wiccans wonder

Wicca is an Earth-based, Nature focused spirituality, drawing on the beliefs and practices of pantheism, gnosticism, ceremonial magick, witchcraft and the pagan religions of the old worlds.

Although the words "Wicca" and "Witchcraft" are often used interchangeably, it is very important to note that THEY ARE NOT the same thing, although there is a substantial overlap.

So what is Wicca then?
Wicca is an traditionally an initiatory Tradition, and most Wiccans work in a group called a Coven, which can be a small group of two or as big as 13 or more. Wiccans believe in a Goddess & God and celebrate the union between them. Wiccans also perform their ceremonies in a 'circle' and work closely with the four elements. Wiccans meet to celebrate the 8 Sabbats (The Wheel of the Year or Seasonal Celebrations) and often also meet to work together at the Full Moon.

Initiation
Wicca is a three degree system:
First Degree
Second Degree
Third Degree

Different titles are given at each of these initiations, although this varies these titles reflect the experience and responsibilities of the initiate. Most Covens today also expect those who are interested in joining their Coven to undergo a 'Dedication' or 'Probationer' initiation when they first join, this is then followed by a period of instruction which when completed and with both parties happy to continue will lead to First Degree initiation.

Many people may argue the point of initiation, saying that you only need to decide you are Wiccan, to be Wiccan. This has lead to much confusion and misunderstandings which can all be easily avoided by by looking at the origins of this tradition. Taking it back to the time of Gerald Gardner (Founder of the Gardnerian Tradition) and more recently to the time of Maxine & Alex Sanders (Founders of the Alexandrian Tradition) - you will find that it is clearly an initiatory tradition. This means that in order to learn the practises of Wicca one had to be accepted by a Coven who would initiate you into their mysteries and train you in their rituals and beliefs.

Wicca is often described as a 'mystery' tradition and these mysteries include the initiation rites and a few other group practises, which can only be fully understood through experience of them.

Obviously it is not that easy to be initiated, and there are a great many factors to take into account. Some people find it hard to even find a Coven in their local area, others have personal commitments (such as studies, work or children) which could make it difficult to commit the time and energy that Coven life demands. And even if there are no obvious obstacles there are still only a small number of Covens in comparison to the levels of interest today, which means that it can be very difficult to gain entrance into a Coven even when you manage to find one, some even have waiting lists!

Non-Initiated Wiccans
The surge in the interest in Wicca & Paganism in general, has lead to many new books and websites (such as this one which was founded for this very reason in 1997) which aims to provide information and guidance on the practises of Wicca & Paganism for those who are interested and want to start learning by themselves. Unfortunately many of these have been done by those quite new to Paganism themselves and often have confusing material which can be very frustrating and misleading as 'absolute' fact, some others sell courses at inflated prices! It is very difficult to know where to go at times!

With so much information being made available, especially in the 1970's with the publication of the books by the Farrar's, many more people than before was able to access the rituals and beliefs of 'Wicca'. By using these books they were able to teach themselves much of the rituals and practises themselves and started working as solitaries or sometimes formed groups of their own based on the material available in published sources. Some performed self-dedications (also sometimes called self-initiation) and some used the published initiation rituals to intiate others. Today it is widely accepted that the term 'Wicca' can and should also be applied to those who have learned in this way, as their practises and beliefs do hold a lot in common with initiated Wiccans - although there are some small differences as some teachings and experiences remain part of the oral tradition.

So what is the difference between Wiccans and Witches?
It is confusing isn'it? Wiccans call themselves Witches, Witches often practise rituals very similar to that of Wiccans - one way of looking at it would be to see the term "Wiccans" can be seen as those who have been initiated into a Wiccan Coven or Tradition such as Gardnerian, Alexandrian or Seax-Wicca or those who have learned from reputable books and made a study of Wicca without initiation and have practises and beliefs akin to that of the Gardnerian / Alexandrian movemement. Witches (as opposed to Wiccans) may be solitary practitioners (hedge witches), self-initiated or self-dedicated to a particular tradition or path, or they might have been initiated into a tradition outside of Wicca such as Santeria, Voudou or one of the very few traditional European traditions which are still surviving today.

So when can you call yourself Wiccan?

There are so many websites and books out today which completely confuses the two with each other and newcomers often get wrapped up in what to call themselves, because of all this confusion!

Our opinion is that you can call yourself Wiccan, providing you have a good understanding of the practises, history and beliefs of the tradition, and that you yourself share those beliefs and practise similar rituals. In addition to this, in situations where initiation is not possible (for a good reason!) you can mark your own dedication to the tradition through a self-dedication ceremony, which although it is not the same as initiation is an important step on your path - it is a pact between you and the Gods which is very special and private, during which you dedicate your life to Their Work and service - which means striving to fulfill your own potential in all that you do!