What's The Difference Between A Wiccan And A Pagan?
I have been asked many times about the differences between a Wiccan and a Pagan. Just like the all too familiar question...Can you be a Wiccan without being a Witch? or a Witch without being a Wiccan? (answer is yes on both counts but that's for another time perhaps) I know there are quite a lot of people who consider themselves Pagans and not Wiccans and otherwise, so that's why I will try to explain briefly for better understanding. Hope this helps!
Wicca is probably the best known in the Pagan religion. It is based on the pre-Christian beliefs of tribes in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales...although it's origins can be traced all the way to the Paleolithic people who worshipped a hunter God and a fertility Goddess.
Wiccans feel that nature is divine. They celebrate cycles of the sun and moon and often worship outdoors. Wiccans also believe all plants and animals in the world are equal and special in their own rite. They will often ask a bush or tree for something as simple as it's flower, for example.
Just like Christians, Wiccans believe you should not harm anyone, including yourself but that's where most of the big similarities end (although if you do your research you will find so many little connections and links between Paganism and Christianity...so many of the rites and practices used today have evolved from even early Pagan traditions). If you do harm or good, these actions will come back to you three times. Most people with Pagan Ways also believe in some form of reincarnation, however there is no concept of heaven or hell or sin. Pagans believe magick and spells can help heal others or themselves.
There is no true Pagan leader. For Wiccans, anyone can become a Priest or Priestess (also called witches). Male Priests are also called witches, NOT warlocks. To Pagans, Wiccans, Witches' (any of the Pagan Ways) the star-shaped pentagram symbolizes the elements of nature- Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit.
How Wicca Started
Wicca is believed to have started from an ancient religion called Shamanism. The Shamans were medicine people, both males and females. They worked magick and spoke to the spirits of nature.
From this primitive beginning arose all religion, including Wicca. Though it has changed for our world today, Wicca still touches our souls, causes awareness, and unites us with Deity. Many of the teachings of Wicca are Shamanic in origin BUT, this is NOT to be confused with whatever the "Old Religion" is! The name Wicca was only born in the mid 20th century (1951), even though it has beautiful ancient values.
No conversion or recruiting for Wicca or WitchCraft is necessary. Wiccans have no real compulsion to convert everyone into their way of thinking. People come to Wicca if and when
THEY are ready or interested, not the other way around.
There is no code of morality. Out of all the creatures of this Earth, only Humans are forced to live under un-natural moral codes. Wiccans live simple: one rule applies...how more people should try to live more often...
"An it harm none, do as ye will".
Progressive Reincarnation
Wiccans believe we are here to learn and progress, not suffer eternal damnation if we "sin" in someone else's eyes.
No Discrimination
There is no such thing as being the right race, color, gender, sexual preference, national origin. To be Wiccan or Pagan means all are welcome!
No Middle Man (or Woman)
Once you know the basics, you can become your own "minister" or "priest/ess".
Be Yourself
By sharing a common interest with others in Wicca or that who are Pagan, you do not lose your identity as an individual. You are unique and will not get lost in the masses.
No Repression
Wiccans and Pagans are not forbidden from reading, learning, eating, drinking, dancing, speaking, etc. You are even allowed to have your own opinion- infact, it's quite encouraged!
Contribution
Not money, but knowledge! The Craft has always been an experimental religion. If it works, we use it. Then we share it so all may benefit.
No Rigid Dogma
Wiccans and Pagans DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEIR PATH IS "THE ONE AND ONLY" PATH! The only "true" path, is the one that works best for you.
Self- Empowerment
Wicca/Witchcraft allows you to truly feel your own power, and a sense of self. You are allowed to be the best person that you can be, with all the love and support on your way there!
All IS Possible!
There are many types of pantheons to choose from...
~ Norse, Greek, Strega, Pictish, Dianic, Celtic ~
...just to name a few. Take your time and find the one that's right for you.
More Information
Pagans have been around for as far as we can date back. Documents of witchcraft exists in even the oldest tests, and Paganism is the oldest form of religion.
