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Wicca and Witchcraft are not the same thing...
Okay, I was googling other wiccan forums, not that I don't like this site. It's awesome. But, while I was looking I saw some misinformation being spread. This one person said that witchcraft was known to be bad while wicca wasn't and that there was a big difference between the two. There is one thing wrong with this statement, and a few correct things.
1. Witchcraft is not necesarily a bad thing. It's the practice of magick, which is the use of one's will to change the world around them and acquire the result wished for. Yes, Witchcraft can be used for bad purposes. No, it is not always used for bad purposes. Which leads me to Wicca...
2. Wicca is a religion, not a practice. However, before you all start typing out comments furiously to correct me, it can incorporate Witchcraft, the practice of magick. Some of you may be thinking: 'what about the sabbats and esbats? Magick is performed then.' Well, this is where I will have to correct you.
Sabbats aren't primarily for making magick, but, for worship of the God, the Goddess, or any other embodiment of Akasha that Wiccans wish to worship.
Esbats, however, are known as working rituals, when they do not land on a specific holiday. I would call them an incorporation of both Witchcraft and Wicca. Esbats can be performed without the incorporation of the religion of "Wicca" but, it can also primarily be a worship service. But, it is also used as a mix of both, at times. To invoke a God or Goddess or multiple entities, to help you use your magick in the way you wish, is incorporating a level of faith, regardless of if you consider yourself a "Wiccan Witch."
I hope this clears up some confusion on the subject, or perhaps even stirs up a few more questions. Asking questions leads to more answers. And seeking knowledge in The Craft is something to be proud of, to want to ask questions. No one person ever knows everything about Witchcraft or Wicca and there is always more to learn. ^.^ Blessed Be!
--Xantara
1. Witchcraft is not necesarily a bad thing. It's the practice of magick, which is the use of one's will to change the world around them and acquire the result wished for. Yes, Witchcraft can be used for bad purposes. No, it is not always used for bad purposes. Which leads me to Wicca...
2. Wicca is a religion, not a practice. However, before you all start typing out comments furiously to correct me, it can incorporate Witchcraft, the practice of magick. Some of you may be thinking: 'what about the sabbats and esbats? Magick is performed then.' Well, this is where I will have to correct you.
Sabbats aren't primarily for making magick, but, for worship of the God, the Goddess, or any other embodiment of Akasha that Wiccans wish to worship.
Esbats, however, are known as working rituals, when they do not land on a specific holiday. I would call them an incorporation of both Witchcraft and Wicca. Esbats can be performed without the incorporation of the religion of "Wicca" but, it can also primarily be a worship service. But, it is also used as a mix of both, at times. To invoke a God or Goddess or multiple entities, to help you use your magick in the way you wish, is incorporating a level of faith, regardless of if you consider yourself a "Wiccan Witch."
I hope this clears up some confusion on the subject, or perhaps even stirs up a few more questions. Asking questions leads to more answers. And seeking knowledge in The Craft is something to be proud of, to want to ask questions. No one person ever knows everything about Witchcraft or Wicca and there is always more to learn. ^.^ Blessed Be!
--Xantara
Tags: esbat, practice, religion, sabbat, wicca, wiccan, witchcraft
4 Comments
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Comment by XantaraUrielArda on August 15, 2008 at 2:17am -
to Scarlett Dragonfire: I've never heard that Esbats were only performed at Full Moons. I think you may be thinking of certain Sabbats, "Esbat" is a worship or practice session for anytime. Of course, sometimes, for means of correspondence, an Esbat would be performed on a Full Moon, but, not always. I'm glad this post is helpful. I tried very hard to make the explanations clear. ^.^ I hope this reply answers your question. Blessing to you Scarlett.
--Xantara
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Comment by Lark on August 18, 2008 at 9:45am -
A couple of small corrections here:
Esbats are the rituals held at the Full Moon, and by some groups also on the Dark Moon. It is taken from the "Charge of the Goddess" where in talking about rituals it says "An better it be when the moon is full." Sabbats are the eight major holidays of the Wiccan year and are solar based.
The idea that one can be Wiccan without performing magick or that a ritual is held without magick is a misconception. Where the confusion comes in is when magick is equated with spellwork. However, that is a false limitation. Casting a circle, charging the cup, Drawing Down the Moon, and invoking/evoking the Gods are all acts of magick and are all a part of Wiccan rituals. So unless you are including Witchcraft/Magick in what you are doing it may be a form of Pagan religion, but it isn't Wicca.
-Lark-
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Comment by Willow on December 10, 2008 at 10:11pm - ok so wicca is a religion..and witchcraft is actualy doing the magik? Can you be more into the witchcraft than Wicca (in my case i don't exactly believe in the god/goddess as people do in other religion...my point is do i need to be involved in Wicca to be involved in witchcraft..cause my beliefes don't exactly match to the general idea of it....does that make any sence ?
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Blessings.