This is a conversation that has been running in my head for a few weeks now. It started with a question “What is the difference between a Sorcerer and a Witch?”
Often used interchangeably in our current society and communities, yet there was something that caught my attention and would not let go. Language matters, words matter, and I was getting the message, that even though people now do not see this as more than choosing a word they prefer – there was more to this distinction.
I did what I always do in these situations – I researched. I looked at the language of the words, their etymology. I looked at how they have been used over time by different groups of people. How different magical systems, real and fantasy, used the terms. Depending on where you looked and time frame, there are conflicting answers. Flipping the definitions, which is probably why they are seen as interchangeable in today’s language – yet there does seem to be differences between them
Everything that comes next are my current thoughts on this debate and some perspectives I think are interesting to consider.
Sorcerer/ Occultist vs Witches
When I was younger, ceremonial magic such as Golden Dawn, Thelma, and Kabbalah were very much at the forefront. They dominated the available books along with the fairly newer tradition of Wicca. It is not surprising since these male dominated spaces have been prominent since the 16th century and rise of “occult sciences.” When it comes to prominent public spaces such as books and other perceived authoritarian roles, women are fairly new to mix – not in practice, that part is ancient, but in recognized “authority” roles.
I love ritualistic magic, but I never really vibed with ceremonial magic, that which others would call occult magic. The first reason being that they all work within the christian pantheon which is not my mode. The second, and one that has always stuck out to me, is the feeling of the way they work. They use the word “summon” which feels like a demand upon the spirit – I do not work with my allies that way. When I am calling on an ally, I “invite” giving them the option to participate and lend their energy to the working. It is about respect – respecting their right to choose, respecting their sovereignty as I want them to respect mine.
Going further into this distinction of words, I have heard many long-time practitioners of these traditions talk about the spirits they summon in ways of “controlling them” for the purpose of having them do work for them. It never felt like it was from a place of allies, but dominating them to do the practitioner’s biding. To me, it is understandable why these groups would have so many warnings and protections in place, because it doesn’t sound like a partnership, it sounds like enslavement.
I am sure many practitioners of these traditions today would argue that it is not like that. I am not a part of any of them, so my perspective here is on the language being used and the processes of the ritualistic magic – and both of these matter in my opinion.
A Witch on the other hand builds relationships with their allies. They do not use aggressive domination, they build partnerships that include exchange – respecting the sovereignty and choice of the spirit/ energy they are working with. They invite them to come be part of their work, to lend their energy or help to it. When they ask something of them, they also give back to them. It takes time and effort to build these bonds, but the more they feed the bond, the deeper the connection is built between them and the greater flow of power/ work can be done.
So the first distinction would be – Sorcerers use domination and control over a spirit/ energy to achieve their goals – a very masculine way of moving. Where as Witches build relationships and partnership to achieve their goals – a very feminine way of moving.
Where the Power Comes From
Both sides have to study, practice, and gain mastery – the difference here is perhaps the mode of that mastery because it determines where the power is coming from.
Here is where my own guides gave an interesting distinction:
Witches harness and master themselves, their power within, and build relationships/ bonds with the allies. Coming from a place of love and respect.
Sorcerers harness and master the power to control and use the energies outside of themselves to create and destroy. Domination of, not partnerships with, them.
The Witch starting inward and moving outward – The Sorcerer working outward and moving inward. It is an interesting distinction. It also makes the case for why a witch technically doesn’t need any “tools” to perform magic, while an occultist needs a lot of tools and set-up. Because the power of a Witch comes from within them and can be amplified by their allies. The power of a sorcerer in this case would come from sources outside of themselves, and through collecting and using that power they are able to create magic.
This is why the path of the Witch focuses more on their internal selves first – such as, connecting with Ancestral Soul, shadow work, healing, authentic self, internal skill development such as soul senses – personal connections – ally building – and so forth. They focus on mastery of self – their study and learning is focused on the self and then on understanding the energies, nature, interconnections, cycles, patterns, and so forth outside of us. The power of a Witch comes from within and is amplified by the energies outside of ourselves.
