Warlock, Witch and more Etymology
1. Etymology of Titles
Druwayu defines Warlock and Witch based on actual investigated etymology, not later hearsay, as any worthy scholarly investigation and academic research should, wherein the usage in Druwayu is grounded in their original meanings and stripped of later nonsensical mystical associations. Within our tradition both are equal yet gender specific titles (Warlock = male, and Witch = Female).
Interpreters of Traditional Law/Customs: All historical associations seem to point to their primary functions of applying the traditions and laws of the people to everyday life, while also striving to ensure that the core teachings remained relevant beyond just the ritual observations, while also allowing members of clans and communities to debate and vote on perceived important issues.
Advocates of Oral Tradition: From that can be extracted from several sources, there is a strong sense of careful memorization oral laws, which they preserved and passed down, often through symbols understood by those taught in the context of them and memorization aids (also observed in many ancient cultures). Many indications point to a spirituality deeply connected to natural cycles, and often associated with sacred groves, burial mounds and seasonal festivals.
Influential Teachers: Along with maintaining and promoting beliefs such as the afterlife and the interconnection of the spiritual and physical, some examples make clear they also advised rulers and played a role in governance, sometimes acting as mediators in disputes. This would naturally move towards having the authority to elect or dismiss rulers to keep them accountable to their people.
Military and Legal Authority: Their assembly could approve or reject military campaigns and had influence over legal and matters of communal decision-making because of the responsibility for religious customs, laws, and education.
In this sense, there is no doubt their roles were naturally shaped by their societies as they developed for untold and antiquities through education, tradition, training and governance, but their philosophies and religious frameworks were vastly different from what has often been claimed. Because the titles are themselves both of Saxon origins, it is reasonable to conclude that overall form of governance was similar to the Anglo Saxon Witangemot (Witness Meeting), Norse/Icelandic Althingi and Swiss Landsgemeinde.
1.1 Warlock: Lawman (m)
Etymology: From the plural "Warlogan" (war-loh-an). Found in the Heliand, c. 830 CE; and as wærlogan in Andreas, c. 9th–10th century, meaning “lawmen” (wær, “man” + logan, “laws”), pronounced /wɛːrlóʊn/. Not “oathbreaker.”
Historical Context: Referred to legal authorities, such as Pharisees in the Heliand, later misread as “traitors” due to Christian bias and antisemitic conflations. Factually and conceptually, they were commitment to both the written and oral traditions/customs.
Misconceptions: Claims of “coven betrayer” (post-1950s) are baseless; the term is Old Saxon carried on as a note of being a title of a man, as Witch was a woman, involved in the same practices among Scottish origin (according to John Dryden, 1672).
Quotation: "Warlock, in Scotland, is applied to a man whom the vulgar supposed to be conversant with spirits, as a woman who carries on the same commerce is called a witch." ~Dryden, 1672-73.
Source: April 15th, 1755 CE Original Edition of "A Dictionary of the English Language", Page 2243. Also cited in the First Edition of "A Dictionary of the Scottish Language" published on January 1, 1818.
Spelling Variations: Warlowe, warlou, werlou, werlawe, warlouʒ, warloghe, warlau, warlawe, warlagh(e), werlau(ghe), warlach, warlag, warloc, warlok, warlage, warthel-, werlok, wirlok, warlaʒes, worlais, warlais, and werlahen.
1.2 Witch: Oracle (f)
Etymology: From Old English wicce/wicca, /wēCHeh/, /wēCHuh/ (both feminine, Dōmbōc, 893 CE), meaning “female oracle” who speaks or divines, from Latin vica/vice (“voice/speak/Call”) via Slavic veche, pronounced /vēCHe/. Plural: wiccan, /wēCHen/, used as a translation of oraculum "speak".
Historical Context: Wicce were counselors, not evil sorceresses; Christian texts (e.g., Ælfric’s Homilies, late 10th century) introduced bias, misrepresenting them as “fouled.”
Druwayu Role: A feminine title for a wisdom-seeker and guide, providing rational counsel without supernatural elements.
Misconceptions: Claims of wicca as masculine are false and largely used in error as a result of bad translation or transliteration; wicce/wicca are both feminine often erroneously applied with little to no concern for the meaning or context and applying a false one, as seen in Saxo Grammaticus’s Wecha (13th century)in Danish is Væcha, spelled later in Slavic as Slavic vecha (speaks); cite example Wicca would be pronounced Wecha (“female word for oracle”). Often confused with Wice/Wica (Weeks, base meaning of movement).
