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