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by dddkitty on April 4th, 2005

dddkitty

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Can a Pagan/Wiccan call themselves sorcerer or sorceress as opposed to witch?

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Answers. 8 helpful answers below.

  • by Scoundral on April 24th, 2005

    Scoundral

    They can call themself whatever they want.. but it's important not to get fixated on names. Wicca is a religion, not a D&D expansion.. we're not in this to be "cool" or have spiffy titles like Wizard or Warlock. If you must call yourself a sorcerer, there is no harm in that... but you will probably get cross-glances from other pagans, not because it's improper, but just because it seems like something a kid, hoping to turn the bully into a frog, would do. I'm not saying that preconceived notions are right, but they are a reality.

    In the end, Wicca isn't about what other people think, so call yourself whatever sounds right. If you were the only person on the planet... would it really matter what you were called? Well, we dont need titles for ourselves, we need them to give other people an idea of who we are, right? So if someone cares to ask, just give them an answer that best fits what you truly are.

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  • by AntigoneRising on December 9th, 2005

    AntigoneRising

    Of course. Anyone can call themselves anything they want (so long as it isn't used to perform an illegal activity, such as practicing medicine without a license). I can call myself a two-headed chimp. :) ;)

    Personally, I think it is always a good idea to ask anyone what term they wish to be called, and then use that term for them. This is the respectful approach, and the least likely to offend or hurt.

    For example, I prefer the term Wiccan, because so many interpretations of Witch exist, and Wiccan is much more specific. I know many who consider the term Wiccan to be a watered-down concession to those opposed to Witches, so want to use the word Witch. I know many who prefer not to be labelled. I know some who want to be called "Gardnerian."

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  • by CruzControl on April 7th, 2005

    CruzControl

    The wiccans I've known simply call themselves wiccans.

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  • by hedge-rider on October 2nd, 2009

    hedge-rider

    It really depends on who you ask or what sources you consult. As someone else wrote in a comment already, sorcerers/sorceresses are sometimes know as ones who use nature magic for ill-intentioned purposes. But then, in most of my research, I've found them to be more associated with those who use spirits to do their bidding for them. And, of course, others have answered saying that they are synonymous with "witch".

    As others have stated, feel free to call yourself whatever you'd like, just be ready to face the consequences. I believe AR stated that you may be deemed "fluffy" which, to be honest, would be my first response before I got to know you - but if you don't care what other people think, go for it. In the end, what's really important are the beliefs, not the jargon.

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  • by paganwatcher on October 2nd, 2009

    paganwatcher

    yea if you want to .. it really doesn't fit since sorcery is often thought of as alchemy ... but heck you can call your self a sith lord to doesn't mean you can mind choke someone from across the room or shoot lightning out of your fingers.....

    call yourself what you want just be able to back it up.. or take the harassment

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  • by Coheed on November 27th, 2006

    Coheed

    No. I'll be the first one to answer this in a non-politically correct way. Wiccans and witches are different. Wiccans believe in worshiping or appreciating the earth. A Wiccan may have "spells" that are meant for protection but they don't really differ from prayers. Witches use magic and are fictional. A sorceress uses all magic. A Pagan and a Wiccan differ. Pagan is a very broad term that gets slapped on alot of religions by the church. Pagan simply means not believing in a mainstream religion. A Wiccan is an actual religion. People who practice "sorcery" (most likely just a branch off of modern day alchemy) can be called sorcers if indeed that is their practice.

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  • by randomness - is now a Maestro on October 25th, 2009

    randomness - is now a Maestro

    They can if they want to. Whatever they feel the most comfortable with.

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  • by zyrblue on October 25th, 2009

    zyrblue

    Ahem witches are fictional damn I felt pretty solid and real when I logged in a moment ago... getting difficult to type fingers fading not able to push keys

    Ahhh Ok I'm back wow that was close.

    Hey identify yourself as you will or want but at least understand from whence the term came from and if you are comfortable with it.

    For example:

    The root of the word wic or Wicca means wise it evolved into such as witches were considered to be the keepers of the wisdom. The word witch is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin applied primarily towards those of European but more specifically Celtic, Saxon, or the Germanic traditions.

    The Middle English word wicche is traced back to the Old English wiccan, meaning "to practice witchcraft". Male and female witches were distinguished thru the words wicca (for the male) and wicce (for the female).

    The etymology of a word is relevant to its meaning the further back you look into the word witch the further removed it is from being a thing of evil or of negative connotation. The fictionalization and slanderous connotations of witches were and are the results of a very effective Christian Pogrom conducted against all who did not choose to follow their beliefs or in their minds presented a threat to their power base and interests.

    If someone has a problem or is uncomfortable with declaring themselves say for example as a witch thats fine and I can respect that. However when doing so they need to give consideration to others who are Wiccan (or not) and consider themselves to be practitioners of witchcraft and as such a witches.

    So if you are comfortable with the word/name and it's meaning and can identify why without the detriment to other as to why you prefer to use X as apposed to Y then please feel free to do so.

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