Witches vs. wicca....What's the difference?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Witchcraft is a craft, an art. It can be used in conjunction with any other religion. It is not a religion in itself.

Wicca, however IS a religion. It has doctrines such as the Wiccan rede, and the Threefold Law.

Many will incorporate Witchcraft into Wicca, but a Witch is NOT necessarily a Wiccan. I am one who is a Witch but not Wiccan. I do not follow a lot of the beliefs of Wicca, but I do practice magick.

Answer 3

I always thought that Wicca was the 'religion' practiced by witches. I'm not really sure, though. I know Wicca teaches a profound respect for life and the environment. Most of them don't use 'magic' but they do rely on natural substances, such as burning sage, to dispel negative energies in a room.

This is how I understand it, anyway...

Answer 4

Wicca is a religion that respect's the mother goddess, and the Earth. The magic is not the magic like you see in the movies, it's more like power to use your energies, in was that you wouldn't usually use them. Witch is a term the Catholic church uses when they went on the Witch Hunts and does not have anything to do with the Wiccan religion.

Answer 5

Witches practice witchcraft, but don't neccessarily have any particular religious or moral boundaries. Their type of witchcraft might also be seen as more intuitional. Wicca is a religion that uses witchcraft, but it's more high ceremonial in flavor, in part, than 'natural witchcraft', and it includes gods and goddesses which isn't always the case in natural witchcraft. Wicca is based on a movement in the late 1800's of a fellow named Gardner. Wicca has moral and ethical codes to live by and is much more 'organized' than natural witchcraft, but not by much.

Answer 6

Most Wiccans are witches, because most Wiccans do spells and work with magic.

Not all witches are Wiccans. Wicca is a religion with specific beliefs and ethics that not all magic-users follow. Someone who practices voodoo could be considered a "witch", but they would definitely not be Wiccan.

Answer 7

Wiccans are witches but probaly not the kind of witch your thinking of there not green and ride broomsticks there people like us who chose to believe in that religion. And they are definatly NOT satanic.In fact they don't even believe in Satan. Heres a website that tells you all about Wicca. http://www.wicca.com/celtic/wicca/wicca.htm

Answer 8

Some people do behave like they want to. I even ask questions about them. "ive asked why being stuck up is bad?" If ite the way theyre, and want to behave, why is it bad. So many people agree they hate a stuck up person, and someone needs to fix them...this would be under making people act like you want them too. Manipulation is a way of getting results without changing the person, because it is a naturual rythemathic behavior youre triggering. Im a Scorpio, i naturually have strong eye contact. I know with women, that strong eye contact makes them want to talk to you. I dont have to find something to talk about, strong eye contact just makes them talk. So if I want to talk, i dont have to just get into what im saying. I can start off with strong eye contact to get their attention first. Then they listen. Theyre many triggers psychologicaly, and its is based off how the average person responds to certain things. Have I ever manipulated people? Yes, i did. If I have stop an ignorant course of action from getting out of hand, I will manipulate. If i let it be, it would go down hill fast. Scorpio sun Libra moon Intensity: learn the triggers. You can learn them by studying yourself. I also use indicators and did some if my own research and testing with indicators.

Answer 9

Overall nice responses to your question I'd say! Wicca-a religion witchcraft-a lifestyle. Thats all I would add.

Answer 10

People who believe in witches are more silly.Wicca is harmless, I kind of like their respect for the environment.