If a person practices Wicca....does that automatically make them a witch?

Question

I am new to Wicca and am still learning. When will I actually be considered a witch??

Answer 1

The short answer – Yes.

A lot of people will say otherwise but this comes from a basic misunderstanding of what Wicca is, an important lesson to learn before anything else is that there is a lot of misinformation about Wicca and with that there are a lot of people who believe they are Wicca when they lack basic understanding of the religion.

Someone who is a practicing Wicca is also a witch, it is largely influenced upon witchcraft and has it's roots in witchcraft (read work by Gardner – founder of Wicca, who's basis for Wicca came from his work within the New Forest Coven), although it also has influences from other practices such as more ceremonial magic such as that of the Golden Dawn. A witch is someone who has the ability to use power and manipulate energy; it requires knowledge and practice, things that Seekers and new initiates to Wicca gain through studying Wicca. There is no definite point where someone can be considered a witch, one cannot cast a spell from a book and call themselves a witch, but because Wicca is so heavily rooted in witchcraft once initiated into Wicca you are considered Wicca and so in turn a witch.

Witchcraft is not specific to Wicca at all, witchcraft is a magical practice followed within Wicca, but it is also followed by many other religions including Christianity, Satanism, and to my knowledge in most religions with the exception of Islam which forbids the practice. Witchcraft can also be practiced by agnostics and atheists, some would actually say this is a better way to follow witchcraft as it works with how the universe actually works, where as religious forms of witchcraft can often rely more on how they believe the universe works.

All [practicing] Wicca are witches, but not all witches are Wicca.

Answer 2

Wicca is a religion, which can function without Witchcraft. Witchcraft is a tool, one that should be used with caution and not for frivilous things or ideas.

As for WHEN you will be considered a witch? I wouldn't know. I am considered one by others, yet I rarely ever use that label myself and don't really view myself as a "witch" in the more modern way. Closest thing that describes me as a witch is a Kitchen Witch.

My idea of a witch will certainly be different than Ravenwolf's. So I guess that would totally depend on You and what You consider a witch and how to achieve that on your own.

Answer 3

That all depends on your personal path in Wicca. Not all Wiccans are Witches, just like not all Witches are Wiccan. You can be a practicing Wiccan and not practice Witchcraft, therefore you would not be a Witch.

Also, to the person who said they were getting a Wiccaning, it usually happens after birth as a type of baptism. It is not an initiation, like those in Covens. If you are self dedicating, then that is what you are, a dedicate.

Also, ignore anyone who tells you you must join a coven to be Wiccan, it is rubbish. Your beliefs are your own, and entry into a coven will not change that.

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Answer 4

well i have a family member who practices Wicca, and i would not call her a witch. thou she does practise the art of magic, and feels it does help her in her life. i see it more as the rituals of her religious believe. if it gives her the peace of mind, and contentment in her life that ones faith should then i am happy for her. she and i both feel that magic and witch craft depend on the condition of ones heart at the time. so if what she does is for good, then how can you call it witchcraft or call her a witch. many of the early Wicca were branded with the title of being a witch, when the Wicca faith believes in the mother earth and all things that compose it. there is nothing evil or demoralizing about it, those who feel that practising that faith makes one witches or warlocks, show there own bigotry.

Answer 5

Wicca is religion,witchcraft is the practice of magick.You can have one without the other,either one.I was Wiccan,but not a very active witch,since I didn't do very much magick.I was a more active witch when I was younger because I did magick more often.I wasn't Wiccan,then.Now I'm neither.

Oh,I will pray for you,too.Just kidding.I'm an Atheist.

Answer 6

Not all Wiccans are Witches, and not all Witches are Wiccan. Some see Wicca and Witchcraft as the same thing and some see them as different. It's your choice how you want to refer to yourself and when you want to start using that title.

Answer 7

Not all Wiccans are witches. I to am also new to Wiccan. I have a few websites i use to gather more information, if you would like the names of them please let me know. I also am reading a book by Scott Cunningham. Will acquire more books as time goes on. As for when you will actually be considered a witch, that is something for you to decide i think.

The sites I am using really help.
You can contact me at [e-mail]

Good luck on your journey.

Blessed Be

Answer 8

If you are studying the religion of Wicca for your life path, you are a witch. The abilities and talents of each person are individual and special. Hocus Pocus does not enter into it. There are of course many kinds of witch not all of them Wicca so don't be mislead by that. Blessed Be in your discoverings and journey.

Answer 9

Hi there , let me ask u this, if Wicca and Witchcraft is the ability to enfluence and change things, then why is the world still screwed up.
Isn`t it just another pipe dream to achieve selfish needs, and the fact that they have nothing to do with the God of the Bible, make them so much more attractive, due to the dark rebeliousness?
Be careful, there is always a price to be paid somewhere up the road.

Answer 10

Don't associate the historical image of a 'witch' with Wiccan. That's more a stereotype that reality.