As we journey through the annals of history, we uncover the figure of the first witch—an emblem of wisdom, intuition, and the sacred feminine. This woman was more than just a practitioner of spells; she embodied a deep connection with the earth, the plants, and the cycles of life that sustain us. Originally revered as wise sages and healers, early witches understood the delicate balance between nature and humanity, possessing the knowledge to harness the healing and transformative powers of the natural world.
In a time when fear began to permeate society, particularly during the burning times, countless women who dabbled in the sacred arts were scapegoated and vilified. It is crucial to remind ourselves that while not all women are witches, every woman lived under the shadow of suspicion and, far too often, faced accusations of witchcraft simply for embracing the gifts of nature and healing. The legacy of these trials reverberates through our lives today, providing a haunting reminder of the injustice and the resilience of the feminine spirit.
The word "witch" has origins that trace back to Old English, specifically the term "wicce" for female witches and "wicca" for male witches, both used to describe practitioners of sorcery and magick. This is thought to have derived from the Proto-Germanic word wikw-, which means "to bend" or "to shape," highlighting the transformative and often malleable nature of magick itself. The roots of witchcraft and its terminology stretch even further into history, with the earliest usages of the term echoing through various cultures and languages, such as the Old Norse "vitki," meaning sorcerer or wizard. Across ancient societies, from the shamans of indigenous cultures to the cunning folk of medieval Europe, the concept of a witch has long been associated with wisdom, healing, and connection to the natural world. I am sharing the digging I have done when attempting to figure out who was the first witch. The Witch came long before the word and long before the burning times. Unfortunately, all we can do is dig and take an educated guess because, during the conversion of pagan Europe, the church did a good job of erasing our history.
The First Witches: Wise Women of Antiquity
Historically, the icon of the witch takes on various forms, with a lineage that traces back to wise women revered in ancient cultures. Isis, the ancient Egyptian goddess who dates back to the early dynastic period (c. 3100 BCE), is often considered a precursor to the archetype of the witch, given her profound association with magick, healing, and protection. Revered as the ideal mother and wife, she was also a powerful sorceress known for her ability to resurrect her husband Osiris and protect their son Horus, skillfully using her knowledge of spells and herbal remedies. Her mastery over life, death, and the forces of nature positions her as a figure of feminine wisdom and power long before the term "witch" emerged. In her various manifestations, Isis embodies the essence of the wise woman, blending nurturing qualities with potent magickal abilities, suggesting that she may be remembered as one of the first archetypal witches, recognized in her ancient culture as a divine source of knowledge and empowerment for humanity.
Another notable figure is the Witch of Endor, documented in the biblical narrative which dates to around 1000 BCE. This enigmatic woman was sought out by King Saul for her ability to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel, demonstrating a connection to the spiritual realm that many wise women held. Her story illustrates how women's intuitive knowledge was both feared and respected, placing them at the center of significant spiritual events while simultaneously exposing them to danger. I am not one to ever lean on biblical text, yet the earliest record of a witch I can find is interestingly in biblical text. This fact speaks to me, digging deeper to really wrap my mind around who a witch really was, as many in modern days believe any woman who uses crystals or tarot is a witch. I don't feel that is the case as I see many religious women doing just that.
Another iconic wise woman likely one of the first witches but not titled as such is the Oracle of Delphi, active primarily from around 800 BCE to 300 CE, who served as a priestess in the Temple of Apollo. Known as the Pythia, she embodied prophetic wisdom, delivering cryptic messages that guided leaders and nations alike. The enigmatic nature of her prophecies reflects a deep, intuitive connection to the divine, highlighting the historical reverence for women who possessed such gifts. Early Greek leaders traveled great distances to consult the Oracle, affirming the importance of her role in society.
The earliest recorded witch trials remind us of the complex tapestry woven through history, where wise women, healers, and those skilled in the arts of the earth were celebrated yet feared. Women like Hecate/Hekate, the ancient Greek goddess, dating back to at least the 8th century BCE known as the first witch. Hekate has been associated with witchcraft, magick, and the moon, serving as symbols of feminine intuition's wisdom. Not merely a figure of darkness, Hekate represented the light that casts away shadows—empowering women to embrace their inner strength and connection to the mysteries of life. Hekate, one of the oldest and most powerful goddesses in ancient mythology, was originally venerated as a multifaceted deity representing wisdom, magick, and healing, rather than the dark figure often depicted in modern interpretations.
