How Many Here Consider Themselves Witches or....

[Jasmine]

I've never really thought about it.  I think mystic or healer are perhaps the most fitting words for my journey. 

[QueenOfCusp]

I believe magick is working with energy, nature, and spirit with focused intention. By this definition, yes, I consider myself a witch. What I love about all things esoteric and metaphysical is that it is so individual. That's the beauty of it, using our intuition to do what feels right for us, making it our own. 

[Scarlet Woodland]

I would (privately or in occult spaces) have labelled myself a witch, back when I was younger, consumed with the study of magic and felt the need for labels. These days I'll settle for "a bit weird".

 

I'm nature focused, have an animistic bent, practice divination when I need answers (or just feel like it) and practice folk magic occasionally, when necessary.  As I've gotten older "necessary" has become increasingly rare so the label would feel silly on me, despite not being innacurate.

[GreatDane]

I thought good time of the year to resurrect this thread.

 

I enjoy reading about others perspectives, how they see themselves, whether or not they choose a label.

 

I still work with energy, to infuse things, to store as in string/yarn/ribbon.  I like making my own...spell just seems a strange word for me personally....I will call them my intentions.

 

I like candles mostly for ridding, just writing what I wish to rid myself of and burning.

 

With  Samhain coming up, anyone have anything special planned?

[Raggydoll]

 

6 hours ago, GreatDane said:

With  Samhain coming up, anyone have anything special planned?

I have plans for visiting family graves and local burial mounds. I do ancestral work all year, but this time of year is special. 
 

Another thing I’m contemplating is to charge some of my ritual tools/objects in one of the burial sites around the full moon.  

[Natural Mystic Guide]

'Considering myself a witch' is one thing...  Many of my practices could fall under that label.  I would have a lot in common with people who are witches.

 

'Witch' is not really how I see myself, though, and certainly not how I identify myself.  I am a mystic.  I am a priestess.  I do sacred magic.

[UnicornsAREreal]

I don't follow the wheel of the year, but I do work with energy (as everything is energy, no matter it's form), especially of the mind and consciousness. 

I have never felt like a witch, so I don't use the term. But others do consider me weird. Labels aren't really needed...if you don't know who you are, labelling yourself a "witch",  could end up being a hindrance instead of a help.  

[GreatDane]

I wish I could "beam" over to visit, RG.  I feel I could learn some things I didn't pick up from Scandi side of the family, but wish I could have.

 

NMG and UnicornsAREreal, I see a lot here are looking at the title Witch in my thread, but that's why I put the OR in....I don't think of myself as a witch either, but I was hoping people who do things some might consider witchy, would post how they DO view themselves, whether or not they label it.  If I have to, I am a Seeker, a Wise Woman in Training 🙂 

 

I am glad everyone is sharing not necessarily their label, but the things they do and how they kind of see themselves.  It gives me a better sense of everyone here and that's what I was hoping for 🙂  

[Arania]

I am a witch as it is defined now by the local German practitioners, the new pagan movements and whatnot.

 

But my grandparents would cringe, because we were the herblore folk, the wise folk (I never felt wise though) the talkers to spirits and fairies, the magicians, the diviners, the curse breakers, the rain callers, the water finders, the storm calmers, the moon dancers or whatever else it was that related somehow, and depending on what our talents were.

 

The witches were those who harmed others or demanded too much from people. Times have changed.

[GreatDane]

Thank you for that, Arania!  I get that not all view the term witch or even Wise Woman or the other titles you mentioned the same.   I know the difference between people who practice and the religion, Wicca.  And I know many who get the two confused, not that Wiccans can't be or aren't witches, but there are witches who are not Wiccans. 

 

Labels can be confusing.  Basically I was looking for kindred folk, by whatever name they choose or choose no label, who are into some of the things I'm into.  Energy, certain tools, etc.

 

I love the terms you mentioned!  

[Eugenie]

I am a Fayerie Traditionalist, which means that I believe (or know) that we live side to side with non-human powers. I don't think of them every second, I don't try to communicate every day (save for the offerings), I don't do much about this knowledge at all.

