Witchcraft
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Witchcraft: Comparative Traditions
Alexandrian, Celtic, Deborean, Dragon Path, Family traditions, Feri, Gardnerarian, Golden Dawn, Welsh, Wicca, Witta, the list of traditions, or denominations of the religion of Witchcraft is long and varied. No one tradition is exactly the same, but they all share a basic understand and principles of belief. Witchcraft is the religion that defines those basic beliefs, the traditions put those beliefs into practice.
The common misunderstanding about the religion is that it's called Wicca. Actually Wicca is merely a sect of the religion, formed in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner. Gardner reportedly based his concept of the sect on Crowley's writings of Thelma, and Regardi's structure of the Golden Dawn. In the U.S. Army Chaplin's handbook, the religion is listed under Wicca. Probably because it is the most widely known sect in the United States. But read the handbook's description and you'll find the following section:
"OTHER NAMES BY WHICH KNOWN:
Witchcraft; Goddess worshipers; Neo-Paganism, Paganism, Norse (or any other ethnic designation) Earth Religion, Old Religion, Druidism, Shamanism.
Note: All of these groups have some basic similarities and many surface differences of expression with Wicca."
The surface differences are the implementation of practice. Practices are typically varied based on cultural philosophy, myth and legend. What a Norseman sees as God/Goddess is still the masculine and feminine aspects of the Divine. But they will probably use different names for the God/Goddess than someone of Celtic or Welsh background. What a Wiccan sees as the alchemical directions on the wheel, maybe different from that of someone from the Deborean Clan.
Even the labels of leadership can vary from tradition to tradition. What one group calls a High Priest or Priestess, another may use Shaman or Shamanka. What one uses as Witch, another may use as Mage. Even the hierarchy within a coven or clan can vary slightly. Within Wicca, there are 3 levels of initiation. So to in Deborean. But the labels vary. An initiate, a priest/priestess, a high priest/priestess are the common labels in Wiccan sects. Practitioner, Sage, Shaman are the common labels in the Deborean Clan.
These "surface" differences are not really major issues, when you consider the vast history and evolution of Witchcraft over thousands of years. Even the name of the religion, Witchcraft, is fairly new compared to the life span of the belief. The label Witchcraft, was given to a category of religions that practice magik. And it was given by the Catholic Church.
Regardless of which tradition one choses, the differences of practice do not make us different. We are presented with a rich and wonderful culture, the opportunity to learn expand and enhance our path of belief. Of all the religions of the world, no other with such diversity can work together in respect and tolerance with one an other as the practitioners of Witchcraft. We have no internal wars, no civil strife, no condemnation for each others practices. Thus we personify the best qualities of a religious family.
Lady SpringWolf
PagansPath.com Director
paganspath.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~