Wicca, witchcraft, etc

Forums ► Misc Topics ► Wicca, witchcraft, etc
Reply to this post oldest 1 newest Start a new thread

Pages: oldest 1 newest

Wicca, witchcraft, etc
By:
Post # 1
I'm wondering what the difference between wicca, witchcraft, paganism and shamanism is. Google is no help
Login or Signup to reply to this post.

Re: Wicca, witchcraft, etc
By:
Post # 2
Wicca is a religion, created by Gerald Gardner I believe around the 1930s and made public in the 1950s. It falls under the pagan category, and is a recognized religion.

Witchcraft too falls within the category of paganism but is a practice. Those whom practice it can choose to be religious within their practice, or to practice without any deity worship or religious undertones. Practioner's may choose to practice secular witchcraft, without deity worship. My niece is an example of a secular witch. A practitioner of witchcraft whom being currently agnostic chooses not to work with deities.
Witchcraft is itself a practice which can be combined with other religions but does not have to be.

Shamanism is it's own pagan practice. It involves years of study, usually guided by individuals whom have knowledge of its practice and history. It is a healing practice which involves much of spirit work. It is a healing practice more than it is a religion. It is a very disciplined practice which involves much learning as it incorporates different methods of healing body, mind, and spirit. It is normally a lifetime learning, much like witchcraft. That is not to say that other practices aren't.

Paganism is a broad category of practices which fall into the category of pagan practices.
All three that you've listed for example are pagan paths. Wicca, witchcraft, and shamanism.
Another example of a pagan path would be such a thing as reconstructionalist druidism.

Hope this helps you.
Login or Signup to reply to this post.

Re: Wicca, witchcraft, etc
By:
Post # 3

Larget to smaller groups:

Paganism is basically any religious outside of the Abrahamic traditions. The term comes from Rome, and was used to describe all of the smaller, local religions outside of their pantheon. It includes a very long list of religions, typically of European origin these days (it's not so common to hear people describe Hinduism, Shintoism, or Daoism pagan, for example, though some people may do so).

Wicca is a specific religion, with its own tenets, scripture (though some may adhere much more strictly or much more loosely) which was created in the early- to mid-20th century. It is a pagan religion, and does include some elements and inspiration from witchcraft and some aspects of ceremonial magic, among other traditions and some new additions as well.

Witchcraft is not tied to any specific religion, and requires no spiritual belief to practice. And it's simply that: A practice. It's one of the terms used for different broad magical practices, though I seem to find it refers more to traditions closer to folk magic, like British Traditional witchcraft, kitchen and green witchcraft, hearth witches, and the like. It differs from something like ceremonial magic because it is not so formal, and is often at least somewhat more improvisational than strict and ritual in nature.

Shamanism can be a bit more difficult to describe, as I've seen some broader and some stricter interpretations, related to origins of the term and regional specifics of practices. The broader definition, I would say, is that it is someone who communes with spirits, as an over-simplification.

Login or Signup to reply to this post.

Re: Wicca, witchcraft, etc
By:
Post # 4
Thank you for answering. Me and my friend run a bit of an online coven through Facebook and this will help teach others who are interested in the paths. Again thank you so much for your help
Login or Signup to reply to this post.

Reply to this post oldest 1 newest Start a new thread

Pages: oldest 1 newest