A witch is what I am

I’m beginning to lose count of the number of times I’ve been asked why I take such an interest in witchcraft. The answer is really quite simple: I love the traditions and the magic, the custom and the practice. I love the old stories of witches; I love the sense in which one bonds with a tradition that pre-dates all of the major religions of today, one that shows a unique reverence for the past, for one’s ancestors. There is also a particular bond with others who think like me, who practice with me, who worship with me. It really is something quite wonderful, beautiful and special. Next month comes another Samhain, another Halloween, the great shift in the cycle of the seasons and the highlight of my witchy year, to which I am already looking forward and preparing. All hail to the Great Mother.

Why do you call yourself a Witch?
Why do you dress yourself in black?
Why don’t you use some other word
And get the devil off your back?”
I call myself a Witch because
A Witch is what I am
And like a Jew in Nazi Germany
I don’t define my name
To suit the Master Plan
The Propaganda Man
Never again! Never again!

“Why do you call yourself a Witch?
You know we just don’t understand
People will think you’re sinister
You know they’ll say your soul is damned!”
I call myself a Witch because
I don’t believe the lie
That the Creator is a macho man
Who wants to tell me what to do
Until I die
For pie in the sky
That’s such a lie! That’s such a lie!

I don’t believe in Satan
He’s a poor excuse for Pan
I’m a child of Holy Mother Earth
And I’m gonna stand up to
The Propaganda Man
In every way I can

“Why do you call yourself a Witch?
Such a pretentious fantasy!
Magic is just a childhood dream
Come on and face reality!”
I call myself a Witch because
I’m not afraid to tell
That the magic is in Life itself
Not just in some ancient book
Or secret spell
And I know damn well
That there’s no Hell
Except the Goddess of that name

No, the devil doesn’t turn me on,
He’s too much of a chauvinist pig
No self-respecting feminist
Would be caught dead around
A masculine ego that big

“Why do you call yourself a Witch
And talk of Witchcraft openly?
Wicca’s a nice disguise to use
When you’re in mixed company”
I call myself a Witch because
There’s power in the word
There’s power in the truth about
What we really feel
And who we really are
Live by the Star
And you’ll go far
Yes, you’ll go far

“Why do you call yourself a Witch?”
Because a Witch is what I am!
“Why do you call yourself a Witch?”
Because a Witch is what I am!