Witches: is it important to you as a Witch to be known by the term "Witch?"?

Question

I'm a Witch and ask this because I wonder if we who call ourselves Witches use the term to provoke interest, to cause a reaction, to reclaim the word and transform it from its negative connotation, to educate, to initiate a good diaglogue? Other reasons? Why do you use the term?

Answer 1

I use the term for the same reason a Christian might; to identify my beliefs in a broad sense, and to be able to make myself known to other witches as such.

Many witches are still in the closet as it were, and that can be quite lonely. They are there mostly because of the still negative connotations of the word. So, part of the reason is as you say to help reduce the negativity surrounding the word.

GLBT folk have found out that as the terms surrounding their life are used more and more, the negative power surrounding them diminishes. Witches should learn the same lesson.

Answer 2

Well I use the term Wytche (note altered spelling to differentiate from 'movie witches' also the use of the y denote the feminine).

As to why I use the term ...it is the historically accurate definaition, however I also call myself a Pagan, a Skeelie, a Healer, a Woodwife, a sorcerer etc...depending upon what I am doing and why at any particular time.

I think many younger people new to the Ancient Path use the term as an attention seeking factor, or to provoke Chrisitans into a reaction.....In the same way they feel they need to display their beliefs with huge pentacles or wearing their robes in public.....

I think that using the term is aiding in removing stereotypes, however having been on the end of a backlash when I was involved in starting the first public Coven in our area, because of the term Witchcraft....

The links below look at the original meaning of the word witch:

Answer 3

I believe it's more important to be known as a witch since I've always been one. I have practiced the Craft for over 40 years and have been High Priestess for more than 25 of those years. I have heard many call themselves wiccan and pagan. To me being wiccan does not mean you are a witch, it just means you are a nature spiritualist. A witch is someone who believes there is more to life than being a spiritualist and makes their life magickal. Wiccans do not belive in using magick unless it's approved of while Witches use magick because it's their practice. Wiccans believe in only white magick while witches understand that if you have positive you must also maintain the balance with negative. Otherwise you're workings will not work at all.

I would much rather be called a witch than wiccan since most wiccans seem to be a little weak in their belief and their "religion". Besides we've always been witches long before wiccan came along to this country. Thank you Gerald Gardner.

Answer 4

I guess I prefer to say that I am Wiccan. I don't see myself as a sterotypical Witch - I am a solitary and I believe in daily magic as opposed to rites and rituals. I don't want to provoke anything in my declaration as a Wiccan, but sometimes people want to know where my perspective comes from. Like here on Yahoo, I share that I am Wiccan to indicate the origin of my persective.

I am sometimes bothered that we cannot call ourselves Witches without the baggage that word seems to carry with it. Among other Witches, I probably would be more at peace with the word, and feel the power and celebratory nature of it. Witches share a history that is, in many ways, unique to us. It would be nice to be able to celebrate that with others.

I am solitary because I simply have not found a community to be part of. Perhaps when I do, my view will change a bit.

Thank you for your question.

Answer 5

Most Wiccans will tell people that they're a witch if the subject of religion comes up or someone says something negative about Wicca or The Craft otherwise not.
People who introduce themselves as witches are looking to provoke interest for their own purposes. Lecturers and authors are usually OK but fortune-tellers and sales people at street fairs are less trustworthy.

Answer 6

I primarily use it because when I say 'I'm Wiccan', no one around here knows what I'm talking about. In fact I'm always shocked when people I live around know the term.

I really don't see myself as a Witch, per-say, because I don't do a lot of spells. I occasionally do healing, protection spells. Mostly I perform spells to help my son with his nightmares.

I would rather be known as Wiccan. Even though I really don't have any problem with Witch, it's only a term. It just doesn't seem to 'fit' as well, for me.

)o( Blessed Be!

Answer 7

i would say that i tend not to use the "term" witch because it causes to much BAD attention that really has nothing to do with what really occurs within the Wicca religion. I have also found when people think of the term Witch, they tend to think of Satan which has absolutely nothing to do with the Wicca religion and Pagan beliefs. How ever yes it can be used to further educate people into different beliefs which they would normally choose to ignore.

Answer 8

The term can be used rather loosely, in my opinion. I identify myself as an eclectic pagan witch on this forum. For i do not have to fear provocation or retaliation being online.
I live in a very small town and do not usually refer to myself as a "witch"
I do refer to myself as an eclectic pagan, stating that my beliefs are very simplified, earth based and tolerant of all others beliefs and or faiths.
I do this mainly, because i am involved in a 12-step program and step 2 states: Came to believe that a power greater then ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step 3 states: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understand God.
Basically, this is stating that any conception of God is ok, but in a small conservative town, there are alot of bible thumpers, so, i feel almost obligated to state my affiliation the way that i do to let newcomers know that they do not have to turn to any specific religion or god to succeed in this program. That they can use any concept that works for them.

In more then one text, i have read that we do need to be cautious in labeling ourselves as a "Witch", lest people become ignorant and intolerant of our true meaning and intent in life.

Answer 9

It is not terribly important for me to be known by that term, no, although it is accurate (since I practice witchcraft). I use the term "Wiccan" much more frequently, because that is the larger context in which I am a witch.

Answer 10

Because no one knows what I'm talking about when I say "Haegtessa". So I just use the term "Hedge Witch".