Here is my version of Warlock
So, what would you call a male witch ?
Sorceror, magician, seer, ??
Times past, they did have a name., Warlock. It originated in a chain beginning at Shaman, then Cunning Man, then Warlock – then it fell into disuse.
The word has several contested origins.
Old Norse – varo-lokkur = caller of spirits.
Old English – woerloga = oathbreaker, deceiver.
Modern Scottish Gaelic = male witch.
So where is the true origin and why did it fall into disrepute ?
Initially, it is because of the nature of the Cunning Folk, especially in medieval times during the Witch Hunting period in Europe. Prior to that time, the Cunning Folk were quite open in the rural communities but after that time, they became “hidden” but hidden in plain view. They were, in fact, the first target of the church for eradication but were regarded as “too valuable” in their villages, etc and so were protected by those they served. The church turned it’s attention to the archetype witch – often old women with personality disorders who were soft targets. It was even suggested that the Cunning Folk were ideal witch hunters. There arose a clear distinction between Cunning Folk = good witches, and ordinary witched = bad – whereas, truth be known, the Cunning Folk were the real article.
Certain Cunning Men hid is plain sight as Christian Priests, using the bible as a source of spells, etc – a fifth-column inside the church. This is what resulted in the Oathbreaker meaning but not as you might assume.
It was a derogatory word applied by the christian church to priests who were actually "hidden" Cunning Folk - hiding in plain sight - one of the reasons they escaped the excesses of the witch hunt. The other [main] reason being that they were shielded by the rural communities they served because they were too useful.
So, the oath that was being broken was their oath as a priest.
I quite like the appellation Warlock !
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