The Conversion of Pagan Europe and the Rise of Patriarchy
As history progressed, the mass conversion of pagan practices in Europe laid the groundwork for a patriarchal society deeply rooted in religious doctrine. With the rise of Christianity, female power was systematically stripped from cultural narratives, transforming wise women, healers, and priestesses into figures of suspicion. The consolidation of religious authority created a codependent society reliant on dogma, stifling individual sovereignty and reinforcing masculine dominance.
This conversion led to a profound imbalance that has echoed throughout history, instilling the fear of feminine power at every level of society. The wisdom of the Goddess, once revered as the source of all life, was suppressed, and many women were deemed witches for merely embracing their heritage leaving humanity questioning “who really is a witch” hundreds of years later..
The conversion of pagan Europe during the rise of Christianity was a dark and tumultuous period marked by violence and fear. As missionaries and church authorities sought to eradicate pagan practices, entire families were often dragged into towns under the threat of persecution, facing a grim choice: convert to the new faith or face execution. This brutal imposition of beliefs instilled a profound "witch wound" in the collective consciousness of humanity, nurturing a deep-seated fear of death and a profound anxiety surrounding the figure of the witch. The legacy of this fear reverberates through history, leading to the suppression of individual thoughts and ideas about spirituality and existence. As those who once revered the earth, the seasons, and their ancestral traditions were silenced or eliminated, a chasm formed between humanity and its innate connection to the sacred. The shadows of this era linger on today, manifesting in the ongoing stigma associated with witchcraft and questioning any divergence from accepted norms, revealing the profound impact of this historical trauma on our souls and society.
Reclaiming the Title of Witch
Today, the modern title of "witch" is often woven into the fabric of pop culture and spirituality, leading to a proliferation of casual labels such as "What type of witch are you?" Are you a sea witch, a cottage witch, we've all seen it. While these explorations can be well-intentioned, I fear we may lose the depth and significance of what it truly means to identify as a witch. In reality, being a witch often aligns with established traditions such as Wicca— a recognized religion of witchcraft— or solitary practice, encompassing various paths like Gardnerian, Celtic, Dianic, Strega, Alexandrian, and others. Yet, much of what we encounter online tends to reflect more of a personal aesthetic than an authentic representation of these rich traditions. When you claim the title "I am a witch," I urge you to do your homework and genuinely understand its implications. Behind this label lies a complex history, passed down through generations of women and men who have navigated shadows and adversity to keep this path alive. It is crucial that we honor this sacred lineage and resist the temptation to dilute the essence of witchcraft within the trends of modern culture.
To reclaim the title of witch means to acknowledge our historical connection to a lineage that understood nature’s rhythms, the power of healing, and the strength that arises from feminine wisdom. As we move forward, we seek to dismantle the remnants of patriarchal structures rooted in religion—acknowledging that religion itself has often propagated division rather than peace.
Historically, it is essential to recognize that more lives have been lost to religious conflict than in any war, and the rise of organized religion has often resulted in the vilification of those who stand outside its bounds. The narrative explored here highlights the urgent need for reconciliation between masculine and feminine energies and unity among all humans, regardless of belief systems. The journey towards balance is not only essential for women but necessary for all of humanity.
While many today identify as Christians and find solace in their faith, it is imperative to educate that the essence of witchcraft is rooted in individual sovereignty and connection to the earth—not in religious dogma. With this said, Christians can call themselves witches but it doesn't make them witches. I have no interest in gatekeeping those who identify as a witch. My interest in stating this is to state the obvious. Christians are not sovereign; they claim to need a savior and must accept that savior or they will not be saved. Witches are sovereign and have been sovereign throughout history. Meaning they stepped outside societal norms and chose to believe in their own power rooted in their connection to the earth. One can not be sovereign and need a savior. Another fact in this statement of Christians not being able to be witches is that the Christians base their very beliefs on biblical scripture that states “thou shall not suffer a witch to live”. With that said I am speaking out on this information so we do not lose the potency of who witches really are in the modern spirituality of pop culture stating all women are witches just because they were accused of being witches. Let us make no mistake, anyone can be a witch if they have the calling, and only they know this, no one else. Those calling themselves Christian witches in my humble opinion, and this comes from the wisdom of someone who was raised in a religious home, these individuals seem to have one foot in the broom closet and one foot out, just in case the church is right and they would go to hell for being a witch. I do not doubt they have the calling to be a witch but I do believe they still are living in fear, living in the shadow. Please, as a witch who has fought to preserve the potency of who we are, don't take on the title of witch if you are Christian. I love you, I love all humans as I believe we are one and I have an immense amount of compassion for those doing this, as I was you when I was in my younger years, I stepped out of the broom closet and have never looked back. It wasn't an easy journey to unbind myself from oaths, vows, conditioning, and programming I was raised with but it can be done, and you will be ok. Please don't try and appropriate anything else, the Christian church has appropriated all that has ever been sacred to the witch. We now find ourselves at this crossroads where the sacred rage of the real witches is having to step forward and speak what is truth and reclaim what is ours while saying all are welcome, however the very structure that took the power of women and witches must fall, not be appropriated or integrated within the craft. It is said that one cannot honor the teachings of Jesus without succumbing to the constraints of organized religion. I disagree recognizing that he did not establish Christianity; rather, his messages about love and compassion transcend institutional boundaries. You can be a witch and still honor what this man taught without accepting him as your savior. I will just leave that there as food for thought for those who are still working things out in the broom closet.
