Just curious about different thoughts on the matter... anyone feel one way or the other? Anyone here a natural witch with lineage?... or are there others here with no known family history... who sort of emerged out of nowhere and consider witchcraft an intellectual pursuit? (I'm sure there are many combos of the two). Anyone here strongly believe that witches can ONLY be born or ONLY be made? Is there different terminology to connote a natural witch vs a purely studied one?
A combination of both I think of it the same way as with writers/artists/chefs/whatever. Some people for whatever reason have a certain flair for creativity, and drive to be creative, which can't be taught and in that sense sets them apart from others. But equally that talent isn't going to manifest until you learn the basics, and then take the steps to hone your skills. Also I don't put that much stock in lineage. In the sense that I don't think it doesn't automatically make you a better witch. You should have to work and prove yourself based on your own merits. After all my maternal grandmother and mother paint and make cards respectivley, where as I can barely draw stickmen. lol No idea about the terminology, aside from 'hereditary witch'.
I don't belive there is such a thing as a born witch. Everyone has to learn about it, no one is born with the knowledge. Your parents may raise you pagan, like I'm doing with my daughter, but that doesn't make you anything more or less than anyone else.
I do feel that some people are born witches, what they do with that natural tendency is entirely different. I may be using the term witch rather loosely, which could be where the disagreement lies. Witchcraft certainly requires knowledge... it's certainly a trained skill... but something about *being* a witch, well, I believe you either got it or you don't. It's not like a profession that someone is trained in... there's something innate to it I believe.
I come from a long line on my mothers side...and my daddys mother...but they gave me the option to carry on with the beliefs or go my own way...and i still had to study and learn...it just helped being raised with it instead of having to start cold with the basics at an older age.
The ability is in everyone of us. It's how you tap into the ability, whether you where raised with it or learned it later in life. That is based on the circumstances around you.
I don't think the ability is in everyone.... sort of like being good at sports. You either are or you aren't.
I don't consider myself a natural witch (at the moment, nor have I in the past), but I am part of a family tradition that goes back at least to the 1800s, possibly further. I think the difference between pagan and witch should be noted however. My family's tradition is actually based significantly on Christianity, while many members also maintain their identity as witches. Personally, I identify more as pagan and less as a witch, but that's mainly because I think 'witch' has been co-opted by pop culture more than 'pagan' has.
I'm specifically refering to witch rather than pagan. And I'm only using the word witch for lack of a better term. By "witch", I mean someone who has a knack for herbalism, gardening, divination, intuition, counsel, etc. Of course, all these skills require training to improve and achieve expertise. I hope that made it clearer.