I have been thinking for the past two days that it may be time for me to go beyond the offerings and thanks; I might do a bit more in terms of strengthening the relationships. But, frankly, I already receive enough benefits. What I think I need to do is to express more appreciation by doing something they will like. It can be improving my altar by adding some signs to it showing more clearly who is it intended for, and expressing my gratitude. And more nice offerings is always welcome. Besides, I might want to conduct some rituals to strengthen the bonds; as I have had enough sleep at last and feel that I have the energy, I think I will do those. 

Speaking of how I define myself, I would say a hedge witch in training. 

[Scandinavianhermit]

Labels do not fit me well.

 

If I'm forced to chose, 'old-fashioned Occultist' probably works best, but that doesn't mean, that I stay away from studying the practice of cunning folk, for instance, and there are some practices present in modern Druidry, which I find very useful. That said, neither cunning folk nor modern Druids are witches.

 

Though I've left C of S, I'm not on bad terms with the church: I appreciate how they help persons facing socio-economic disadvantage, and I find church buildings older than 200 years very peaceful and interesting (including the ones in which alchemical symbols and Rosicrucian emblems are found). Though highly secular today, earlier phases of my surrounding society (pre-Christian Old Norse culture, mediaeval Catholic culture and early modern Lutheran culture) are all interwoven into a sort of cultural backdrop. Cunning folks used the days of Chair of St. Peter (February 22nd), St. Urban (May 25th), St Symphorian (August 22nd), St. Clement (November 23d) and St. Andrew (November 30th), and St. Margaret's week (fruntimmersveckan) (July 18th to 24th) to foretell future weather, for instance. Observing Annunciation day (March 25th) as the day receiving the blessing from cranes, and sacrificing porridge to the farm brownie on Christmas, are what you do, even if you don't take such folklore entirely seriously. I love to attend Walpurgisnacht celebrations on April 30th. Privately, I celebrate equinoxes and solstices in a ritualised contemplative manner. 

 

I agree with much of what @Birchwind and @Arania said above. 

[Scandinavianhermit]

On 9/12/2020 at 1:24 PM, Mab said:

I live in Britain, and I think my experiences and the pagan traditions are very different from those in America.

We are getting to be quite a secular country, and have far fewer intolerant Christian structures and churches, for one thing.

THIS describes Sweden well, too (and, I guess, Germany). 

[Raggydoll]

3 minutes ago, Scandinavianhermit said:

THIS describes Sweden well, too (and, I guess, Germany). 

Yeah, I recently saw a documentary where they said that Sweden is one of the most secular countries in the world. I had never thought of it that way, but clearly it’s true. Since I’ve never lived elsewhere, I haven’t had anything to compare it with, but the more I get to know people in other parts of the world, the more I see how secular my part of the world is! 

[Scandinavianhermit]

4 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

Yeah, I recently saw a documentary where they said that Sweden is one of the most secular countries in the world. I had never thought of it that way, but clearly it’s true. Since I’ve never lived elsewhere, I haven’t had anything to compare it with, but the more I get to know people in other parts of the world, the more I see how secular my part of the world is! 

And then comes the twist of the twist:

 

Self-proclaimed Agnostics and Atheists in Sweden gladly and enthusiastically celebrate St. Lucy, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday (by eating a cardamom bun with grounded almond and whipped cream), Easter, St. Walburga's Night, St. John's weekend ('midsummer') and All Saints' weekend (by lighting votive candles on relatives' graves). In this regard, Sweden is like Japan: Full of people who identify as areligious, but keep doing the religious customs their ancestors' practiced. 

[Raggydoll]

24 minutes ago, Scandinavianhermit said:

And then comes the twist of the twist:

 

Self-proclaimed Agnostics and Atheists in Sweden gladly and enthusiastically celebrate St. Lucy, Christmas, Shrove Tuesday (by eating a cardamom bun with grounded almond and whipped cream), Easter, St. Walburga's Night, St. John's weekend ('midsummer') and All Saints' weekend (by lighting votive candles on relatives' graves). In this regard, Sweden is like Japan: Full of people who identify as areligious, but keep doing the religious customs their ancestors' practiced. 

