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Jacci Sutton
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Pagans and Witches and
Wiccans...Oh my!
Once upon a time, when the Roman Legions were rampant, the name
for those small groups of farmers, or settlements, was "Pagani".
You know, those country bumpkins, hicks, rednecks, and hillbillies,
who paid little or no attention to the sophistication the Romans
brought to conquered areas, by establishing "City States".
This was not merely setting up camp, this was City Planning
at it's finest. Roads, public buildings, sports arena, temples,
and bathhouses, and indoor plumbing! Along with all this modernization
came the Roman Laws and culture. Certain ways of doing things!
But oh, those Pagans! With their Country ways, and lack
of social skills... Hmpfff! So the term became a sneer.
When Christianity grew to a point where they too became the "conquerors"
of towns, villages, and settlements, they had learned much from
the Romans. But they were not a "Country", with huge armies,
they were Religious folk, and their fighting implements were the
"WORD"! They knew the power of words...and they
began to explain things a little differently. The Pagans who
were still around became followers of the Devil! Now the Christians
knew a lot about the Devil. Why they spent more time describing
him than they did their God! Some would say they were obsessed!
So the country folk, who still practiced their beliefs as handed
down through generations of tribal/clan culture, were now accused
of siding with that Christian Devil.
If you're not with us, you're against us! So Pagan
became a term that meant someone who was NOT Christian.
Politically Correct thought eventually led the populace to consider
Jews and Moslems, acceptable in society, so they were excused from
being called Pagan. Many countries were invaded in the name
of Christianity. Most of their Native Culture was obliterated.
Temples burned, children placed in Christian hostels, and
forbidden to even speak their own language. Read the history
of the American Indian. Spain, Mexico, Africa ... etc.. etc
..
OK, how does this reflect on the Pagan Community today? Why
call ourselves Pagan? Why call ourselves Witches? Because
we can! And by doing so, we attempt to bring into focus
that those who were persecuted as Pagans and Witches were, in truth,
Heretics! <gasp> Yep, they didn't behave as they
were supposed to as God Fearing Christians! Hmmmm I
wonder how many actually did fear their God ... or did they fear
the organization that seemed to speak for him? Anyway, the
term Pagan originally meant those people who were too hard to find,
and root out, because it costs a lot to wage a war. So you
concentrate on the densely populated areas, and don't sweat the
small stuff. It had nothing to do with Religious beliefs until
it began to be used in such a way by Christian zealots.
Today, we have many declaring themselves "Pagan". Simply
meaning that they are NOT following one of the big 3 religions ...
Christianity, Jewish, and Islam. However, there are also those
practitioners of Buddhism, Native American, Santeria, Voudon ..
etc.. etc.. Who don't consider themselves Pagan. The common
misconception of the meaning of the term is "devil worshiping"
nasty people, who boil babies in cauldrons. So why would anyone
want to be identified as such? For those of us who are Pagan,
we carry the title to point out the truths of history, rather than
the lies. We don't have to believe in any religious dogma.
We can be Atheists, or we can worship a variety of Gods and
Goddesses, as we choose.
Now, as for Wicca .. it is a neo-pagan construct of Gerald Gardner.
Started in the 1930's, it's grown to become the 7th largest Religion
in the US.
Gardner's premise was that the old ways were the necessary tools
of survival in a primitive world. As lore was passed on thru
the generations, people held some common beliefs and practices that
were called "superstition" by many, but in reality, these
practices worked. Gerald used the terms Wiccae, and Wicci
to denote male and female practitioners of the old superstitious
ways. They were the ones who adapted, and persevered in passing
on family traditions, values and beliefs. He sought out this
lore, and found common usage among people in many countries. Were
they practicing Witchcraft?
Well, they were practicing something that worked for them ..
It was the opinion of Christianity that it was evil and "Witchy"!
In truly looking at history, Gerald encouraged others to look at
what was really going on ...and as he drew people to him who in
their turn realized the evolutionary process, a new Religious Practice
was formed. Yes, they considered themselves Pagan, according
to the Christian interpretation. Yes, they considered themselves
Witches according to the Christian interpretation. And yes, they
were seeking the lost art of personal communication with Deity.
They created their own Dogma, and the rational was so simple
that many began to follow their beliefs.
Not all who embrace the Pagan viewpoint find it necessary to
become members of a Religious Group. Some simply want to connect
with their ancestry, by understanding the Lore of their native culture.
Some want to recreate the "Old Days", and step away
from society. And some just like the Pagan Parties.
So once again, it's really simple to understand the difference
between Pagan, and Wiccan, and Witch, in the neo-pagan community.
A Pagan is one who shares an interest in various ecological,
and esoteric practices in our society.
A Witch practices a variety of metaphysical disciplines.
A Wiccan is a follower of the Religion of Wicca.
Not all Pagans are Witches.
Not all Pagans are Wiccan.
Not all Witches are Pagan.
Not all Witches are Wiccan
ALL Wiccans are Pagan Witches! For Wicca is a Polytheistic, Earth-based,
practice of worship which includes metaphysical disciplines.
BB … Owl
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