What is a witch?
- Thread starter MetalMagpie
- Start date
"Witch" comes from the Old English word wicce "female magician, sorceress", the feminine of wicca, "sorcerer, magician", and derived from wiccian meaning "to practice magic", but there's linguistic evidence that this general word may have meant specific skills earlier, possibly including "necromancy", "soothsaying", "skill with drugs/herbs" or even "skill with horses" (but perhaps not all of these things) - e.g. see here [http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=witch&allowed_in_frame=0].
Nowadays I think that the word has been appropriated by different groups for different uses. The Hollywood meaning (probably the most popular) means "sorceress", possibly (but not always) with necromantic overtones. Some sects of Christianity (arguably the next most popular usage in English) treat it as meaning "necromantic or diabolic magician". Various neopagan and satanic groups have also appropriated the word to mean anything from "soothsayer" to "necromancer" and "diabolist".
I personally don't use the word, except in fiction. People like to believe in magic, but magic has never passed routine clinical testing, and psychology explains magical belief better than self-proclaimed witches do.
Age: 41-50.
Nowadays I think that the word has been appropriated by different groups for different uses. The Hollywood meaning (probably the most popular) means "sorceress", possibly (but not always) with necromantic overtones. Some sects of Christianity (arguably the next most popular usage in English) treat it as meaning "necromantic or diabolic magician". Various neopagan and satanic groups have also appropriated the word to mean anything from "soothsayer" to "necromancer" and "diabolist".
I personally don't use the word, except in fiction. People like to believe in magic, but magic has never passed routine clinical testing, and psychology explains magical belief better than self-proclaimed witches do.
Age: 41-50.
Male, 22.
A witch, in fantasy, is a woman with magical powers that curses people.
In reality, it's a censored version of the word "*****".
A witch, in fantasy, is a woman with magical powers that curses people.
In reality, it's a censored version of the word "*****".
I'm a 16-year-old male.
Witches are magical girls who've had their Soul Gems corrupted into Grief Seeds.
16 M
Any individual with abilities gained by demonic or otherwise infernal means. Generally depicted as an older female.
Yeah, I'm the type of person who uses the dictionary definitions.
Of note is that in the past, getting somebody accused of this was an easy way to get said person executed.
Any individual with abilities gained by demonic or otherwise infernal means. Generally depicted as an older female.
Yeah, I'm the type of person who uses the dictionary definitions.
Of note is that in the past, getting somebody accused of this was an easy way to get said person executed.
Male, b) 16-21
A witch is a term for a magic user, usually with some nature affinity and in mainstream Western culture generally associated with a post-menopausal female practitioner of evil magic. In modern times, however, there are males and females who call themselves witches and practice exclusively positive magic, for fear of bad karma. "Whatever you do shall be returned upon you three times," they say. I suppose that applies to both members of the Wicca religion and non-affiliated magic users.
A witch is a term for a magic user, usually with some nature affinity and in mainstream Western culture generally associated with a post-menopausal female practitioner of evil magic. In modern times, however, there are males and females who call themselves witches and practice exclusively positive magic, for fear of bad karma. "Whatever you do shall be returned upon you three times," they say. I suppose that applies to both members of the Wicca religion and non-affiliated magic users.
Male - B)
'Witch' is difficult to pin a definition to.
1) To some, she's a woman who's sold her soul to Satan in return for various gifts of magic. though this witch doesn't actually exist.
2) To others she's someone wise with herbs and potions.
3) For many, she's a mother in law... hehehe... moving on...
4) For me, a witch is a person (male or female) who practices the Old Religion.
Though many of the more ancient practices and traditions have been lost to time, or crushed by Christians, those that survive are still practiced to varying degrees by various branches of Wicca and Paganism.
It's a shame that many people view is as a nonsensical, or new, religion; especially since, historically, it's twenty three thousand years older than Christianity.
'Witch' is difficult to pin a definition to.
1) To some, she's a woman who's sold her soul to Satan in return for various gifts of magic. though this witch doesn't actually exist.
2) To others she's someone wise with herbs and potions.
3) For many, she's a mother in law... hehehe... moving on...
4) For me, a witch is a person (male or female) who practices the Old Religion.
Though many of the more ancient practices and traditions have been lost to time, or crushed by Christians, those that survive are still practiced to varying degrees by various branches of Wicca and Paganism.
It's a shame that many people view is as a nonsensical, or new, religion; especially since, historically, it's twenty three thousand years older than Christianity.
Interestingly enough, you've got two different occupations all mixed up.Caramel Frappe said:
1) Witchcraft is simply a demonized Wiccan practice. Evil doesn't play into it, because the central Wiccan tenet is 'An it harm none, do what thou wilt'. Meaning sacrifice, murder, blood rituals, ect are out.
2) Alchemy was actually ancient chemistry, but laced with superstitions, and only seen as magic because of it's mostly unknown practices.
Another interesting point, all those horrific ingredients used in 'witchcraft' are actually the colloquial names for various herbs used in medicine. During the Churches infancy, when the ingredients had no universal Latin name, and the priesthood were trying to stamp out opposing religions, the townspeople used names like 'Adders Tongue', 'Rabbits foot', 'Wolfs Claw' and whatnot to describe the herb, simply because that's what the herd resembled.
Male age 15
A woman who has gained magical powers and uses them to harm people physically or emotionally.
The witch has gained her powers from a descending line of witches (like genetics) that starts with one woman making a bargain with the devil or a demon of sorts.
When 'Witch' is said to me that's basically what pops into my head, not a Harry Potter style witch.
A woman who has gained magical powers and uses them to harm people physically or emotionally.
The witch has gained her powers from a descending line of witches (like genetics) that starts with one woman making a bargain with the devil or a demon of sorts.
When 'Witch' is said to me that's basically what pops into my head, not a Harry Potter style witch.
B) 16-21, male, you f***ing government agent.
a witch is someone who pracitces black magic, or dark magic, or just magic and is a dick about it. a wizard is someone who practices, um, good magic.
or you can insult someone by calling them a witch, inferring they're an old hag, but then you'd look like an idiot because no one uses witch as an insult.
a witch is someone who pracitces black magic, or dark magic, or just magic and is a dick about it. a wizard is someone who practices, um, good magic.
or you can insult someone by calling them a witch, inferring they're an old hag, but then you'd look like an idiot because no one uses witch as an insult.
16.
I'll give you the Dean Winchester definition: Witches are disgusting, unhygienic and creepy with a penchant for spilling their bodily fluids everywhere. Sold their soul to demons in exchange for power. Vengeful.
I'll give you the Dean Winchester definition: Witches are disgusting, unhygienic and creepy with a penchant for spilling their bodily fluids everywhere. Sold their soul to demons in exchange for power. Vengeful.
For the record, go and tell a Scottish person they're European and tell me what happens.Redlin5 said:
Male 22-30
In the real world, a witch is either a Wiccan, or a derogatory term used by some religious types in the past to describe a female with some sort of heretical belief or who otherwise threatens the status quo. In fiction, a witch can be some sort of magic spell-casting potion-brewing lady.
In the real world, a witch is either a Wiccan, or a derogatory term used by some religious types in the past to describe a female with some sort of heretical belief or who otherwise threatens the status quo. In fiction, a witch can be some sort of magic spell-casting potion-brewing lady.
a witch is a wizard.
They come from the same word, and mean the same thing.
Any other definition was or is because of religious baggage or dogma.
They come from the same word, and mean the same thing.
Any other definition was or is because of religious baggage or dogma.
