Are there specific differences between Wicca and "witchcraft?

Question

I'm a Christian, and would just like to make sure i know what you ladies are talking about. I've heard/read in the past that they are necessarily the same. What do you Wiccans say?
I'm not interested in bashing you, just curious about what actual practioners have to say.

UPDATE: Coquetta, I've read the book of mormon, the koran, and have taken all the pro-evolution courses in college. What could possibly be wrong with gaining understanding. I'm not looking to convert, just to try and understand other folks "world view".

UPDATE2: If Wicca originated in the 1950's, was there a specific person or group who started the movement?

Answer 1

Thank you for a very good question!

There are indeed many differences between Wicca and Witchcraft, with Wicca being much more of a religious practice and, as it was explained to me by a very good Witch, Witchcraft is much closer related to a craft, like carpentry. The two overlap in that a lot of Wiccans are Witches and the reverse is true, but one does not have to be both. For a very very cogent explanation of the differences, google traditional witchcraft and and there is an article that describes the differences. If you google the question "what are the differences between Wicca and traditional witchcraft," it will probably take you right there.

Wicca was a practice that was started by a man named Gerald Gardner in the 1950's after England got rid of laws stating that Witchcraft was illegal. His practices are generally followed by many Wiccans, and there are many different branches of WIcca that are not "Gardnerian." So, while Wicca is a fairly recent development, true Witchcraft has been with homo sapiens for thousands of years, and does not emphasize deities and formal rituals as much as Wiccans do. Rather, Witches are more likely to connect with ancestral spirits than deities. There is a lot more to both than I can go into here, but really, google that article and it will lay it all out for you extremely well.

Also, Witchcraft and Wicca are not the sole provinces of "ladies" as you so very charmingly put us. Many are men, in both categories.

On a final note, both are peaceful, Earth oriented paths which have nothing to do with devils of any kind. Also, with my apologies if I have got any of the information wrong, but the Witches and Wiccans out there will gently correct me if I have misstated anything!

Many blessings to you in your spiritual journey!

Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 2

Witchcraft is a technique in the same way that prayer is a technique, and is practiced in many different religious contexts.

Wicca is one of the religions in which witchcraft is practiced by most (but not all) members.

Therefore, it is accurate to say that most Wiccans are witches, but not all witches are Wiccans by a long shot. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I agree with Kallan on this one.

One of the other differences is that Wicca has only been around ever since the 1950's but Witchcraft has been around for thousands of years.

Answer 4

Hey there, thanks for such a respectful question.

Wicca is a religious belief, whereas witchcraft is a practice.
Most wiccans practice some form of witchcraft.. but not all witches are Wiccan.
Wicca is ceremonial and more ritually based as well.

I hope this helps with some clarification.

Answer 5

Each witch, just as each sect of Christian faith, has differences in opinion. The bond that ties Wiccans into each other is the belief in the Earth itself as a source of life.

Answer 6

wicca is a form of the larger categorization known as witchcraft just as catholocism is a form of christianity

Answer 7

First of all if you're a christian you shouldn't care about witchcraft and Wicca that has nothing to do with God so why do you even care.