A Witch uses “tools” – representational magic – in the beginning, when they are learning, building that relationship with an energy/ entity / spirit. It helps to focus, connect on a physical/tangible level, and learn from it. Once the bond is built though, they do not need a physical representation – they can just engage the energetic bond they have created directly. They are able to channel the power through themselves, amplifying their own power, and direct it outwards towards their goal/ outcome.
Sorcerers on the other hand seems to require the tools. Their study and mode of learning comes more from books, mentors, and a more academic style of studies. It is in memorization and performance of rituals and rites. It is within the specific words, structure, and actions of the ritual that use the energy of the spirit/ energy to illicit the desired outcome. As the power is not coming from within them, but is coming from the energy/ spirit they are summoning, it is temporary and for a specific purpose. Thus they are able to take that power and direct it to their desired outcome. This I think is the true power of a Sorcerer – to be able to specifically direct the energy into a very focused outcome.
Historical Hypothesis
There is a hypothesis that some of us have been thinking about and discussing. It has been developed through the lens of ancient traditions, understanding the different modes of masculine and feminine energies, and so forth, that fit right into this.
The Hypothesis is one of a shared power structure. A Priestess and Priest together – feminine and masculine working together in alignment and harmonious balance with each other in the magical sphere. We can see the remnants of it in many places and cultures. One of the most commonly known is in the way Oracles were depicted. The women were the ones who channeled the energy, connected to it, received knowledge and power from it. Then the men focused that energy outwards to the physical world/ the general people in ways they could understand and connect to it – similar to interpreters, as well as, directors of the energy to a very precise goal or outcome.
It was a partnership between both sides. Both needed for the greatest power and strongest change in the world. Each one having a pivotal role, equal in power, yet a different movement or mode of working. The Feminine is the conduit, the receiver and the weaver of the energies needed for a working. The Masculine is the focus and director of those energies outward into the physical.
Sure, they can each achieve results on their own, but not as complete or as powerful as it would be if they worked together in this mode. I realize this particular thought will ruffle more than a few feathers because we live in a society that has gone deeper and deeper into focus on only needing the self, self-oriented, self-sufficiency, solitary work, and so forth. The thought of needing someone else, especially a combination specifically of female and male for magical workings, is really frowned upon – yet we see this magical combination and glimpses of how it might have worked throughout the pre-abrahamic rise.
One of the most recorded instances of this division between the two sides can be seen with the Israelites in Babylon time, and progressed throughout the rise of christianity. The rise of Judaism saw a stark difference between men and women in sacred and magical spaces. Men taking power, the lead, and creating their own form of magic, Kabbalah, that was heavy on ceremonial magic and summoning the power – which could be because they cut out the channeler aspect of women in that space. Without the women’s relationship and direct connections to the energy, they created rituals to gain that borrowed power to direct. Then through the act of subjugating, belittling, and even abusing women, creates damage within them further cutting them off from the power they hold within to channel and connect with the energies/ spirit/ divine – not that it is gone, but where it is not seen – pushed down until it is ignored.
In more modern times, as women have gained more autonomy, they are being conditioned to take power the way a man would, to compete in the ways a man would, thus walking the masculine path when it comes to power and advancement – which leaks into domination magic and spiritual movement. I am not saying all take this route – but we do see a strong majority from many of these societal perspectives.
So thinking about the possible differences between a sorcerer and a witch listed above, can also be seen in this dynamic. Both equally powerful, just different in how they are acquiring and using that power. But the larger question remains – What if both sides worked together in the manner of this hypothesis? What would the differences in outcomes be? What would change in the magic itself – and what would be changed in our own partnerships with each other? Not one side dominating over the other, but true and equal partnership between – and I am not talking sexually/ romantically, I am talking magical partnership and societal partnership.
In The End
There are no clear definitions or lines between a Witch and a Sorcerer. It is going to depend on where you look and who you ask. Everything here are just the thoughts and possibilities that I, and several others, have been exploring in this question.
Some reading this will be irritated and possibly defensive (that is not the intention though). Some may consider it as something to dive deeper into for themselves. Some may even resonate with these thoughts. In the end though, this isn’t about bringing discourse, it is a place to start a conversation. An idea, a possibility, a beginning to explore more together.
It is an interesting question though – What is the difference between a Sorcerer and a Witch? I do believe there are differences between the two, it is the language side of me, but what those differences are though is still very much debatable.
What are your thoughts?
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