KHNUM77
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Post by KHNUM77 on May 17, 2018 0:34:11 GMT
What is the difference between a mage, magician, sorcerer, witch, and a wizard? Seems debatable as the definitions i've found seem to separate each other even though all of them may actually share similar qualities. As far as i know a mage is an initiate of magic, while a wizard has a firm hold on the practice, a sorcerer does magic for evil purpose (also debatable), and a magician can be someone who performs tricks, but being a true magician means your doing some form of real magic. Of course you have witches and warlocks too, a witch can also perform magic, and warlock is the word for a male witch. There are also diviners such as fortune tellers, psychics, etc. etc. each of witch  can be considered as using some form of magic.    Excerpt from Ancient Origins in parenthesis: [[[ The Ancient Art of Magic, Curses and Supernatural Spells
As long as humanity has had beliefs in deities, the supernatural, and the power of magic, the use of magic, spells, and curses have featured widely across cultures. Very much entwined with human nature, such beliefs and practices have continued to the present day. Archaeological finds show evidence of a plethora of ancient curses and protective spells, such as the discovery of cursed tablets , evil eye talismans , and warding items . The history of curses varies between cultures, locations, religions or beliefs, and times. However, the intention of the curse has consistently been to conjure a supernatural power to inflict misfortune or punishment on a target. A curse, sometimes called jinx, hex, or dark spell, can be verbalized, written, or sometimes cast through elaborate ritual. The aim is to see harm befall the recipient - bad luck may dog them, death may take them, or any number of dire (or annoying) fates may plague them. In antiquity a curse was a powerful phenomenon, often viewed as the summoned wrath of gods, or the presence of evil forces. It was believed that those finding themselves cursed could seek help from magic practitioners, shamans, religious leaders, healers or witchdoctors, and have the curse reversed through counter rituals or prayer. A way to avoid being cursed in the first place was to possess certain items of protection or warding. The purpose of spells and curses were, and remain today, aimed at punishing or changing behavior, warding off disaster, and controlling the actions of other people. ]]] |
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Post by Elizabeth on May 17, 2018 1:40:41 GMT
Basically aren't they all dealing with magic and each in their own ways?
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KHNUM77
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Post by KHNUM77 on May 17, 2018 1:56:24 GMT
Basically aren't they all dealing with magic and each in their own ways? I believe so. I was just curious about the definitive differences between them. |
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Post by Elizabeth on May 17, 2018 2:14:12 GMT
These are my thoughts on each name...
mage: I think another spelling for it is magi and another name for them is wise men if it's a group of them. Like the 3 wise men or magi who brought Jesus gifts. Basically, such study astrology a lot and claim to see the future and experience with magic and prophesies. They just seek answers in the outside realm of what is.
magician: this is just a person who does all sorts of magic.
sorcerer: anyone who deals with any form of magic or interpretation of astrology.
witch: female who does magic spells.
wizard: male who does magic spells.
fortune tellers: someone who claims to know about your future.
psychics: ones who claim to speak to receive messages from the dead or from another realm.
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KHNUM77
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Post by KHNUM77 on May 17, 2018 4:13:10 GMT
I came across a little more info on the topic.
Seems as though Mage is an archaic or old word for magician. As you stated, relates to Magi which is the plural form of the word Magus.
Magician being someone who is skilled in the mysterious hidden art of magic, with the ability to obtain objectives, acquire knowledge, and perform works of wonder using supernatural or non-rational means.
Witch, a practitioner of witchcraft. There are many types and traditions of witchcraft, for instance, a witch is not necessarily a Wiccan, although, if a Wiccan practices witchcraft he/she can be considered a witch.
Witchcraft, is the craft or workings of a witch. Magic or healing through the use of personal power and the latent energies found in candles, stones, herbs, and other natural items, combined with spells.
Warlock, a male equivalent of witch. a man who practices witchcraft, esp. black magic; sorcery.
Wizard, probably derived from the word wise. One who uses magic and mystical practices. An especially skilled or unusually talented in a particular field, clever person.
Sage, an archaic word for wizard
Sorcerer, referring to one who influences events and physical phenomenon through supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means. The performing of certain magical rites to gain control over the supernatural realm for the purpose of achieving specific objectives.
Necromancer, communicator with the dead, believed to be a repulsive practice in many cultures. The spirits of the dead are sought because they can supposedly access information beyond that available to the living.
Fortune Teller, someone who "predicts the future', usually for an individual, through what appears to be mystical or supernatural means, sometimes for commercial gain. Fortune telling is often considered to be a form of divination.
