A Witch Needs No Explanation

White versus Grey versus Black. Last time I looked, a witch needs no explanation. Look, I understand identifying with a title that references your tradition. I identify with Druidry, Hedgewitchery, and the Völur. Typically I call myself a Hedgewitch if I’m pressed to define myself. But I don’t identify with white, black or grey, although the way other witches define grey probably covers Hedgewitchery.

White apparently indicates purity or positive-oriented magick, black the dark arts, and grey a hodgepodge of whatever you want. And it’s not that I necessarily think a color reference is any different than any other title, but that it feels like a judgment is associated with it which leaves me uncomfortable. So I have to ask, why would any of us define ourselves as white, black, grey, or any other color of the rainbow? Is it a statement? If so, to whom?

If we define ourselves as white witches, are we doing so to make others more comfortable with who we are? Or is it to make ourselves more comfortable with who we are? Is it to let others know the type of magick we perform? Because if so, why on earth would we ever tell them that? I seem to remember to keep silence (some say to keep silent) as one of the four powers of the witch and I would think it might apply here. And again, do we want others to know this so that they approve of us somehow?

I realize that it wasn’t so long ago that witches were persecuted and that it still goes on today. So a little discretion might still be in order. But for me, living in truth is more important than creating a moniker that makes others comfortable, so identifying as white, black, or grey wouldn’t work for me. Well, maybe grey. But it would still feel weird to do so.

I don’t mean to pick on white witches here but the dark arts witches seem to deal well with who they are as do the grey witches. And maybe the white witches do as well, but every time I hear someone refer to themselves that way, I immediately wonder why. I can’t help it. Although it’s actually none of my business what other witches call themselves, I typically decide that it’s because it resonates somehow, but I still wonder.

The last thing witches should do is respond or present themselves in a way that gives credence to fear-based viewpoints. I have to wonder if witches unwittingly do this when they self-identify as a white witch.

It would be nice if no one had to send any message that they’re okay to be around, witches in particular. Whether the magick we perform is all love and light, or it embraces the darker aspects of our craft, it’s all just energy that we move or affect with our intention. We might have various purposes that differ and some witches may engage in various levels of control when circumstances warrant, but in my opinion at no time should we make any of it palatable to others.

We’re witches after all. NO explanation necessary.

Blessed Be