Questions about witchcraft

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 Mar 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

coldsuns	16 Mar 2003
Witchcraft? Crystal Ball, Broom, Spells, Wands, Curses..? Anyway not much people talk about witchcraft here. I hope someone is very good at it can teach us more..

Amythist	16 Mar 2003
I am a healer and i can look up what i dont know in my witches bible. And i like i said to you in your post. You are young and you must becareful.

coldsuns	16 Mar 2003
Ok..but what must i be careful of? Getting too crazy about it? Being haunted? Or..? Anyway what is written in the Witches Bible? I thought Bible means Holy Book? Witches Holy Book..sounds funny!

HudsonGray	16 Mar 2003
I think there should be care taken on several levels. 1. Your actions WILL have consequences, both to you & to others, and they won't always be the ones you anticipate. When you interfere in others lives, you stand the chance of hurting them even unintentionally. 2. You can come to rely on magic exclusively if you go overboard--you'll ignore all the regular routes to take care of problems & stress yourself out trying to do it magically, and not get the 'right' results at all, which can make you try again & again with blinders on ( yes, it does happen). 3. You might feel it's easier to just take the magical route, and ignore all other options. 4. You'll only end up using it to 'get' stuff or make your life easier when you should be looking at how it can make you grow inside as a person. The focus could be too narrow & straightjacketed. These are only some of the things that are cautioned about. As with anything, it needs to be well rounded to be of good use. You need to look a lot further into it before going wild with spells. You need to know how to properly raise energy, how to focus it and how to direct it to what's needed. It can actually hurt someone. You can get repurcussions off it that will be long term. Your intent is always a thing that needs to be looked at. There are many 'bibles' and BOS's, but most make their own or accumulate the info off other sources. It's not a holy book, it's a reference book. You won't get haunted, but you CAN release something that's better off contained--energies and entities exist. You can easily get way in over your head very fast if fooling around in the wrong area without proper training and protection. I know of two places in our city that were 'opened' by accident & were incredibly hard for those in the Craft to close, and another that was opened out 45 miles west of here that still hasn't been closed. Not everything is happy little bunny faeries. There's some serious **** that can come down. Be cautious, read what's appropriate for your level & take things in stages. I'd recommend reading Women Who Run With The Wolves for the shamanic aspects. 12 Wild Swans for technique, self knowledge and control. Witch Crafting by Phyllis Currott for ritual & technique, and there's some other very good books around that others can direct you to.

wavebreaker	16 Mar 2003
I will move this part of the thread to the Spirituality forum, which is a better place to discuss witchcraft. tarotlady Moderator Suggestions forum

Sulis	16 Mar 2003
Hi Coldsuns, As HudsonGray has pointed out so well witchcraft is not a game or even something to be messed about with as a hobby. To me and many others it is a way of life. It`s not just about spells and magic, it`s about learning to control your own destiny, trying to live in harmony with the earth and the universe. Witchcraft is about communing with the divine, tuning into the powers around us, about treading lightly upon the earth. Please, before you dive into spell casting without knowing what you are doing read as much as you can get your hands on, then read some more. There are loads of good basic books out there. Anything by Scott Cunningham or Kate West are good for beginners - there are even books aimed specifically at teenagers these days. As Umbrae has said in posts about learning tarot, `take it slowly, unless you strive for mediocrity.` Don`t run before you can walk, you`ll only fall on your face. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

