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Writer's pictureShidonna Raven

Voodoo vs. Wicca


May 4, 2024

Source: Diffen

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Comparison chart



Voodoo versus Wicca comparison chart


Voodoo

Wicca

Place of worship

Altars, temples.

Altars, covens, outside in nature, in your home, in your car, anywhere really

Founder

No founder.

Wicca was made public by Gerald Gardner with some historians concluding it was mostly his creation and others feeling it may have existed as early as the 1800's. Some traditions claim distinct lineage such as Cochranian and Alexandrian.

Life after death

Vilokan is home to the lwa and the deceased. Described as a submerged and forested island, also belief in reincarnation, Life is continuous,

Reincarnation, often with a rest period in the Summerland.

Practices

Witchcraft; Prayer, Devotion, Invocation, Healing, varies from good to evil (Blessings, curses, etc.)

Prayer, witchcraft, devotion, invocation, blessings, healing, casting circle, etc

Place of origin

Benin, Haiti

England

Literal Meaning

'Spirit.' or "Sacred" - Fon Language

Wic·ca - from Old English Wica. Wise

Belief of God

Bondye is the chief deity, but, other deities or lwas linked to Christian figures are worshipped also.

Belief of The Gods and Goddesses.

Clergy

Hougans(priests), Mambos (priestesses), Bokors, witch doctors, Amateur, etc.

Priests and Priestesses, Lords, Ladies, witches (respectively).

Goal of religion

To honor God and the lwas (Saints) and honor and celebration of life.

To honor the ancient Gods and Goddess, and respect the cycles of life. To better yourself.

Birth of Jesus

Affirmed in Haitian Vodou.

N/A, closest comparison would be the Sabbat of Yule, when the God is born unto the Goddess.

About

Haitian Vodou is a religion of many spirits and One God; Vodou is a very ancient and primarily oral tradition, It is the infusion of Traditional African beliefs with Catholicism. There are two aspects of Vodou: Rada - Positive, Petro - Negative

Largest of the Neopagan religions. Great reverence for the Earth & for their Goddess & her consort, the horned God. Wiccan Rede: forbids them from harming people, including themselves, except in some cases of self-defense.

Geographical distribution and predominance

Africa (Benin, Gulf of Guinea nations, Nigeria, and other West African states), the Caribbean (Haiti and Cuba, primarily), the United States and Canada.

Primarily English speaking parts of Europe, North American and Australia with some communities in France, Germany, etc.

Use of statues and pictures

Veve are encouraged and pictures permitted.

Common, but not universal. When used, they are prominently placed on the practitioner's alter.

Population

Approx. 1 million(2010), Approx. 0.2 million (2020). Clandestine worshipers makes census difficult worldwide.

The number of practicing Wiccans has been estimated between tens of thousands on up to several hundred thousand.

View of the Buddha

N/A.

Buddha achieved enlightenment and therefore is someone to imitate.... though as always, depends on who you talk to. While some minimal Buddhist influence may be present, Buddha himself is rarely worshiped.

Rites

Initiation, healing the sick or cursed, cleansing, matrimony, revocation. zombification

Initiation, Hand Fasting, Healing, Ritual.

Use of Statues

Not clear

Very common

View of Animistic religions

Comradeship with other Animistic religions.

Practitioners typically follow specific deities over others.

Authority of Dalai Lama

No

N/A

Holy Days

Holy days often related to Catholic saint feasts.

Sabbats, 8 celebrations falling on the Equinoxes, Solstices, and points immediately between them (cross-quarter days). Esbats are celebrated monthly in honor of the cycles of the moon.

Second coming of Jesus

Haitian Vodou adherents believe in reincarnation of the good spirits to help humanity.

N/A

Identity of Jesus

Not Affirmed in Haitian Vodou. Other Vodou resected

N/A

Death of Jesus

Affirmed in Haitian Vodou.

N/A

Branches

Major branches include Haitian, Louisiana, and African forms. These forms are distinct, but closely related and generally mutually recognize each other. Practitioners sometimes belong to more than one branch.

Gardnerian, Alexandrian, Elijan, Dianic, Druidic, Celtic, Nordic, Eclectic, Stregheria, Faerie (Fae), Georgian, Y Tylwyth Teg, American Welsh, Blue Star, Ceremonial, Odyssean, Shamanic Witchcraft, etc.

Authority of Pope

No

N/A

Marriage

Signature event whereby adherent(s) opt to dedicate their life in service to lwas (deities)

While all people have different views, same sex marriage is just as acceptable as heterosexual marriages. The ritual of Hand Fasting is usually used.

Original Language

Fon, Ewe languages, Haitian Creole.

