who are in a lineal descent from Gardner or one of his covens may use the word Wicca to describe their tradition. All others would have to default to the word Witchcraft for their praxis.
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usmo&c=words&id=10563
= new reply since forum marked as read
I am going to read the entire thing later. I feel a discussion on this would be most interesting. I have had similar ones on this topic before IRL. I know where I stand, and given the few paragraphs above, I doubt that position will change.
icymist!!! Long time, no see! Hope you are well!
Glad to see you as well my friend.