HudsonGray	16 Mar 2003
Yes! It may seem tedious, or 'dumb' (what's with this meditation stuff anyway???) but believe me, you'll need it if you plan on taking it anywhere beyond the bare bones first stage. You don't just light a candle & say the words. Think of it as painting a landscape, you can use crayons, or learn your media & what it can do & then work with watercolor or oils for a really outstanding job! You can't run till you learn to walk, and it most definately is NOT what they show on tv & in the movies! None of it is very flashy. You often don't 'see' anything happening at all. It can be subtle. You'll often get what you asked for but in a completely different way or form than what you wanted. If you think it can't hurt anyone--what if you 'make' someone be nicer to you? Ok, they have this spell that you do that was put on them, which makes them so distracted that they're not paying attention while driving home & cause an accident which results in a 5 car pile up & deaths, all because they weren't paying attention. Your fault? Their fault? You're connected, it is partly or mostly yours. They wouldn't have done it if they were unaffected by you. Think it'll be fun playing with the weather? Elementals are near impossible to control even with extensive training. You wanted it to rain so you didn't need to go to some event? Well that stalls a weather front over 3 states which dumps 14" of rain in 2 hours, flooding people's houses, bringing down trees & power lines, skidding semi trucks off the freeway, and ruins all the oat crops in a 2 state area because their immature crop was beaten flat to the ground. You just 'harmed', if not caused actual death, of a heck of a lot of people & property to get out of an event. Want to 'get even' with someone because they made you feel bad? Magic done to someone connects you to them, they may quite likely focus even stronger on you as the source of their irritation (and you'll NEVER get them to feel as 'bad' as they made you feel, anyway). Want someone to 'love' you? Go ahead with that love spell, binding him to you forever. He turned nasty & is stalking you? Gee. I wonder why. Because, perhaps, he knew he didn't want to be with you in that way but feels bound for some reason--and no one to strike out at except for you who's his sole source of focus? Yes, it can be dangerous. The smart ones stay away from all the obvious mistakes & don't try to make anyone do things to make the spell caster's life easier/neater/cooler/better. By forcing others to change to fit your view of the world you loose out because it's YOU who never learn to adapt or adjust to new situations/social contact/life itself. No, it's definately NOT a game. ___________________________________ PS-- Guided meditations are some of the best things you can do for yourself. There's SO much info on it online, and you can get more info from people here. There's even health benefits from doing meditation regularly.

Kiama	17 Mar 2003
After all HudsonGray's excellent advice, there's not much I can think of to add except that magick at it's best is usually used to cause a change INSIDE you, eg- A confidence spell, or a spell which makes you feel better about yourself, or a spell which helps you see the true beauty inside you. It is a life-enhancing technique. Spells which try and levitate objects to you, or get you loads of money are, in my opinion, pointless, because those things I can do with my physical form (Not levitation obviously, but I CAN pick up the object.) And besides, I've always found that the rewards taste sweeter when I've worked my physical ass off for them than when I've simpy done a spell for them! Getting money each month feels better after I've worked hard to earn it than it does when I haven't. The 'Witches Bible' is a book written by Janet and Stewart Farrar, which isn't a Holy Book at all, merely anothe rbook about Witchcraft. The problem with it is that it only writes about the author's specific path of Witchcraft, and not others. You see, there are loads of different paths that relate to Witchcraft, which all have their differences, but are all basically the same on a core level. They are classed under the term 'Paganism' and usually their similar foundation revolves around respect for the Earth or the use of magick. So, I wouldn't suggest the Witches Bible as reading for you if you're interested in Witchcraft... Instead I'd suggest a book called Pagan Pathways, whom I've forgotten the author of, but which gives a very good introduction to many different paths such as Druidry, Heathenism, Wicca, Feminist Witchcraft, Celtic Paganism, etc. And, I wish I wasn't syaing this BUT... To Ride a Silver Broomstick, To Stir a Magick Cauldron, and To Light a Sacred Flame, all by (ACK) Silver Ravenwolf would be good and easy to follow guides and intros to Witchcraft and WIcca, and will guide you through many of the techniques used in magick, such as raising power, meditation, visualisation, etc. It also contains some very useful spells, though saying that it also contains some very pointless spells too! Kiama

coldsuns	17 Mar 2003
What do you mean by spell? Put some herbs together and say some words then eat it,burn it or smell it? How does spell work? Maybe there are many ways for a spell to work..but anyone actually can explain to me? Thanks!

