Yes witches are real. Generally it is a Wiccan term that goes for male and female. That is what they see themselves as. If your thinking of witch as someone who flies around on a broomstick and turns people into things then no. It is just that a term though. It does not denote power or prestige.
I am sorry gothic shadow but any wiccan is considered a witch. Most people think of only women because the christian witch hunts there was only one male accused and he was accused of being satan. A wizard is supposed to be someone gifted more power than most from a god or fate. Also just to clear confusion a warlock is irish or scottish for traitor or oathbreaker
witch is what most people who practice magic, but aren't Wiccan [though Wiccans can be called witches too] are called. a Witch is a magic practitioner, and while they will celebrate sabbats and esbats, they don't follow the Wiccan reed and stuff. it's like calling a Catholic 'Christian' while they are, there are differences, and i've had conversations with people who swear Catholics aren't Christian. it's the same for witches, all Wiccan's are Witches, but not all Witches are Wiccans. it's just a name we call ourselves if we cast spells.
I suppose whether Witches are real or not depends on exactly what you believe a Witch to be. If you're thinking of the Hollywood or the D&D version then no, Witches aren't real. If you're thinking of the Medieval version where Witches were women consorting with the Devil then Witches aren't real either.
On the other hand there are those, both men and women, who identify the forms of magic that they practice as witchcraft. They may, or may not, also engage in forms of Pagan religious practice which they consider to also be part of being a Witch. These folks are very real indeed and so is the magic that they are able to do...though it's not the flash/bang Hollywood type.
But as to whether Witches are real...well I've been practicing the Craft for some 30 years and I can assure you I'm very real.
GothicShadow, my husband would be very surprised to learn that he isn't a Witch since he's been practicing as one for many, many years. The idea that women are Witches and men are Wizards may work in Harry Potter, but it isn't true in the real world. The word Witch can apply equally to men and women.
I see my self as a wizard because that's what I identify myself as. I call myself that because I practice magick not strictly in a religious context. Yes I follow things from many different religions because they all have something to offer. But you don't need magick to practice religion. Or visa versa. Also I specialize in many different forms of magick so I'm kind of a jack of all trades. And no I don't think I have more power bestowed on me by the Gods.
Re: Are witches real? By: WhiteRav3n / Knowledgeable
Post # 11 Sep 01, 2012
Gothic Shadow is correct. In times of the witch trials, all males were accused as "wizards" and females accused as "witches". Warlock was used later for males.
But most in those days didn't call themselves anything. Even today most don't. Obviously here we need to use a word to describe ourselves, but that is not true in everyday life. Honestly, we are just living life, a life where magic is a normal part of it, like breathing and tying your shoes. What others call us is their own prerogative.
As someone who grew up not seeing magick as anything abnormal, and just apart of life, I can personally say that it isn't like you think. The words "magic" never came up. It was just the way it was. It was spoken of as common knowledge and done as normally as cleaning the house. When I am talking to someone in person, I don't call myself anything. THEY choose to call me a witch, healer, shaman etc. I don't find a need to correct them unless they call me wiccan, because that's a religion I am not of, not a title they chose to describe me with. I'm not someone to care what others name me, unless its entirely untrue or insultive.
Personally, I've seen most males call themselves magician, sorcerer, shaman, or "enter culturally correct name" or nothing at all.
The rumor that witches are ugly or unusually youthful women riding broomsticks and making pacts with devils was just an image created by Christians to cause fear and make us seem evil.
Actually, WhiteRaven, during the Witch Trials men, women, AND even children were accused of being Witches and burned as Witches.
The Old English words for "witch" were "wicca" for a male witch and "wicce" for a female witch. So same word, just a gender specific ending.
And in modern times both men and women are considered to be Witches and to practice witchcraft. A wizard is something very different, and mostly the creation of Hollywood.
But you are correct that the term "warlock" does not refer to a male Witch, rather it is a term meaning "oathbreaker".
