wiccans: what is the difference between "old wicca" and "new wicca"?
i think i want to become a Wicca but i want to research it as much as i can first, so i though asking vicunas themselves would be a good idea. thank you so much for answering my question, it is greatly appreciated =).
Since Wicca is only about 70 years old, a "new" and "old" division is rather nonsensical.
Most often, when someone speak of "old Wicca", they are talking about something that doesn't exist: an ancient Prue-Christian religion that survived in secret for centuries. It never existed. There's no evidence for it *at all*.
Some Traditionalists speak of Wicca and Noe-Wicca, which you can ignore. It's basically telling Eclectics "what you're doing isn't real Wicca." Considering for the longest times these same Traditionalists refused to even call themselves Wiccan, it's really nonsensical. Traditional and Eclectic Wicca are different, but they are both still Wicca.
more info: http://wicca.timerift.net/non-initiation.shtml
edit: Wow, 7 thumbs down, yet not a single person willing to offer an alternative explanation? That's a wee bit suspicious.
Some younger, uneducated Wiccans have bought into the myth that Wicca is the survival of an ancient, hidden movement that was suppressed and persecuted rather than a modern secretion dating less than 100 years.
I've only been a Wiccan for 2 years, but I've been studying for longer. I understand the religion is very new, but the roots DO go back. NATURE goes way back.
However... there is no difference between old and new. It's all... new... in a sense.
Just study and read and do what you can to learn EVERYthing you can.
Old Wicca-- as in traditional Wicca as started by Gerald Gardner around 60 years ago?
You have to be initiated to be line aged. There is a structure to the covens, rituals, etc... there are inner court teachings about God/Des, magic, etc. passed on in training.
New Wicca, as in "Noe-Wicca," also known as Solitary Wicca, Eclectic Wicca, etc... you don't need initiation into a coven, and basically follow the outer court teachings.
Some of us tend to use teachings that have been used for over 30 years, tried and true techniques. This makes us "old school" to some people, but it's like my sneakers. I've got two kinds, I've got some Nike's somewhere (I think in the basement) which are a design that came out in the 2000s, and I've got converse (some 20 pairs...it's very sad) that are a design that's going on 100 years old...but they are both SNEAKERS, and no one is going to say they aren't.
Origins
The origin of Wicca is hotly debated. Some believe that author Gerald Gardner invented Wicca. This is a half-truth. Wicca evolved from ancient Shamanism. It traveled through the ages, shaping and changing into classical Paganism. When Christianity gained power, Paganism was perverted into a fairytale of evil witches, imps, and satanic goats. Gerald Gardner, and others, took what was left of the Old Ways and rebuilt a new Pagan religion: Wicca.
If you are interested about learning more about Wicca and/or Witchcraft here are a few legitimate sources to glean knowledge from. First being Witchvox athttp://www.witchvox.com/. Here you will gain knowledge through fellowship with other of like mind and knowledge through the countless articles posted. If this is not enough one could look into getting on line training through the Sacred Mists athttp://www.sacredmists.com/, and Witch School at http://www.witchschool.com/, or OZ Wicca at http://www.ozwicca.com/, both are pretty decent for learning the Craft on the Web though like any site they have some issues. Also if you are close enough to an active group that specializes in education and development like the SCWF try and join them even if it?s on a limited capacity.
If DVD?s are to your liking try Witchcraft Rebirth of the Old Religion by Raymond Buckland (DVD), Discovering Witchcraft by Janet and Stewart Farrar (DVD), Ancient Mysteries Witches by A&E (DVD), Craftwise Volume 1: Candle Magick by Peter Paddon (DVD), Craftwise Volume 2: Cord Magick by Peter Paddon (DVD), Wish on a Spell, Vo. 1 by Deborah Gray (DVD), Practical Magick DVD, The Craft (DVD).
If books are what you?re interested in I also suggest that you get your hands on Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin and/or The Circle Within by Dianne Sylvan. Both of these books are very good reading and both will give you some deeper insight to the Craft and how it relates to you. Also you cannot go wrong with anything by Scott Cunningham.
Study as much as you need to before deciding that you are Wiccan. Find those near you who are reputable and knowledgeable. Also stay away from those who are playing Wicca if you are serious about the religion and the craft, they will only slow you down and/or mislead you. Also, read all the books you can the good ones as well as the bad ones. Ultimately, study, study and then study some more. Find all you can and definitely cross reference whenever possible, this way you can get the best out of all you learn.
Remember, you are the one that decides who?s a good or bad author not someone else because every author in my belief has something to offer, all you have to do is ignore the information that is not accurate and/or wrong. Oh and when the opportunity raises cross reference the information learned for accuracy.
I hope my blurp helps out.
Blessed Be
Nyjh
Links for more information:
http://www.cuew.org/whatiswicca.html
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/?once=true&
wiccans: what is the difference between "old wicca" and "new wicca"?
