What's the difference between "wiccan" and "pagan"?
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Wiccans are typically nature worshipping or Goddess/God worshipping people who believe that any harm they bring into the universe will be revisted upon themselves. Pagans can be anything from Wiccans to Druids to people who don't believe in a corporeal god. There's tons of info out on the web.
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Wicca, i believe in the energy of all things are connected. there is more to this world than you can see. you worship where you are as you are. harm none. i celebrate the seasons and moon and sun phases as the important celestial events they are. i believe in magic, fairies, and all sorts of magical folk. i don't wonder how the world was created, how do i prove it and what will it change if i know? i believe in a god and goddess. i don't believe in trashing other religions because my god by any other name is still my god. others may not see it this way, but i believe my god is their god, they just refuse to acknowledge the female counterpart.\nI'm getting long winded, that's a start.
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Overview:\nDepending upon how you look at Wicca, it is either one of the newest or one of the oldest religions in the world:  Wicca is a recently created, Neopagan religion. The various branches of Wicca can be traced back to Gardnerian Witchcraft which was founded in the UK during the late 1940s. \n Wicca is based on the symbols, seasonal days of celebration, beliefs and deities of ancient Celtic society. Added to this material were Masonic and ceremonial magickal components from recent centuries. In this respect, it is a religion whose roots go back almost three millennia to the formation of Celtic society circa 800 BCE.   \n\nA follower of Wicca is called a Wiccan. Wicca and other Neopagan religions are currently experiencing a rapid growth in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This is seen particularly among some teenagers, who are rejecting what they feel is the autocracy, paternalism, sexism, homophobia, and insensitivity to the environment that forms part of some more traditional religions. Many North Americans of European descent, who are keen to discover their ancestral heritage, are also attracted to this religion.\n\n\n\nAbout deities:\nDepending upon one's point of view, Wicca can be considered a monotheistic, duotheistic, polytheistic, or atheistic religion:\n\n Wicca is monotheistic: Some Wiccans recognize a single supreme being, sometimes called "The All" or "The One." The Goddess and God are viewed as the female and male aspects of this single deity. \n Wicca is duotheistic (a.k.a. rarely as bitheistic): Wiccans often worship a female Goddess and a male God., often called the Lady and Lord. \n Wicca is polytheistic: Wiccans recognize the existence of many ancient Gods and Goddesses, including Pan, Diana, Dionysius, Fergus, etc.  \n Wicca is atheistic: Some Wiccans view the God and Goddess as symbols, not living entities. Depending upon which definition of the term "Atheist" that you adopt, these Wiccans may be considered Atheists. \nTerminology:\nTerms relating to Wicca are confusing, as they are with so many other religions:\nWiccans often refer to  themselves as Neopagans. The term "Neopagan" includes all faith groups which are based on attempted reconstruction of ancient, extinct religions. However, not all Neopagans are Wiccans. The umbrella term "Neopagan" includes followers of many other earth-centered faith traditions, like Druidism, and Asatru. \n Wiccans often refer to themselves as Pagans. Unfortunately, this term has at least six different meanings, some of which are rather negative. "Pagan" is often used as a general-purpose snarl word to attack others. In its positive sense, Paganism includes Neopaganism as well as many other religions. \n Some Wiccans consider Wicca and Witchcraft to be synonyms.  \n Others differentiate between Wicca, which they view to be a religion, and Witchcraft, which they perceive to be the practice of magick. Under this definition, Witchcraft is not a religion and thus can be performed by members of any religion. \n Most Wiccans practice magick. However, some do not and concentrate on the spirituality of the Wiccan religion. \n\nWicca and Satanism:\n"It seems to be necessary to preface every discussion of Witchcraft with an explanation that, no, Neo-Pagan Witches aren't Satanists. The Christian anti-God, Satan, has no place in Pagan pantheons, either mythologically or theologically." 1\n\nBecause of extensive religious propaganda dating from the late Middle Ages, Wicca has often been linked to Satanism. Wiccan beliefs and practices are no closer to Satanism than they are to Buddhism, Hinduism, or Islam.  In fact, Wiccans do not recognize the existence of an all-evil supernatural being similar to the quasi-deity Satan. He is found mainly in Christianity and Islam.\n\nHowever, there are three superficial points of similarity between Satanism and Wicca:\n\n Both use a five pointed star as a symbol. Satan
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I thought you said you are both Christian. Only pagans celebrate birthdays.
