Are all witches Wiccan? No. Are Wiccans witches? Most of them, yes.
People often use "Wicca" and "witchcraft" as if they meant the same thing. They're closely related, but they aren't the same. Wicca is a religion. Witchcraft is a practice. Many Wiccans practice witchcraft as part of their religion, but plenty of witches have nothing to do with Wicca at all.
In this guide we'll clear up the difference, explain what a "Wiccan witch" is, look at the many kinds of witches who aren't Wiccan, and help you work out which word fits you.
Quick Answer
Not all witches are Wiccan. Witchcraft is a practice (spells, herbs, divination, ritual) that people of many religions, or none, can follow. Wicca is a specific modern religion that includes witchcraft. So most Wiccans are witches, but many witches aren't Wiccan.
A simple way to picture it: Wicca is one house on a very long street called witchcraft. Everyone in the house lives on the street, but most people on the street live in other houses.
What Is Wicca?
Wicca is a modern, nature-based pagan religion that began in England in the mid-20th century. Most Wiccans honor the Triple Goddess and the Horned God and celebrate eight seasonal festivals known as the Wheel of the Year, along with rituals at the full moon. Wiccans follow an ethic called the Wiccan Rede: "An it harm none, do what ye will."
Wicca is diverse, and Wiccans may have their own beliefs and practices. Still, honoring a Goddess and a God and following the Rede are common to most of them.
What Is Witchcraft?
Witchcraft is a broad practice that shows up in many cultures and religions. At its core, it's the use of intention, energy and the natural world to bring about change. It can include spells, rituals, divination, herbalism, candle work, charms and much more.
Witchcraft on its own has no required gods, holidays or rules. That's up to each witch. Some witches are deeply spiritual, some are religious in another faith, and some practice in a completely secular way, treating the craft as a tool for focus, creativity and self-care.
Are Wiccans Witches?
Most are. Wicca was presented from the start as a religion of witches: Gerald Gardner's 1954 book was called Witchcraft Today, and Wiccans still often call their path "the Craft." Spellwork, ritual and divination are part of most Wiccans' practice.
But not every Wiccan uses the word "witch" for themselves. Some focus on worship, the seasons and meditation and rarely cast spells. Others simply prefer to say "Wiccan" because "witch" still carries a stigma where they live. Both are fine. Being Wiccan is about your religion; being a witch is about your practice.
Do Wiccans Practice Witchcraft?
Yes, most Wiccans do. Wiccan witchcraft usually takes place in a cast circle, honors the Goddess and God, and follows the Rede, so spells are aimed at healing, protection, love, abundance and personal growth rather than harm. Many Wiccans also follow the Threefold Law, the belief that the energy you send out returns to you multiplied. If you'd like to try, candle magick is a gentle first step.
Wiccan vs. Witch: The Main Differences
| Question | Wiccan | Witch (in general) |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a religion? | Yes, Wicca is a religion | No, witchcraft is a practice |
| Gods | Usually the Goddess and God | Any, many or none |
| Ethics | The Wiccan Rede ("harm none") | Up to each witch or tradition |
| Holidays | Eight sabbats and full moon esbats | Optional; depends on the path |
| Initiation | Traditional covens initiate; solitaries self-dedicate | Not required |
| Practices spells? | Most do | Yes, that's the core of witchcraft |
| Who can be one? | Anyone who embraces Wicca's beliefs | Anyone who practices the craft |
Witches Who Aren't Wiccan
Many witches don't identify as Wiccan, and some reject the label entirely. Here are some of the paths you'll meet:
- Eclectic and solitary witches build their own practice from many sources, sometimes with Wiccan elements and sometimes without. See eclectic witch and solitary practice.
- Traditional witches draw on folklore, local customs and older forms of folk magick. Since Wicca began in 20th-century Britain, they often feel the word doesn't fit their practice.
- Secular witches practice witchcraft without any religion or gods at all.
- Witches of other faiths combine witchcraft with their own religion, and some Christian or Jewish witches draw on their family's folk traditions.
- Other pagan witches follow paths like Heathenry, Hellenism or Druidry. Read the difference between Wicca and paganism to see how these fit together.
- Green, kitchen, cosmic and hedge witches are named for what they focus on. These styles can be Wiccan or not. Explore them in our guide to the types of witches.
Some living religions and cultural traditions, such as Vodou, Santería and Hoodoo, include spiritual and magickal practice too. Their followers usually don't call themselves witches, and these traditions are best understood on their own terms and learned from people within those communities.
Some people even call themselves witches without doing much spellwork at all. For them, "witch" expresses their values, their love of nature, a connection to their ancestors or a sense of their own power.
What Is a Wiccan Witch?
A Wiccan witch is someone who follows the Wicca religion and also practices witchcraft. In daily life, that might mean honoring the Goddess and God at an altar, celebrating the sabbats, casting spells within the Rede and keeping a Book of Shadows. It's the most common kind of Wiccan, and it's the path we teach at Wicca Academy. If it sounds like you, our Wicca 101 course covers the foundations.
Which Word Fits You?
Not sure if you're a Wiccan, a witch or both? There's no rush to decide, and your answer may change as you learn. Ask yourself a few questions:
- Do you feel drawn to honor a Goddess and a God? If yes, Wicca may be your home.
- Does the Wiccan Rede feel like the right moral compass for you?
- Do you want to celebrate the eight sabbats as holy days?
- Or do you mostly love the practice: herbs, spells, tarot and the moon, without a particular religion?
If you answered yes to the first three, you might be a Wiccan witch. If the fourth fits best, you might be a witch who isn't Wiccan, and that's every bit as valid. Our article is Wicca right for me? goes deeper, and the free witch type quiz can help you name your style.
Final Thoughts
Wicca is one path within the wider world of witchcraft, so not all witches are Wiccan. Witchcraft covers a huge range of practices and traditions, and every witch deserves respect, whether or not their path looks like ours. As Wiccans, we can help clear up the confusion while celebrating the variety in the wider witchcraft community.
Do you call yourself a Wiccan, a witch or both? Tell us what the words mean to you.
Check out our other articles:
What Is Wicca?
How to Become a Witch
Types of Witches
The Difference Between Wicca and Paganism
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Wiccans and Witches FAQs
What do you call a witch who isn't Wiccan?
Simply a witch. Many add a word for their path or focus, such as eclectic witch, traditional witch, green witch or secular witch. Others use the name of their religion, like pagan or Heathen.
Can you be a witch without being Wiccan?
Yes. Witchcraft is a practice open to anyone. Many witches follow other pagan paths, combine witchcraft with another religion, or practice in a secular way with no religion at all.
Is Wicca the same as witchcraft?
No. Wicca is a religion with its own gods, holidays and ethics, while witchcraft is the practice of spells, herbs, divination and ritual. Wicca includes witchcraft, but witchcraft is much bigger than Wicca.
Do all witches follow the Wiccan Rede?
No. The Wiccan Rede is the ethic of Wicca, so non-Wiccan witches aren't bound by it. Many still follow similar values of care and responsibility, while others set their own personal code.
Can a Christian be a witch?
Some people call themselves Christian witches and combine their faith with folk magick, prayer and herbalism. Opinions differ in both communities. Witchcraft itself is a practice, so how it fits with your faith is a personal choice.
