The Lady And The Stag - ArtofMaquenda

What is the distinction between a mage, a wizard, a sorcerer, and a witch? Is there one?

Hello there.

I think it's a question many have, and understandably so. I'm no expert in the anthropological distinction between traditions, but I'll do my best to answer.

To a certain degree, all the terms are somewhat conflated, but there is some nuance to the meanings behind the words.

Where my usage is cocnerned, Mage is a name that essentially describes any practitioner of any kind of magical tradition. It is basically synonymous with magician. Though, the former has become associated with fantasy fiction to an extent, while the latter has become more closely associated with illusionist performers.

Wizard is a term that was often historically associated with Cunning Folk, and Cunning Men in particular. The etymological roots of the word amounts to 'wise individual.' Though myth, folklore, and modern fiction have all done much to fantasize the term, the core connotation of the word is still—so far as I'm concerned—a member of the Wise.

A Sorcerer is a bit vaguer in its specific meaning, but it ultimately amounts to an individual who practices magic—particularly magic seen as "dark" in nature. Though the original meaning of the word referred to 'one who casts lots' (told fortunes/performed divination,) sometime in the 15th century, that meaning was displaced by the definition of 'one who conjures evil spirits.' With all that in mind, I would say that sorcerer and witch are the most closely aligned of the terms mentioned here.

Finally, and possibly most difficult to pin down precisely, is the title of Witch. Though the word does have posited etymological and historical roots in prophecy, necromancy and in generalized magic, its ultimate meaning became more clearly delineated as 'one with malignant supernatural knowledge and skills' As such (and for others reasons I'm sure you can find plenty of people discussing on the internet,) I would say that witch is a title that mostly accurately reflects a magical practitioner with the ability to use baneful power, and whose practice is generally associated in some way with Sabbatic Flight and rites of Initiation.

I hope that can help.

Korean Folk Magic (Herbs): Sogeum

Sogeum 소금 is salt! It is used in various household god rituals, including feeding Yongwang 용왕 and rites to prevent fires. 

It is also used to purify spaces, chase out negative entities and repel bad luck. 

There actually isn’t a lot that’s different with how korean folk magic uses salt. Because of its color (white) it is connected to purity. Because of salt’s effects on food (keeping it longer before spoiling) it is connected to dispelling misfortune.

We usually sprinkle it in all corners of the home to purify and cleanse before a rite. 

소금 can also be used for offerings, primarily to certain Gashin 가신 (household gods) like Samshin 삼신, the Goddess of Childbirth. 

Keep a small bottle or packet of salt on you at all times. If you suddenly get a bad feeling, sprinkle the salt in its direction. 

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