Witch Defined
The concept of the “witch” can be found in EVERY world culture and language in some form or another. Be it kahuna, hexe, strega, bruja, baobh, bacularia or makhsheyfe; the thought that lies behind it is still the same.
WITCH—
So, where did the word come from?
What does it exactly mean? -and-
How did it become such a universal principle?
Etymology
Etymology traces the development of a word-form from its earliest recorded occurrence in a language to the present day. Because language is a living entity, words, spellings and meanings are constantly changing. This means the history of a word and its possible etymology *may not* necessarily coincide. However, I included it in my notes because many people will use etymology as a definitive factor in their arguments for the origins of the witch and witchcraft.
Word’s Origin
Personally, I don’t think it really matters where the word ‘witch’ came from; after all, there is no finite way to prove or disprove its origins. Besides, I am far more interested in where the word is going, than where its’ been. If you are interested in the etymology of the word “witch”, visit my research page on Etymology.
witch1 noun -es [ME wyche, from OE wice, wic; probably akin to OE wïcan to yield, give way-more at weak]: any of several trees having pliant branches. witch2. noun -es [ME wicche, from OE wicca, masculine, wizard and wicce feminine, witch; akin to OE wiccian to practice witchcraft, MHG wicken to bewitch, to divine, OE wigle divination, wiglian to divine, wïg idol, image ON yé temple –more at victim] 1.a dialect British : Wizard, Sorcerer b.(1) : a woman practicing the black arts: sorceress <Halloween ~on a broomstick> <heard of one old ~changing herself into a pigeon –John Rhys> (2) : an ugly old woman : crone, hag <a skinny old ~ with a face like a meat ax and a voice like a buzz saw –Helen Eustis> c. (1) : one supposed to possess supernatural powers especially by compact with the devil or a familiar (2) : a magic spell : hex <it’s my idea...he put the ~es on it –Helen Rich> d. or witcher -s: dowser 2 : one that bewitches <the quaint ~ memory –P.B. Shelley>; specifically : a particularly charming or alluring woman 3.a (1) : storm petrel (2) : grebe (3) or witch bird : animal b. also witch flounder: a small mouth blackish or brownish deep water flounder (Glyptocephalus cynoglossus) of the north Atlantic that is of some importance as a food dish c : witch moth. witch3. adjective : of , relating to, or used against witches <~cult> <~ doors used to ward off evil spirits> witch4 verb -ed /-ing/-es [ME wicchen, from OE wiccian to practice witchcraft] 1: bewitch 2 : dowse.—Webster’s Third New International Dictionary of the English LanguageUnabridged Edition, Volume III
Definitions and Meanings
Definitions are formed by how society utilizes the word in its culture and as cultures change so does its utilization. The question then is: what does it exactly mean to be a witch in our culture? According to many dictionaries, ‘witch’, in its noun form, can refer to a plant, animal or person. Yet, it is the definitions pertaining to the person that is so dominant and so controversial in our society. So, how does our society use the word witch today?
Generic: It simply states: a witch is a person who practices sorcery. Sorcery can include a variety of aspects such as healing, divination, magic, alchemy, necromancy, spells, herbs, meditation, etc. These practices are often an avenue within an established spiritual structure.
Christian: A witch is a person who practices the black arts and possesses supernatural powers due to a pact with the devil —also known as Satan. The origins of this definition came from the medieval period circa 1500 when it also included heretics, eccentrics, lepers, Jews and anyone else who didn’t conform to the Christian Church. During this time ‘witch’ almost always referred to women and is evident with words like hag and crone. The reasoning behind this was that women were considered the weaker sex and thus were easily tempted by the devil. Even today, when we think of a witch we think in terms of female, although they can be male as well. Other monotheistic religions like Judaism and Islam also had similar viewpoints.
Modern: A witch is a member of a particular spiritual construct often based on an amalgamation of different religious concepts and practices -and- who practices magic/sorcery within the scope of this faith. The Pagan community and other Earth based spiritualities make it clear that the practice of magic is the distinguishing factor for the description of witch. Basically it is a mutually exclusive relationship that states: not all Pagans are witches and not all witches are Pagans.
So, how did this witch become such a universal principle?
It is the Generic interpretation that is the common link among the cultures worldwide. The reason(s) for this common link could have been, but are not limited to the following: (a) synchronicity, (b) a single ancient religion, (c) cultural diffusion, or (d) just inherent human nature. The nature being the need to explain the natural world and its inner workings. [1]
Notes
[1] A History of Witchcraft –Jeffrey B. Russell; p. 24.
Encyclopedia of Occultism & Parapsychology 4th ed. Vol.2
Drawing Down the Moon -Margot Adler
Catechism of the Catholic Church (magic, socorcery)
The witch hunt as a culture change phenomenon
Personally, I think it is the combination of diffusion and inherent human nature that has made the word witch and its concept so universal. I am still somewhat ambivalent about the single ancient religion theory. What I find even more fascinating, is that every religion (at least from my research) contains some esoteric element often associated with witches. So perhaps there is a little witch in all of us.