Defining Terms

Defining Terms

In an effort to define exactly what a practice of DruidCraft might be, Brianna in Germany with a group of OBOD members around the world made this list of the differences and similarities between Druidry and Wicca:

First, we have to define ‘Wicca’ in a way that makes everybody happy, which is may be one of the hardest tasks in modern Paganism.
The best way is to say it with the words of an English friend, who is both a Wiccan High Priestess and a Druidess: ‘Wicca’ means British Traditional Wicca à la Gerald Gardner & Co (ie properly initiated into a Brit. Trad. Coven), and ‘Pagan Wicca’ stands for all of those who practice Wicca as it is depicted in the many good books that deal with Wicca (e.g. Scott Cunningham etc.)
Pagan Wicca is a very individual path (everything can, nothing must), thus this list of differences and similarities refers primarily to Wicca when compared with British Traditional Wicca.

We refer to Druidry here as the kind of Druidry that is for example practiced by OBOD. There are also other streams of Druidry, such as Celtic Reconstructionism, where the differences with Wicca would be greater.

This list doesn’t claim to be complete or infallible. Its purpose is to give interested people a general idea. Neither Druidry nor Wicca can ever be completely described or categorized. To fully understand them, they have to be experienced and lived – and by doing so, they will become unique and very individual paths for each and everyone.

Differences

Quite often the differences are only in the detail, whereas a more generic definition would put them under ‘Similarities’.

What is specifically Wiccan:

Wicca has a stronger focus on the moon than Druidry and celebrates the full moons (and some also the dark moons) with a ritual, but gives the same amount of importance to the Sun as does Druidry.
Wicca uses Magic in a different and often more active way than Druidry
Wicca has a different historical background to Druidry
Wicca is widely seen more like a mystery religion
Wicca has a different focus on and understanding of standard elements of a ritual, like for example calling the quarters, steps and ritual tools

What is specifically Druidic:

Tree lore and Ogham
The druid grove (both inner and in the physica world)
The focus on peace
In Druidry the moons don’t play such a big role
Druidry can be seen as a religion, but also as a way of living / a philosophy, which results in there being Druids from many different faiths
Druidry has a different historical background to Wicca
Druidry is widely seen more like a spiritual path
Druidry focuses on the celtic pantheon

This list is a collective effort from Druids and Wiccans, all members of the Druidcraft Subforum of the Messageboard on www.druidry.org