What is a Witch? It all depends on who you ask.  I think one of the best definitions I've found is from the Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft by Raven Grimassi (excellent book and a must-have in your library): Witch (European Roots) is a man or woman who is involved in magick and some form of Paganism, all of which is linked to concepts reflected in the Old Religion of pre-Christian Europe.  He or she may or may not hold to specific religious beliefs and practices, although most Witches do. . . .   Most Witches tend to view magick as a serious and integral aspect of their lives.  They perceive the world as a realm in which all things are connected through patterns and pathways of energy.  Magick then becomes a means of weaving new strands and patterns that alter or enhance the desires of the Witch. For many Witches a personal spirituality is an important aspect of the path they follow.  Nature is seen as the great teacher, a model or blueprint for understanding the inner mechanism of Divinity that operates in all things. . . . To most Witches, Witchcraft is more a way of life and a mentality than a "formal" religion. Then we must ask, "What is Witchcraft?"  Again, according to Grimassi: Witchcraft (European Roots) is difficult to define as there are many interpretations of what it is and what it is not. . . . Among modern practitioners Witchcraft can be defined as the practice of magick and Paganism as it relates to pre-Christian European Paganism.  The arts of Witchcraft include herbalism, divination, magick, ceremonial ritual, healing, potions, and spirit-world contact. . . .  Witchcraft, as depicted by the Church during the Middle Age and Renaissance periods, is considered by many modern Witches to be a deliberate distortion of the facts. The views and actions of the Church regarding Witchcraft have kept the historical focus largely upon a period ranging from the fourteenth through the eighteenth century.  The Church regarded Witchcraft as heresy worthy of the death penalty, a diabolical movement designed by the Judaic-Christian devil to seduce people away from Christianity. . . .  Many modern Witches believe that Witchcraft during this time was a misunderstood Pagan religion being victimized because its members kept to an older set of beliefs and practices. . . . The philosophy held by the Church dismissed the Pagan's personal beliefs concerning their own religion.  The Church could not accept the validity of any form of worship not centered on the Judaic-Christian perception of Divinity, and therefore the only possible answer must lie in the deceptive workings of the Devil. Witches are not the creatures of fairytales or Halloween novelty items.  They do not fly on broomsticks, turn people into toads, or worship the Devil.  They are ordinary people who live and work in our communities.  They are doctors, teachers, home-makers, bus drivers, and grocery clerks.  They are male and female, young and old.  The only difference between Witches and non-Witches is religion and a way of life (much like the difference between a Muslim and a Buddhist or a Catholic and a Hindu).