Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

WITCHES' MARK

In medieval lore concerning witchcraft, this is claimed to be an extra teat or nipple on a Witch's body from which she or he permitted a familiar or imp to suckle human blood which these creatures supposedly craved. Although extra nipples appear naturally in a small percentage of the population, a fact which was either not widely known or disregarded in medieval times, these extra bodily protuberances took on an infernal association during this period. During Witch trials virtually any wart, mole, tumor, outstanding swelling or discoloration of the skin was suspect as being a Witch's mark. After their arrest Witches were bodily searched to see if any peculiarities could be discovered. Even red spots, or bumps under the tongue and folds in the vagina were considered paps for familiars.

People were employed as "prickers" (see PRICKING) during the trials to prick the skin of the accused Witches to see if any insensitive portions on their bodies could be found. This was frequently done before the judge, jury and audience. The accused was usually naked to the waist, and often had to raise her skit for the examiner to examine her. The examining tool was usually a sharp instrument such as a pin or needle, as well as other instruments. An insensitive portion of the body was one which did not bleed when pricked, and so designated a Witch's mark. The prickers were often paid to discover Witches, so much a Witch, and some cheated by using a blunt ended instrument so certain portions of the skin would not bleed when pricked (see PRICKING).

Out of fear people sometimes cut off their warts, moles, and other bumps in order not to be suspect as a Witch. These tactics helped very little, if any, because scars that were left indicated where an incision had been made. When discovered the scars were judged to indicate the person had something to hide, and the person was suspect of being a Witch.

Often the terms Witch's mark and devil's mark were used interchangeably in the Medieval period, so the person was also be thought to be in covenant with Satan.

Interesingly Witch's marks are described by some Wiccans and Neo-Pagans as unusual birthmarks. The modern Witch Sybil Leek believed in them and said that she and other members of her family had them.

Witches' marks are used in initiation rituals of some traditions of modern witchcraft. These marks are symbolic and may take the shapes of X-crosses made with anointing oil on the body of the candidate. As described in the Book of Shadows for the Gardnerian tradition, the crosses are traced over the third eye, the heart and the genitals, symbolizing the freeing of the mind, heart and body.

A Witch mark in Appalachia, a rural portion of the south eastern United States, is a star, similar to the Maltese cross, which is etched or drawn over the doorway of a house or barn, to keep Witches away. Also, it can be cut out of wood and nailed over the door (see HEX SIGNS).

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc