is there such a thing as a natural witch?

[vicegerent]

can it be inherited?

thank you very much!

[Romani Vixen]

I don't think so. *Everyone* has the ability. It's a matter of how easily you can access it.

[Jenne]

Well, I think some have been born with what might seem "witchy" traits. Like the ability to talk to animals, feeling trees' emotions, intuiting others' feelings, being empathic (those two last ones can be the same thing I guess, lol)...etc.

And then there are some who have familial traditions passed down in witchcraft. So it's sort of a way of life for them before they really know the difference.

But I think RV has a point; that anyone who so chooses and wills it, can be a witch.

[Morgandria]

I believe people are born with talents. Whether it be something mundane, or something seemingly magic or psychic, everyone's got them. However - just having a knack for a certain thing doesn't mean you can automatically do it well. Everyone still needs to practice and hone their talents - witches included. Witchcraft is just that - a craft. You aren't born a master of a craft; it's something you have to work at and earn.

-M.

[RubyRose]

Personally I don't think being a witch can be inherited. It can certainly be passed down from generation to generation in the sense of the practice of witchcraft, like rituals etc but as for being a witch, I think you either like the earth based religions or you don't ...

[Kaija]

I think everyone is born with at least some of it.. As you get older though you learn from what you are taught, so if you are in a closed minded family telling you that what you are seeing is crazy, you turn it off. If you are in a family that is open to it, even if only a bit, you are more likely to be able to keep it going. And if you are like me, you remember it as you get older (after having blocked it) and struggle and work at getting it back.

[CaitrionaMorgaine]

I do not feel that the term "natural witch" is really a fair one. If you are asking about the ability to understand and use magick, to be an empath, ect then everyone has those powers. One must simply be open to the idea, then work to develop them. There are some who seem to be particularly adept at certain things, but that can be said for non-witchy things as well. We all have our talents.

There are people who grow up in a household that is "witchy"--they are taught the family traditions and ways. Most choose to call themselves hereditary witches, as that is a more fitting term for what they are.

However, your beginnings do not always determine where you go in life. If the path of the witch calls to you, then learn about it....develop your skills and knowledge. I personally agree with the statement that "witches are not born, they are made."

Avalon's Blessings, ~Rhiannon

[Faeawyn]

Hmmm...I like to think of magick as being kind of like a muscle. Everyone is born with it, but unless you use it and exercise it to make it strong....it just lays there useless :lol:

[IvyWitch]

I agree with Faewyn. I'm not so sure it's something you can be "born" with. Some people may be born into and raised in an environment that is more open to acessing those abilities, but to say that one person may be born with the ability and other Pagans not is a little unfair. Everbody's got to work for it, and some people can end up better (comparitively) at it, just like with any other skill.

[starlitestarbright]

I hate the idea that someone is born with a "talent" and is therefore better than another at something. Sure some people may be born with a natural feel for something, but all you really need is passion....I come from the most un-spiritual family imaginable, but that doesn't stop me. The only thing is that I have a lot more to learn than if i was brought up with it. But then again I've got all the 1derful people at MW to help me with that and they're as good as any family :thewave:

[freetailbat]

can it be inherited?

thank you very much!

The term "natural" witch refers to the use of herbs and things found in nature for craft work (i.e. using a twig as a wand) not inherited powers. We are all born with this gift after all. If you are interested in the "green " path I suggest you read some Ann Moura-very enlightening :bat:

[Asthmorte]

well...I think the answer to that question lies in this question....

is there a such thing as an unnatural witch?

[NivekDrgnMage]

I tend to agree with everyone here. A very very few can sit at a piano for the first time and jam with the best of them. It takes practice, but I also believe in reincarnation which would mean as my spirit energies enter each new life, I should be a witch in each of them and probably am it just takes some time to remember :D

[Kaylara]

I think it can be inherited. Everyone may have the innate ability, but I think that some people are born with more just more natural ability than others. From what I've seen certain abilities seem to run in families, regardless of the religious persuasion of the members of said family.
I also have no problem with someone having more ability in a particular area than someone else. I suck at painting. My passion for it might be great, and make me work hard at it, but if I have no talent to begin with, then all of the passion in the world is not going to make me good at it. I may become even halfway decent, but I'd never be a Dali, or Van Gogh etc... I don't know why people get so offended at the thought that someone might be better than someone else at something...

