Witch Defined
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.
So -- Where did the word come from?
What does it exactly mean? -and-
How did it become such a universal principle?
Etymology
Etymology traces the development of a word-form
from its earliest recorded occurrence in a language to the
present day. Because language is a living entity, words,
spellings and meanings are constantly changing. This means
that the history of a word and its possible etymology *may
not* necessarily coincide. However, I included it in my
notes because many people will use etymology as a definitive
factor in their arguments for the origins of the witch and
witchcraft.
—WITCH—
Word's Origin
Personally, I don't think it really matters where
the word 'witch' came from; after all, there is no finite
way to prove or disprove its origins. Besides, I am far
more interested in where the word is going, than where its'
been. If you are interested in the etymology of the word
"witch", visit my research page on Etymology.
witch [1]
n. -es [ME wyche, from OE wice, wic; probably akin to OE
wïcan to yield, give way-more at weak]: any of several
trees having pliant branches.
[2] n. -es
[ME wicche, from OE wicca, masculine, wizard and wicce feminine,
witch; akin to OE wiccian to practice witchcraft, MHG wicken
to bewitch, to divine, OE wigle divination, wiglian to divine,
wïg idol, image ON yé temple -- more at victim]
1.a dialect British : Wizard, Sorcerer b.(1) : a woman practicing
the black arts: sorceress <Halloween ~on a broomstick>
<heard of one old ~changing herself into a pigeon -John
Rhys> (2) : an ugly old woman : crone, hag <a skinny
old ~ with a face like a meat ax and a voice like a buzz
saw --Helen Eustis> c. (1) : one supposed to possess
supernatural powers especially by compact with the devil
or a familiar (2) : a magic spell : hex <it's my idea...he
put the ~es on it -Helen Rich> d. or witcher -s: dowser
2 : one that bewitches <the quaint ~ memory -P.B. Shelley>;
specifically : a particularly charming or alluring woman
3.a (1) : storm petrel (2) : grebe (3) or witch bird : animal
b. also witch flounder: a small mouth blackish or brownish
deep water flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) of the
north Atlantic that is of some importance as a food dish
c : witch moth.
[3] adjective : of , relating to, or used
against witches <~cult> <~ doors used to ward off
evil spirits>
[4] verb -ed /-ing/-es [ME wicchen, from
OE wiccian to practice witchcraft] 1: bewitch 2 : dowse.
[1]
Definitions and Meanings
Definitions are formed by how society utilizes the
word in its culture and as cultures change so does its utlization.
The question then is: what does it exactly mean to be a witch
in our culture? According to many dictionaries, 'witch' in
its noun form can refer to a plant, animal or person. Yet
--it is the definitions pertaining to the person that is so
dominant and so controversial in our society. So, how does
our society use the word witch today?
-
Generic
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.
How did it become such a universal
principle? The reason(s) could have been: (a) synchronicity,
(b) a single ancient religion, (c) cultural diffusion,
or (d) just inherent human nature. --the need to
explain the natural world and its inner workings.
Personally I think it is
the combination of diffusion and inherent human
nature. I strongly doubt the synchronicity and the
single ancient religion theory.
-
Christian
A witch is a person who practices the black arts
and possesses supernatural powers due to a pact
with the devil -also known as Satan. The origins
of this definition came from the medieval period
circa 1500 when it also included heretics, eccentrics,
lepers, Jews and anyone else who didn't conform
to the Christian Church. During this time 'witch'
almost always referred to women and is evident with
words like hag and crone. The reasoning behind this
was that women were considered the weaker sex and
thus were easily tempted by the devil. Even today,
when we think of a witch we think in terms of female,
although they can be male as well. Other monotheistic
religions like Judaism and Islam also had similar
viewpoints.
- Modern 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.
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