Soothsayer, In olden times, a prophet, someone able to see the future, and who possibly made a living from it.
Psychic, means of the soul or mind, used a as an adjective or noun. It is the quality of being attuned to or adept at interpreting the more subtle psychic, or soul, faculties, and energies. One who is attuned, such as a medium or an accomplished Yogi. Psychic faculties include such extra-sensory perception as clairvoyance, clairaudience, retrocognition, and psychometry, amongst others.
Some practitioners may be a combination of these as well.
[Definitions sourced from Links 2 the Occult (A Dictionary of the Occult), Occult Glossary by G. de Purucker, The Free Dictionary, and the YOUR Dictionary (which includes definitions from Websters New World College Dictionary, The American Heritage Dictionary, and Wiktionary), listed online.]
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Post by joustos on Jun 3, 2018 16:22:34 GMT
The list you made -- well done -- is of people who are practitioners of the magical arts, but any of us, at some time or other, engage in magic and/or believe in the efficacy of magic, as by Wishing. (We wish one, or ourselves, good luck, or bad luck. We may curse somebody, etc.) This is different from the religious practice of praying God or some saint, to do something for us.
One ancient practice involves carrying or touching certain stones or crystals, for one of two purposes: to avert (avoid, repel) evil, in which case the stone is called an amulet; or to attract something good or good luck, in which case the stone is called a talisman. They did not know how, but they believed that certain stones had what somebody called "preternatural" powers. If they cursed or blessed someone, they believed that the words used in wishing had a preternatural power.
Belief in preternatural or in supernatural powers is what makes one SUPERSTITIOUS. So, we can understand why an ancient Roman said that religion [like magic] is a superstition, but this is another issue. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 8:35:04 GMT
I've heard that the very first magician is Zarathustra, the leader of Zaraostrizm. After his deeds in Persia were stayed many magicians.
The differences, I think, are not special, because it depends on origins of practices, and also of some other aspects like serving to an emperor, etc.
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Post by Elizabeth on Jun 4, 2018 8:39:09 GMT
Some people even call people like doctors or others who practice medicine as practitioners of magic since they have a gift to help people.  |
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Post by arcnitemare on Jun 6, 2018 18:35:31 GMT
I came across a little more info on the topic. Seems as though Mage is an archaic or old word for magician. As you stated, relates to Magi which is the plural form of the word Magus. Magician being someone who is skilled in the mysterious hidden art of magic, with the ability to obtain objectives, acquire knowledge, and perform works of wonder using supernatural or non-rational means. Witch, a practitioner of witchcraft. There are many types and traditions of witchcraft, for instance, a witch is not necessarily a Wiccan, although, if a Wiccan practices witchcraft he/she can be considered a witch. Witchcraft, is the craft or workings of a witch. Magic or healing through the use of personal power and the latent energies found in candles, stones, herbs, and other natural items, combined with spells. Warlock, a male equivalent of witch. a man who practices witchcraft, esp. black magic; sorcery. Wizard, probably derived from the word wise. One who uses magic and mystical practices. An especially skilled or unusually talented in a particular field, clever person. Sage, an archaic word for wizard Sorcerer, referring to one who influences events and physical phenomenon through supernatural, mystical, or paranormal means. The performing of certain magical rites to gain control over the supernatural realm for the purpose of achieving specific objectives. Necromancer, communicator with the dead, believed to be a repulsive practice in many cultures. The spirits of the dead are sought because they can supposedly access information beyond that available to the living. Fortune Teller, someone who "predicts the future', usually for an individual, through what appears to be mystical or supernatural means, sometimes for commercial gain. Fortune telling is often considered to be a form of divination. Soothsayer, In olden times, a prophet, someone able to see the future, and who possibly made a living from it. Psychic, means of the soul or mind, used a as an adjective or noun. It is the quality of being attuned to or adept at interpreting the more subtle psychic, or soul, faculties, and energies. One who is attuned, such as a medium or an accomplished Yogi. Psychic faculties include such extra-sensory perception as clairvoyance, clairaudience, retrocognition, and psychometry, amongst others. Some practitioners may be a combination of these as well.
[Definitions sourced from Links 2 the Occult (A Dictionary of the Occult), Occult Glossary by G. de Purucker, The Free Dictionary, and the YOUR Dictionary (which includes definitions from Websters New World College Dictionary, The American Heritage Dictionary, and Wiktionary), listed online.]I applaud your list as I would say its a good break down of each.Thanks to pop culture and fantasy I foresee those changing or becoming more focused as times go on.A Warlock for example is becoming more an individual who deals/makes deals with beings in exchange for power. |
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can be considered as using some form of magic.
