Wicca Vs Neo-Wicca
I was reading an article on WitchVox about Tradition vs Eclectic Wicca. Basically the gist was that they are not the same. No they aren’t. And even though they may be based on each other, Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Corellian, etc aren’t the same either. The writer of the article made some very valid points and missed the biggest one of all.
Many of the “Neo-Wiccans” do not have the opportunity to become involved with or initiated into “Wiccan” traditions. We have to make our own path because we have no access to any other! I would love to study under a teacher of a specific tradition. Guess what? I can’t. I have no access to a Gardnerian coven or Alexandrian coven. Short of saying a prayer to the Goddess and God and then taking out an ad in the area newspapers that screams “I’m looking for a coven of the ____ tradition because I would like to be initiated and be a part of it,” I don’t have a way of being anything but an eclectic Solitary.
The problem is, by enforcing a seperation of Wicca and “Neo-Wicca” you basically invite those who are trying to find their faith to feel like they’re not as good as others because they can’t get access to a coven of “real” Wiccans. It’s not fair to me and the thousands of other solitaries who do not have access to a “traditional Wicca” coven/teacher to be labeled “Neo-Wiccans.” It cheapens our faith, it makes us look like small children playing copycat.
Guess what? There are umpteen different versions of Christianity but they all get to call themselves Christians. Even the ones who haven’t been baptized by the authority of this church or that church can say they are Christians if they are at the very least making an attempt to worship deity in the manner of the Christians. But “Neo-Wiccans” are to be forced to add “Neo” to the beginning of Wicca because we cannot or choose not to be structured by the traditions and covens of “real” Wicca? To be perfectly honest, how fair is that?
Cross posted at A Question of Faith.
August 6th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
That’s so true, dude. I hate how people call me a “fluffy bunny” because I practice alone. Well, sorry I’m not old enough to be in a coven, and sorry that there’s none close to home. Like you, if I could find a teacher I’d study under them.It’s stupid. Some Wiccans I know feel their path is deeply personal, and would feel uncomfortable with anyone else. I think it’s a matter of situation and preference. The people that hate “Neo-Wicca” are just looking for a desperate way to feel smarter than everyone else.