[HPforGrownups] Wizards, witches, hags and warlocks

[dragonsbloodmoon at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 18817

In a message dated 5/15/2001 8:37:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
meboriqua at aol.com writes:


> I looked up both 'wizard' and 'warlock' and found nearly identical 
> definitions.  When I looked up 'hag', 'witch' was part of the 
> definition.  So what's the difference?  Why aren't there more warlocks 
> in Harry's world?  If they're bad, wouldn't Voldie be one?  If they're 
> not bad, wouldn't they also go to Hogwarts?  And is a hag simply an 
> ugly witch?  They seem to try to keep themselves hidden in HP, but I 
> don't know why.

I could write you a whole book about this, but I don't think many would be 
interested. Here's the Cliffs Notes version....  :-)

"Warlock" comes from a word meaning "oath breaker." This was usually assigned 
to Witches or Wizards who broke oaths to expose fellow magic practitioners 
(especially during the European Witch trials and the Inquisition). It's also 
associated with people (usually men) who practice dark magic. 

Wizard and Witch mean the same thing. In days of old, they were gender 
specific, with Wizard being male and Witch being female. Modern day Wiccans 
refer to themselves as Witches whether they are male or female, however. 

The term "hag" is usually used to describe an old Witch. In Neo Pagan 
worship, it's also a term used for the Crone aspect of the Goddess.

Toby
who hopes she's not starting another holy war.....


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