Spelling Variations: Veche, vicce, veech, vecha, viche, vetch, wech, wecha, wichta, wicht, wicche-, wichua, wichche-, wichen, wichen(e), wuche-, wuches, whicche-, whicces-, wheche-, whuche, and whiche.
It must be noted that in many Old English manuscripts, as well as others, sometimes show scribal variations due to dialect or orthography, as well as errors in spelling and application, soften when the meaning of words were not known to specific authors.
Citations:
There are no definitive texts before the 800s CE explicitly use warlogan (warlocks) or wiccan (witches) in surviving Germanic languages, as these terms emerge in Christianized Old English and Old Saxon texts post-800 CE.
Heliand (Line 4049, circa 830 CE)
Terms: warlogan (masculine plural)
Original Text: that he thar warlogan wîet scolda
Structured Translation: "That he there lawmen know should."
Proper Translation: "That he there should understand the lawmen."
Andreas (Line 1339, circa 880 CE)
Terms: wærlogan (masculine plural)
Original Text: þæt he wærlogan wite scolde
Structured Translation: "That he lawmen know should."
Proper Translation: "That he should understand the lawmen."
Domboc by King Alfred (893 CE)
Terms: wærlogan (masculine plural)
Original Text: And gif wærlogan oþþe swīcend sculan beon, þæt hī sculan beon getīefde.
Structured Translation: "And if lawmen or deceiver must be, then they must be restrained."
Proper Translation: "And if lawmen or deceivers must exist, then they must be restrained."
Homilies of Ælfric (circa 990 CE)
Terms: wærlogan (masculine plural)
Original Text: Ne sculan we to wærlogan sculan weorþian.
Structured Translation: "Nor shall we to lawmen shall honor."
Proper Translation: "Nor shall we, the lawmen, shall honor."
Beowulf (circa 975 CE)
Terms: wærlog (masculine singular)
Original Text: Næs þæt wærlōg sculan swīcend scite.
Structured Translation: "Not that lawman must deceiver shit."
Proper Translation: "That lawman must not be a deceiver of shit."
Saxo Grammaticus’ Works (circa 1200 CE)
Terms: wærlogan (masculine plural)
Original Text: Quod wærlogan in lege falsa testantur.
Structured Translation: "Because lawmen in law false testify."
Proper Translation: "Because lawmen testify in false law."
Texts Discussing Witches
Laws of Ælfric (circa 893 CE)
Terms: wiccan (feminine plural)
Original Text: Ða fæmnan þe gewuniað onfon gealdorcræftigan & scinlæcan & wiccan, ne læt þu ða libban.
Structured Translation: "The women who receive golden-crafts, skin-plays, and witches, not let thou them live."
Proper Translation: "The women who receive golden-crafts, skin-plays, and witches—do not let them live."
Ælfric’s Homilies (Supplementary Collection, circa 995 CE)
Terms: wiccan (feminine plural)
Original Text: ne sculan we to wiccan sculan weorþian
Structured Translation: "Nor shall we to witches shall honor."
Proper Translation: "Nor shall we honor witches."
Halitgar’s Penitential (Old English Translation, circa 1000 CE)
Terms: wiccan (feminine plural)
Original Text: swa wiccan tæcaþ
Structured Translation: "As witches teach."
Proper Translation: "As witches teach."
Old English Biblical Exhortations (circa 1000 CE)
Terms: wiccan (feminine plural)
Original Text: Ða fæmnan þe gewuniað onfon gealdorcræftigan & scinlæcan & wiccan, ne læt þu ða libban.
Structured Translation: "The women who receive golden-crafts, skin-plays, and witches, not let thou them live."
Proper Translation: "The women who receive golden-crafts, skin-plays, and witches—do not let them live."
Lacnunga (circa 1000 CE)
Terms: wicce (feminine singular)
Original Text: Þæt wicce wyrce þis laececræft.
Structured Translation: "That witch works this leech-craft."
Proper Translation: "That witch works this leech-craft."
1.3 Compatibility with concepts of Druwayu
John Dryden (1631–1700), a dominant literary figure of the Restoration era, is the overlooked source of claims about the Scottish origins of Warlock and Witch. By his time, these titles had lost much of their original meaning, often reduced to sub-human "supernatural beings."
Given this distortion, it is reasonable to acknowledge their true historical roles and challenge these misconceptions by restoring them to their original status as clergy titles—an approach already embraced in Druwayu, while recognizing that some sources listed tended to not obey the rules of linguistics when applying words as glosses or figuratively. This is compliant with our values:
Integrity: Both titles reflect Druwayu’s commitment to truth and self-dedication.
Rationality: Free of mystical connotations, they emphasize logic and ethical responsibility.
