Paganism and Wicca/Witchcraft. Is there a difference?

[MysticDreamFaerie]

Again sorry again for another thread but I don't know the differences between the two. Is there a difference? And if so do Pagans and Wicca use the same type of Symbols to wear as jewelry.

Sorry again for all the annoying threads and questions but I'd like someone to answer this who can explain this easily to me cause to be honest I suffer from a learning disability....and I'm kinda embarrassed by it. I read some things online but I sill got a little bit confused by it.

If anyone replies to this, thank you so much!

[SnowCat]

Just as Christianity has different denominations, and Islam has different groups, paganism has different flavors. I think flavors is a better way to describe paganism. In general, pagans don't subscribe to any of the world's major religions. To me, paganism and witchcraft have some things in common, but variations exist within both systems.

I usually identify as a witch, in a general sense, but I wouldn't say that I'm Wiccan. I practice magick, but my personal path is closer to shamanism. I'm a feline of many trades, but a mistress of none. Some people will insist that to be a witch, one must be formally trained and initiated by a coven. It can be confusing, because paganism and witchcraft have numerous gray areas. Neither one invalidates the other, and one person can't invalidate another person's beliefs. That being said, everyone here is welcome to disagree with another member. We just need to remember respect and boundaries.
I
I'm not sure I really answered the question, but what I said, is how I look at things. I hope it helps.

Snow

[Becks]

Snow said it very well.

Paganism: in general it is a term used to refer to spirituality that is pantheistic or polytheistic and valves around a reverence for nature and natural systems.

Wicca: A term popularized by Gerald Gardner to describe his interpretation of the "old religion". It is a system of faith largely created in the late 30's by the New Forest Coven in England. It was their attempt to revive the threads of the old English Indigenous ways of knowing. There are elements of ritual and understanding of the wheel of the year....the Wiccan Rede is well known and part of this way of understanding magic and practice.

Please note: Many folks do not see it this way, and use the term "Wicca" to apply to various modern practices of witchcraft.

Witchcraft: This is harder to define, and you will find many definitions out there. At its most basic; I consider it the practice of combining will and energy and directing it to induce some sort of change.

As Snow said its tricky, witches can come in all colours and forms. Not all witches are Wiccans. Most Wiccans practice Magic, but not all.

A Witch can be a traditionalist, polytheist, pantheist, animist or I even think....Christian. Some will say not. I'm sure folks can chime in with other things witches can be.

I myself would describe what I do in similar terms to Snow, I am an animist, and my practice borders more on shamanism, though, like Snow, I would never claim that as I am not an Indigenous person indoctrinated into a particular Indigenous path.

There's a lot more that could be said on this topic. Hope that helps.

[Siona]

Again sorry again for another thread but I don't know the differences between the two. Is there a difference? And if so do Pagans and Wicca use the same type of Symbols to wear as jewelry.

You've gotten some good answers, but I'll throw my two cents in, as well.

Paganism is an umbrella term for a large variety of traditions. Some do simply identify as pagan, but there are also many specific traditions within paganism. Since paganism can cover such a wide variety of beliefs and practices, it is possible to find two people who are pagans, but who are very, very different from each other.

Many groups within paganism can be broken down further. Wicca is a pagan tradition (but not all pagans are Wiccans), and there are multiple forms of Wicca, such as Gardnerian Wicca, Blue Star Wicca, Seax Wicca, and others. In addition to Wicca, other pagan traditions can include Greek polytheism, Egyptian paganism, Celtic polytheism, and so on. Again, these groups can all have different holidays, beliefs, deities, ethics, tools, and so on.

Witchcraft is another thing. Wiccans can be witches, but not all witches are going to be Wiccan. There are many traditions of witchcraft that are non-Wiccan, and there are even witches who are not pagan, as well.

As far as jewelry, symbols, and so on, some pagans and witches might identify with Wiccan symbols, but others will not. For example, I consider myself a witch and a pagan, but I would not wear/use a pentacle or triple goddess symbol (common Wiccan symbols), because they just aren't part of my practice, they don't really mean anything to me. But other non-Wiccan pagans might identify with them. It's going to be different for each pagan/witch/Wiccan out there, which can make things confusing.

[smogie_michele]

Paganism is an umbrella term for a large variety of traditions. Some do simply identify as pagan, but there are also many specific traditions within paganism. Since paganism can cover such a wide variety of beliefs and practices, it is possible to find two people who are pagans, but who are very, very different from each other.

So true. A friend of mine and I both prefer to use the term "pagan" to describe our beliefs, but what we actually believe is vastly different.
I like the term "pagan." My beliefs don't fit into a super specific category

[Firebird]

I was going to sit this one out,...
but for some reason I thought I would add this,
.... as far as the state of California is concerned it would seem Pagan as a term for your religion is satisfactory for clergy filling out marriage licenses, as is High Priestess for the clergy title.
FF

[Becks]

That's very cool!