If you practice Wicca, then you do not believe in Satan. Wicca is a nature based religion (or "hive" off of Paganism). that honors both a God and a Goddess equally. Wiccans live in harmony with all things on Mother Earth.
*Keep in mind, that not all witches are Wiccan, and just because your'e Pagan, does not mean you are Wiccan).
Most witches (Wiccan or not) are extremely connected to everything in nature and celebrate Sabbats and Esbats throughout the Wheel of the Year.
Sabbats are Solar Rituals and there are eight in a Witches' Year. Esbats are Full Moon "holidays" for Witches...there are atleast 12 in each calendar year, sometimes 13.
I could go on and on here, and there really is so much information out there just waiting to be absorbed if you so desire. If this is something you are interested in learning more about, I strongly encourage you to find the answers you are looking for. They are out there, waiting for you. The information that I have put here and collected for you is ofcourse NOT all that there is. These are just a few things people kept asking about so I finally put them down for all to read. )O(
About Me:
If I had to describe myself to you, I would NOT tell you anything more than this:
"I am a happy,Solitary, Eclectic Green/GrayWitch"... most of my work acquaintences online call me the "Psychic Witch". I have dedicated myself to being the best Witch that I can be and to always helping others who truly need it... part of what that entails is teaching others and to never stop learning. I have an open heart and a very open mind and I try to treat others like I would like to be treated. (These are all entwined in the Rede and 13 Goals. I follow the Witch's Rede) I believe in some of the Wiccan ways, especially " An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will"...and being one with nature. I am very sure of embracing who I am, that's the best thing I can do...I am a Witch, and proud of it ...the best advice I can give you is to embrace who you are too...and fair warning, who you are WILL change over the course of this lifetime...maybe even within the next few months...explore your identity...and love you for you.
Something else you HAVE to know about me: I lovelovelove what I do here!!! I love creating this site and never being able to actually end this "project". Laven's Lair has no end...it's like space or numbers...as long as my brain is active this place will never die. I also love ALL of my customers, clients, friends, sisters, brothers, guests & family who have provided non-stop support when I had all those sleepless nights in a row because I wanted things to be "just right". My Lair is truly like an extra limb from my body...it is an actual part of me, so something that was worth putting down in the "About Me" part.
In Wicked Love, Light, & Darkness,
Lady LavenStar Raene
Laven's Tarot Card
(Equivalent of "2/13/1977")
The High Priestess: A pure, exalted and gracious influence. Education, knowledge, wisdom, and esoteric teachings. The forces of nature. Intuition, foresight, and spiritual revelation of the most mysterious and arcane sort.
Now for some Humor...this is for those of you that have been practicing the Craft for awhile...
How To Tell If You Are An American Witch
(Sister Dragonwolf emailed this to me, and with her permission I am posting it here for all to enjoy!)
You have substituted soda-pop for wine in ritual with:
Coke: Traditional/ Gardenarian
Cherry Coke: Alexandrian
Dr. Pepper: Eclectic
7-Up or Vanilla Coke: Dianic
RootBeer: Folk
GingerAle: Native American
Grape: Neo/Reconstructionist
Orange: Chaos
Pepsi: New Age/Wiccan
Cream Soda: Faery
Mountain Dew: Satanic
You have substituted cookies for cakes in ritual?
Almond Cookies:Traditional/ Gardenarian
Brownies: Alexandrian
Chips Ahoy: Eclectic
Sugar Cookies: Dianic
Oatmeal Raisin: Folk
Molasses: Native American
Pecan Sandies: Neo/Reconstructionist
Nutter Butters: Chaos
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut: New Age/Wiccan
Vanilla Wafers: Faery
Oreos: Satanic
~You bought your chalice on Ebay and it has atleast on dragon on it.
~You bought your athame at a Flea Market and it has atleast one dragon on it.
~Your pentacle on the altar is hand made ceramic that you bought at a Pagan Craft Faire and it has atleast one dragon on it.
