From a Latin compound, protestari, meaning “to testify publicly and forcefully”, which was in turn derived from testari, “testify, witness”. Testari, which is also the root of testament, comes from testis, “a witness”, and literally means a “third person”, i.e. a disinterested party who can give an unbiased view. Protestari entered English in the early 1300’s, but did not carry a sense of disapproval until the 1700’s; and it wasn’t until the late 1950’s that it took on the meanings of “dissent from establishment” and “protest march”.

The sound of protest suggests a strong earth energy gathered at a point, which sets in motion a connective, directed power.

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