You've likely seen many sites around the Internet advertising Wicca Supplies or Wicca Supply. You've likely also seen sites advertising Witchcraft supplies. So which is the one you are looking for? Is one better than another? What is the difference between Wicca and Witchcraft anyway? What should you call yourself when asked? These are interesting questions, with even more interesting answers. But in a nutshell, Wicca is a religion, and Witchcraft is an action one might take, whether or not as a result or through their knowledge of religion. So does one practice Wicca, or does one practice Witchcraft? One can, in fact, practice both, or either one. Wicca is a religion that began in the early 1950s, as a conglomeration of beliefs, some older, some not. Witchcraft, on the other hand, is a series of practices, some old, some new. So essentially, the difference is belief vs. practice. Now, with that said, both Wicca and Witchcraft use supplies. Often, they are the SAME supplies. Often also, the aims of the rituals are also the same. But not always. For example, those of other faiths can use Witchcraft and call themselves a Witch. However, those of other faiths should not call themselves Wiccan, since Wicca is a faith unto itself with sometimes specific beliefs. So which should you look for? Wicca supplies or Witchcraft supplies? You should look for both, actually. The altar tool or item itself is not "Wicca" or "Witchcraft" or "good" or "evil," it is all in the intent of the practitioner. You may see some sites that proudly proclaim they offer Witchcraft supplies for the "left hand path" that include things like perhaps graveyard dirt or coffin nails. An item in an of itself is not "right hand path" or "left hand path." It is not "Wicca" or "Witchcraft" or "Christian" or "Satanist." It is all in what you DO with it. So should you call yourself a Witch or a Wiccan? To me, a Witch is one who uses his or her Will in order to achieve a desired outcome. Whether the use of Will is "magickal" or mundane, one who knows their Will and seeks to manifest it is a Witch. Whether they choose to call themselves a Witch or not is definitely up to them. A Wiccan, however, is someone very different. A Wiccan is one who follows the religion of Wicca, including the Wiccan Rede, and the duality of Deity. In conclusion, it doesn't matter whether you use supplies marked Wicca supplies or supplies marked Witchcraft Supplies or whether you go out in the woods and pick up a stick to use as a wand, use your finger instead of an athame, or even use a Christian communion chalice for your offerings to the Goddess. It's all about what energies YOU bring to the ritual, and how YOU feel about their usage. Emotionally and psychologically, I like using certain woods that I identify with specific correspondences, certain athames that I think look and feel "right" and chalices with Goddess symbology on them, but you certainly do not HAVE to do what I do. Instead, do what you feel is best and right. Which may, of course, include buying all of your Wicca Supplies and Witchcraft Supplies from Enchanted Works. *grin* |
