Wicca: Is it a word? Abbreviation? What?

Answer 1

You have gotten some good answers. I am simply weighing in to say there is a difference between Wicca and Witchcraft.

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

Many Wiccans incorrectly refer to themselves as Witches. However, someone who practices Witchcraft will either refer to themselves as being a Witch, or will use another manner of description altogether. What they will not say, however, is that they are Wiccan.

Answer 2

It came about as a direct result of people's panic attacks over the word witchcraft. Rather than say "I am a witch" people began to say "I follow Wicca."

From there - it split. To those who claim Wicca is not witchcraft at all - but a nature based religion. And those who use it as a more "PC" term to witchcraft.

Answer 3

A word coming from the same latin root as wicker, meaning flexible, I think.

Answer 4

Origin: 1970–75; < Old English wicca (male) sorcerer (ME wicche, mod. dial. witch);

so we look at "witch"
Origin: bef. 900; ME wicche, OE wicce (fem.; cf. wicca(masc.) wizard, see wicked

and "wicked":
Origin: 1225–75; ME wikked, equiv. to wikke bad (repr. adj. use of OE wicca wizard; cf. witch

Answer 5

a religion that consist of the nicest people in the world

Answer 6

its a religion and a word and i know you have herd the word witch craft its like that but a religion

Answer 7

Short form for loan application in Iceland.

Answer 8

I think it's an acronym for the guv'ment program that hands out milk and cheese to welfare moms...

;-)

Answer 9

it's a religion.

Answer 10

a joke, pretty much.