 This was part of a phenomenon that took place during the 1970s and 1980s , as the term Wicca became increasingly associated purely with <unk> and <unk> ( together known as British Traditional Wicca in North America ) , rather than with other variants of Pagan Witchcraft . This was encouraged by elements within the Gardnerian and Alexandrian communities who wished to emphasise what they perceived as their special position within the Pagan community . The word Wicca first appeared in a book title in 1981 as Wicca : The Ancient Way ; written by <unk> @-@ <unk> , <unk> @-@ <unk> and Mer @-@ Amun and published in Canada . It discussed a Gardnerian @-@ based tradition . 
