I was just wonder[ing] why you said in you article about RavenWolf, "Satanists have as much claim (if not more) to the term as we do".
The Word "witchcraft" has been around for a very long time, way longer than the religions of Wicca or Satanism. Some Wiccans have adopted the term. That's their prerogative, but it's historically nonsensical. "Witchcraft" has always designated a magical practice, generally a malevolent one, not a religion such as Wicca.
People who practice magic today sometimes term themselves a "witch." Those people can, and do, come from many religions, including both Wicca and Satanism. Since the term is older than us, how can we possibly claim ownership? The term is equally appropriate regardless whether you're referring to a magic-practicing Wiccan or a magic-practicing Satanist. Considering the terms association with malevolent magic, Satanists arguably have the better claim to the word, since they are more likely to work magic against another person.
Question of the Day: Satanic Witches
1/20/2009 03:53:00 PM | Question of the day, satanists, Wicca, witchcraft | 3 comments »
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I've been a fan of yours for quite some time and for the most part find myself nodding as I read your articles. This one, in part, however, struck a chord.
You state that the practice of witchcraft in "generally malevolent." I'm just curious as to what you are basing this on. In my studies I found it was benign as well as malevolent. From my understanding it was either, depending on the practitioner's intent.
Today, the term "witchcraft" often refers to a magical practice in general, regardless of intent, but that is a very modern understanding of the word.
Historically, the term has generally specifically meant malevolent magic. People like cunning folk, who used magic for the benefit of the community, were *not* witches, and what they practiced was not called "witchcraft."
If Margaret Murray and others hadn't erroneously suggested that witches were actually practicing a beneign religion, I wonder if "witchcraft" might have retained its malevolent meaning today.
That's what I meant. Sorry of the confusion.
I was a child in the late 50's and 60's and my mother was a witch. The only sort we knew of were the malevolent sort, the people my mother associated with were interchangeably luciferians / witches. The would have laughed in your face if you told them they were benign. I never came across any fluffy bunnies when I was young. Not until witchcraft came out the closet in the 70's and it became trendy. I rejected witchcraft (my mother's sort) in the 70's and only recently took an interest in "white" witchcraft.