What's the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft?

Question

Doesn't Wicca have "witches", and promotes people who perform "magic"?

Is there a distinction between the two in Wicca?

bettiewoeswoes: Thanks! I would've preferred a link though... :)

Thank you all for your answers!

Answer 1

This is actually a very controversial concept. To a lot of Wiccans, Wicca and Witchcraft are synonymous; however, other occultists recognize a difference between a Wiccan and a Witch. To make a long story short, a Wiccan is a Witch, but a Witch is not necessarily a Wiccan.

Answer 2

Wicca and Witchcraft are two seperate religions. Wicca was founded by Gerald Gardner in the late 1930's. It is comprised of Western European folk traditions, Eastern philosophy, and Cabbalistic mysticism. Although initially Wicca was based more in magickal pursuits, it has hence forth developed into a more spiritual religion. Today, Wicca can be seen as an ecclectic system of beliefs with an underlying static ritual and ethics base. Although some traditions in Wicca may cater to a specific culture, the rituals and ethics will still have this commmonality which identifies it as being Wiccan.
Witchcraft is heavily based in traditions. There is no Wiccan Rede, Watchtowers, or the concept of self-initiation. There is, however, some form of initiation or rite of passage, and a strong concept of the Homeland.
Some of the major differences between Wicca and Witchcraft are illustrated as follows:
Elemental Correspondenes to the Cardinal Directions
Ethics: Intent vs. the Wiccan Rede
Festivals
Grimoire vs. the Book of Shadows
Guardians vs. Watchtowers
The Homeland
Rites of Passage: Initiation vs. Self-Initiation
Ritual Clothing
Secrets Within the Craft
Triple Deities

http://www.shadowdrake.com/HSDwitchFAQ.html#3

Answer 3

hey...Wicca is a system of beliefs some people would say Wicca is the religion of witch craft but please under stand just because a person practices witchcraft that dos not make that person a Wicca there is a difference between pagan and wiccen if you have any questions i would like to help you i have been practicing Wicca science i was a child and i am a member of a local coven here in north Carlina my e mail is [e-mail]

Answer 4

I look at it this way - as a comparison

If Witchcraft = Christianity

then Wicca = Baptists

did that help any? :)

Answer 5

Wiccans believe the Wiccan religion.
Witches practice Witchcraft.
You can be both, or just one. Most Wiccans I know of practice Witchcraft, so they are both Wiccans and Witches.

I'd be happy to give more info, drop me an e-mail.
[e-mail]

Answer 6

Wicca has witches...it is basically "white magic" though true "magic" is neither balck nor white, it depends on how the individual uses it

Answer 7

wicca is a particular kind of religious belief. witchcraft is a name of anyone practicing a magick-based belief system.

Answer 8

witchcraft is the practice of wicca.

Answer 9

wicca is the religion and witch craft is what they practice

Answer 10

they do have witches and they do promote people for basically doing sins but to answer the second part of your question,not really they practice spells and stuff the only difference is the spelling in the names.