The Witch

Women who practice magic in a male-dominated society where they were historically viewed as holding the lowest rank.

In the Earthsea cycle, 'witch' is a designation for women who practice magic outside the School on Roke. In the initial trilogy, society and magic were dominated by men, with women restricted to being witches, described as the 'despised lowest rank of the magical world.' This status was reinforced by the proverb 'Weak as women's magic, wicked as women's magic'.

Lore & Background

Tales from Earthsea attempts to redress the balance of power. The source discloses that the Roke school was originally established by women who were later excluded. It also reveals that Ogion, Ged's mentor, learned magic from a master who had in turn learned from an 'unauthorised' woman mage. Stories in the collection feature strong women challenging male dominance.

Reader's Guide

Female magic was historically despised and limited by gender roles. However, later stories in Tales from Earthsea reveal a different history: women founded Roke but were excluded. Characters like Dragonfly challenge the old order, where wizards demanded abstinence from sex and denied women's power, while figures like Anieb in 'The Finder' work secretly to destroy evil forces.