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Paganism is a general term referring to most earth-revering religions and ideologies that often also admire/worship multiple gods and practice magick.  Actually, neo-paganism more accurately describes most modern forms, but it's a bit cumbersome to say and write.  Pagans are those who see the earth as the giver of life, sometimes representing a spiritual being with the same purpose.  Pagans can fall into many categories.  One of these is Wicca.\n\nWicca is a religion that was started by Gerald Gardener in the middle of the last century.  Wiccans see the form of the Deity that controls everything as having two aspects, male and female.  It is a religion that teaches the balance among all things living.  Also, reincarnation is believed by most Wiccans because of the cycles of life, death and rebirth that occur in nature.  Wiccans believe, as many pagans do, in the power of our minds to influence the world around us through ritual and spells.  We appeal to the Goddess and God and the elements for help with this.  \n\nTo find out more, go to http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm\n\nNow, agnostics believe that there is "something out there," but that no religions created by humans have the capability to fully explain what that is and what it wants from us.  Most believe that if they live good lives, that should be enough, which I don't see why it shouldn't be.  \n\nAtheists, btw, believe that there is NOT anything out there controlling the universe and its occupants.  They attribute everything to scientific explanations.
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At the risk of receiving another letter from an offended practitioner of the Wicca religion, I'll offer this historical and Christian perspective on it with the disclaimer that it does not apply to everyone who calls themself a Wiccan.\n\n\nWicca Spells - What is Wicca?\nWhat is Wicca and what are Wicca spells? While it is rooted in ancient pagan beliefs, the Wicca religion, as it is practiced now, is only about 50-years-old. Wicca is a belief system cobbled together in the 1940's and 1950's by Gerald Gardner from a variety of religious traditions and beliefs as well as Freemason rituals. Since Gardner published several books espousing his system of worship, many offshoots and variations of Wicca have sprung up. \n\nThere is no particular agreement between Wiccans, or "wise ones" concerning what they believe and worship. Some worship the "Goddess," some worship the "God," and some worship both. Others worship nature. Some Wiccans say they embrace Christian doctrine, while others reject it. Most promoters of Wicca believe in reincarnation. \n\nOne thing most Wiccans agree on is the fact that Satan is not a part of their pantheon and they vehemently deny Satan-worship as one of their practices. This is because they disavow the notion of moral absolutes. There is no such thing as good or evil, because it is all relative. Wiccans have only one law that they bind themselves to, called "The Rede." It simply states, "Do what ye will, harm ye none." In other words: "Do what ever you want to as long as no one gets hurt." The Three-fold Law governs consequences, and is a law of returns that states, "All good that a person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three-fold." \n\nWicca Spells - Mind Control\nWhat about Wicca spells? Not all Wiccans practice witchcraft (which they call "magick" to set themselves apart from illusionists and magicians). Magick is to Wicca what prayer is to Christianity. Wiccans claim that the practice of magick is simply using their minds to control matter, while Christians call upon God to heal people and to intervene and work in their lives. Because the Rede forbids harming others and the Three-fold Law sets forth consequences for those who do, Wiccans view themselves as "white witches" or "nature witches." \n\nWicca is basically a religion that is about minding your own business and living peaceably with your neighbors and environment. Wiccans are eager to draw parallels between themselves and biblical Christianity for the sake of earning credibility, but what does the Bible have to say about this religion? You won't find the word "wicca" in the Bible, so let's evaluate the beliefs in light of what God says about them. \n\nWicca spells are idolism - Romans 1:25 says, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things, rather than the Creator…" Who wants to settle for second best? In Isaiah 40, God paints a very cool picture of how much greater the Creator is than His creation. If you are worshipping anything besides the Creator, you are just spinning your wheels.\n\n\nWicca spells bring false hope - Hebrews 9:27 says, "…Man is destined to die once, after that, to face judgment." God says we get one chance at life, and that is it. There are no do-overs. If we don't accept God's gift of Jesus in our lifetime, He judges us as unwilling to be in His presence, and we are sent to Hell. \n\n\nWicca spells bring disillusionment - Mark 7:8 says, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men". God is God, and we are not. We have a decision to make. Are we going to take God at His word and adopt His worldview, or not? Knowing God is hard work that takes a lot of discipline. Wicca is a religion that takes a pack of lies, ties it in a romantic ribb
