When is a witch a witch?

[Anonymous]

I'm just wondering what you lovely people of the boards consider to be a witch? i have my own ideas, but am anxious in discovering what your own beliefs and perspectives are; will you be so kind in sharing? :wink:

~Twistedfeather~
 

[Anonymous]

Do you meen "witch" as magic maker or priest?

[Fillionous]

You ask in your subject title - When is a witch a witch?

For me it is not something that you can be told by another... you live as a witch and you simply know that you are a witch.

But that takes a great deal of self honesty, responsability, knowledge, comitment, and maturity.

Be bright, be bold
Fillionous

[Anonymous]

But that takes a great deal of self honesty, responsability, knowledge, comitment, and maturity.

Will you be so kind in elaborating please?

Thank you...
~Twistedfeather~

p.s. i used that subject title because i didn't know how else to say it... :embar

[danae]

I agree that being a witch is something you simply know.  If you have doubts about it, then you are not a witch.  End of story.

However, let me see if I can put my thoughts into words.  These are my thoughts and ideas, and I realize that they may not be the same as others on this board, but I would be interested in knowing how they will define these ideas as well.

Self honesty:  If you are not honest with yourself, then none of your magick will work.  To me, this is the same as working magick with the intent to harm.  In this case, harm to yourself.

Responsibility:  You must be extremely responsible as a witch.  Not only do you need to know right from wrong, but you will also be responsible for the outcomes of all your magickal workings.  This is also a reason why magick should be the absolute last resort, not something fun to do to fill time.

Knowledge:  Knowledge is extremely important.  You can't just go around casting spells all willy-nilly.  If you have no idea how to cast a particular spell, then you are far better off not casting it without doing the proper research.  Also, if you use magickal aids without researching their uses, then you might actually be jeopardizing the success of your spell.  And what good does that do you?

Commitment:  You MUST be committed.  To Witchcraft.  To your actions.  Once you cast a spell, you are responsible for the outcome.  Therefore you must be absolutely sure that the spell is for the best and commit yourself to whatever happens.  It takes a lot of study and thought before you are ready to cast your first spell.  You must commit your time and effort to learning.

Maturity:  Maturity is also essential.  You must be 'grown-up' enough to know when to work magick, and when not to.  Sometimes, the answer is a spell, most of the time it isn't.  I know and remember every single magickal working I have done over the past 10 years, because there simply haven't been that many.  It takes time to properly research the idea/subject, and frankly, most of the time it can be fixed by more mundane methods.

I realize that I've kind of talked in circles, but hopefully you get the idea.  Or maybe not.  If I've totally confused you, I apologize.  Sometimes the ideas don't translate very well into words.

[Fillionous]

danae - Very close to what I would have posted and quite articulately put.

Yes, if you do not KNOW deep in yourself that you are a witch... then you are not a witch. You may be seeking to become, you may be interested in, but you have not yet become.

You do find some people who will declare loudly that they are a witch, but too often they wiil have not taken the time, maturity and honesty to really consider what that means, what the responsabilities of being a witch means... which danae explines well... but not just in the matter of spell casting, but in a whole lifestyle / way of living.

Be bright, be bold
Fillionous

[danae]

I have found that those people who proclaim that they are a witch, in fact have no real idea of what that means.

They've seen too many movies, too many episodes of Charmed, read too many books.  And think that Witchcraft is the cool new thing.

It's not.  It's a way of life.  It's a system of beliefs and practices, responsibility and accountability.  I have a friend who wants to become a witch, and is slowly researching the path.  However, she says that she "doesn't have the time" to fully dedicate herself to the Craft.  I am just as busy as she is, yet I find a few minutes everyday to celebrate my beliefs.  

You can want to be a witch, but until you are ready to take that time everyday, you will never BE a witch.

[Anonymous]

Hmm, exactly what i belive as well. hmm, interesting. Another question though, would you agree that it takes "a while" to "be a witch"? A friend of mine is curious about this and i don't know how to explain it .....  :embar

~Twistedfeather~

[danae]

Yes, it takes "a while" to become a witch.  How long the "while" is, well, that kind of depends on the individual.  

I suppose you COULD wake up one morning and call yourself a witch, but you might as well call yourself Smurfette or the Loch Ness Monster while you're at it.  

Being a witch is a big job.  It's something you have to work towards and be committed to.  It's something that you have to be willing to sacrifice for.  I certainly do not advertise my feelings about this to the general public.  

It takes a lot of study and hard work to become a witch.  It does not happen overnight.  You could certainly point your friend in the direction of a few books for him/her to read and study.

[Anonymous]

Exactly what i was thinking. I was only curious if my views were "common" or whatever. I do know however....that, as a seeker for the religion of witchcraft, i am welling to sacrifice anything...and i have before... :cry: Thank you all for your wisdom and willing to explain indepth, this often controversal subject.

~T.F~

[RedRonin]

would you agree that it takes "a while" to "be a witch"?

Is a yellow belt a martial artist?  It's all semantics after all, isn't it?

[Sebbi]

There's a very easy answer to this that we're all overlooking.

A witch is a witch when she weighs the same as a duck.

[Zenon]

If you're a witch and you begin to wonder if you're a witch, then maybe you should find a duck.

[Fillionous]

Ahh monty python strikes back!

   

Just don't let me light the grail shaped becon!

Or count to four whilst holding the holy hand granade...  :twisted:

Be bright, be bold
Fillionous

[RedRonin]

A witch is a witch when she weighs the same as a duck.

Would that be a mallard or a western ringneck??