Primarily English with occasional inclusions of local languages related to specific deities and magical languages from western mystery traditions. Some covens in non-English speaking countries speak their local languages.

Views on other religion

They see no contradiction in following more than one religion(usually Islam).

View all religions positively. Some may have a negative disposition toward faiths with dogmatic views and rigid scripture, though that is a personal thing, not a part of the religion.

Ressurection of Jesus

Affirmed in Haitian Voodoo.

N/A, Easter is comparable to the Sabbat Ostara, which celebrates the rejuvenation of the harvest, the beginning of spring. Fertility.

Prophets

Witch doctors, etc.

Wiccans view their faith as one of experience versus revelation. While much reverence is given to Crones (elder women) and Sages (elder men) as well as to various prominent leaders, none are recognized as prophetic authorities over the practitioner.

Related Religions

Yoruba, Santeria, Candomble, native West African faiths.

Other modern neopagan or new age religions. This is in contrast to reconstructionist pagan traditions, which are rooted in historical practice.

Belief of deities

Vodou Numerous deities.

Commonly, a God and Goddess, which may be thought of as specific Gods and Goddesses from many cultures, or as two parts, of one Eternal Life Force

Prophet

Peghambar Vodou devi & Peghambar Vodou Dev

N/A

Followers

Haitian Vodou

Wiccan

Position of Mary

Used as a cover for the Haitian Vdou goddesses Erzulie Dantor and Erzulie Freda.

N/A

Original Language(s)

Fon, Ewe languages, Haitian Creole.

English

Position of Abraham

Ibraham, hagar, ismael, Muhammad is used as a cover for a Voodoo deity.

N/A.

Concept of Deity

Numerous deities; Bondye is chief deity (God). All deities are a reflection of a male and female aspect and belief that the gods are real personas.

Depends on the individual and the Path they follow. Typically animistic and/or polytheistic ranging from belief that all deities are a reflection of a male and female aspect and belief that the gods are real personas (hard polytheists).

Time of origin

Vodou has its roots in the West African religions of the Yoruba, Ewe, Fon, etc. In the modern day, kinship between the African diaspora faiths is often recognized. Vodou itself originated sometime after the arrival of African slaves in the Carribean.

Created by Gerald Gardner in the 1950s. Most branches claim some ancient tradition or line, but no direct proof through historical sources. It is perhaps the largest religion created in the last century.

Status of women

Women are High Priestesses (or mambos). The highest form of clergy, To maintain the relationship between the community and the spirits.

Women and men are equals and women are revered, as they are the givers of life.

Angels

Vodou adherents believe in numerous deities, spirits, angels, etc.

Depending on the path, some sects believe in Arch Angels. Mainly belief in faeries is more prominent.

Concept of God

Omnipresent Creator (Bondye)

Usually a horned god and a triple goddess.

Status of Adam

Used as cover for a Voodoo deity in Haitian Vodou.

N/A

Clothes

Simple, white clothes, undecorated. Clothing usually includes a head scarf or other simple head covering. Sometimes clothing relating to the spirit in question is worn by the possessed.

Varies. Some wear clothing based on European heritage, some wear elaborate costumes with masks and adornments, some wear robes, some wear street clothes, and quite a few conduct ritual 'skyclad' (nude).

View of Abrahamic religions

The Islamic God is used as cover for the chief Voodoo god, as are Islamic Holy figures used as covers for various Voodoo deities, in Haiti.

Some emphasis is placed on the European witchcraft persecutions, referred to as the Burning Times. Christian dogmatic views are also viewed negatively in favor of experiential truth. This can be quite strong among those who were raised Christian

View of Oriental religions

Vodouists see no contradiction in following more than one religion.

Some kinship is often recognized between Wicca and animistic and polytheistic faiths of Asia such as Hinduism and Shinto. Many Asian mystical practices are also incorporated. Reincarnation and the Law of Return may be offshoots of karma.

Practitioner name

Vodouisant, Serviteur, chwal

Wiccan, Witch, Lord, Lady, Priestess, Priest, one also usually takes upon a magickal name which is used during practice.

Introduction

Vodou is an Afro-Carribean religion originating in Benin and focused on spirits, or loa. It is an animist belief system with elements of syncretism (borrowing), particularly of vodou

Wicca (pronounced /ˈwɪkə/) is a specific Neopagan religion. Its adherents are referred to as Wiccans, though the terms Witches or Crafters are also used. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in th

Concept of a God

Vodou deities, that are ruled by one powerful almighty deity.

Depends on the Path and individual however normally the Triple Goddess and Greenman or Horned God (Pan, Cernunnos, etc).

 


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