Hi myxlplix and thanks for this magical question.
This was a much more difficult question to answer than I first thought
it would be. This is due to the fact that in both the Factual (and
I mean that word in its loosest terms throughout my answer) and
Fantasy worlds there is much contradiction between gender specific
terms and actual definitions of these people/characters and their
powers.
However, having waded through hundreds of magic sites I have been
able to come up with the definitions below.
Witch: Factual, non gender specific
Those who practice Witchcraft are called Witches, no matter their
sex.
http://www.crescentmagazine.com/rites/burningtimes/witchcraft.html
Many Wiccans prefer not to use the terms "Witchcraft" or "Witch" in
association with their religion, as they believe the word has too many
negative connotations. Many Pagans who self-identify as Witches do so
to reclaim or redefine the word. The individual's preference should
determine the use of terms. The terms "Wiccan" and "Witch" apply to
both male and female practitioners.
http://www.bloomington.in.us/~pen/boileraux.html
Witch: Fantasy, often female (but not always)
A witch is a more powerful feminine version of a Wizard
http://www.fandomchicks.com/lotr/fanfic/pom/darkness01.html
Warlock: Factual, non gender specific
A very common misconception is that a warlock is a male Witch. This
could not be further from the truth. Warlock means "oath breaker," and
can be applied to either sex. A Warlock is someone who betrays the
trust of a coven.
http://www.crescentmagazine.com/rites/burningtimes/witchcraft.html
Warlock: Fantasy, usually male (but not always)
Warlock- A Warlock is a mixture of Mage and Warrior. These
necromantic warriors are skilled in the ways of physical combat, but
unlike the Warrior they picked up a few books and studied. Because
then are literate, they're able to cast spells
http://www.mystic-adventure.org/classes.htm
Sorcerer: Factual, non gender specific (ie. sorceress is incorrect)
A sorcerer is a being (of any race--not just human) that has the
knowledge, or possesses an innate talent, that allows him/her to draw
upon the magical energies generated by themselves, their environment,
or the ability to channel the magic flow of another, to accomplish any
number of tasks. Any individual can become a sorcerer, provided he/she
has the drive to undergo the training, and can take the strains of
channelling magical energy.
http://home.earthlink.net/~loritsch/hero/magic.htm
Sorcerer: Fantasy
A sorcerer is a natural spellcaster who gains the ability to use
magic without formal study. Unlike a wizard a sorcerer does not have
to spend hours in study to leam to cast magic they get this ability
with rest and reflection. But the path of a sorcerer is not perfect.
http://www.zonegordon.com/sgs/dnd3.html
Wizard: Factual
Wizard" is a specifically masculine term, deriving from Anglo-Saxon
"wysard": "wise one." A wizard is a lore-master, especially of arcane
knowledge (hence such usages as "computer wizard"), as well as a
magickal practitioner. It is not commonly used to describe a
practitioner of Wicca/Witchcraft.
http://www.bloomington.in.us/~pen/boileraux.html
Wizardess: Only exists in fantasy.
://www.google.com/search?q=%22a+wizardess+%22+&hl=pt&lr=&ie=UTF-8&as_qdr=all&start=10&sa=N
Mage:Factual - Non gender specific term.
A mage is a shaman or medicine person ... Magic refers to the ritual
activities of a mage ... is a person who exercises power within the
rubric of the universe of power, engaging in ritual actions that
result in transformations
http://freepages.religions.rootsweb.com/~gaverch/paths/native/native3.html
Mage: Fantasy - Non gender specific term.
A Mage is a master of intellect and manipulator of elemental
energies, often called mana. These energies can only be absorbed,
stored, and channeled by those trained in the art of magic. Through
the use of magic, mages have the ability to control and change the
very world we live in.
http://www.mythicaljourneys.com/mjsite/rulebook/classes_mage.php3
Below are quotes from relevant websites that you might find
interesting (note the huge contradictions between them)
Factual Site:
A sorcerer is a person who pretends to have magic powers, and
practices witchcraft.
http://users.bitstreet.com/~thughes/bible_lessons/printable/Lsn37_prt.htm
Factual Site:
f. "A wizard." Today, a wizard is a male witch. However, this meaning
is not present in the Hebrew. While we are not sure as to all the
involvement, the original word simply denoted "a wise one." In this
context, however, the reference is to esoteric wisdom obtained by
supernatural means.
http://www.bibletruths.net/Sermons/BTSO151.htm
Factual Site:
"Wizard" is a specifically masculine term, deriving from Anglo-Saxon
"wysard": "wise one." A wizard is a lore-master, especially of arcane
knowledge (hence such usages as "computer wizard"), as well as a
magickal practitioner. It is not commonly used to describe a
practitioner of Wicca/Witchcraft.
http://www.bloomington.in.us/~pen/boileraux.html
Factual Site:
Sorcery: The use of power gained from the assistance or control of
evil spirits especially for divining; A wizard is a sorcerer - one
possessing magical influence.
http://www.porn-free.org/occult_background.htm
Factual Site:
Wizardry - a wizard is a male where as a female is a witch
http://www3.sympatico.ca/bibleprophecy/littleflock.htm
Factual Site:
Websters dictionary defines a witch as a woman supposed to have
super-natural power by a compact with evil spirits, also called a
sorceress, or psychic.
A wizard is a male counterpart, or a male witch, or sorcerer or
psychic.
Sorcerer is defined as one who uses evil, supernatural power over
people, and their affairs, mind, health, finances, everything of
concern to them included, it is as witchcraft, black magic etc
http://unlimitedgrace.org/psychicswitchesandsorcerers.html
Factual and Fantasy definitions:
"Sorcerers create magic the way poets create poems, with inborn talent
honed by practice." "Wizards depend on intensive study to create their
magic. ... For a wizard, magic is not a talent but a deliberate
rewarding art."
http://www.wikipedia.com/wiki/wizard.
Fantasy site:
A mage is a person with an innate understanding of arcane, and can
use it as easily as breathing. This is not a gender specific term.
A wizard is a person without an innate understanding of arcane, and
requires the use of chants, spells, and other vocalisations to use the
arcane. This is not a gender specific term.
A witch is a female mage or a female wizard.
http://www.sapphirewolf.com/sixguilds/magick/magickusers
Fantasy Site:
Q. What's the difference between a wizard and a sorcerer?
A. In FC, that is, a wizard studies all fields of magic, while a
sorcerer will master one field of magic. Note; sorcerers start out as
wizards.
http://fc00.tripod.com/FCFAQ.html
Thank you for the question and if you found my answer helpful
please do not hesitate to rate it, and if you have any doubts
regarding my answer just ask for a clarification and I will be happy
to help.
THX1138
Some of the Search Strategies I used:
"a wizard is a " witch
://www.google.com/search?q=%22a+wizard+is+a+%22+witch&hl=pt&lr=&ie=UTF-8&as_qdr=all&start=20&sa=N
Wizards Warlocks Sorcerers Mages
://www.google.com/search?hl=pt&ie=ISO-8859-1&as_qdr=all&q=Wizards++Warlocks++Sorcerers++Mages&btnG=Pesquisa+Google&lr= |