Rise of the Feminine
Despite the attempts to rid society of feminine power, what they failed to extinguish was the innate power of the feminine rising once more. The pain and suffering inflicted during the burning times no longer suppress the gifts that reside within women today. Instead, we are witnessing a renaissance of prophetic abilities and oracular wisdom, as modern women reclaim their right to connect with the earth, the divine, and their own intuition. Women from various backgrounds are uncovering their ancestral ties, exploring herbalism, holistic healing, and spiritual practices previously passed down through generations but hidden in the shadows.
We stand witness to a remarkable resurgence of interest in witchcraft, herbalism, and natural healing. This renaissance reflects the long-buried yearning for connection to our roots—an acknowledgment of the strength that lies in our lineage. Women are gathering in circles, sharing stories, honoring rituals, and embracing the gifts of their ancestors. We are reclaiming our identities as powerful healers, intuitives, and keepers of ancient wisdom, reminding ourselves that our magickal heritage flows through our veins.
Bridging the Gap Between Feminine and Masculine
As we step into a new era, it is crucial to seek balance between the masculine and feminine, harmonizing the energies that reside within us all. We are encouraged to embrace the qualities of compassion, intuition, and nurturing commonly associated with the feminine while also recognizing the strength, courage, and protection often linked to the masculine. By uniting these energies, we create a more integrated and whole society, where each individual can thrive and contribute from a place of authenticity and empowerment.
In our quest for unity, we must also recognize that belief systems vary among individuals, and this diversity is what adds richness to our collective experience. It is essential to not demonize the other, those who may follow religions or spiritual practices different from our own. Educating others about the historical context of witchcraft, and historical proof about religion is key. Also key to share with those who seek out our wisdom and not to go out proselytize our message the way religious followers do. Our wisdom can foster understanding and connection, bridging the divides created by dogma and fear.
Weaving a New Narrative
In my quest to uncover the roots of witchcraft, I've spent countless hours researching, only to find myself at dead ends, often coming back to the profound question: Who could have been the first witch? Was it Isis, the goddess of magick and healing? Or Hathor, the embodiment of love and fertility? Perhaps it was Hekate, the mother of witches, guardian of the crossroads and the mysteries of the night. One thing is clear, though: it certainly wasn’t the women accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake, merely punished for being female and wielding their feminine power. This realization drives my mission and purpose in this lifetime, as I ponder where the real witches were hidden in the shadows and how we, as modern practitioners, can keep their wisdom and traditions alive. These questions push me forward, guiding my journey as I strive to honor the legacy of those who came before us, ensuring their experiences are not forgotten but serve as a source of strength and inspiration for all witches today
As we stand at the crossroads of past and present, we embrace our lineage of wise women and witches. By honoring their legacy, we carve out a path that acknowledges our unique identities. Not all women are witches, yet all carry the whisper of the wise within them, reminding us that we have the power to heal, inspire, and reclaim our rightful place as the bearers of feminine wisdom in the world today.
United in the memory of those who came before us, we have the strength to weave a new narrative—one celebrating the complexities of the feminine experience, the wisdom of our ancestors, and the magick that resides in every woman. As we embrace our own identities, recognizing the gifts and challenges of our lineage, we collectively dismantle the oppressive structures that have sought to hold us back. In doing so, we honor our past and pave a path for future generations—a testament to the resilience of the feminine spirit, the return of the witches, and the emergence of empowered women ready to reclaim their vital role in shaping the world.
Together, we rise, reclaiming the title of witch not just as a label but as an affirmation of our sovereignty and connection to the earth. The time is now to celebrate the rich tapestry of life, not to dehumanize those with beliefs different than ours while remaining anchored in our truth. Let us rise as a collective, embracing the gifts of our ancestors, forging the path for a future filled with harmony, understanding, and the unapologetic embrace of our own sacred wisdom.
The legacy of the witches lives on, illuminating the path ahead.
What a good read with depth of our ancestors