Wicca

The word Wicca is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word Wiccan, that later on became Wicche and subsequently Witch. The name Wiccan was for the first time mentioned in the laws of king Alfred in the year 890. The origin of the word Wicca (pronounced Witcha) can be found in the Indo-European word Wikke, meaning magic or sorcery. Witch is also seen in relation to the noun Wit which comes from the verb Weet. The meaning is the same as in Dutch: to know. A different approach links the word Wicca to the Old-English Wican meaning: to bend. Wicker in Modern-English is associated to Wican. Whatever you believe is the origin of the word Wicca, all explanations show a connection to the experience of witchcraft.

While witchcraft was punishable until half-way down the 20^th century, there was a need for an alternative name. Wicca was born. Nowadays there is no real need anymore for secrecy but meanwhile a distinction has been made between the name witchcraft and wicca. Many believe that Wicca is more religious than Witchcraft. It is a fact that witches that follow a tradition such as Gardnerian or Alexandrian, speak of Wicca. The secrecy and boundaries which surround such traditions may have contributed to the distinction. A distinction that doesn’t really exist. The following was told to me when I was an initiate of a Gardnerian coven: “you become a wicca after initiation within a tradition, until than you are a witch.” This doesn’t ring true to me. Wicca should be (considering its origin) be pronounced as Witcha, very similar to the word witch in fact…..

Because of the exclusive rights that some traditions preserve for the word wicca, I tend to use the original name for who and what I am. I am a witch, priestess of the God and Goddess.