What is the difference between Witchcraft and Wiccan?

Answer 1

Well, a WICCAN is someone who follows WICCA. The difference between a WICCAN and a Witch is that most WICCANs are witches but not all witches are WICCANs. The same goes for WICCA and Witchcraft. WICCA is a spiritual path tied to nature and belief in the Goddess and the God, and nearly always reincarnation (that is an EXTREMELY simplistic explanation). Witchcraft is the art of practicing ritual spellwork to elicit the help of the God/dess in your daily life with whatever particular problem you are facing. Most who follow WICCA practice witchcraft, but not all who practice witchcraft follwo WICCA. There are a slew of Christian witches out there. Also, the art of witchcraft as a stand-alone path does not necessitate that you be Wiccan to practice.

I will add that the commonality between Wiccans and witches is that none of them, whatever their religion, follow the Devil. Those of us who are Wiccan do not believe in Satan, and Christian witches certainly aren't following Satan, since they call themselves Christian witches.

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Answer 2

Good question! I am PectiWitan (aka a Hedge Witch, NOT Wiccan). Wiccan is a newer, more organized and refined (if you will) form of the old religion (aka witchcraft). Witan & wiccan (small w) are often used to describe a practitioner, as well as witch. I know you have heard time and again that witchcraft was started in the 1950.s by Gardner, not true, Wicca was developed at that time, witchcraft is much older. Some of the people who have answered are really showing their ignorance. We would never do any sort of blood sacrifice. That is ridiculous! It goes against the rede (which is not limited to Wiccans) of do as you will as long as it harms none. I would no more kill any animal than I would hurt someones child or burn down their house! The ones who said not all Wiccans are witches & vice versa are correct. Wicca involves a lot more formal worship & ritual (generally organized) and it is my belief that most practitioners of witchcraft are solitary, tho I am sure some are involved in covens.
If you would like a fairly good book that outlines some of the different practices try Raymond Buckland. If you want to find out more about solitaries, try Scott Cunningham.
If I can be of more help, feel free to contact me.
BB
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Answer 3

You can be both a Wiccan and a witch, these two words are not the same
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.

Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan. Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan. Personally, I'm still not sure on that point. Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches.

You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".

Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion, therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none). Using the natural energies within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft. Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock.

Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "Pagan" as well. Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian/Jewish/ Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based. Wicca is only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism. Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path. Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.

http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usfl&c=white&id=1938

http://www.mdpagans.com/wiccaisnot.html

Answer 4

Witch craft is performing the rituals and works of magic. It can entail more dieties that Mother Earth and Father Sky (Like that which oif most Wiccans belive in)

Wicca believes in only the two dieties for the most part. If you just do whichcraft but do not worshit or belive in more than those gods, then you would be considered a pagan.

Also, when you read up on such things, most witch craft can be performed by concentration and knowing how to control the energies just as wiccan can.

There are a few differences, yet tehre aren't. Someone people say all witch craft is sacrificing animals. That is more towards the black magic because there is the rule of if you cause pain unto others you will reviece it three fold (For some it's ten fold... either way you are going to get it worse than what you did)

Answer 5

Ask 100 different people, get 100 different answers.

Wicca is a polytheistic religion that goes under the category of Paganism. It's redundant to say it's a nature-based religion.

Witchcraft is the practice of magick and energy work. Some who practice Witchcraft are called witches. In addition, despite popular believe, Witchcraft and Wicca don't necessarily go hand-in-hand. You can be of any religion, or lack-there-of, and be a witch.

If you want to learn more, I suggest you check out Scott Cunningham's book "The Truth About Witchcraft Today". It's a cheap pamphlet book that gives you the fundamentals of what Witchcraft and Wicca are. It also dispels misconceptions.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Well first off Witchcraft is the main base of Wicca, 'Wiccan' is the person who parctices Wicca, but I understand what you mean.
There is basicly no difference between Witchcraft or Wicca, just that as a US religion since 1985 it was declared as Wicca and not called 'Witchcraft' Wiccans can call themselves 'Witches' because thats what they are. The main concern is that society seems to react more to the term 'Witch' as something evil and diabolic (something they are not) while now the term 'Wiccan' is known as a more peaceful person.

Answer 7

Wicca is the religion. Withcraft describes the practices Wiccans are involved in (spells, charms, goddess worship, meditation, etc.).

You don't have to be a Wiccan to be involved with witchcraft, but it's not terribly wise.

Answer 8

We're talking sets and sub-sets here.

Paganism (or neo-Paganism)- the set of religions, generally polytheistic , based in pre-Christian religious traditions such as Egyptian, Greek, Norse, and Celtic. Often these are Indo-European in origin, but with a growing component inspired by other religions indigenous to Europe, as well as other parts of the world. Neopagans fall into two broad categories; nature-oriented and magical groups.

Witchcraft - a subset of Paganism, inclusive of Wicca, hedge-witchery, eclectic Craft, folk magic, santaria, voudun, hereditary Witchcraft, non-BTW initiatory Traditions of Witchcraft such as NROOGD, 1734, etc.

Wicca - a subset of Witchcraft, comprised of certain Lineage/Initiatory Traditions aka British Traditional Wicca. The best known of these are the Gardnerians, of which there are distinct British and American branches. Alexandrians, Mohsians and (California) Central Valley Wicca are also British Traditionals)

Answer 9

Wicca is an Earth based religion.
Wiccan is someone who follows Wicca.
Witchcraft is one of many terms for Magic, but it is usually associated with Wiccans and Witches.

Blessed Be )O(

Answer 10

witchcraft is older than wiccan for one, wicca is nature based magic, witchcraft is more healing and herbal.

BTW wiccans and witchcraft does NOT SACRIFICE ANIMALS thats what christians and Jews did! damn why do i have to keep correcting the ignorant!