Sunday, 7 September 2008

Warlock


Warlock n : the official dictionary definition of a warlock is as follows: "a male version of a witch, wizard, magician or conjurer."


However there is much debate about the real meaning of the word among witches, many of whom find the term that is often applied to a male witch, grossly offensive.

Exactly how the word became associated with witches remains one of speculation. The term "oath breaker" may have been applied to witches as they "broke their oaths with the Christian church".


However some modern witches may apply the term "warlocking" to the ejection of a member from a coven.An alternative theory about the association of the word warlock with witchcraft, lies somewhere in the late 1500's. The story goes, that a Scot went against the wishes of his clan to become a Catholic priest.


This resulted in his expulsion from his clan. Also at that time the term warlock was applied to him (which in Gaelic, has the meaning of traitor). This same priest was subsequently named in a 'witch hunt' and may have perished along with 50 others that were persecuted and burned for being witches, as was the usual punishment for the time. From that day, his clan branded him a warlock or traitor and never ever spoke his name.The term has also been used as an "epithet for the 'Devil'." However the modern idea of an evil sorcerer did not emerge until the 14th century.

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