Witch. Wizard. Wise woman. Magician. Healer. Sorceress. Hag. Crone.
One and the same, known by many names. But what makes one a witch? Are all witches Pagan, and are all Pagans witches?
Paganism is an umbrella term to describe a number of earth based religions. Over time, the term Pagan has been used to incorrectly describe Idolaters and Atheists, but etymologically, it means country dweller, or rustic. It therefore is a fitting term to describe a spiritual practice that is centric to nature.
Witchcraft, on the other hand, is not a religion. You find many Pagans who are witches, yes, but you also find Atheist witches, Christian witches, and a plethora of witches belonging to a variety of faiths.
In certain Pagan traditions that embrace magick as an intrinsic part of their practices, one would need to go through a number of initiations before they can claim such a title.
In reality, to quote the wise words of Dianne West in Practical Magic, there is a little witch in all of us.
So, how does one truly become a Witch?
There is no right or wrong way to go on about it. You can ask several people, and everyone will have their opinion about it - so please bear in mind that my opinion does not necessarily reflect that of others. With that being said, this is my take on the topic.
Solitary vs Coven
Scene from Practical Magic
Many people start off searching like minded people - or kindred spirits - when they set off on their path. This was true for myself as well way back in ye Olde days (some 25 years or so ago). I found no ready-made local community. At the time, there were plenty of international chatrooms, but meeting people in Malta with such interests seemed to be an impossible task. And so, my journey started as a Solitary. I read, read, read, and read some more.
I'm the type of person who needs to understand the ins and outs of something before taking the plunge. I find playing it safe, especially when I am about to venture into unknown territory, works best for me - and it is what I would recommend to others.
After a short while, I decided that if I couldn't find a ready made community, I would build one. And so hanging out at bookshops and keeping my eyes peeled for little tell tale signs that a person might be of the witchy inclination was the order of the day. I set up a chatroom on the then popular mIRC platform, which I named #PaganMalta, and tried to spread the word. People started joining, and the foundations were laid.
As time went by, and I researched and read more and more, I decided to organise what I called my first Open Circle - which meant it was open to anyone who wished to join. After a bunch of such circles took place, I started the Study Group. After that, the #PaganMalta Yahoo group was set up (and it still exists to a certain extent). Now, with the advent of social media, a Facebook group exists as the latest incarnation of
Pagan Malta.
Belonging to a Coven, whether formally or informally, isn't for everyone. Others, like myself, value both the Solitary path as well as group work. One does not automatically exclude the other.
One challenge about finding a coven tends to be especially tough for younger people. Over time we have had minors wishing to join - when they do so with a parent, then it is fine. Should they wish to join on their own though, parental consent would be required - and that is the true hurdle. Many younger people would still be in the proverbial broom closet, so to obtain parental consent would be very hard. This is why most groups would be reluctant to accept minors joining. As adults, they'd be responsible for the minor should anything happen, and that obviously comes with a whole new set of risks.
What risks?
Thanks to the media, the Craft has been popularized with the general public. This does not mean that it is risk free to publicly identify as a witch.
There are many misconceptions out there about what witchcraft is, and the demonisation of what it is and what Witches do is still very much alive out there. The Witch Trials and the Spanish Inquisition obviously come to mind - and although to the Western world these are things of the past, in other countries where superstitions are still the order of the day,
witch hunts still happen, and people die because of it.
If you're living in the Western world, you still need to be careful - learn how to pick your battles.
How do I go on about learning if I'm a Solitary witch?
There are plenty of books out there that are specific to Solitary work - although most tend to be from a Wiccan perspective. Probably the most famous writer about this perspective would be the one and only Scott Cunningham - whose best known book is the following:
He has plenty more books that are equally as good, and the best thing about him is that even if you aren't Wiccan, or you're a seasoned practitioner, there is still plenty of practical knowledge you can reap.
Another wonderful book you can refer to is Rae Beth's Hedge Witch:
But what if I want to only do Magick?
Again, there are plenty of spell books out there for all tastes. A brilliant little gem of a book that is good for "baby witches" and "elder witches" alike is the following:
I first acquired my copy of this book as a teenager, and it went everywhere with me. It is a very practical book, and easily accessible to young people of all ages.
Going to the other extreme then, is a mammoth of a tome:
This giant is a collection of spells from a vast variety of backgrounds - and it is not exclusively the "love and light" sort of grimoire. It is more suited for a bit of a more mature reader who is aware of the risks that go with greyer Magick.
Speaking of which, does Magick have a colour?
Colloquially, yes. In reality, no. What we call "white Magick", " Black Magick", "grey Magick" and so on is just an easy way to categorise the intentions behind such work. What gives Magick its power is the intention behind it. To give a practical example - if one prays, or does a rite, to seek justice, then it can be said to be "white Magick". On the other hand, if one prays or does a rite seeking revenge, that can be said to be " Black Magick". The intention is what sets the tone.
What about men?
Witch is a genderless term. Many people might think that a Witch is female, and a Warlock is the correct term for a man. Warlock's etymology comes from the Old English
wǣrloga meaning "oathbreaker" or "deceiver". Wizard is another commonly known word for a male witch, however tends to be associated more with the fantasy and fictional realms nowadays.
So what now?
In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way to go on about it. My advice here is to go forth, learn as much as you possibly can, be respectful, and, bear in mind the wise words of Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon A Time:
Until next time!
Ros