Well, Lucia is likely built on an older tradition (the old winter solstice was on the 13th of december), and so is Jul and many of the other 'christian' holidays. As far as I am concerned, people can celebrate whatever they wish and however they wish, and they get to cherrypick whatever they resonate with. The christians stole heathen holidans and gladly celebrated those festivities, so I don't think it is any different if non-christians do the same. Personaly, I don't care what other people does in that regard. To each their own!

 

[Scandinavianhermit]

1 hour ago, Raggydoll said:

Well, Lucia is likely built on an older tradition (the old winter solstice was on the 13th of december), and so is Jul and many of the other 'christian' holidays. As far as I am concerned, people can celebrate whatever they wish and however they wish, and they get to cherrypick whatever they resonate with. The christians stole heathen holidans and gladly celebrated those festivities, so I don't think it is any different if non-christians do the same. Personaly, I don't care what other people does in that regard. To each their own!

 

Oh, it's not that I dislike how practice survive belief. I'm just describing a sociological fact.

[Nemia]

Wonderful thread! I'm an eclectic Christo-Pagan Pantheist Star Worshipper 🙂 

 

I remember being called a witch (Hexe) from childhood, but I never minded that since I grew up with positive books about witches. I still carry positive messages from my Protestant upbringing (I tried to discard the guilt feelings and other negative baggage), I discovered the power of the celestial bodies, and several ancient goddesses speak to me in my dreams. I see divine energy everywhere and pray a lot - and I believe in the power of prayer, meditation and spellwork, at least to a certain degree. 

 

This morning, I watched the Balsamic Moon and Venus in the gentle light of dawn. I thought of Aphrodite, Selene and Eos who met for a short time in the East. I formulated no prayer and had no wish, other than to enjoy that view and feel the presence of powerful energies. 

 

Wherever I live, I start herb gardens (have to invest some work in mine right now!), I used to have a magical garden spiral, I see signs and spread signs wherever I am. I use candles, pictures and my altar to remind me of what I hold sacred. And I pray a lot, I also ground and center myself, I use visualizations to add power to my prayers, meditate over the Tree of Life, and I use the cards to focus that power and bring it into my consciousness. 

 

Over the years, the closest concept to a deity that I can conceive is the same I saw in a vision when I was a girl - a dark mother, acknowledging the pain of the world, giving guidance and setting us free to make our own way. The Matronae, Mater Matuta, Hekate, Demeter, Eos, Sunuxal, the Black Madonna and St. Cecilia - they're all important and meaningful to me. 

 

I read a lot about Witchcraft, Wicca and Hexenkunst, and took some inspiration. But I can't use spells written by somebody else, and for me, dogmas don't work. I want to be receptive to the energies of stars and elements, and take little glimpses with the tarot. So am I a Hexe? It's probably the best formula for what I am. 

 

 

[GreatDane]

Nemia, interesting post, ALL the posts here I have enjoyed reading.  It shares a bit about who we feel we are, not what others see us as. 

 

I rearely use spells and I think of them more as intentions.   Like when I live my house, I say please watch over this place, please keep all calm and safe (I have pets).  Dogma.  Funny I have studied so many religions, philosophies.  I take anything I feel of value, anything I find useful, and leave the rest. 

 

I, like many here, don't care for labels, but more adjectives.  What I ascribe to myself.        

[Barleywine]

Back in the '80s I did some solitary work with Scott Cunningham's stuff and that of Stewart and Janet Farrar but didn't take on the persona of "witch." I examined druidcraft more recently and poked into Wicca again, but decided there is too much ceremonial religion involved in them, and I don't "do" religions (it's the same reason I don't "do" Thelema although I'm a great admirer of the Thoth deck and some of Crowley's other material). I do use Dawn Jackson's "hedgewytchery" cartomancy guides, but don't go any further into the Craft. My style is more laid-back "hedge mystic" than dedicated ritualist.

