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witchunterobin Vice Captain
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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:19 pm
So I've read that there are a lot of different paths for being a Pagan, a Wiccan and or a Witch.
I haven't heard much about other Pagan paths besides Wicca. Then from that note, I've heard of this like BTW (British Trad. Wicca), Alexandrian, Garderian, Dianic, Seax-Wicca, Eclectic and a few others. As for witches, I have heard of a Kitchen witch and a Hedge witch. I also know of people becoming Shamans, Druids, and Reconstructionsts.
It's very dizzying if you have no idea what they are. Would anyone else have info on this type of thing?
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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:23 pm
sweatdrop I don't suppose I managed to confuse you at anytime myself? xp
I've sat here, debating replying considering I don't know if I have anything real to give you confused And that wouldn't be good. I have a idea, where maybe you can get a decent explanation but its another forum site (no not like Gaia wink ) so there could be some digging to find things. Let me know if that's kinda what you're looking for, I do wanna help....
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Posted: Sat Sep 19, 2009 7:25 pm
Hmm...I know a little about each path you've mentioned. What exactly would you like to know?
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 5:59 pm
Just these things:
~Non/initatory?
~What God/desses are followed?
~What are they a branch of? Paganism, Wicca, or Witchcraft?
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witchunterobin Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 9:04 pm
witchunterobin Just these things: ~Non/initatory? ~What God/desses are followed? ~What are they a branch of? Paganism, Wicca, or Witchcraft? Lol I actually was going to make a map-chart-thing about this last night lol.
Well, for starters Gardnerian covens sort of "started" Wicca; and as time went on the others in your list branched away from it. Alexandrian and Seax were two of the first (Seax started by Raymond Buckland when he came over to the U.S. Alexandrian started by Alex and Maxine Sanders back in the 60's). Dianic became popular as feminism rose in popularity, and Eclectic has been practiced anywhere between then and now.
While these traditions follow the Wiccan practice of polytheism (God and Goddess) , not all follow the images of the Horned God and the fertile Goddess. Dianic, for example, favors a Goddess-only way of worship. While the male is acknowledged, Dianic Wiccans place more power and influence on the woman (Hence the name "Dianic", coming from Diana-Roman goddess of the moon, hunting, childbirth, and chastity). Seax follows a more Nordic pantheon, with Freyja and Woden taking the places of Mother Goddess and Horned God.
As far as tradition goes, you would need to be initiated into one of the mentioned paths to be considered a BTW or a Seax-Wiccan (and so on). All except for Eclectic Wicca, since there are really no set in stone rules.
Druids, Shamans, and Reconstructionalists are often Pagan, though I have heard of Christians reverting to Druidic ways as well as Shamanistic. Each as their own specific nuances and rules that are somewhat tailored to ones path as well as what Druidic order they follow, or Shaman they may be studying from. Reconstructionalists strive to practice the old Pagan religions as they once were. Depending on which pantheon you work with, this can be a difficult path to follow as a few of the old civilizations did not write down the specifics of rituals and rites that we seem to look for. These paths require a LOT of research, though they can be very rewarding as you not only learn and practice part of an ancient belief system but adopt a culture as well. As Gods and Goddesses go, depends on the practitioner. Druids were all over the Celtic lands and beyond...Shamans could be found on every continent and well...Reconstructionalists, though new, try to follow the old gods of their choosing. These paths -may- be initiatory, though there are just as many non-initiates out there.
Kitchen witches and Hedge witches are types of witchcraft that may or may not include elements of anything mentioned earlier. These paths are a bit more "practical", as the witch is more apt to make a tea to soothe a headache, opposed to holding highly decorative and symbolic rituals. Religion is usually mixed in, though not always, and they tend to be somewhat informal. You don't often hear anyone being an initiated Kitchen/hedge witch, though I wouldn't put it past a few in the masses...
With these paths, the traditions mentioned first are Pagan AND Wiccan. Druids and Shamans may or may not be Pagan, its up to them. Witches -may- be Pagan and/or practice Wiccan-type things, though not always. I know a great many that could pass off as Christian Witches...lol.
Hope this helped!
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:31 pm
3nodding Yes! This helped a lot! I'm always looking to learn more about how things work and/or what other paths there are.
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witchunterobin Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 2:36 pm
To add to what Meri said, the term "Pagan" can refer to as any other religion that's outside the Christian-based religions. Therefore, many other religions, such as Asian religions, (Hindi, Shinto, etc.) are considered to be Pagan, especially if there are more than one diety. You also have Native beliefs, whether it's Native American, Incan/Mayan/Aztec, Australian Aboriginal, African tribal, Hawaiian/Samoan (Polynesian), etc. Then you have the Romani (gypsy) beliefs that can range differently from tribe to tribe.
Some cultures or ways of life, like Buddhism and Zen, can blend in with other religious beliefs, such as Wicca.
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Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 7:19 am
Also, hearth witch (i term i use a lot) is an inclusion of all the "practical" magicks, including the kitchen and hedge ones Meri was talking about. But it also can be called a house witch but it sounds too weird like that. And you can ask people who know me irl. my stuff works. Clim will tell you but he's at work atm.
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