| When one hears the word witch it typically brings to | | | | masculine witches is the term "warlock". Once again, |
| our mind green-skinned old hags hovering over a large | | | | this idea is driven by Hollywood as this word sounds |
| black cauldron filled with disgusting mixture, chanting | | | | more virile. |
| some sort of enchantment and worshipping the devil. | | | | In reality the term of "warlock" originates from the |
| Obviously, such false idea of the character has been | | | | Middle English "warloghe", and from Old English |
| driven by books for children as well as Hollywood | | | | "wrloga" and stands for "the one that breaks religious |
| derivative productions because it makes for more | | | | belief" or "betrayer". The term of "warlock" was used |
| exciting films. | | | | by the pagans as a word of abomination to describe |
| We also generally associate witches with the | | | | one who had bretrayed his people and the ways of |
| Halloween holiday. However, do we know what | | | | Nature. |
| exactly are witches? Let's find out... | | | | Everyone knows that witches are able to cast spells. |
| First of all the term 'witch' is in fact derived from the | | | | "Spell" is a word that actually derived from the old |
| words wiccian, wicce or wicca; all meaning 'wise | | | | German "Spiel" and stands for "prayer". Basically, |
| woman', or in the plural, 'wise women'. There always | | | | someone who casts a spell, prays for a certain |
| have been people interested in learning the special | | | | outcome; which is no different than what the followers |
| virtues of medicinal plants, the course of the moon, | | | | of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. do. The |
| stars and other planets, and by many other aspects of | | | | belief is that one can harness the power of the life |
| the nature. | | | | force of the universe to call into being what they |
| Witches are generally associated with the earth-based | | | | desire. |
| religion called Wicca however many others could be | | | | The instruments witches use to help cast spells are |
| called "witches" as well while they are not following this | | | | 'props' to evoke the right ambiance and state of mind |
| specific religion. The truth is that those called "witches" | | | | just like costumes and accessories are used by actors |
| practise a mix of ancient customs that come from the | | | | to help them act like the characters they are |
| old pagan times. These rituals existed centuries before | | | | supposed to represent. |
| the advent of the Christian religion. Christians | | | | While witches are supposed to be evil by many |
| propagated the word "witch" as well as the idea that | | | | people, the fact is, whether or not anyone is good or |
| those who lived under the cycles of nature were | | | | evil is up to the particular individual. Magic is neither |
| worshipping the church of the devil. | | | | black nor white, it simply does exist and how it is used |
| It was the Catholic religion which established the | | | | depends on the user. |
| concept of Satan or a demon. Until the Catholic church | | | | Finally, witches like any other follower of a religion are |
| came on the scene there was no concept of Satan | | | | free to do what they want for as long as it harms |
| or a demon. Actually, the term "pagan" itself means | | | | none. |
| "people of the country" - not devil believers. | | | | "For as you send, so shall it return to ye thrice-fold." |
| Systematically thinking to women when one hears the | | | | Always remember this and happy spell casting on |
| term "witch" is also a common mistake as a lot of | | | | Halloween! |
| men are witches. Another misconception about | | | | |