Non-Wiccan Witches: did you start as Wiccan and why did you leave it?

Question

I do know Wicca and Witch are different - that is why I specified non-Wiccan witches. And I have been a Witch (non Wiccan) for years).

I haven't rated anyone's answers yet -up or down. Thats all others.

Answer 1

I am a Wiccan, but do know many folks who started as one and went off onto their own spiritual paths. One even it doing serious life work as a Peruvian shaman.

I think many people start off with Wicca because it is accessible and available. Many do not stay because SERIOUS study in Wicca is difficult, or because they have met too many NON-serious Wiccans and get turned off by the experience, or becuase they want to practice witchcraft and not deal with the religion part of Wicca. Sometimes It is because they at first thought that Wicca and witchcraft were the same thing and then later learned that they are not. Witchcraft is a practice; Wicca is a religion in which on practices witchcraft.

For those that practice witchcraft without having been Wicca it is usually because they had it in their family, or happened to be exposed to one of the other cultural forms of witchcraft first (increasingly a rarity).

There are those who will practice Wicca down to the core - but INSIST that they are NOT Wiccan, even though there is nothing in their belief or practice that mankes them different.

lol, get confusing, no?

Answer 2

i started out as a witch, then learned about wicca. i don't consider my self wiccan, but as an eclectic witch. as to why anyone would leave wicca? same reason you leave any religion, it's because people evolve and sometimes the path they are following doesn't offer them what they need anymore. but most wiccans do continue on another pagan path as opposed to converting to a monotheistic one

edit: father to be - you're getting thumbs down because you aren't even trying to actually answer the question, which is a violation of the rules. i won't report you, but someone else might. if you want thumbs up, answer the question next time. congrats on the upcoming baby. (unless father to be means becoming a minister or something - and if it does, congrats to that!)

Answer 3

No, I didn't start as a Wiccan and have never been a Wiccan. I started with Macro philosophy (a new age philosophy started in the early 70's) and added simple folk magic. I had spirits and deities that I talked to but that was separate from my practice of magic.

For me, magic and prayer are two separate things. In magic, I cause change. In prayer, I ask for another entity to cause change--of course there are many other more important reasons for prayer too.

I find the religion of Wicca interesting and have incorporated a couple of their outer court tenets into my practice, but I've never been called to follow a Wiccan path. I follow another neo-pagan path.

Answer 4

I'm a non-wiccan witch. I didn't start out in Wicca, but I did spend some time there.. became a third degree hps, but found it just wasn't for me.. it lacked a lot of what I was looking for.. I'm happier following my pagan witch path now, but I have a great deal of respect for those who are Wiccan.

Answer 5

I didn't start as a Wiccan. I started alone, with no books to read and no one to ask about things, only my own instincts and intellect to guide me.

For the details (it's a long post) you can see the intro to this blog:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-K3GPpiQjerBy98vmr34M7TtLp_Ic?p=10

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I've since learned about as much about Wicca as a non-initiate can (what with it being oath-bound), and have decided that it's not the path for me. My current religious practice is *informed by* Wicca (NROOGD) but I am NOT Wiccan, as I have not been trained in, nor initiated into, any Tradition of Wicca (Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Mosian, Central Valley Wicca, etc.).

And I'm very content that this is the case. I do not feel "less than" in any fashion because I'm not Wiccan...and my Wiccan friends do not consider me "less than" either.

Answer 6

No I never started in Wicca. I do study it because it's easily accessible as far as books and stuff. I respect Wicca, my sister is Wiccan, but the tradition itself just never really clicked with me. I never felt the connection that I do with my Pantheon. It's a tad more earth based then works for me.
I agree with most Wiccan meet up with other "Wiccans" that are in it for the spells and not the faith. Many people forget that Paganism is a religion and a way of life and many of us don't even practice magic. It's not required. It's only one aspect of our faith. Neat question. :)

Answer 7

No. I started as a Christian and remain a Christian. Practicing traditional witchcraft goes back at least 4 generations in my family. I don't think it was ever linked to Wicca in our family (at least as far as I can tell), just a respect for the earth.

By the way, it's nice to be included in a witchcraft question. My answers in this category are usually ignored as I'm not Wiccan or pagan. Thank you

Answer 8

I could echo Raven's voice's answer because we are much alike in that respect (and probably more). I am self initiated, bound only to my own beliefs. I was a witch long before I knew Wicca existed! I am not now, nor have I ever been a follower of anyone. My book of shadows is my book of experience, not meant as a guidebook for anyone. I, in essence, am Pecti-Witan. All Pecti-Witans are solitary and we like it that way!
BB
)O(

Answer 9

I've never been Wiccan; I learned my craft from my grandmother, it's a family tradition in my family that's been passed down for over 600 years.

Wicca always seems a bit 'fluffy' to me, and seems to rely heavily on invented rules and ideas taken from other faiths; maybe I've just met the wrong sort of Wiccans.

Answer 10

well by the question i'm guessing you are wiccan or atleast is interested in it, but not a lot of " wiccans" know that much about "wicca" in fact i've been to a couple covents and none follow the book of shadows. thats like a catholic or christain not following jesus or the bible