MSN Home  |  My MSN  |  Hotmail
Sign in to Windows Live ID Web Search:   
go to MSNGroups 
Free Forum Hosting
 
Important Announcement Important Announcement
The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
MORTISHA' S PATH OF SPIRITUAL FULFILLMENT!Contains "mature" content, but not necessarily adult.[email protected] 
  
What's New
  
  Welcome to Mortisha's Path Of Spiritual Fulfillment  
  ~In Loving Memory of Hawk~  
  General  
  Message Boards  
  Animal Symbolism  
  ANGEL MIRACLES  
  Angels  
  Archangels  
  Aura's  
  Automatic Writing  
  Baths n Smudge  
  Birthday Trees  
    
  Candle Magik  
  Cartomancy Meanings  
  Cartomancy  
  Chakras  
  Cleansing Methods  
  Drawing Energy  
  Dream Journal Outline  
  Empathy  
  Fairie Encounters  
  Gemstones and Crystals  
  Herbs and Oils  
  Meditation  
  Moon Information  
  OBE'S  
  Process For Accessing Past Life Information  
  Practice Exercises  
  Protection Techniques  
  Psychic Gifts  
  Psychic Gifts  
  Recipe A Day  
  Releasing Negative Feelings  
  Scrying  
  Smudge Sticks  
  Spirit Guides  
  Tarot Cards  
  Time Zones  
  Witches Corner  
  
  Wiccan 101  
  
  Spell of The Day  
  
  Steps to Writing a Spell  
  
  Ritual Altar  
  
  Tools for Ceremony and Ritual  
  
  Spiritual Baths  
  World Clock  
  Zodiac  
  Pictures  
  Recommend  
  Your Web Page  
  
  
  Tools  
 
Wiccan 101 : Wiccan or Witch?
Choose another message board
 
     
Reply
Recommend  Message 1 of 2 in Discussion 
From: Ren�?/A>  (Original Message)Sent: 2/27/2004 4:45 AM
Though you can be both a Wiccan and a witch, these two words do not mean the same thing.
One of the biggest sore points among Wiccans is the improper usage of the terms "Wiccan" and "Witch". Too many people use the terms interchangably, 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, honoring the Gods and/or Goddesses, creating sacred space for rituals, to name a few. Many traditional Wiccans also 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'm still not sure on 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 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 aren't automatically a witch just because your grandmother may have been one. The use of magick takes practice, experience and learning. On a side note, a male witch is called a witch, not a warlock.

Pagan
While I'm explaining terminology, I thought I would throw in "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 only one Pagan religion, but there are others such as 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.

Santeria is a typically Caribbean religion whose roots are in Africa, but has been blended with Roman Catholic images as well.

Asatru is a tradition based on old Norse beliefs, and is significantly different from basic Wicca. Followers of this path call themselves Heathens.

Shamanism is more of a philosophy than a religion, and involves deep spirituality and healing.

I found this info on About.com



First  Previous  2 of 2  Next  Last 
Reply
Recommend  Message 2 of 2 in Discussion 
From: MSN Nickname♥Gyp§yJaguar™�?/nobr>Sent: 2/27/2004 10:36 PM
COOL!...thanks Ren!