difference between witch and wiccan

[White*wolf]

What is the difference between a witch and a wiccan? Do you have to do magick to be a Wiccan? How many different traditions of Wicca are there? [I hope those aren't stupid questions].

[Raven451]

I posted an article by Mike Nichols in the article section that explains what the word Wiccan and Witch means...As far as "traditions" or "paths" ..whatever word you choose to call it .. There are lots..Try Wicca by Scott Cunningham ..I think it mentions different ones in there ..you could also Google a search for a list of the different traditions..I myself decided not to go with the new paths or traditions..I am learning the old religion and am a witch plain and simple..
Hope this helps you..

Bright Blessings,

Lori

[Aryiok]

This one question you ask, will yield many different answers depending on whom you are talking to or reading from. Personally, I break it down like this. Wicca (Wica) is a Religion/way of life. A witch can follow the path of Wicca, but doesn't have to in order to be a witch. Most witches today however do follow some form/version of Wicca (Wica). There are many different styles. If you look in Raymond Bucklands Big Blue Book of Everything (As I like to call it) he'll mention more than a few of these.

This is a personal opinion on this matter. Like I said, you may get different answers, which is a wonderful thing.

Aryiok -- Keeper of the Stone

[hedge*]

Wicca is a relgion
Witchcraft is a practice of magic.
You can be wiccan but not practice witchcraft and you can practice witchcraft without being wiccan.
As far as I know there a few differnt wiccan traditions - Gardenian and Alexandrian being the most well known. There's Dianic and Seax too.
There are more but I can't think of them now.

[WolfWitch]

If you take into account the various paths and traditions that are recognized and those that are followed by solo practitioners of Wicca/Neo-Paganism/etc. their are more paths/traditions than stars in the average night sky.
I have a counter question. Did you ask this question because you are searching for your own path and wish to know how many roads are before you? Or was this merely a curiosity question?

[I hope those aren't stupid questions].

If it is asked in all seriousness in want of an actual answer, their is no such thing as a stupid question. Any question asked for the want of knowlage is valid and important.

WW.

[wiccan_butterfly]

this is actually quite intresting, i believe that i bought a book, that explained all types of different religions, and paths and such, you will have to ask corrupted_beauty though, she currently has the book, but she will not be back in town till tommorrow i believe.