The word Witch, or an early form of it, has been found in so many cultures, it is difficult to know for sure which one is the actual origin of the word we use today.

Now its seems that the terms “witch” and “wise woman” may actually have had their origins in ancient Kemet (Egypt), and that by reclaiming the word contemporary Pagans and Witches are in fact reclaiming a term of African origin - where the words “witch” and “witchcraft” have been maligned, misunderstood and misinterpreted.

Wadj (or Uadj) is a Kemetic word meaning “power, health, green, water” - a wadj scepter represents a tied bundle of herbs for health and prosperity, while the hieroglyphic symbol is believed by many to actually represent a mortar and pestle. Another variant is Ujdat, the name for the protective amulet representing the Eye of Heru, which is comprised of the protective psychic/magical energies of Wadjet and her sister Nekehebet.

Wadjet (Uadjet, Uachet) is also a term for a strong magickal woman who can bend energy. Also for the record, the Kemetic term for wise woman, “Rekhut, Rekhuit, Rekhit, Rekhat”, means “skilled in words, knowledge, and craft”. The hieroglyphics are comprised of a mouth (Re), a placenta (kh) and a bread loaf (t) indicating a female. The Rekhut was believed to have mastery of and work with the Uadj energy. Rekhut was also a name for Ast (Isis), a goddess with close links to magic.

PS: Nubian Witches are claiming this possible origin as a reason why the word "Witch" should be reclaimed by African witches and contemporary Witches in Africa.

SOURCES:
- http://vodou.tribe.net/thread/bc91122c-34d6-47ac-9f11-4fd096c4b929;
- http://www.truelivingwaters.org/Kemetic_Origin_Witch.html;
- http://tribes.tribe.net/kmt/thread/e2c144cc-1162-406f-b969-5896aa60fec9;
religiouscrossroads.tribe.net/.../ba55ec47-4d1b-4fd6-bc73-4c13e7713f47;
- mosha1950.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html;
- acedoll.com/blogs/Anglo-African.html;
- akerumultimedia.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html;
- http://socyberty.com/index.php/?wca_id=76188;
- http://witchescupboard.info/articles/wicca/understanding-the-differences...