…cause I’ve been called one! Seriously!
The town we used to live in, small as it was, had several churches. There is a meeting of the spiritual leaders of those churches called the Pastoral Alliance. And, as it goes in small towns, there is not a lot to talk about except for gossip.
One of the more enlightened pastors of this group (who has since been fired from his position at his church and moved elsewhere) spoke to me quietly at a party about something that made me sit up and take notice. Here was the conversation:
Licia: “I would really like to meet with other spiritual leaders in the community to exchange ideas and support one another. It gets lonely sometimes to be one that folks come to for spiritual guidance.”
Cool Pastor: (squirming uncomfortably)
L: “Is there any kind of support group or meeting of spiritual leaders here?”
CP: (falteringly) “Yessssss…”
L: (excited) “Oh, do you think I could come?!”
CP: (sheepishly) “No, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”
L: (genuinely puzzled) “Why not?”
CP: “Because the Pastoral Alliance is afraid of you.”
L: “HUH?! …Am I not the nicest person that you know?”
CP: “Yes, you are a very nice person. But they have had a meeting recently in which you were identified as a public enemy.”
L: (kind of laughing, thinking it is a joke) “WHAT?!”
CP: (looking very sad) “They have read some of your writing, and your beliefs are very threatening to their beliefs. They feel that you are dangerous to their congregations.”
L: (stunned) “Wow.”
CP: “I’m sorry.”
L: “What century is this again?”
I learned later that my children were taunted at school. “Your mom is a witch.” And not just by other children! Not one person in that little town had the balls (or ovaries) to come say this to my face, but they sure were talking about it.
It’s made me think a lot since then. What is a witch anyway? I learned from my early Christian preschool conditioning and the Wizard of Oz that witches are bad, Bad, BAD. When I hear the word and me in the same sentence, my blood runs cold. But why?
I am writing a long piece about this that will continue, but I needed to get this out there for some feedback. In my quest for truth, consciousness and challenging the status quo, I want to know:
What is your definition of the word “Witch?” Here’s what dictionary.com had to say:
Witch –noun
| 1. | a person, now esp. a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic, esp. black magic or the black art; sorceress. Compare warlock. |
| 2. | an ugly or mean old woman; hag: the old witch who used to own this building. |
| 3. | a person who uses a divining rod; dowser. |
I’m not buying it.
Let me hear from you…I really want to know!
See Parts 2 and 3 here, in which the conversation continues!
https://liciaberry.com/2010/01/11/what-is-a-%E2%80%9Cwitch%E2%80%9D-part-2-deep-feelings/
https://liciaberry.com/2010/01/12/reclaiming-the-word-%E2%80%9Cwitch%E2%80%9D/
