what does it mean to be a witch?

Question

and how many are genuine and how many have just watched too much 'charmed', dyed their hair black and read the satanic witch a couple of times? Im not putting anybody down for their beliefs, Im genuinely interested to know what whichcraft means to you

Answer 1

To be a Witch is to love and be loved.
To be a Witch is to know everything, and nothing at all.
To be a Witch is to move amongst the stars while staying on earth.
To be a Witch is to change the world around you, and yourself.
To be a Witch is to share and give, while receiving all the while.
To be a Witch is to dance and sing, and hold hands with the universe.
To be a Witch is to honor the Gods, and yourself.
To be a Witch is to BE magick, not just perform it.
To be a Witch is to be honorable, or nothing at all.
To be a Witch is to accept others who are not.
To be a Witch is to know what you feel is right and good.
To be a Witch is to harm none.
To be a Witch is to know the ways of old.
To be a Witch is to see beyond the barriers.
To be a Witch is to follow the moon.
To be a Witch is to be one with the Gods.
To be a Witch is to study and to learn.
To be a Witch is to be the teacher and the student.
To be a Witch is to acknowledge the truth.
To be a Witch is to live with the earth, not just on it.
To be a Witch is to be truly free!

~unknown~

Answer 2

A witch is one who practices the art of magic. Magic is the skill of raising and directing energy to a specific goal. I was practicing spellwork in the mid 1970's when it was not "cool". I have never watched "Charmed" but I thought that the first few Harry Potter movies were entertaining fiction. I do not dye my hair any color--in fact I am enjoying the fact that it is turning gray. I have never heard of the satanic witch, so I have not read it. It doesn't sound like something that I would be interested in. I am simply a normal person living a normal life. If you met me, you would not know my religious or magical practices unless you asked me and I decided to tell you. My friends know the basics of my beliefs and practices but it isn't a subject we often talk about---we usually talk about the usual things like work, spouses, gardening, children, etc.

I don't believe that witchcraft is either good or bad. That depends on the intent of the practitioner when the spell is cast. My spells are usually effective but some are not. But that's okay with me because nothing else that I do ALWAYS turns out perfectly either. Such is life and I can live with that.

Answer 3

What culture do you want to speak from? For some regions witchcraft means only black magic, and witch doctors. People just as inclined to put a curse on you as they would be to help heal you. From the perspective of a Wiccan, a witch is someone who does magic with intent. Witches and Wiccans do not always refer to the same people as Wicca is a spiritual path that allows for the practice of magic but does not require it. Then there are also the people who have watched too much television and believe that the magic in the Harry Potter books really works (it doesn't). Genuine will be harder to find as very few feel the need to advertise opposed to those who are just really looking for money.

Answer 4

Sometimes this can be a touchy subject, especially to those who are book taught. But, I believe you shouldn't call yourself a witch until your initiated as such. Even if you've done your self dedication ritual, your still not a witch until you follow the witchy path for a year and a day after which you would do a self or group initiation. Some covens don't consider their members witches till they are a first degree.
Over the years I've met alot of "witches" that have never even done a dedication. I don't consider them witches. More like tag alongs.
Over the years I've met alot of "high priestesses" who were never initiated into a coven. I don't consider them high priestesses. That is an earned right, that takes at least 6 years and 5 days of learning and practicing.

Answer 5

I am in the middle of a spiritual search right now to find out what I truly believe, but the way I am leaning right now I would have to say that I am a witch (too many people seem to think that male witches are called something else, but we're not). I personally find those who believe that magic and witchcraft are like what they see in that show and/or like they read in the very popular Harry Potter book series are doing it because they think it is 'cool to be a witch'. For me it is a choice that one makes after a lot of soul searching and self examination through meditation; just like some one becoming a Christian after reading the Bible or listing to some one talking about it to them for a period of time, and not done after watching a television show for thirty minuets.

Answer 6

Witchcraft is NOT evil.

Epona, that poem is beautiful. I've never seen it before. Wonderfully well said. I'm going to record that.

That being said, please know that you won't be able to tell a witch from anyone else. They're just like you but may have more of a homeopathic bent, and revere nature more. Most witches don't wear only black (though I personally love that color and often wear it because I feel most comfortable in it) unless in ritual. And even then...

We are not the cliche.

Answer 7

It means that "you" practice Wicca. Most refer to themselves as Wiccan, some say Witch (including men). Wicca is a Pagan religion based on the rituals of the early Europeans before Christianity became so prevalent. Just do an online search. You'll find out lots of info.

Answer 8

To be a witch, hummm I was born this way babydoll. No really, I'm one of the few natural witches, my son is also. Wiccan just seemed the natural fit to how I've always believed and felt. I was born psychic and a natural medium, and was able to cast spells and yes they have always worked, since I was five. Now before you ask, both of my parents are Southern Baptist so this was a major shock to the familly rofl. But they love me anyway and accept that I'm truly the black sheep of the family and always will be.

Now for the witch want to bes. Being Goth does not and I do repeat NOT make you a Wiccan. Wiccans believe in peace and harmony with the enviroment and do not normally wear black, have black in their houses (even though I do have a black bathroom), or go around listening to depressing music all of the time. And NO being wiccan does NOT mean that I worship Satan, I don't believe in him sweetheart, sorry to disappoint ya there. I could right by you on the street and you would never know that I practice Wiccan. Most of us never stand out.

Answer 9

Others have been eloquent so I'll be short and sweet: being a witch to me is being in tune with nature and the earth and being part of it instead of an observer, and aware that there is more to life than we can see and occasionally we can influence it.

Answer 10

the whole "Satanic Bible" thing is bull. there can be no such thing as a satanic witch, since Satan does not exist in our beliefs. Satan is a Christian-made creature.

and unlike what someone above me said, Wiccans CAN and DO have black in their homes. a lot of us wear it on a daily basis because they like the color. most of my wardrobe is black.