Raymond Buckland. (February, 21 2012)
What happen if one take borrowed some gods of other pre-christian non-western europe cults, can they self-call Wicca ? 21-02-2012
“It’s a very good question, Juan ( Nimrod ). Since the re-emergence of witchcraft (with Gardner) it has been considered as a Western European aspect of the Old Religion — not specifically British, since it was found throughout Europe. It is really only in recent years that the rapid spread of information has produced people around the world who find they have an affinity for the Old Religion and wish to be a part of it. One therefore gets people wanting to combine Witchcraft/Wicca with such things as Native American beliefs and traditions, Egyptian beliefs and traditions, Japanese, Aboriginal, and so on and so on. In other words, trying to adapt what was basically a European belief system to fit with their own native historical traditions.
In doing this – to my mind – they are creating a religious system which fulfills their need but which cannot truthfully be defined as Witchcraft/Wicca; it is a blending of cultures. To label such a blending one could make-up a totally new word or one could (as seems to be done more and more) combine the names such as with “Egyptian Wicca” or “Inca Wicca”.
The trouble with these joined labels is that they are somewhat misleading. But this seems to be the trend.
“True” Witchcraft/Wicca is a re-creation of the Old Religion of Western Europe, but to have some version of that which everyone can enjoy, we must accept these “cross-breeds”.
Having said all that, we must bear in mind that even within that Western European structure there were always many variations: Keltic, Saxon, Norse, Pictish, and so on. Even within one country, such as England, there were many variations on the patterns of worship.
So it’s a very complicated question, Juan — or at least a very complicated answer!
In love and light.
Raymond Buckland”
What is Eclectic in the Wicca context:
“This is the way I understand it to be, Juan:
Eclectic, by definition, is that which borrows from diverse sources; is “made up” of selections. That is the dictionary definition of the word. Applied to Wicca, an eclectic coven is one which belongs to no specific tradition but has borrowed bits and pieces from a variety of traditions, and may have added new “made-up” material also, putting them together to make a whole set of rituals and beliefs suitable for the individual or group selecting them. It is a “stand alone” coven; a one-of-a-kind. It starts and stops with that coven.
A Traditional coven is one which continues; which has other covens following the same rites and beliefs following on, each new coven having been “born” from the mother coven. To give examples: Gardenrian is the prime example of a Traditional coven. All Gardnerian covens have stemmed from a previous Gardnerian coven. There is a lineage to them. A Tradition may have been continuing for many years or may be a relatively new tradition but has certainly had continuous growth beyond the original coven.
Example of an ecelctic coven was the original Al-Gard coven, started by a first-degree Gardnerian who took some of Gardnerian and mixed it with some of Alexandrian, to suit her needs. That was then eclectic. BUT . . . when others then started to also use that set of “borrowed” rites and also call themselves Al-Gard, then it ceased being merely eclectic and became a new tradition: Al-Gard.
There are many eclectic covens, that borrow bits and pieces from various sources – could be Egyptian, Native America, Chinese, or anything – and combine them into a Wicca format. So long as they are operating alone, they are an eclectic coven. As soon as others adopt the SAME format and start practicing it, it ceases to be an eclectic oven and becomes the start of a new tradition.
I hope that helps, Juan.
Bright blessings.
Raymond Buckland”
Definition of Wica:
“Wicca or Wica, is a Modern Witchcraft based on the Witchcraft Traditions which is the ancient folk religions of pre-christians cults in the Western Europe”.
From these definitions, the Coven Wicca Luna Azul reached out to Buckland to ask if Wicca can incorporate other pantheons from this side of the world.
Email Message. 02/23/2012
Raymond Buckland said:
“Years ago, when Gardner and I were establishing this revival of witchcraft, I think we would have been horrified to think that anything not of Western European origin could be called ‘Witchcraft’ or (as it’s more recently termed) ‘Wicca.’
But when you think carefully, there were many, many variations on the central theme just within Britain. But that’s what they were—variations on a central theme. So, personally, I think it’s fine to adapt Wicca to local beliefs, as long as it doesn’t stray too far from the traditional Wiccan beliefs and practices. For instance, I understand (for example) if someone chooses an Aztec god or goddess as their deities and even incorporates some elements of worship (perhaps dances or songs) without losing the rhythm of Wiccan Sabbats and Esbats.
I think that when you lose a great deal of the tradition’s practices and beliefs, that’s when Wicca itself is truly lost. You can certainly adopt other forms of magic, methods of divination, and healing, but without losing the tradition of circle casting and devotion to the gods.
If we stray too far from Wicca and incorporate too much from other sources, then I don’t see why it should still be called Wicca. Why not call it something else? Why try to make Wicca into something it really isn’t? So, there is a line—perhaps a thin one—but it does exist.
The problem, I think, is that many people cling to the words Witchcraft and Wicca and don’t focus on doing what they truly want simply because they feel they won’t receive enough ‘recognition’ if they don’t call it that.
I hope this helps.
In love and light,
Raymond Buckland”
Craig Ripley : Lord what’s the point of different degrees in wica
Raymond Buckland: The point is to show capability. It’s much like being graded in school! Not all traditions have a degree system, of course. I think there are pluses and minuses. Unfortunately they many times lead to ego trips and abuse. Thanks for your question, Craig.
Is frequent the question about : What are the Gods? or What is the Origin of the Life or the Universe?
December, 1 2012 – 10:20am
Raymond Buckland
I think we must all arrive at our own beliefs on the make-up of the gods. Personally I believe that there is some unimaginable force that is too huge to be comprehended by our minds. Yet we need to be able to relate to this force so that we may ask for what we need and give thanks for what we have. In order to so relate we think of it in anthropomorphic terms. We imagine it in the guise of a male or female which we label “god” or “goddess”. It would be impossible to relate to such an incomprehensible force itself but we are able to relate to a god/goddess image. It is, then, purely a “convenience”. Now in order the more easily to relate to it/them, we give them backgrounds with which we are comfortable — Saxon or whatever. I don’t think it is “history in disguise”, I think it is purely the most convenient – perhaps the ONLY – way that we can relate to such a force.
Brightest Samhain blessings to you.
Raymond Buckland”
