Tell Me about Witches...

Originally Posted by norseman

I dare say the word itself is questionable but not the function. Archeological evidence available from almost every culture post-ice age and surprisingly consistent. Cave painting, carved votive objects [ the domi - Great Mother, and representations of animals ]. Perhaps the Celts had become a bit more sophisticated under the influence of the druids, they could have become more animist and moved on to natural features [trees, springs, caves, rock features]

"A new name for an ancient path ?

Hedge witchery, or Hedge craft, is a kind of combination of Witchcraft and Shamanism. This Path is based on the Traditional Witchcraft and Cunning Folk traditions of Europe from ancient to modern times. It is something of an “eclectic” tradition, but just how much so depends on each individual practitioner.
The shamanic aspect being the most important, in fact to call oneself a Hedge witch is to call oneself a shaman, without having to steal a word from another culture"

http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4753

Thank norseman,

Well it seems I am more of a hedge witch than I knew, for much of what I do is 'eclectic', as I have understood for quite sometime, but I haven't heard anyone combine the aspects of wise folk with shamanistic elements, and that is pretty much, me.

[norseman]

Nightowl, it's surprising how many people recognise themselves after reading "A new name for an ancient path" It does feel a very natural thing to be somehow.

Nightowl says:
"I am not looking for information about how evil they are, so please don't go there"

yes, I will go there. I am a Witch. And I am as evil as you are. As evil as every other person on the planet.
I hope that answers your question.

Originally Posted by georgeTmaxwell

Hi all,
I think tv and movies show a "commercial" witch but I am sure reality is different, or is it?

Regards
@georgeTmaxwell
.

Hollywood is pure fantasy. Because if I could twickle my nose and get my housework done I would have done it a long time ago.

Hate to break it to you George, but what you see on the silver screen or the boob tube is nonsense.
And before you ask - no, we don't fly around on broomsticks. Would you like have those things stuck up your behind? They don't seem very comfortable to me. I'll stick to my mini-van, thank you very much.

Originally Posted by norseman

Time, I regard the word "witch" much as the n-word to describe an negro person. Witch was always a christian word used to denigrate and persecute. Maybe I am wrong but it makes my teeth ache. I prefer the "old" names - Cunning or Wise Folk.

norseman,
I am a new member here. I most impressed with your knowledge.
I am a solitary eclectic Wiccan/Witch. I don't mind using the word Witch.
But your argument against using it, is quite enlightening.
I myself, can't stand the words hag or crone, preferring to refer to myself as Queen.

Originally Posted by LadyMoondancer

Nightowl says:
"I am not looking for information about how evil they are, so please don't go there"

yes, I will go there. I am a Witch. And I am as evil as you are. As evil as every other person on the planet.
I hope that answers your question.

Hey Ladymoondancer,

Welcome to the forum...

Thanks for sharing your view and you have a right to your opinion...but this has been a very enlightening and constructive thread, so please lets try to continue in that direction. Thank you.

nightowl

[norseman]

HI LadyMoonDancer

I agree with you on "Hag" and "Crone". In my "home" wiccan forum, we have the title of D.O.C. or D.O.S.
[Dusty old Crone or Dozy Old Sage ]

Much better, I think, to use the Triple Goddess model of Maiden, Mother, Wise Woman.

Originally Posted by norseman

HI LadyMoonDancer

I agree with you on "Hag" and "Crone". In my "home" wiccan forum, we have the title of D.O.C. or D.O.S.
[Dusty old Crone or Dozy Old Sage ]

Much better, I think, to use the Triple Goddess model of Maiden, Mother, Wise Woman.

rofl at DOC and DOS!

I know this is an old thread but I came across it today and have gained a lot of information from it. A thoroughly enjoyable read. As a newbie to 'a' path it's great to read so many opinions - especially from 'Norsey' ;-)

Thank you all so much!
LL

Not a new thread, but fun. Glad you enjoyed it.
Like the response "yes, I will go there. I am a Witch. And I am as evil as you are. As evil as every other person on the planet.
I hope that answers your question" - of LadyMoondancer made me smile.

What witches are like these days are nothing like The Waverly Place or Sabrina movies with the fairylike powers.
Just go to the Gypsy Fairs where you may get lucky to meet one, and just get some understanding of what Wicca and Paganism
to have a good idea of the abilities, sacred BOS, and the kind of the belief system being originally asked here. A lot of witches are also just on their own, they are not necessarily in any coven.

My Grandma & her Grandma were all witches, but no - they don't look anything like scary old crones or the witchdoctors dressed up with feathers and animal skins,etc of the movies.
They were all pretty normal just like everybody else, in fact my Grandma liked being in fashion.They were all catholics for religion, with their witchpractice on the side in private.
The little town's people where they lived came to them for healing/herbal potions and divination and rarely for curses, yes. They assisted a lot in birthings, helped with a lot of injuries like broken armbone, leg, etc.
Do I want their title? NO,
I'm only interested with magical workings and I could only wish to have met my Grandma's Magician uncle and get hold of his tiny magic book-so to it I say yes. So, if performing a bit of witchcraft everynow and then makes one a witch - then, I can be called one. But there's so much more to learn in life and magic, and witchcraft is only some part of it.