The male form of a witch is often referred to as a warlock. While the term "witch" is commonly associated with females who practice witchcraft, the male counterpart is known as a warlock. The word "warlock" is derived from Old English and it means "oathbreaker" or "deceiver." In modern times, however, the male form of a witch has taken on a more neutral connotation. Unlike witches, who are usually portrayed as practicing magic for good, warlocks have often been associated with darker practices. They are sometimes depicted as using their powers for personal gain or for malevolent purposes.
Are these people right? Do men really not have a place in the craft? Or is there more going on behind this push to remove men from the craft? Today we’re going to take a look at what place gender has in the craft and whether or not it’s a practice that’s suitable for men.
The current political climate and the experiences that many women have had in their lives leads some women to feel stifled, unsafe, or silenced in their spiritual lives and seeking to find a spiritual connection without that looming over them can be an important part of their journey. The current political climate and the experiences that many women have had in their lives leads some women to feel stifled, unsafe, or silenced in their spiritual lives and seeking to find a spiritual connection without that looming over them can be an important part of their journey.
They are sometimes depicted as using their powers for personal gain or for malevolent purposes. However, it is important to note that these stereotypes do not accurately represent all male practitioners of witchcraft. Just as with witches, there is a wide range of beliefs, practices, and intentions among male witches.
Can men be witches?
The Oxford English Dictionary has just published a new entry for witch. It is less dismissive of old women. The former version spoke of a “repulsive-looking old woman.” Now it is “a term of abuse or contempt for a woman, especially one regarded as old, malevolent, or unattractive.”
In that sense it is still definitely a woman. But what has lexicographers in a ferment of excitement is the decision to undo the division of the main entry for witch into male and female. Before the Conquest…
“No, darling, I certainly wouldn’t call you a witch,” said my husband. “You’re not thin enough.”
The Oxford English Dictionary has just published a new entry for witch. It is less dismissive of old women. The former version spoke of a “repulsive-looking old woman.” Now it is “a term of abuse or contempt for a woman, especially one regarded as old, malevolent, or unattractive.”
The OED sternly comments on a quotation from a New Jersey weekly in 1967 saying that witchcraft “used to be called Wicca, an Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘cult of the wise’.” This, it remarks, “is incorrect.” Even more indicative is the pronunciation of wicca in Old English. It sounded like witch-ah. (The feminine gender wicce sounded like witch-eh.) It’s welcome to find a well-founded discussion of witch in the dictionary, but now that the OED is not limited by space on the printed page, it can perhaps go on a bit. “The frequently marginal status of older women (especially those who were widowed or unmarried) within the community made them especially vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft, particularly if they happened to have knowledge of traditional or folk medicine, a belief that women were more susceptible than men to the Devil being an additional contributing factor.” I see that these arguments can be made, but they to seem to be quite a distance from the general usage of witch. This article was originally published in The Spectator’s UK magazine. Subscribe to the World edition here.
Over the years, as with many traditions, the ideas of some of these women-only lineages leaked out into the mainstream. Inevitably, people who are not a part of these lineages wind up believing that some aspects of these lineages are, in fact, universal within the craft. We can see evidence of this sort of bleed between traditions all over modern witchcraft. From the assertion that all witches follow the Wiccan Rede or the “threefold law”, to the idea that all witchcraft involves the same set of tools or practices, and yes, even the exclusion of men from the craft at times.
The term "warlock" is not universally accepted among male practitioners of witchcraft, and some prefer to simply identify as witches. In any case, the male form of a witch exists and can be known as a warlock, although the term's usage may vary..
Reviews for "Men's Circles and Witchcraft: Creating Supportive Communities"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "What is the male form of a witch". The concept seemed interesting at first, but the execution fell flat for me. The writing was disjointed and lacked clarity, making it difficult to follow the plot. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I have never been more frustrated by a book than I was with "What is the male form of a witch". The author seemed more interested in exploring abstract ideas and symbolism than telling a cohesive story. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The constant shift in narrative style and perspective only added to the confusion. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would caution others against wasting their time on it.
3. Katherine - 3/5 stars - While "What is the male form of a witch" had an intriguing premise, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters. The protagonist lacked depth and didn't undergo any significant character development throughout the story. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long periods of inaction followed by sudden bursts of action. It made it difficult for me to fully invest in the story. Despite these flaws, the book did offer some interesting insights into gender stereotypes and societal expectations, which I appreciated. Overall, it was an average read for me.
4. Andrew - 2/5 stars - "What is the male form of a witch" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its promise. The writing style was overly pretentious and did more to confuse than engage the reader. The narrative meandered without clear direction, making it hard to stay interested. I also found the dialogue to be unrealistic and stilted, further detracting from the overall reading experience. While I appreciate the attempt to explore gender and identity, the execution left much to be desired. I wouldn't recommend this book to others.