The term 'Witch'

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[Journey]

I know that there are some people on here that have been in Wicca for a long time (the beginning?).  I have been wondering why they would choose to call themselves a witch?  Wicca was created in the last century so they could have used any term to describe themselves, but they chose a word that already had negative connotations.  Now they spend all there time defending themselves.  "We are not evil."  "Not that kind of witch." etc.  Just saying 'Wiccan' should have been fine.  Nice, obscure, had no prior baggage.  I've even seen references to a whole debacle with BTW fighting that "we are the one, true witches, all others are posers" so that people decided to call themselves Wiccan to avoid it (and now they are on the "we are the one, true Wiccans, all others are posers").

Wouldn't it just have saved time and energy if they didn't try to redefine or clean the rep of the term 'witch' in the first place?

Any history on the decision to use the term 'witch'?

First, although I am not involved with Wicca I do concider myself a "witch".  Mainly because I don't know what else I would be. I call myself a witch because of what I am able to do and how I see the world.

Personally, I have never met anyone who said their path was the only way to becoming a "true witch", but I suppose there are some out there who would.

As for defending the title, well, I don't feel anyone should ever have to defend any of their beliefs to anyone. I may explain to those who do not understand, but I do not defend.

The need to defend yourself comes from the feeling that you are under some sort of attack. If you don't concider ignorance or misunderstanding an attack, then there is no battle, thus no need for defense. 

For me, this is a key issue for maintaining harmony and balance in my life. I want to remain secure in my beliefs without harboring animosity to those who do not understand.

The way I see it, belief systems are very personal things, very individualized. No one, either pagan, mainstream religion, or atheist, should ever judge another's path.

Blessings to you along yours.

[BloodyMary]

First, although I am not involved with Wicca I do concider myself a "witch".  Mainly because I don't know what else I would be. I call myself a witch because of what I am able to do and how I see the world.

Personally, I have never met anyone who said their path was the only way to becoming a "true witch", but I suppose there are some out there who would.

As for defending the title, well, I don't feel anyone should ever have to defend any of their beliefs to anyone. I may explain to those who do not understand, but I do not defend.

The need to defend yourself comes from the feeling that you are under some sort of attack. If you don't concider ignorance or misunderstanding an attack, then there is no battle, thus no need for defense. 

For me, this is a key issue for maintaining harmony and balance in my life. I want to remain secure in my beliefs without harboring animosity to those who do not understand.

The way I see it, belief systems are very personal things, very individualized. No one, either pagan, mainstream religion, or atheist, should ever judge another's path.

Blessings to you along yours.

I really like the way you explained this.  In particular, regarding the need to defend oneself - very accurate as to how I feel when I get defensive about other things in my life... I think the one thing in my life that I absolutely trust would be my Wicca and Witchcraft.

~Mary

[Journey]

I really like the way you explained this.  In particular, regarding the need to defend oneself - very accurate as to how I feel when I get defensive about other things in my life... I think the one thing in my life that I absolutely trust would be my Wicca and Witchcraft.
~Mary

Thank you. It is always kind of comforting when others share a similar view on a subject.

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