Wicca/Pagan ....?

Question

I am very interested, I have been for years. I have looked into many different religions, and this is the only one that makes sense to me. I feel it in me...I want to know everything I can about the religion, and learn more about myself in the meantime :) I have been wondering, what is the difference between being wiccan, or pagan ?


Blessed be!

Answer 1

I once wrote an essay on the topic. I'l paste it here, I hope you don't mind VERY long answers! ;)

"What is a pagan?"

There are a couple of ways how to answer this question. Firstly, let me point out that there is no "pagan religion" as such, therefore it should not be capitalised.
Paganism is the oldest belief known to humanity. It's origins reach back to the stone-age animism, when people tried to explain natural phenomena, explore the unknown, and honour the nature around them. Therefore, paganism originally has no founder, no earthly leaders, no prophets, no messiahs, and no saints.

Linguistically, the word pagan derives from the Latin word "paganus", which means "a villager", or a "country dweller". Romans in the big cities, who had already accepted Christianity, used this derogatory term to described simple farmer folk who lived in the countryside and still practised the old polytheistic religion. Back then, anybody not Christian was considered a barbarian, a lesser being.
Historically, the different synonyms for a "pagan" were almost always used in the derogatory way, meaning an infidel, heretic or an unbeliever. Look for example at the term "heathen". Heathen is yet another word like pagan. Heathen means "people of the heath (hearth)", and nowadays it is used to signify pagans that follow one of the norse/germanic pagan paths.
The Latin word "Pagus" means a village, and while the majority of Pagans today live in towns, this term nowadays accurately describes the Pagan heritage, and the affinity which modern Pagans feel with the natural environment.

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So what does a term "pagan" mean nowadays, for example here on Yahoo!Answers?
The word "pagan" is an umbrella term which nowadays came to mean all pre-Christian non-Abrahamic polytheistic beliefs and also many of the new polytheistic beliefs, reconstructionisms and neo-pagan beliefs.

Reconstructionisms are original polytheistic religions of old that either survived or we are trying to restore them in the form as they were practised before Christianity came. Recons don't just study the gods, but also the culture of the people who practised the old religion, and often try to re-enact both.
Such beliefs include: Heathen reconstructionism (Asatru, Odinism, Theodism, Anglo-Saxon Heathenry, Irminsweg - Germanic Heathenry), Hellenic Reconstructionism (Greek gods), Kemetic polytheism (Egyptian Gods), Celtic, Roman, Indian, African, Native American and many more. Some of those are nearly lost and only fragments are left (like Celtic), others have actually survived almost intact to the present days (like Native American with the tribes, or Asatru in some remote regions of Scandinavia.)
Neo-pagan beliefs include all practices and forms of theistic (usually poly-theistic) forms of Earth-centred religion, for example Wicca, different forms of witchcraft and eclectic paganism. Eclectic paganism is the most free, no-rules type of pagan belief, it's basically a pick-and-mix do-it-yourself religion. Eclectics often work with gods from different pantheons, sometimes even at the same time, and adopt practices from different traditions. This is often frowned upon by those who follow a specific path.

There are also HUGE differences in the way of worship. Specific-path pagans worship only one pantheon of Gods. Hard polytheists believe that every God and Goddess is a separate entity with a distinct personality, while certain Wiccans worship one mother Goddess and one God as the archetype of all female and all male gods.
There is no holy book or scripture that requires pagans to follow any prescribed manner of worship - every path has its own rules, its own texts, books and sources. Some pagans worship in a formal manner, with strictly prescribed rituals, others have a more instinctive and unconscious mode of acknowledging and communicating with the divine. Some Pagans prefer to make their worship a private affair; others gather in groups and make their worship a communion with each other, as well as with the Gods.
On the subject of magic: not all pagan paths practice magic. It seems to be quite an integral part in modern pagan paths like Wicca, but not in all pagan beliefs. Especially reconstructionists don't always practice magic. Some, of course, do, but it's not essential for the practice of their path.

