| The modern usage of the word Paganism is an | | | | oft-quoted an it harm none, do what thou wilt, while the |
| umbrella term that can include everything from Asatru | | | | Rule of Three is a karmic law that states that all |
| (worship of Norse gods) to Hellenic (worship of Greek | | | | actions of the witch will reflect on him or her with three |
| gods) traditions. The word pagan usually refers to a | | | | fold consequences, whether positive or negative. |
| person who has a polytheistic religion; that is, a religion | | | | While Wicca can be included under the umbrella of |
| that includes more than one god or goddess. In older | | | | paganism, there are often differences in the rituals |
| times, the word pagan was used to mean a godless | | | | each subset practices. One of the major differences |
| person who was only interested in sensual pursuits, | | | | between Wicca and pagans is that a certain group |
| which, frankly, doesn't sound like much of an insult to | | | | within Paganism devotes much time and energy to |
| me! The word also had the connotation of | | | | reconstruction. This is the study of how ancestral |
| unsophisticated, or country dweller, much like our | | | | peoples practiced those religions that have survived in |
| modern words hick or redneck. | | | | one form or another into the modern age, with the goal |
| I think of modern pagans as being polytheistic, | | | | of keeping modern practice as true to original traditions |
| frequently nature based magical practioniers who are | | | | as possible. Therefore, Hellenic, Celtic, Khemtic and |
| not bound by the Wiccan Rede and practice a religion | | | | other traditions based on location can have very |
| that is not Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Each group of | | | | different rituals from Wiccan, or indeed other pagans. |
| gods and goddesses has different rules, after all. | | | | Just keep in mind that wherever you go to practice, |
| Wicca, by contrast, is a new religion, originating only | | | | the rituals will vary greatly (sometimes by enormous |
| fifty or sixty years ago. It is partly based on what | | | | degrees). It's important to embrace only the practices |
| earlier generations may have practiced, but many | | | | that you feel comfortable with in any pagan ritual. |
| Wiccan traditions step away from history entirely. | | | | Because there are so many different forms of |
| Wiccans generally celebrate Sabbats and Esbats, | | | | practice, you really need to understand what you are |
| holidays based on seasonal changes. These | | | | getting into before embarking on a journey in any new |
| celebrations as a whole are commonly referred to as | | | | group of practicing people. It's not surprising that the |
| the Wheel of the Year. Other terms that differentiate | | | | retention rates of most new people to a group or |
| Wicca from Paganism are the Rede and the Rule of | | | | coven is extremely low. I know that it took me a long |
| Three. The most important part of the Rede is the | | | | time to find people I was comfortable with. |