Pagan, witch and wiccan, catalog and information by Lady Ardane Lets start off with some definitions. Witan was the ruling body of a Saxon community and came from Wita meaning one who knows or councilor, this is also the root of the word wit. The Oxford English Dictionary, which is the standard dictionary of the English language, gives the same derivations and says.
Witches are an independant lot.
Since we have no heirarchy, out of choice and necessisty, individual covens evolve their own practices, so there will always be differences in practice. Add to that the fact that many of us follow different pathways, and the result is that you will never find unanimity among us as to the right way to practice. We believe to each his own, that each must follow wherever their pathway leads. There are Witches from just about every ethnic and cultural heritage, who follow the Gods of their ancestors. The Wicca of today is a modern interpretation of Witchcraft.