Cultural Identity: Warlocks and Witches form a distinct framework, symbolizing Druwayu’s focus on truth and community.
2. Rejection of Misaligned Terms
Druwayu avoids terms tied to occultism, historical inaccuracies, or cultural misrepresentations to maintain authenticity and rational clarity.
2.1 False Alternative Titles
Wizard: From wysar (“wise one,” Latin viser, c. 1440 CE); later meant “scientist,” not a clergy role.
Witan: From witegan (“witness,” Ælfric, 955–1010 CE); a council term, not spiritual.
Shaman: From Russian shaman (“same”); a romanticized modern construct, not Germanic.
Mage/Magi: From Persian magus (“servant”); tied to Zoroastrianism and Christian “wise men,” not Druwayu.
Spae: From spä (“spy,” Latin specular); denotes espionage, not magic.
Völva: Fabricated from Latin volva (“revolve,” 1753); not Old Norse.
Sorcerer: From Latin sors (“lot”); refers to voting, not sorcery.
Witch Doctor: Pejorative from Hutchinson (1718); mocks fake healers, not a clergy role.
2.2 Misused Cultural Terms
Pagan: From Latin pagus (“bound one”); not “country dweller”; unrelated to Druwayu’s inclusive ethos.
Heathen: From Greek hēdone + pagos (“slave to pleasure”); a pejorative for nomads, not Druwayu’s rational framework.
Mystical: From Greek múō (“close”) and Latin mútus (“mute”); implies silence, not Druwayu’s open inquiry.
Occult: From Latin oc (“eye”) + celare (“conceal”); denotes hidden knowledge, contrary to Druwayu’s transparency.
2.3 No Connection to Voodoo
Clarification: Druwayu has no link to Voodoo, derived from French vaudoux (1840 CE), rooted in the Vaudoi sect (1170s), not African origins.
Voodoo Terms:
Loas: From French lois (“laws”).
Veve: From Middle English weve (“weave”).
Bondye: From French Bon (“good”) + Dieu (“God”).
Houngan/Mambo: From Irish Hogan (“sharp”) and mam-bi (“mommy”); not African clergy titles.
Misrepresentation: Voodoo’s African veneer is a later construct, blending European occultism and folklore.
2.4 Terms Druwayu Avoids
Sabbaths: From Hebrew Shabbat (“rest”); misused as “Witches’ Sabbath” (1613); tied to paranoia.
Black Mass: Catholic polemic (1597); not "witchcraft" related.
Esbats: From French ébat (“frolic”); a sarcastic term, not a gathering.
Covens: From French covent (“convent”); misused post-1609.
Grimoires: From French “grammar book”; not magic texts.
3. Practical Applications in Druwayu
The reclaimed titles Warlock and Witch inspire rational practices that align with Druwayu’s principles of truth and community.
3.1 Guidance and Leadership
Warlocks: Lead philosophical discussions, mentor, and challenge falsehoods as scholars.
Witches: Provide rational counsel, sharing wisdom to foster personal and communal growth.
3.2 Community Building
Approach: Voluntary collaboration builds harmonious communities based on shared truth.
Contrast: Unlike coercive activism, Druwayu grows organically through example and inspiration.
3.3 Truth-Seeking Practices
Methods: Study groups, rational inquiry, and norm examination promote self-improvement.
Goal: Deepen ethical clarity and understanding, free from mystical trappings.
3.4 Cultural Impact
Personal Philosophy: Encourages authenticity and ethical living through truth-seeking.
Community Identity: Strengthens Druish culture via shared roles and values.
Cultural Revival: Influences rituals, education, or storytelling, adapting heritage to modern contexts.
4. Why This Matters
Authenticity: Using accurate terms honors historical and linguistic integrity, rejecting presentism.
Clarity: Confronting fallacies ensures a rational, evidence-based framework for Druwayu.
Respect: Avoiding occult distortions preserves Druwayu’s unique identity and prevents cultural misrepresentation.
5. Conclusion
Druwayu reclaims Warlock and Witch equally (rejecting either being used as cover for "men bad / women good" extremist feminist misandry) as rational, gendered titles rooted in historical linguistics—wærlogan ("lawmen") and wicce ("oracle")—rejecting supernatural or occult associations. As scholars and counselors, Warlocks and Witches embody Druwayu’s commitment to truth, integrity, and community.
By dismissing misaligned terms like pagan, occult, or Voodoo, Druwayu maintains a clear, authentic framework that promotes voluntary growth, reevaluation of commonly accepted fallacies based on later misapplications or false assumptions, and rational inquiry, offering a timeless model for personal and collective development.
