Time to Let Go of "Witchcraft?"
I don't mean to pick on this writer in particular, who is but one in a growing body who tend to follow a very modern, Western notion of witchcraft and Paganism, one which is not only at odds with traditional pagan religions, but with the founders of many modern Neopagan traditions. I doubt very much that Gerald Gardner would have classified spellwork as 'prayer,' especially given that one of the most significant tenets of the magical movement from which Wicca emerged was that the practitioner of magic was taking on divine power of their own to accomplish their will, rather than asking "the divine" to grant favors- taking rather than asking.
Nowadays, it seems, it is more important to render magic more acceptable by referring to it as 'prayer by another name,' and it appears to be just one of a myriad ways in which the magical culture is becoming theologically confused. It seems many want to be both 'pagan' and 'witch,' when embracing the former as a religious path tends to preclude the latter- while 'pagan' describes a religious practice, witchcraft itself is always on the fringes of religion.
A quarter-century ago,* the Wiccans and other 'witches' I knew were all iconoclastic, highly individual types who didn't mind if the neighbors thought they were a bit off, and they were more concerned with their own magical practice than whether the townspeople (as it were) accepted what they did- and while most had some concept of divinity, few were bothered with religiosity. Nowadays, though, the Pagan-folk seem to spend more and more of their time explaining to newspapers how ordinary they really are (resulting in endless expressions of feigned surprise on reporters' part that their subjects aren't riding in on broomsticks), and emphasizing religion over magic- which would be fine if not for this maddening trend to want to eat their cake (and ale?) and have it, too- one wants to be a witch, but not so much the neighbors might think they actually practice witchcraft. So ritual becomes shamanism, spells become prayers to the nebulous "Divine," and magic is always positive, helpful, and never harmful, and we are archly informed that those who practice any other sort of magic aren't true witches or pagans at all.
My question is, if Neopagans are becoming as uncomfortable with magic as it appears, is it time to reliquish the Witch label to the less squeamish?** Will the "Pagans" and the "Witches" eventually part ways?
*Before the benighted phrase "earth-based" began passing over pagan lips
**I have nothing against Pagans who prefer not to be called witches, nor with witches who practice Pagan religions; rather, it's the Pagans who want to be called witches but only when they get to define the meaning of both "Pagan" and "Witch" in their own terms, disregarding history, prececedent, and those with a better claim.
Comments
Witchcraft as it is used in English is a specific cultural archetype/phenomena. The use of the word to embrace, for example, african tribal religions was an unfortunate mistake and robs the iconography of Witchcraft of its mythic power and resonance, in my opinion. You can have your bongos and renn faires and soggy theology, just leave me my broomsticks and poisoned apples, leave me my crone on the forest’s edge. If “NeoPaganism” and “The Witchcraft” wish to part ways (although I think that’s unlikely as such things are rarely so black and white) then we’ll see if a media construct can live long without the archetypal force that inspired it.
Greetings my Sister-in-Spirit:
I think you and many Neo-Pagans miss the point that this word “Witch” was devised as a derogatory term to incite fear, prejudice, and the annihilation of the ancient WiseWomen and their Wisdom. I would like to gently remind You that the motive behind the creation of this word was to assume ultimate power and end the Matriarchal Societies.
I am a legally ordained Pagan Priestess who believes that any word with that much negativity attached to it can never be made positive.
I practice the Nordic/Green Tradition. I am a Ritualistic practioner of the Wheel-of-the-Year (including all eight Sabbats and (12-13) Esbats)–this is my Religion. I (also) practice Practical Magic–calling upon the Triple Goddess and the Elementals and drawing upon the “Divine Gifts” of MotherNature to effect positive change in the World.
The power to effect change comes through me from the Divine and is not of me. I am called upon to assist my Sisters and Brothers of (All) Religions and no Religion at all. I do this through counseling w/ the Sacred Tools of my Religion (calling–always–upon the Guidance of the Divine).
In rare instances I am called upon to intervene through Candle Magic–an intervention (if you will)–that only takes place w/ the permission of the Subject and the Goddess. These Rituals are normally performed to reflect dark, malicious, left-path magic. These Rituals are performed in Shadow and it concerns me not what others may think of it, or call it.
The Magic that I practice was given freely to me at my birth and I give it freely to any who seek it of me.
I have influences from the seeds of wisdom I have gleaned from all of the World and Ancient World Religions I have studied over the past (13) Wheels. I am a Solitary Practitioner who calls herself Priestess and introduces herself as Reverend.
I respect and honor each individual’s right and sacred responsibility to investigate, decide, and think for themselves. However–I would humbly ask that you be very careful not to prejudge the motives of those among us who choose not to embrace the term
“Witch”.
Peace and Love upon the path of Your Choice…
Blessed be…
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law.
Is it not also possible that just as Wicca has been popularized and grown, so too it has been inundated with people’s middle class values? And, of course, not Gardner’s initiatory wicca - but rather the (and please excuse my derision) degenerate goddess worship that is touted in the new age section at borders? You know .. “Spellz 4 Teenz” and “Kitchen Magick!” and such?
Maybe I’m an asshole - that is entirely possible.. but it seems that this is one of the reasons for an initiatory and private organization, such as is common in ceremonial magick. That way, the knowledge is kept among the “iconoclastic, highly individual types” as you so wonderfully put it. The rabble poison every well that they drink from.
That - or I read too much Nietzsche.
Love is the law, love under will.