Various pagan beliefs are so different that you'll have to research them as individuals. There is hardly anything at all, that all of them would have in common - apart from not being Christian, Jewish or Islamic. By this definition, even Buddhism could be counted among pagan beliefs.
Nowadays there are even a couple of people around who claim to be atheist pagans - not believing in any gods, but feeling close to nature, respecting an honour code similar to those of the pagan beliefs, being spiritual without being theist.
When someone identifies as "pagan" to you, you shouldn't presume anything without asking first: "Which tradition?"

Answer 2

Wicca is a religion unto itself, but still pagan.
A pagan is a blanket term for polytheistic religions, or belief in the Old Gods.
The most common suggestion is to Read. But stay away from Silver Ravenwolf, D.J Conway is a little fluffy too.
Margot Adler, Edain McCoy, Scott Cunningham are all very good. There's also Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism which breaks it down really nicely and covers a myriad of paths and beliefs. Great for beginners. You can get it cheaply through amazon.com.
Also try reading some mythology in the cultures you are interested in.
Take time to be in nature, and really see nature. Start basic meditation exercises if you don't already. Edain McCoy also has a book(Celtic Myth and Magick) with what's called "Alignment Exercises" These are good for starting to touch base with deity.
If you have a coven/druid grove in your area, ask about new membership. Witchvox.com has a directory where you can look for groups in your area.
And don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
Many Blessings, I wish you luck!

Answer 3

I believe that when a person follows their Spirit Guides and Patron Deities, they begin to unravel the mystery of their individual, unique Path, and as their understanding of that Path develops, the better they can define it and give it a name that makes sense. If you study under someone, be on the lookout for whether your Soul agrees with what's being taught. Personally, I believe most folks should be calling themselves Witches or Neo-Wiccans and the labels "Wicca" and "Wiccan" should only be used by people who follow Gardnerian, Alexandrian, BTW, or other similar groups whose traditions are fairly entrenched and set and not really open to interpretation. I call myself an Aquarian Witch because I refuse to be defined by anyone. And I think the etymology of the word Wicca is a bunch of hooey. Look in any OED more than 50 years old and you won't find it.. Why? Cuz it was made up by Gardner. Who cares? Be a Soul Wanderer in the Mist! That's what we all are anyway.

I encourage you to find a Teacher, preferably one that does not charge money for it. They are out there. You can try www.witchvox.com and look for groups in your local area, or try witches.meetup.com or your local metaphysical shops for ways to meet other witches informally and ask questions. Be true to yourself and listen to your heart. There are a number of unsavory, full-of-it individuals calling themselves the Reverend Whatever and who are looking to take your money and/or extract sexual favors from you. People get caught up in the glamour of the honeymoon and don't ask enough questions. Ask and don't accept cagey answers!

Answer 4

A Wiccan is a specific kind of Pagan who is Duotheistic, believing in a Goddess and a God, who live like Yin and Yang. All Goddesses are the one Goddess and all Gods are one God.
A Pagan can view it differently... either that all Gods and Goddess are one deity, or that they all merely represent parts of your psyche, or that there are a few (like 7-14) Archetypes that all deities from different cultures fall into, or even that every deity is individual as in Hard Polytheism.

Answer 5

Research the links someone posted earlier and also do a Wikipedia search on Wicca, witchcraft, Paganism and then narrow down what pagan branch might interest you.

Solitcary Wicca or Witchcraft for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham (hit Amazon.com used) is a good start.

Answer 6

Wicca is a specific belief within Paganism that has it's own framework. Much like Living in the USA = Paganism
Being a Democrat = Wiccan.

Hope that helps†

Answer 7

All wiccans are Pagan, but not all pagans are Wiccan. Paganism is an umbrella term that encompasses every non Abrahamic religion. Personally I am a Celtic Reconstructionist.

Answer 8

wicca is a form of paganism, but from what ive found, wiccans have to do witchcraft, pagans can if they want to. and im not sure about this but i think they have different gods. i altered my form of wicca to where i only have a god and a goddess. if you want to kno more, or if your wondering about something else, email me. ill be glad to reply. : )

Answer 9

Think of it like this:
Pagan is to Wicca like Christianity is to Baptist.
All Baptists are Christian, but not all Christians are Baptist, and all Wiccan are Pagan, but not all Pagans are Wiccan.

Answer 10

Consider the following...

http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Wicca.html