[Kalika]

can it be inherited?

thank you very much!

One of those million intriguing questions that has no definite answer. :)

I agree with what RubyRose said, that the TRADITION of practicing witchcraft can be passed down through a family - but are each person's abilities or strengths passed down as well? Doubtful. Just because I'm a natural healer, empath, and have an affinity with nature doesn't mean that my birth mother has those same traits - or any traits that would make her a "natural witch". But, as I said below... I wouldn't know.

My definition of a "natural" witch is someone who comes into the craft naturally - meaning that its not something that they really "sought" but is more of an innate ability. Talking with animals, an affinity with nature, natural spellworking, healing, empathy etc - things that you don't have to focus very intently on to make happen, or things that have always been a part of who you are. So... maybe all witches are a "natural" witch by that definition... or maybe only a few of us are. (Disclaimer: None of the abilities listed above are exclusive to or contigent upon being a witch. Before anyone yells at me. :) )

Is that inherited? I wouldn't know. I'm adopted and don't know either of my birth parents, so I don't know if they have the same calling towards things as I have. But... my guess would be that its not.

Does nature vs. nurture play a role in this? That would be an interesting study, I think. I come from a very anti-pagan background, and yet, here I am - and feel that I always have been at some level. Alot of pagans, or witches, that I've spoken with would say the same thing. So does not being happy in your "nurture" environment make you more apt to explore paganism... (or witchcraft, or both). Or if you were raised pagan, would you automatically turn to that path?

Sorry... rambled. :)

[Grey]

Personally I disagree. But then again I take a more metaphysics veiw on witchcraft. Power and control tends to run in family lines determined both by DNA and Spiritual similarities that tend to happen in families. For instance psychic talents tend to run in families, and what form that ability takes tends to run along the same lines, or atleast strengths... with variations like any other trait from eye color to foot arch.
Now as for knowledge, experiance... no, taht still has to be learned. Some inate skill of course can be found... just like with any other craft or talent. Some people are good at math, some can remember anything, others have alot of inate control over their energy.
So yes, Id say it does tend to be inherited though that is of course no gaurantee that someone will be strong in this area... flukes happen all the time. So in a family that tends to be more psychic there can be born someone without much strength, or vice versa.

[Lady Jade]

The ability is there in everyone. A tradition can be passed down, sure, but everyone is born with some gifts naturally.

[Isa]

Yes it can be inherited XD I'm a natural witch. I've always thought of being a "natural witch" like being a natural anything. A natural artist for example, there are some people who just have an eye for things like perspective, color and form and take to art easily. Others have to work to develop the same skills. A natural witch isn't any better than a normal witch, she just masters the basics faster.

As for my inheritance, it comes from my father's side ... while there's no tradition of witchcraft in my family (until me that is :3) when my great grandmother sat down a prayed for something ... she got it. Always XD My Grandfather was the youngest of seven children, my father is the oldest of seven children and all the female children born in my generation have been born seven years apart (this was unplanned mind you). There's nothing really impressive about us I suppose, but we do have a long string of almost occultish quirks that follow us around.

[DonovanJoseph]

just another "the craft" misconception. everyone has the power, its whether you choose to use it or not:)

[ObsidianShenKa]

Psychic ability is not witchcraft. Witchcraft can involve psychic ability, but that doesn't make the two interchangeable. Psychic ability can and does run in families. I was not endowed with very keen psychic abilities; others I know are.

Witchcraft is a craft, as others have said before. A craft that works by your will.

Anyone with a strong will can be a witch. Those with weak wills cannot. Everyone is born with a will of their own; circumstances can either hinder or bolster one's willpower, but it is ultimately up to the individual to have the resolve to will their life the way they want it to be lived.

And that is the essence of witchcraft.