perverseangelic -> RE: Wicca (5/27/2006 9:22:28 AM)
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There are a couple different thigns that are meant when one says "wicca." It's used to mean very modern neo-wicca aka neo-paganism (among other names) which is a combination of the Wicca created by Raymon Buckland and Gerald Gardener (and others, of course) in the 60's/70. Neo-wicca seems to have very few cohesive tenets, though some argue the Wiccan Rede is universal law for Wiccans (I'd argue against this, because that seems to apply only to neo-wiccans and not those who are invovled inmore traditional covens). Basically, and pretty generically, I'd call it a nature-based religion which is often polytheistic and worships a Goddess as well as a God and follows the cycle of the natural year. Practioners often use magic as a way of worship or to affect the world or to focus one's will. One is likely to see a lot of disparate elements put together in the religion of a practitioner of Neo-Wicca, as in Gods and Goddesses from different pantheons. Neo-Wicca, while often using covens to gather people is much less an initiative and mystery-based relgion. On the other hand, more traditional Wicca (including, but not limited to British Traditional Wicca and Dianic Wicca) is mystery based and initiative, with members meeting in covens. This is much closer to the religion founded by Gardener and others. One who isn't initiated is unlikely to be able to get much information about this faith, because members are expected to be more secretive. I can't give a whole lot of information about more traditional sects, because I don't practice any of them and am not invovled in a coven. If you're talking in terms of these sects, a Wicca is an initiated practioner -only- and not someone who is learning. That is, if you're being trained by a coven, but have not been initiated into the faith, you are a seeker or a learner or an initiate, but -not- a Wicca. (My understanding of this breaks down pretty fast, my exposure is minimal). None of this should be confused, of course, with other pagan religions. Many practice simply witchcraft, not Wicca. Others are Gnostics or Discordians or Druids or...heck..tons. Still falls under the "pagan" banner and is often and incorectly refered to as Wicca. Hrm. I have a feeling that might have been more confusing than anything.
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