Advice I Was Given, and By Whom
Read online article -- you don't have to be Wiccan to be Pagan or a Witch. If you do not believe in the tenets of Wicca or practice the proper ritual format, don't insult those who do by claiming to be "eclectic" or different. Your path doesn't need a name, especially if it's a misnomer that will further confuse non-Pagans and newbies about the boundaries between Wicca and other Pagan paths. On the other hand, if your practices are based mainly on Wicca, then don't insult other cultures (i.e. "Celtic", "Druid") by claiming a false title for something that is obviously Wiccan.
Why They Gave it To Me
Many new Pagans think that they must be Wiccan or follow Wiccan based practices, or that they are being original by ripping off Wiccan ritual/ cosmology and calling it by a different name. Wicca is not Celtic, and being a polytheist who does not follow the Wheel of the Year does not allow you to call yourself an eclectic Wiccan. Wicca =/= Pagan =/= witch.
Lessons Learned
- Wicca is a distinct religion, with distinct beliefs
- If I don't believe those things, it is ridiculous to call myself a Wiccan
- I don't have to bend my beliefs to fit into a name or label
- I don't have to HAVE a label for my beliefs.
- Wicca is not the only kind of Paganism is not the only kind of Craft.
- Wicca is NOT the "Old Religion"
- There is no Old Religion
- Wicca is NOT Celtic
- Or Roman
- Or Greek
- Wicca is British/ American, based on classical/Romantic mystery religion structure with beliefs derived from many and varied sources.
- Not every Pagan is Wiccan, and I should not assume as such.
How This Advice Impacted My Life as a Pagan
I stopped trying to label myself! Wicca was the wrong path for me -- I don't even believe in the 5 elements! Instead of assuming that I had to believe in Wiccan-esque ritual structure, I followed my own logic and beliefs to a path with no name that fits me much better.
