What is a Witch?

[Jen]

I am interested to hear how you all describe what a witch is.

[blackenedrose]

A witch is someone who is a believer in the power of nature as a web of connections. One change on the web and it will affect other areas of the web. A witch is not religious - they can be practitioners of any other faith also - but they believe in honouring nature and the God that is all around us - not the God in a church, high and distant, but the God in a leaf, in a beam of sunshine and in a drop of rain. To a witch these are the holiest of things, and I believe in them with all my heart.

[angelis]

Well said rose. But there are also males that like other titles but they all mean the same thing. All titles given to us all boil down to being a male or a female witch.

[Goth]

A witch is someone who has a complete understanding of how and why magick works and who actually practices it.

Aleister Crowley said it best in my opinion: "Crafting magick, is the science and art of causing change to occur, in conformity to will".

Yes, there is magic to be found all around us...everyday. A sunset, the cycles of the moon, the ebb and flow of the tide ~ but this is nature's magic, we have no control over it. Anyone can appreciate the magic of nature, but this does not make one a witch.

A witch's magick is a different thing entirely....he/she does have control over it. It's the art of being able to apply energy to focus and intent, in order to reach a desired outcome.

There are some witches who do class witchcraft as their religion.

[blackenedrose]

Do they? I thought Wicca was a religion, but witchcraft was more of a belief if you know what I mean.

[Really Proud Dad]

Well said Em you took the words right out of my mouth

[Goth]

Yes you are correct, Wicca is a religion and witchcraft is a craft. But there are some witches who class witchcraft as their religion....and who is anybody to tell them that they are wrong in doing so?

[Really Proud Dad]

Moreover what is magic/magick?

My views are:


Magic or magick is the process of causing change to occur by the application
and direction of energy through the use of your Will. Many people add a "k" to
magic to distinguish true magick from slight-of-hand and stage tricks.

Magick is a broad term given to the ability to make events occur in accordance
with one's true Will by the application of sufficient energy.

In other words, magick is the direction of energy to a desired goal or purpose.
It is a manipulation of the more subtle forms of energy which science is just
beginning to understand.

Magic is a very general term which describes many branches or areas within it's
self. For example, one could compare the broad term of magic to the broad term
of medicine. In the medical field, there are various things someone can specialize
in. Whether it be Cardiology, Pediatrics, or Surgeon just to name a few.
Accordingly, there are many very different and specialized areas within magic,
some include Elemental Magic, Sympathetic Magic, Herbalism, Aromatherapy,
Healing, Shamanism and many others. One of these areas which is generally
thought of as the spell casting area of magic is Witchcraft.

Witchcraft

Witchcraft is a branch of magic that also deals with healing, protection,
fertility, curses, hexes and the likes. It is a branch of magic that is centered
on techniques to improve the life of the practitioner and those around them.
Those who practice Witchcraft or Wicca also tend to be of the Pagan religion,
but this is not a requirement per' say.

Origins

The true origins of witchcraft are impossible to state. In it generally believe
that Witchcraft had its origins in the beliefs of nature and animism held by primitive
man during the Paleolithic era and earlier. The earliest humans were part of a
hunter/gatherer society. To this level of culture, the things most important things
to survival were the ability to find food (either through hunting or gathering from the land)
and the reproduction of the species.

Matt

[blackenedrose]

Wow, so helpful matt! Thanks a lot for that..... really helpful. And Goth, I suppose you're right, it is up to each person to decide their path and how to walk it.

[Goth]

From the same site: www.mindspring.com/~pmarsh/pblesson1.htm

"Witchcraft is also a religion. Witchcraft as a religion is a nature-oriented religious system that believes in and worships the male and female creative divine force, the God and Goddess. It also recognizes and can use magick."

[blackenedrose]

Cool! Thanks!

[Really Proud Dad]

Good site goth i'd never seen that site before, the text i posted someone sent me about a year ago and i never knew it had come from there

Matt

[Goth]

You're welcome It's one of the less 'fluffy' sites out there ;D

[Goth]

There is one thing I disagree with however, and that would be this:

Those who practice Witchcraft or Wicca also tend to be of the Pagan religion,
but this is not a requirement per' say

Whilst a witch who merely practices the craft 'as a craft, and not a religion', can follow any religion e.g Christianity (christo witches), I would state that to be a Wiccan you have to be Pagan....as Wicca is a Pagan religion. I don't agree that you can be Wiccan and Christian. The two beliefs are very different.

Do you agree?

[angelis]

Whoa a lot of helpful little tips. Time to sit down and print off all your helpful info.