When I use the term (which is rare…I have other nicknames) I use it to mean people who are from the “Wicca is whatever you want it to be” camp with some pretty specific “wants”.
- They ignore the role of the God and go on and on about the Goddess. (Raging Feminist Zombie – with exceptions made for legit Dianics)
- They view the Goddess as 100% goodness and light and love. (Whitelighter)
- They refuse to see the dark side of life as anything but “evil”, essentially bringing a monotheistic type of dualism to their philosophy. (Jesus in a Dress)
- They think the Wiccan rede prohibits or restricts their actions, and use the term “free will” in a very uneducated way. (Wiccan’ts)
- They perceive themselves as victims. Of the patriarchy, of psychic vampires, of Witch wars…you name it, someone is after them and because they are all love and light they won’t defend themselves. (Ancestors burned at Salem)
- They don’t want to know anything about orthopraxy, history, or lore. They believe “myth” and “lore” to be synonymous with “falsehood”.
- They tend to have an overabundance of outward symbology (pagan styled jewelry, crystals, dressing like Stevie Nicks, etc.) but under the surface they are all buzzwords and regurgitated paperbacks. (Paperback priest/ess, IRAB)
- They won’t think for themselves, and want *answers* from Traditional coven leaders. They expect to be spoonfed. (Sheeple)
Most people that fall into this area are rebelling against a protestant upbringing in some way, but are still, deep in their dear little hearts, protestants. I don’t think there’s necessarily anything *wrong* with it, but I don’t want these folks in *my* circle. They’d screw up the energy.
I think Ward has it right. It’s good for us fogeys to recognize when it’s simple ignorance and when it’s WILLFUL ignorance. I’d call the former a “Newbie”, the latter a “Fluffy bunny”.
Link to the original question on Quora.