What are the differences between wicca and druidism?

Question

Or are they the same? They both deal with worshipping nature. Thanx.

Answer 1

Wicca was created by Gerald Gardner in 1939 based upon the Western Magickal Tradition which originated in Persia. Druidism is purely Western European. Druids work in threes, Wiccans work in fours. Wiccans use watch towers, Druids do not. Wiccans use the four element system, Druids use the three worlds. Wiccans use pentagrams, Druids use triskellions. The liturgical differences are sufficient to be beyond the scope of this venue. Their spell casting systems are very similar, both use theurgical rather than thaumaturgical magick for choice, although both are usually trained in both. Wiccans are bi-theisitic, the Goddess and God, Druids are polytheistic, different Gods for different aspect of life. That there are blurred lines and crossovers I do not dispute, each person finds their own path in their own way, but the difference between Druidism and Wicca is much more akin to the difference between Catholocism and Judaism, than to between denominations of Christianity.

Answer 2

There is a different Druids are Celts but do magick. Not all Celts are druids. Wicca has only been established since 1940 and out since 1954. It is based off of paganism. Druidism predates Christianity. I am a druid pagan.

But all in all they are in some ways the same but different. They are branches out of paganism. Just like other religions are branches from the basic foundation.

I gave you some links that well help you learn more about all the pagan, Wicca, druids and the witchvox which is a place for all to network and find local area's were you can obtain more info or classes

Blessed Be
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Answer 3

Druidism was a religion practiced by Celts in ancient France and Britain. It was already on the wane when people abandoned it for Christianity. Druidism involved tree wroship, worship of skulls, and fire worship. Human sacrifices were part of the religion. Some people have created cults modled after what their idea of Druidism is like. P.E. Bonewitz created one such cult, centered around polygamy. The Neodruid cults of today have no direct connection to the extinct Druid paganism of ancient times.

Wicca is supposedly an stoneage religion that supposedly survived into the modern age. Books like Crafting the Art of Magic by A.Kelly and Triumph of the Moon by R, Hutton proved this wasn't so. Wicca is a cult created circa 1950 by by British masochist Gerald Gardner so he could be beaten by strong willed women. Followers of Wicca and Neodruidism are self deluded into believing they have magical powers. While Druidism actually existed in ancient times, Wicca did not.

http://usminc.org

Answer 4

Wicca doesn't worship nature. That is a common misconception. We honor nature to be sure and many Wicca are heavily involved in environmentalism. But, no, we don't worship nature.

For that matter the worship of nature isn't a part of the Druid belief system either. Sometime around the late 1940's (I think) Wicca adapted the observance of the solstices and equinoxes. Gardner had struck up an acquaintance with some of the Druids and even loaned them his ritual sword for one of their celebrations at Stone Henge. But that is pretty much where the Druid/Wicca connection begins and ends.

As to what the Druids believe and practice, I'm really not sure. There is some documentation (mostly by Roman authors who were not especially impressed by them) of the original Druid practices, but very little is known about what they actually did and why.

Answer 5

Disclaimer: There's a lot of different opinions out there on both Wicca and Druidism, and most of them are contradictory. Take any answer - even this one - with a grain of salt.

Wicca was founded in the early 20th century (actual date is semi-disputed). It follows a calendar of 8 solar holidays (solstices, equinoxes and "cross-quarter days"), and, sometimes, 13 lunar holidays (typically full or new moons). It's strongly influenced by the Greco-European ceremonial magic tradition - magic circles, candles, 4 elements, etc. Theologically, there are two deities, male and female, though the specifics of this (as well as whether this is duotheistic or polytheistic) varies from group to group. Many Wiccan derivatives have spun off, with a wide variety of traditions.

Druidism originally started with the ancient Celts - Druids were part of the upper caste of society, and filled a role that was part priest, part shaman, and part "intellectual professional" (judge, druid, poet, scientist, etc.) It's believed that many of their traditions were carried on in part by Irish poets and storytellers after the coming of Christianity. Various "revivals" have occurred over the years, including some in the 17th century that viewed the Celts as "noble savages" but held little basis in fact.

Piecing together information on the ancient Celts, there were four major holidays (the aforementioned "cross-quarter days"), and potentially a number of smaller, local festivals. Instead of ceremonial magic, traditions deal with a mix of community ceremonies, poetry-based magic, and semi-shamanic activities (such as trancework & spiritwork). The Three Realms (land, sea, sky) held more importance than the classic Greek 4 elements, though there's occasional record of an elemental system running from 7 to 13 elements. There is a large pantheon, both major gods and smaller, local deities and spirits.

Answer 6

Just like there are different "sects" or denominations in a Catholic religion (such as Roman Catholic and Protestant), Wicca dand Druidism are two "branches" of the Pagan "faith".

The main basic difference between the two is that Wicca follows only dual (two - one male one female) set of gods/goddesses during a ritual while Druidism follows many gods and goddesses (more than just two).

Answer 7

They are very different, just like protestants are different from catholics. The primary difference, though, is that druids and Celts (of which I am one) do not cast spells, just worship nature and the goddess, where as Wicca is more like what would be seen as a witch - with circles and spells... just remember that neither are evil, just a different religion from Christianity

Answer 8

they both are old but not the same. it's like Baptist and catholics.. same but not the same..

Answer 9

http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/druid.htm
These two links should provide you with clear and concise answers.

Blessings )O(