Being Called a Witch?

I'm not rightly sure why you put this up, however, I think it is a nice rant on labels.

To me, I cannot find a perfect label for myself, so I simply call myself a practitioner. Until I come to a point where I can call myself something else, that is what I shall do. :)

I used to be self conscious about what I labeled myself or what others labeled me. I came to become comfortable with being called (and calling myself) a witch when I lost all insecurities about "what others may think".

Wicca is a religion, not a label, so that doesn't count. A witch is not a Wiccan. A Wiccan can be a witch if he/she chooses.

I do not like the term shaman, however, because I feel too many people use it too easily. The path of a shaman is a very serious one, and one that held/holds quite a lot of status and responsibility within it's community. So when someone calls themselves a shaman, I automatically consider them a joke unless they demonstrate to me that they are truly that experienced.

Again, priest and priestess titles should be earned, not self-given

Magician, Conjurer, Rootworker, Witch, Sorceror, or simply "Magic(k) Practitioner" are some of the better labels.

(By the way, I am what is considered a "Hedge Witch" because my practise combines Witchcraft with a shamanic approach--in my case Cherokee medicine). I usually say nothing at all unless someone asks because it's easier not to have to explain!

nice rant to read and i can see where your coming from

I read your rant and enjoyed it

I used to be more self-concious. You should embrace who you have become. I would caution there are places in the world where being a Witch can still get you into serious trouble.

Nice rant

I like this rant as well. When I first started, I didnt know what I was either except "different". Once I built up some knowledge and confidence, I didn't care what people thought about my choices. They were mine to make. I have called myself a witch and practitionar, but use pagan the most because it is kinda like an umbrella term used for a lot of different paths. That way when people ask me what that is I simply tell them I'm part of a nature based religion. They may not understand completely, but i've recievedbetter responces than coming out and saying witch. Either way nobody has to like what title you give yourself as long as you are being true to yourself and your path. :)

Awesome rant! One objection. Myself and many others I communicated with don't have labels for themselves, not because they think they are too great to have a label, but because their practices and beliefs don't completely fit with someone elses label or definition of that label, so why bother wasting our time with a proper label that makes everyone else happy. We secretly have labels for ourselves over time, but to keep from arguing with others, we keep them to ourselves. What would you call me? Native American Indian practices mixed with some Christian practices and of course the Wiccan 'or Pagen or whatever' practices. I'm in the same boat as you when it comes to what is Wiccan. I always thought the law of 3 was strictly Wiccan but have found some Wiccans don't believe in it and some non-Wiccans do... so yeah. A label is a label.

I guess im fine with being called a witch.

Me too... some of my friends call me a hedge witch or kitchen witch... traditional and a bit pagan, not wiccan.

I accept being called a witch it is just a name or label it is not anything really only what we do counts in the long run