HudsonGray	17 Mar 2003
Boy you ARE a beginner! LOL Here: http://www.psipog.net/activepsy/contents.html Check out the 'basic skills' section. Then look through the rest but mostly I'm posting that for the basic skills. That lets you know how to raise, focus and release the energy you need to make your 'spell' work. A spell is any direction of energy to accomplish what you're focused on doing. It can start with a lighting of a candle, with herbal craft, or with visualization, or just be direct energy work. I can't say HOW you're supposed to do it because there's 1,001 different ways to do it & what works for me won't necessarily work for you. I didn't learn with ritual or props, I went directly to energy working. Others swear by ritual & the accessories to help them focus better. Why not try some witchcraft sites? There were a number of them listed prior (or on the other witchcraft thread). Witchvox is a good basic site. I'd also recommend the http://www.whitemagic.com.au/bbs/ and direct you both to the bulletin board AND their FAQ and Free Information sites. Do searches online on specific words. If you ONLY see information on one site & not repeated on several others, don't follow it. The more you see something represented, the more likely it is to be accurate. You need to get the basics first, or you won't know what the heck you're doing and won't get off square one. The white magic site is very good--be prepared to take the time to search the site for info. There are two bulletin boards there, the one with the moving words has a lot of URL's you can check over, that have been checked by the more experienced witches there--you can rest easy that those are accurate sites or at least have something of interest on them. Spells work by focus, intent & sending off of the energy--those are the basic parts.

coldsuns	18 Mar 2003
Ok. Spell is something you cant see with your eyes but heart and mind. Is something that you actually dont know whether it works. Ami i right?

Kiama	18 Mar 2003
As an indirect answer to your question, I shall say that sometimes the journey towards the goal is more fulfilling than actually reaching the goal. Sometimes, just the act of you performing the spell is more rewarding than whether or not the spell worked. Always remember, it is YOU that makes the spell work. So, when you've done the spell, get out there in the real world and MAKE it work! Don't just sit inside watching TV, waiting to see if it will work... Actively encourage it to. As I said in the previous thread, if you do a spell for good grades, you're not gonna do yourself any favours by not studying! Study, and help the spell work. Kiama

coldsuns	18 Mar 2003
Ok..lets take "Good Grades for Exams Spell" as an example. If we cast it, how will the spell help you? Will the spell make you have a better memory? Or will the spell make you read the answers for the exams? If we are able to help ourselves and make the grades good. Why we use spells? We use spells because we cant make our grades good no matter how hard we try. Thats just an example. It can be love, we cant get the love so we are casting a spell. Or maybe cant get a job and trying to cast a "Luck Spell". Anyway, i'm trying to know how the spell help us with?

Kiama	18 Mar 2003
Why do we use spells? I don't, simply because I CAN make things better in my life the normal way. Maybe the spell you do for good exam grades will not work really, but maybe it WILL trigger something in your mind that makes you think... 'Actually, I really should start revising'. Kiama PS- With many things, there is no such word as 'Can't'

coldsuns	18 Mar 2003
*Example* A guy actually study very hard but he still get bad results. So he saw a "Good Grades Spell" and cast it. I'm trying to ask those witches and wizards, how a spell help the guy to improve his grades? Even the guy tries all ways-study,see a doctor,relax and ...anyone can answer this look easy but hard to answer question? "How does spell help you in?"

Kiama	18 Mar 2003
Well, some would say it is like a prayer, and the guy's wish would be heard by the Universe and granted. SOME say that... ;) Kiama

zorya	18 Mar 2003
hi coldsuns, if i wanted to do a spell to help me get good grades, i might try a spell to help me remove whatever doubts and fears are inside of me, that keep me from trying hard or learning what i need to learn to get good grades. i might try a spell to help me see the good in learning the subject or the good in trying for good grades. i might do a spell to help myself learn to focus if that is the reason i don't do so well. i might do a spell to help myself believe that i can instead of i can't. after the spell i would watch and listen and start to see things change. seeing those changes would help me have confidence in myself, which would help me work harder. this cycle would then continue and get stronger and the spell will have worked.

coldsuns	18 Mar 2003
Thanks! Now i've an bigger idea about whats spells about and help us. Hm..why herbs are needed during a spell? How herbs work during spells. I dont want to do a spell blindly adding herbs not knowing whats happening..^_^

HudsonGray	18 Mar 2003
The props are used to help people focus & form their intent. If you used a bowl of water instead of a candle, the result is the same--you're just focusing your intent by doing something physical. You can do the same, with practice, without all the extras.

coldsuns	18 Mar 2003
I saw a Candle-Narure Spirits Attraction Candle. Is a Candle that attract spirits to the candle. Does it works? How it works?

