What's in a name?

» Myrrha - Should we keep the name witch or opt for onther one?

Just like the pentacle, the name Witch carries
with it a great deal of associative baggage. Is
it truly worth our reclaiming the use of the
name and its inherent respect or should we
choose another name to call ourselves by?

-- posted by Myrrha

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» shiloh - this is such a good question

This touches on the very heart of what it means to be both an individual and a member of society, and how do we reconcile the two. It can't be approached from only one way, and there's no one answer which fits all.

1. I would never want to take away anyone's right to call themselves what they want.

2. On the other hand, thinking of myself, I don't know if "witch" is what I personally would choose. Always in the back of my own mind would be the question, "Am I insisting on 'witch' because of a statement I'm trying to make, not about myself, but to certain others about themselves?"

3. "Reclaiming" itself can mean different things. If you mean 'reclaiming' the word witch in terms of getting a predominantly Christian society to recognize that witch does not equal "evil", one must ask: How likely is that effort to be successful? If it's not likely to be successful, what purpose does the effort serve? But then again, Wikkan, Pagan, whatever you choose will be given almost if not precisely the same negative connotation by some if it suits their purposes.

Bottom line, I suppose, is that if it makes you proud, you should fight for the right to use it without prejudice. But I wouldn't want to see Pagan movements become splintered over whether "witch" as a label should make every Pagan proud, you know? If Paganism becomes what one "should" like and what one "shouldn't" like, then it's gone a long way to defeating its own rebirth.

Shiloh

-- posted by shiloh

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» carmenghia - witch name to go by

I agree with Shiloh completely and compliment him/her on the wonderful articulation of his/her views. Blessed Be, whatever you call yourself!
Carmen

-- posted by carmenghia

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» DeM0n1k - Great topic

I just registered here like two days ago, so this is my first post. Anyway, Myrrha and Shiloh both raised some really good points, and I agree with Shiloh in that it's all a part of self-identity. My spirit mommy calls herself a witch. That's what she calls herself, it's where she finds her pride, I say great. I don't call myself a witch, not because I'm not Wikkan (sure, you can be a witch and not Wikkan), but because that is not where I derive my identity from. As far as how these words represent us to society, who cares? If someone is going to negatively associate the word 'witch,' I'd be willing to lay pretty good odds that they'd do the same with 'Pagan,' 'Wikkan,' or any other label we tried to use. Any naming that we do in this regard must be for ourselves, not our detractors, because then it becomes simply another yoke around our neck. Peace, love, and music...

DeM0n1k

-- posted by DeM0n1k

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» moonmorgan - I call myself a witch

I just joined today, 2 minutes ago in fact. I am a 16 year old female that wanted to put my thoughts in here.

I do consider myself a witch and do call myself a witch. If someone asks if I am a witch, I answer yes. (it does happen)

However, if someone asks me what religion I am, I say Wiccan because to me at least, witchcraft isn't a religion.

Just what I think.

BB
MoonMorgan

-- posted by moonmorgan

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» Myrrha - I looked in the mirror and saw myself...

I'm an eclectic witch with interests in any number
of spiritual pursuits. One I'm interested in
right now is the NKT (New Kadampa Tradition Buddhism) http://www.vajradakini.org or http://www.kadampa.net

But, deep down I know that I have to be able to
look at that reflection in the mirror and be
able to look back at what I see without cringing,
or looking away. So regardless of what I call
myself, it's what I know myself to be that is
all that matters.

Blessings,

-- posted by Myrrha

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» watersong - Re: Should we keep the name witch or opt for onther one?

Yes and no. We should feel proud of what we are and educate those who don't know. Yet, I understand the weight we carry with the name. But, what would we call ourselves? That would be a big controversy too.

-- posted by watersong

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» samhain_destiny - Re: Should we keep the name witch or opt for onther one?

In response to message posted by Myrrha:

i think we should keep the name witch as we should not be ashamed of what people think, and the name makes us glorius and special and the children of the all

-- posted by samhain_destiny

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