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FAQ's of Witchcraft \n\nWhat is Witchcraft? Who are these Witches anyway?\nA practitioner of a nature-based belief system or religion. Not all Witches follow the same belief system. Some practice what is called the "old religion" which has its roots in pagan pre-monotheistic folk ways and beliefs and usually follows the seasonal cycles. These belief systems or "traditions" of Witches are often based upon the particular culture from whence they originated. Many Witches believe in a polytheistic deity structure (usually based upon the local gods and goddesses of the area of origin), but some simply practice magick (sometimes spelled with a 'k' to differentiate it from stage magic). Witches may practice alone as 'solitaries" or in covens. There are also family groups or traditions which trace their practices and beliefs within the same close group throughout several generations.\n\nTraditional Wicca:\nA modern form of Witchcraft is called "Wicca." Traditional Wicca is based on the teachings of Gerald Gardner, is coven based and each coven can trace its lineage (line of teaching passed on by initiated Traditional priests and priestesses) back to Gardner himself. There are offshoots of Gardnerian Traditional Wicca such as Alexandrian Wicca, Georgian Wicca and many others. Traditional Wiccans are considered a 'mystery' religion, require initiation by the coven and have a "degree system" or different levels of rank based upon coven training and the readiness of the initiate to accept the duties and responsibilities of that degree. They have a core of inner knowledge-often called the "Book of Shadows"-which is known only to initiated Wiccans. Most Traditional Wiccans believe in the balance of male-female divinity. Traditional Wiccans are seldom solitary except for those 'Elders'-usually former priests and priestesses-who may have retired from active coven involvement.\n\nOther Forms of Wicca:\nA newer form of Wicca has developed since the 1970's which is looser in structure and practice than the Traditional Wicca. These practitioners may follow a mixture of various or "eclectic' pagan and/or non-pagan beliefs. Some have formed 'traditions' or covens of their own, with or without a degree system, and have written a "book of shadows" outlining their own belief system and coven structure. Many are solitary practitioners who practice their beliefs and formulate their rituals in their own way.\n\nPagans:\nSince the terms Witch and Wiccan are often mistakenly interchanged, many simply call themselves "pagans" or Neo-pagans" when talking with others who may not be familiar with the complexity of the different belief systems. But just as not all Christians are Lutheran or Catholic, so not all pagans are Witches or Wiccan. Neo-paganism is a term used most often to describe people who follow an earth-based belief system or religion. Druids and the Norse tradition of Asatru (who tend to prefer the term 'heathen") are considered to be pagan belief systems, but their adherents are neither Witches nor Wiccans. Neo-paganism should also not be confused with the "New Age" movement as pagans are almost exclusively involved in distinctive nature religions or earth-based practices while New Age spirituality draws from many sources and esoteric spiritual techniques.\n\nQ: Are you a good Witch or a bad Witch?\nA: When you ask if someone is a "good" Witch or a "bad" Witch, it is the same as asking someone if they are a "good" Presbyterian or a "bad" Presbyterian. Wiccans adhere to the Rede, "An it harm none, do as ye will." Witches, Druids and other pagan belief systems and religions have their own ethical standards. There are good and bad people in every society and in every religion. When a person breaks the laws of society or the tenets of their religion,
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Magic that magicians do is slight of hand or illusions.\nMagic(k) as is what witches do--is like asking if there is a God. Depends who you ask--some people are believers others are not.
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Though sometimes used interchangeably, Wicca and witchcraft are not the same thing. Most, but not all, Wiccans consider Wicca to be a form of witchcraft, however Wicca has a distinct set of beliefs, ritual system and organisational structure that distinguish it from other forms of witchcraft. Similarly, most Wiccans and witches consider themselves to be Pagans, but many Pagans are neither Wiccans nor witches.\n\nWiccans worship the Goddess, with most also choosing to worship the God, her consort; they observe the festivals of the eight Sabbats of the year and the full-moon Esbats; they have a code of ethics that they live by. Wicca is thus distinct from witchcraft, which does not require any religious element, and may be practised by people of any religion, or by atheists.\n\nOccult. adj. Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.\n\nReligion n. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.\n\nSo, being practial about this topic. Wicca is a religion with Pagan influence, witchcraft is an occult practice.
