Witchy meme, continued.
23. Something that I think people who don’t know much about paganism/witchcraft should know.
There are lots of different kinds of Pagans and witches. "Wiccan," "witch," and "Pagan" are not synonymous. There is overlap, to be sure, but they are not interchangeable. "Pagan" is an umbrella term for lots of different kinds of beliefs, most of which are Earth-centered, but not all. Most paths incorporate some kind of belief in magic. Really, the only thing that they all have in common is that they are not Judeo-Christian. (And even then, I know a few Jewish ladies who have incorporated aspects of witchcraft into their beliefs & practice.)
Wicca is currently the most well-known religion under the Pagan umbrella. Old-school Wiccans like Gardnerians & Alexandrians practice only in covens and have a very strict hierarchy/structure. New school (well, um, as new as you can be with a faith under a century old) Wiccans tend to be much more eclectic in the pantheons they deal with, and there are lots of solitary new school Wiccans. Some Wiccans don't even consider themselves witches, as they do not practice magic, only adhering to the worship aspects.
There are reconstructionists, who aim to re-create practices of cultures past (Egyptian, Greek, etc). There are people who incorporate shamanistic paths from various cultures. There are the Asatru, who deal only with the Norse pantheon and traditions. There are ceremonial witches, and Reclaiming witches, and kitchen witches (basically, your wise woman who knows herbs), and Feri witches. There are lots of traditions I'm not naming here, out of sheer lack of space and time. There are lots of us who don't adhere to a particular tradition at all.
Most traditions don't even acknowledge the existence of a (Christian) devil, let alone worship him. They all have different takes on Sabbats & holidays, different theology, and different sets of values. "Pagan" and "witch" are very broad terms, and they mean different things to each person who uses them.
I also really loved
sugarmaplelife's response to this, so I'mma quote it here.
24. A famous pagan/witch you admire.
Hmm, a toughie. I only know most through their writings. So I tend to admire individual works more than people, lest I find myself saying "I admire z budapest" before I find out that she's basically transphobic pestilence in human form. Yasmine Galenorn seems like a cool lady, based on what I've read. I've had the good fortune to meet Janet Farrar on a couple of occasions, and she commands respect, and is full of stories and history. I enjoyed meeting her. And I admire everything I've read by T. Thorn Coyle. I am not a follower of Feri, so I don't always precisely "get it" on an emotional level the way that other Feri initiates might, but she seems really compassionate and intelligent. Plus I have close friends who are students of hers that speak very highly of her. I look forward to meeting her in the future when I am actually free for one of her workshops.
There are lots of different kinds of Pagans and witches. "Wiccan," "witch," and "Pagan" are not synonymous. There is overlap, to be sure, but they are not interchangeable. "Pagan" is an umbrella term for lots of different kinds of beliefs, most of which are Earth-centered, but not all. Most paths incorporate some kind of belief in magic. Really, the only thing that they all have in common is that they are not Judeo-Christian. (And even then, I know a few Jewish ladies who have incorporated aspects of witchcraft into their beliefs & practice.)
Wicca is currently the most well-known religion under the Pagan umbrella. Old-school Wiccans like Gardnerians & Alexandrians practice only in covens and have a very strict hierarchy/structure. New school (well, um, as new as you can be with a faith under a century old) Wiccans tend to be much more eclectic in the pantheons they deal with, and there are lots of solitary new school Wiccans. Some Wiccans don't even consider themselves witches, as they do not practice magic, only adhering to the worship aspects.
There are reconstructionists, who aim to re-create practices of cultures past (Egyptian, Greek, etc). There are people who incorporate shamanistic paths from various cultures. There are the Asatru, who deal only with the Norse pantheon and traditions. There are ceremonial witches, and Reclaiming witches, and kitchen witches (basically, your wise woman who knows herbs), and Feri witches. There are lots of traditions I'm not naming here, out of sheer lack of space and time. There are lots of us who don't adhere to a particular tradition at all.
Most traditions don't even acknowledge the existence of a (Christian) devil, let alone worship him. They all have different takes on Sabbats & holidays, different theology, and different sets of values. "Pagan" and "witch" are very broad terms, and they mean different things to each person who uses them.
I also really loved
sugarmaplelife's response to this, so I'mma quote it here.Witchcraft and magick aren't just about talking to the Purple Pillar of Peace and dancing in raindrops and waiting for the Universe to shower you with glitter and patchouli and an easy, playful life in the land of woo-woo. A good witch, I believe, has a foot in both worlds. A good witch can spin a prosperity charm *and* balance her checkbook. A good witch can meet the needs of the mundane and the magickal, sends light and love *and* casseroles. I think that newcomers to witchcraft and/or paganism can get swept away in the novelty, insight, and otherness of the other worlds and lose their anchor, awareness, and functionality in *this* world. I believe the role of a witch is as a bridge, an intermediary, as an interpreter between these worlds and that they are equally important to have solid footing in both.
24. A famous pagan/witch you admire.
Hmm, a toughie. I only know most through their writings. So I tend to admire individual works more than people, lest I find myself saying "I admire z budapest" before I find out that she's basically transphobic pestilence in human form. Yasmine Galenorn seems like a cool lady, based on what I've read. I've had the good fortune to meet Janet Farrar on a couple of occasions, and she commands respect, and is full of stories and history. I enjoyed meeting her. And I admire everything I've read by T. Thorn Coyle. I am not a follower of Feri, so I don't always precisely "get it" on an emotional level the way that other Feri initiates might, but she seems really compassionate and intelligent. Plus I have close friends who are students of hers that speak very highly of her. I look forward to meeting her in the future when I am actually free for one of her workshops.