Am I Wiccan Or Witch?

Merrie Meet

Today I am going to address a question that I often here with a simple answer.  You can be both a Wiccan and a Witch, these two words are not the same.

One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangeably, presuming that they both mean the same thing. They do not.

Wiccan
Wicca is a religion, and someone who follows that religion is called a Wiccan.
Sometimes it can be difficult to accurately define Wicca, and not all Wiccans will define themselves the same way. Observing the 8 Wiccan Sabbats, honouring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few is probably the most reliable indicator.

Many traditional Wiccans feel that belonging to a coven is also a requirement and that those who practice their religion as a solitary, should not refer to themselves as Wiccan.

Personally, I am still unsure about that point.

Typical Wiccans also practice magick, and therefore are also witches.
You cannot be a "natural Wiccan" any more than you could be a "natural Christian".

Witch
The practice of witchcraft is not associated with any religion; therefore you can be a witch and yet also be a member of any number of religions (or none).

Using the natural energies that are found within yourself, along with the energies of herbs, stones or other elements to make changes around you is considered witchcraft.
Though the skills and gifts that are part of witchcraft can be inherited from parents or grandparents, you are not automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one.

The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning.

It is also worth noting that a male witch is called a witch and not a warlock

Pagan
Whilst I am taking the time to explain the terminology, I thought it may be useful to include "Pagan" as well.

Paganism refers to a variety of non-Christian / Jewish / Islamic religions that are usually polytheistic and are often nature-based.

Wicca is just one of a number of Pagan religion and some of the others are Santeria, Asatru, or Shamanism.

Many people do not necessarily identify with a specific religion, and just use the broad term "Pagan" to define their spiritual path.

Pagan religions are distinct and separate from each other, and it should not be assumed that they are just different names for the same faith.

So I hope that piece contains information that goes some way to explaining the distinction between the different termsles

Blessed Be!

WRITTEN BY THE MERLIN 12^TH OCTOBER 2017

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So now as we come to the end of this post it is time for me to take my leave of you but not before I say that if you have liked this and the other posts on this blog, please click the link to follow us. 

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So now I will wish you the best things that life can give and say

Love, Light and Blessed Be!

Merlin.