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I'm not offended by the term 'witch', its no different from being called Pagan now. Most people use the term witch and pagan interchangeably, or at least among the other pagans I know.\n\nBut I AM offended by people who attack us Pagans as if we're some dirty low trash. This is coming from a girl in a Catholic school with otherwise-nice Catholic teachers, except there was one morning they did a Catholic reflection and called us pagans people of 'aimless prayer', which I found extremely offensive. I was that much short of confronting the teacher who said it.
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It depends, really.  Some Pagans are happy to be called heathens, some aren't.  Pagans don't believe that God doesn't exist, they believe in many gods.  If we're going strictly by dictionary terms here, then a Pagan is one who is not Christian, Muslim or Jewish.  A heathen is pretty much the same thing.
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I am a Wiccan witch does that count? I am female. For all you ignorant people below we are not evil we are not satanists we do not sacrafice babies we are basiclly normal people.  Satan is a Christian construct.
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To those that are saying that males aren't called witches, you are wrong.  In Wicca males and females alike are called witches, very few use the term wizard.  Second, from the perspective of being Wiccan the bible has magick and spells in it as well, most just call them prayers and miracles is all.  They are the same thing.
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http://www.witchvox.com/vn/hm/usca.html\nhttp://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=california+wicca&submit=Search\n\nETA: Sorry, but Wiccans *are* Pagans. The only "Wiccans" I am aware of that claim that they are not Pagan are those who follow the teachings of the Frosts - and what they teach isn't really Wicca.\n\npa·gan   n. \n*** 1. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion.***\n   2. One who has no religion.\n   3. A non-Christian.\n   4. A hedonist.\n***5. A Neo-Pagan.****\n[emphasis added]\nhttp://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=pagan&db=* \n\nWic·ca  n.\n   1. A polytheistic ***Neo-Pagan*** nature religion inspired by various pre-Christian western European beliefs, whose central deity is a mother goddess and which includes the use of herbal magic and benign witchcraft.\n   2. A group or community of believers or followers of this religion.\n[emphasis added]\nhttp://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=wicca&db=*
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You'll have to specify which Pagan religion.\n\nIn Wicca (the Pagan path I follow), deities do not punish. The Threefold Law is a "what goes around, comes around" ideal. Deities never actually do any of the punishing. If you do something wrong, life has its ways of cycling it back around to you, threefold; the same goes with doing good things. Deities are not responsible for us; WE are responsible for ourselves.
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To begin with Wiccans are those who follow what they believe is the set of beliefs that were common among the peoples of Central and Northern Europe before the coming of the Romans and the Christianization of that part of the world. True Wicca isn't so much a religion as a set of beliefs about life and our place in this world and any other. It deals more with one's relationship to the world around you (whether physical or spiritual). Therefore the God(s) and/or Goddess(es) that any given Wiccan or group of Wiccans pays homage to can vary tremendously. Most, however, devote themselves to some variation of the Goddess and, possibly, God and tend to regard this duality as simply the male and female aspects of a singular Consciouness of which we are all a part. \n\nThere are some Satanists who regard themselves as Wiccan however they are few among Wiccans and, generally, not well recieved by other Wiccans. Even those that do revere "Satan" tend to see him as a force for creative freedom rather than evil and are not, themselves, generally given to evil acts or expressions. \n\nAs a belief system Wicca is as far from anything "evil" as you can get. The Witches Rede, for instance, states that as long as you do no harm to others you are free to live as you see fit (hardly an "evil" concept, eh?). Most Wiccans also subscribe to the "rule of 3", meaning that whatever you send out; good wishes, bad wishes, helpful or hurtful the Universe will return to you 3 fold. Consequently Wiccans tend to be some of the least vengeful and most forgiving and non-judgemental folks you'll ever meet.\n\nFinally a word on magic (or, as Wiccans spell it, Magik). Magic, to a Wiccan, serves the same purpose as praying to a Christian. There is little difference between a Wiccan incantation and the chanting that many Christians do in Church... or reciting the Lord's Prayer. And what difference is there between weilding the sacred objects (athame, staff and cauldron among others) of Wicca and fiddling with a rosary or taking communion? (which is, if you think about, a cannibalistic ritual at it's heart),
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people who follow wicca also believe heavily in karma. And would not do something bad in fear of having it done three times worse to you. Wiccans generally are peace and nature loving people who are just like any religious person, with the one exception that they do not try to push their religion on other people.