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I feel like we should set out the guild's standpoint on Wicca, so that everyone knows what they deal is, and additionally so that any questions can be asked so we can clarify what needs to be clarified.

This guild takes the standpoint that Wicca is an initiatory, ditheistic religion. Every Wiccan participates in group rituals whose purpose is to teach the Mysteries of Wicca through experiences. Every Wiccan can trace their initiatory lineage back to Gerald Gardner, the founder of Wicca.

There are some info-dumps we can provide if need be (I thought I'd avoid it at this point in case of a TL;DR), but for now, if there are any questions please, please ask them. We will attempt to answer them in full, with patience.

The reason for this thread, really, is that often these discussions turn into flaming rows. I'd like to get this all out of the way now with as little drama as possible.

Please keep in mind, when reading or posting:
The reality of what Wicca is and is not in no way reflects on the legitimacy of your own religion.
If this information causes you any distress or upsets you, please take a few breaths before responding. We know that discovering something like this can come as a shock. Rest assured that nothing here is an attack on you or on the religion you practise.
Before presenting counter-arguments, first think of what questions you could ask to determine how we reached the standpoint we have given here. Once we've clarified, you can refine your arguments.
Having said that, this is not a proper debate thread. It's not intended to be about the counter-and-thrust of a debate. We seek only to clarify and aid understanding herein.

This thread may become a sticky.

I can only really say what I've heard, which is that the spelling was standardised to "Wicca" in the '60s. Let's not forget that most of the time, Gardner referred to his religion as just "Witchcraft", which is no longer considered, well, appropriate.

The word he was drawing from was "Wicca", pronounced "witch-a", meaning "male witch". Given that he was British, it's possible he spelt it "Wica" originally to stress the hard C, lest someone pronounce it "witch-a" when he did not intend it - or perhaps the New Forest Coven spelt it with the single C and Gardner discovered the (supposed) etymology and added the extra C later.

In the case of Magick, the definition given by Crowley when he describes it really does depend on one being a Thelemite. It goes on about Will and stuff, which is distinct from what we'd think of as 'will'. It was created specifically, as far as I know, to distinguish his "art and science" from other forms of (probably ceremonial) magic. As far as Crowley was concerned, practically any act was Magick so long as it was concurrent with one's Will, Will being something along the lines of fate or destiny. Or something.

"The Wica" is used, but to apply to the adherents rather than the religion itself. "Wicca" appears to have gained strength via use by Aunt Doreen and co. See here for more info.

I am going to try and word this the best that I can, so I'm not trying to be rude. It's just a question that I think a lot of people would like to hear an answer on.
Being that Wicca came about in the 1900s, do you feel that it pays enough respect to the ancient teachings? What draws people to it since it is a newer almost reconstruction of ancient religions.

Vi kind of hit it right on the head... what Ancient teachings?

A Reconstruction religion is one where a group of people takes the specific practices of a particular culture and tries to (as closely as possible) recreate them. Wicca is a blending of many different practices (some older, some relatively new), it is not a Recon. Even if one accepts the existence of the New Forest Coven, it still wouldn't qualify as a Recon, since at that point, it would be a continuation of an "original" practice, not one that was reconstructed.

Wiccan inspired - Eclectic/Neo-Pagan practices, I might consider calling them a Recon - in cases where they are trying to adhere strictly to published BTW outer-court material, but that would still be pushing it (since without the core/Mysteries it's just not Wicca).

and I consider it at least partially reconstructed because so many ancient rituals, vows, teachings have been lost other the years. So in some ways you have to redue some things.

Thank you for your point of view.

Not entirely sure if this has been asked but... as I was under the idea that Wicca was a dithestic religion that centered on Earth and Fertility and positivity and in no way had to be practiced in a Coven or required um intiation..what the hell do you call what I was calling Wicca?

So can use and follow Wiccan practices or concepts without being Intiated, your just not Wiccan. That helps tremendously! Thank you.