~ You have left an 'offering' of hotdogs and potato chips under the oak tree after a family cook-out.
~You consider the end of your driveway as a 'crossroads'.
~You have ever honored the Lord & Lady from a tent in the backyard.
~Marshmallows and S'mores are incorporated in your Beltaine Fire celebration.
~Your home is Feng-Shui, your Chakras are all open, and your Aura is clean, and you are NOT concerned about your Karma because you harmed none today.
~You have ever saved the last sip of Mocha Latte and the last bite of Krispy Kreme for the Faeries (they LOVE Krispy Kremes!)
~You have ever used Kosher Salt on the altar or burned Opium incense (it does smell better than Sandalwood!)
~You have ever used the Flag of the United States as an altar cloth (only on 4th of July, Memorial Day, and Veteran's Day!)
~At least one of your ritual robes is denim or tie-dyed.
~Your Goddesses are Isis & Diana and your Gods are Odin, Herme, & Dionysius and if you invited them to a dinner party you would serve sushi and quesadillas.
~You have ever smudged your your bathroom with white sage after your husband/boyfriend/brother/father used it.
~...And finally you KNOW you are an American Witch if you hope someday to make a Sacred Pilgrimage to Salem, Massachusetts.
What kind of Witch LavenStar Raene is:
These answers are for Lady LavenStar Raene, feel free to copy/paste this questionnaire and re-post with your own answers:
Matron Goddess: Hecate ~ The Crone, Moon Goddess
Patron God: Zeus
Other Gods and Goddesses I work with: Lillith, if needed.
Animal Totems: fox, owl, wolf, deer, eagle, dragonfly, butterfly, bumblebee, cricket
Herbs and Flowers I feel drawn to: Lilacs, Lavender, English ivy, sunflowers, yellow roses, jasmine, rosemary, basil, mugwort, hawthorne, honeysuckle
Stones I feel drawn to: amethyst, clear quartz, green aventurine, hematite (Hecate's stone), sodalite
My Metal Of Choice: sterling silver
Trees that I feel drawn to: maple, oak, ash, hawthorne, apple, willow
Astro stats: Aquarius/ Chinese: snake
Favorite Sabbat: Samhain (Halloween) no question!
Favorite Esbat: Full Moon
Favorite Season: Autumn
Favorite Element: 1. Water 2. Earth 3. Fire 4. Air
Mythic Creatures I feel drawn to: Faeries, Elves, Dragons
Spells that come easy to me are: banishing spells, truth spells, spells against psychic attack, #1 best at is Money Spells!!!, home protection and self protection, house blessings, love & commitment spells, inner beauty spells.
Types of divinations/witchy services you do: I offer psychic readings, dream interps, oracle cards & pendulum readings, I hand make and create my own charms for ANY intent/purpose for anyone with good intentions...(I love doing these the best!!!) also spellwork, everything listed is either offered here locally in my home, over the phone and on the web: http://www.lavenslair.com Laven's Lair
Favorite Ritual Tool: The Cauldron, candles if that counts, a big bundle of sage for smudging, a chalice
Type of Witchcraft you practice: I am a legally ordained High Priestess of Solitary Witchcraft, and can legally teach classes and intitiate people to their chosen paths etc. I'm also addicted to Green Witchcraft, and anything that lies in the gray area, for I don't really think there is a true black or white magick...you must know one to know the other...and anything else that interests me...I do have a some VooDoo knowledge (the VooDoo Religion practices a good code of ethics for the most part and interesting magickal techniques...as with everything, there is always a light side and dark side). I am VERY eclectic and choose to take from different paths in order to mold together my own unique path...although I believe that my wonderful path has no end as long as I never stop learning.
The Wheel Of The Year
The Elements
...or eat babies!!!
I Swear!!!
Peaceful Pagans...NOT worshipping Satan, or eating babies!
Scroll down to the bottom to find some great Pagan Humor and awesome Witchy Graphics, plus EXACTLY what kind of Witch Laven REALLY is!
