Maybe I'm just getting old and out of touch. When I was first beginning my practice, the words “Wicca” and “Witchcraft” were interchangeable. I considered myself a Witch and a Wiccan, but I only used the “witch word” when among friends. Some people are now choosing to redefine "witchcraft", to distinguish it from the "Wicca" that Gerald Gardner introduced, but honest to Goddess, it's making my head spin trying to figure out why.
I've always found Wicca to be a flexible, organic spirituality that fit the needs of wildly diverse viewpoints. It's a pretty good umbrella term, which is only disputed by Gardnerians themselves (some of whom would prefer to keep their trad rigid). I've met Wiccans whose practices and beliefs differ greatly from one another, and yet there is still the many common denominators that tie us together. Whether we call ourselves "Wiccan" or "Witch", it has been self-identified Wiccans who have generally made the greatest strides in public awareness and acceptance in countries around the globe. And yet, I've noticed this trend by some to distance themselves from the term "Wicca".
I'm not Gardnerian, (although ironically I’ve been offered the honor of 3rd Degree from a traditional Gardnerian, in recognition of my years of service to the Craft) but I proudly wear the name "Wiccan". Like so many, my practice is inspired by Gardner (et al), yet Wicca is such a flexible spirituality that there is room for a wide range of diversity within that term. Much of what I've practiced and taught over the years is very much in line with what is now claimed as the exclusive realm of "traditional witchcraft".
It's like "witches" are wiping their hands of Wicca, and want nothing to do with it, and this confuses me mightily. Have the Gardnerians become so obnoxious with their sometimes-superior tendencies that they've forced all other forms of practice to distance themselves?
From what I've read lately, those who now claim the title of "traditional witchcraft" are trying to claim the same "ancient unbroken lineage" nonsense that early Wiccans tried. Well, that's fine if they wish, but historically they're on shaky ground. Frankly, there's little evidence and a lot of guess work, so any "belief" that claims to have ancient roots is inspired guesswork, at best.
Don't get me wrong... I love inspired guesswork. I love the idea of finding a personal spirituality that is inspired from multiple, ancient sources... but I won't claim to be practicing a form of religion direct from the ancient past. Gardner tried it and got egg on his face. I don't see that "traditional witches" will have much more success.
How I see it, Gardner, Valiente, Sanders, Buckland, the Farrars, Cunningham, and other Wiccans delved into those same ancient pre-Christian sources and developed a spirituality flexible enough to suit the widely divergent needs of modern people who feel unfulfilled by mainstream religions. Wicca has attracted its share of scholars who have researched our origins, giving shape to both our past and our future. Wiccans have served in national religious leadership roles, advocating for the religious freedom for all neo-pagans. Wiccans in all walks of life are slowly gaining the legitimacy and respect needed to slowly crack open the broom closet door, to practice their craft freely, without persecution. We're not totally there yet, but we've come a long way.
When I first began practicing the craft in the '80's, hardly anyone had ever heard the term "Wicca", but most people sure as hell thought they knew what "witchcraft" was all about. (You know, the green skin & warts?) Over the past 2 decades, I've seen Wicca begin to gain the first steps of shaky acceptance. The "witch" word is still loaded with negative cultural stereotypes. I'm not sure what's to be gained by abandoning the term "Wicca" in favor of "Witch".
I really don't see that the beliefs of "witchcraft" and "Wicca" are so different as to require separate labeling (I'm "old-fashioned" enough to continue to use the terms interchangeably), and I see a greater danger is presenting a divided image to the public about who we are and what we do. As my signature reminds us: "Divisions are illusions - We are all one". The differences between "traditional witchcraft" and "Wicca" aren't all that great, but the consequences for disagreement within our ranks might become significant for us all.
I'm a bit of an idealist, I'm afraid. And I'm playing up my confusion more than it actually is. In fact, I do know of one or two people who have chosen to distance themselves from the term, for their own reasons. But these are people who have been practicing the craft for 20 or more years. They've been with the movement since it was young, and have grown and woven their lives around it. If they choose to now label their practice as simply "witchcraft", I honor, respect, and even understand their reasons for doing so.
But, but, but... this new trend still troubles me.
Like I said, maybe I'm becoming too "old-fashioned" and out of date. I never thought of myself as a hopeless traditionalist, but I find myself arguing for some simple standards more and more.
If we don't define ourselves, we're at the mercy of those who are all too eager to define us by their own agenda. And if we can't even agree on our own definitions, we leave ourselves wide open to justifiable criticism and ridicule. It's happened over and over. I'd hate to see those new to the craft experience such an unnecessary identity crisis.
~Flame RavenHawk
June 6, 2003