[JessieLynn]

I practice.. I do not call myself a witch or say I have powers, I do not belong to a coven but do have a friend who shares in my beliefs and practices. 

Prayer or giving thanks to God's(desses),  the Ancestors, Mother Nature, the Sun and the moon , the elements and four corners, above and below, old and new.

Celebration in the moon cycles, seasons, astrological events

Rituals, some hoodoo, Sigil Power, Energy Meditation, Oils,  Pendulum boards, Chrystal use Tarot and Oracle obviously lol.. and so on.. 

Energy Focus and Vibes in my opinion is half of it. 

 

[Morwenna]

I do regard myself as a witch, but I hesitate to call myself that to anyone else, not for any reason you might expect, but because I know just enough to feel that those who have been actively practicing might look on me as a poser, despite the fact that I've been involved in "witchy" things for decades. To most dedicated practitioners I will come across as a dilettante. I've been into astrology since my teens, into Tarot since my thirties (at least), investigating Paganism about that long, and I'm now 77.  I am not a Wiccan, because, for one thing, I was never formally initiated into anything, and mainly, because Wicca is a religion and I do not subscribe to that religion. 

 

There are (at least in print there were) a lot of people who consider witchcraft as the same thing as Wicca, forgetting that a lot of folk magic practitioners have been considered, and called themselves, Witches without professing any other religion than some form of Christianity. And many Pagans consider themselves anti-Christian. I hope it's better nowadays; I'm not quite up on the current gossip. To those who equate Witchcraft with Wicca, I unabashedly scream, "Witchcraft is just that--a CRAFT!" 

 

So I'm basically a Christian with a lot of Pagan influences, and Western Mystery Tradition influences; I pay attention to the Wheel of the Year as well as the major Christian holidays; my vision of God is omnigendered, and to me the angels and saints equate to the deities of polytheism, at least in function. And I love ritual and happily take part in those of other religions when invited to do so, as well as performing solitary rituals at home. But I don't necessarily have to be concentrating on deity to stir good energy into my recipes or help me with my housework. I do believe that all good crafts partake in some acknowledgment of the divine, but it doesn't mean they are the same thing.  One can definitely be a Christian witch--or a Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, whatever, or even an atheist, witch. And if any clergy members object, it's none of their business. 

 

Anyway, I've always been fascinated with the idea of witches, even since childhood; not all popular sources take a dim view, notably L. Frank Baum who included both good and bad witches in Oz, and the Jim Stafford song about the swamp witch who was an outcast till a plague hit the community and she saved the town by providing them with a curative. But those are just the examples that spring to mind. Having a maternal grandmother who was a card reader didn't hurt either. And as for the tragic fate of those accused in previous generations, well, I have a paternal ancestor (a man) who was a victim of the 1692 Salem trials. So if the community of professed witches will allow me, I will gladly claim the title. 

 

 

[Natural Mystic Guide]

13 hours ago, Morwenna said:

I have a paternal ancestor (a man) who was a victim of the 1692 Salem trials.

So do I.

[Morwenna]

On 4/14/2024 at 7:01 AM, Natural Mystic Guide said:

So do I.

Might I ask, who?

 

My ancestor was Samuel Wardwell.

[Natural Mystic Guide]

1 hour ago, Morwenna said:

Samuel Wardwell

Samuel Wardwell (Age: 49)
Samuel Wardwell was a carpenter from Andover. He was also a well known fortune-teller and practitioner of English folk magic. It is believed that his work in the occult led to his witchcraft accusation.

Wardwell was accused in September of 1692 and arrested and jailed in Salem. Shortly after, his wife and daughters were also arrested. During his examination, he admitted to fortune-telling and dabbling in magic and said that the devil may have taken advantage of him for these reasons. He then confessed to making a pact with the devil but later recanted his confession. Wardwell was brought to trial in mid-September and executed on September 22, 1692.

 

This from:  https://historyofmassachusetts.org/salem-witch-trials-victims/