how do you define a witch? (pagan, Jacob, Satan, religion)

[Draka]

A witch is someone who feels and acknowledges their own presence and power in the world. S/He recognizes a connection with all around them, and therefore, uses that connection to enforce a change. Be it through "magical spellwork" or through "meditation" or merely through "directed thought", a witch exerts her/himself to affect a change. This change may be for healing, for social reasons, for financial reasons, ...for many different reasons. It is the ability to affect change that is the important thing.

[Somkid]

I knew many self-proclaimed "witches" when I lived in the States but none of them could quite (or wanted) to explain it to me. most of them seemed to have their heads in another world or were heavily medicated but in any case I couldn't make sense of any of it.

[Kcnorwood]

Originally Posted by Mike182

hey all. i'm putting this in comparative religion because i'm interested in everyone's views on this.

for my dissertation, 10,000 words, i have decided my dissertation title will be "In the modern world, how does one define a witch?"

i have until 10 months from now to do my research and write it up, so plenty of time but i want to get started soon.

my current reading list is:

Witchcraft Today - Gerald Gardner
Witchcraft Tomorrow - Doreen Valiente
Satanic Witch - Anton LaVey
Witcha, A Book of cunning - Nathanial J Harris
Mallious Maleficarum, "The Hammer of the Witches" - Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger
Triumph of the Moon - Ronald Hutton.
What Witches Do - Janet & Stuart Farrar

I will also be doing some interviews with friends of mine who are witches, and sending some questionnaires to covens/Pagan groups that i know of, as well as posting it online for the Witches of various forums i frequent to answer.

Anyway, that's what i have to read, but i'm also interested in how other people see witches. so please, everyone feel free to have a bit of a rant and discussion

The concept of the "witch" can be found in EVERY world culture and language in some form or another. Be it kahuna, hexe, strega, bruja, baobh, bacularia or makhsheyfe; the thought that lies behind it is still the same.






Modren Witch: A witch is a member of a particular spiritual construct often based on an amalgamation of different religious concepts and practices -and- who practices magic/sorcery within the scope of this faith. The Pagan community and other Earth based spiritualities make it clear that the practice of magic is the distinguishing factor for the description of witch. Basically it is a mutually exclusive relationship that states: not all Pagans are witches and not all witches are Pagans.


Generic Witch: It simply states: a witch is a person who practices sorcery. Sorcery can include a variety of aspects such as healing, divination, magic, alchemy, necromancy, spells, herbs, meditation, etc. These practices are often an avenue within an established spiritual structure. It is the Generic interpretation that is the common link among the cultures worldwide.

[Tau]

Originally Posted by Mike182

so Gerald Gardner, arguably the father of Modern Witchcraft, is what exactly in your universe?

A pseudo witch that doesn't exist.

Men cannot be real witches, the very idea LOL

[Tau]

Originally Posted by Mike182

reversing this, would you say women can only be witches? ie, they can't be druids or warlocks?

that said, warlock traditionally means oath-breaker, so many disassociate themselves with that term.

Edit: you see, a lot of the witches i have spoken have said that they were not brought up witches, they broke away from traditional religion, and as such, they find that the religion they turned to - Witchcraft - is in part the breaking of gender roles and stereotypes, as well as an investment in a spiritual path. do you find this to not be the case? of course, some groups of Dianic Wiccans in America would completely disagree with me.

I agree with the lesbian Dianic Wiccans that only women can be witches, but I don't think they have to be lesbians..not sure it's a requirement, but I got a wig and some false breasts and thus ready to infiltrate them...for the furthering of *ahem* my spirtual quest hehe

Women can't be druids, druids were men, women were priestesses or witches.

I don't see why we have to break gender roles....but then some men are born rather feminine and women masculine so its a toughie for me...go easy on me I am an ultra conservative at heart, but I recognise the need for the greater good, this involves tolerance holism and mutual respect, I am trying to exorcise my right wing authortarian super ego, blame my facistic police officer father (bless him) and Catholic upbringing...o yes I am a Catholic technically...shhhh.

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Tau

I agree with the lesbian Dianic Wiccans that only women can be witches, but I don't think they have to be lesbians..not sure it's a requirement, but I got a wig and some false breasts and thus ready to infiltrate them...for the furthering of *ahem* my spirtual quest hehe

Women can't be druids, druids were men, women were priestesses or witches.

I don't see why we have to break gender roles....but then some men are born rather feminine and women masculine so its a toughie for me...go easy on me I am an ultra conservative at heart, but I recognise the need for the greater good, this involves tolerance holism and mutual respect, I am trying to exorcise my right wing authortarian super ego, blame my facistic police officer father (bless him) and Catholic upbringing...o yes I am a Catholic technically...shhhh.

well, gender and witchcraft will certainly come up in my dissertation, so thanks for your posts

[Kcnorwood]

[quote=Tau;1157062]I agree with the lesbian Dianic Wiccans that only women can be witches, but I don't think they have to be lesbians..not sure it's a requirement, but I got a wig and some false breasts and thus ready to infiltrate them...for the furthering of *ahem* my spirtual quest hehe

Women can't be druids, druids were men, women were priestesses or witches.

I don't see why we have to break gender roles....but then some men are born rather


Who told you this crap?

[Willamena]

Originally Posted by Mike182

how do you define a witch?

Veeeeeeewy cawefulwy.

[DallasApple]

I define a witch as a human being..with certain beliefs..That has to fight against pre-ideas about him/ her which are normally lies involving negativity..

Love

Dallas