HudsonGray	19 Mar 2003
LOL, no--candles don't attract anything, it's the use of the candle that helps you focus YOUR energies to what you need & want. Have you checked out some of the sites that were listed earlier, a lot of the 'how to' is listed there. Everything in magic comes from what's already inside you.

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
Why the candle known as 'Nature Spirits Attraction Candle'? Is for peace..?

Kiama	19 Mar 2003
Sometimes items used in magic are titled in ways which make them look more powerful, important, or attractive. The 'Nature Spirits Attraction Candle' is, in truth, just a pretty candle. They just name it that to either get more people to buy it, or justify a high cost of it. Or just make it sound powerful! Kiama

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
Orh..ok! I thought what. So scary name. I wanted to buy the beautiful candles. But heard of the name, no thanks. Hehe

Silverlotus	19 Mar 2003
Coldsuns, it is wonderful that you are trying to learn about spells and such, but there are a few points I'd like to make. First of all, read this site: http://ladykaat.home.att.net/spells/ (There is a hard to see tiny little link on the second page to click to get to the third page. If you can't see it, here's the link to the third page: http://ladykaat.home.att.net/spells/2.html) I'm not trying to be mean by sending you to a site that talks about everything you need to know to learn about spells. These are things you need to know. You need to learn to control your thoughts through meditation. You need to learn to visulaize events and situations clearly. You need to learn proper correspondences. Books with spells are interesting resources to learn how to construct spells, but you need to learn these others things too. Spells take more then a few magic words and a waving of a wand. If you want good grades, you don't just do a spell and hope for the best. You study hard, and maybe do a spell like Zorya suggested, but only if you know what you are doing. My advice would be to study hard, and then think about passing the test. See yourself getting the test back and there being an A+ on it. Spells are not scary things, the items used are not scary things. It's all about what you believe. And in my opinion, it's a huge waste of energy to believe a candle, a pendant, a crystal, or anything else for that matter, is something to be afraid of.

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
Thats a funny and geez website with big letterings like someone own the webmaster money! Hehe..just a joke =X (thought not a funny one). I will never try a good grades spell, coz..i never see one!! I know what is going on about spells. But many people in school want me to stop witchcrafts. I dont know why but i'm sure they want me good. I dont think spells are scary things, but spirits are scary things. To me..they are..yes they are to me!!! ~>,<~

coldsuns	19 Mar 2003
My friend just told me that White Magic and Black Magic doesnt belong to witchcraft. And she says Wicca and Magick arent the same. She says witchcraft is bad and magic is something like David Copperfield. I dont understand what's written on the net, hope someone will make is easier for me to understand what exactly witchcrafts are, what belong to witchcrafts. Something easy for me to know..a mindmap? Will doing witchcrafts and spells attraction spirits? Hope not!! I'm going for camp..so only be able to read abt it after 3 days. ~>,<~

HudsonGray	19 Mar 2003
Coldsuns, you need to do a lot of reading first--and stop listening to that friend of yours, David Copperfield is a stage magician and doing slight of hand magic (not the real thing). He does entertainment via hiding things in his hand & with card tricks. Wicca is a form of paganism. Witchraft is not a relgion, it's an aspect of what's done IN some religions, but not a religion in and of itself. Wicca is nature based & follows distinct rules, works with ritual & is not bad. There is a definite 'harm none' policy there. Nearly all pagan religions have some form of the 'golden rule' (do unto others as you have them do unto you--do as you will but harm none--the Wiccan Rede--etc.). Most witches follow some form of ethics, no matter what branch of paganism they're in. If they do things with the intent of good, there's nothing bad about it. Magic is not 'bad', it's just magic. The intent of the user is what makes things bad or good. Think of magic as electricity--it's able to turn on a light, or to hurt someone when the power lines go down & someone steps on a live wire. You really do need to read those sites we suggest, take the time to think them through. The concepts are all there & aren't as strange as you may think. Drop any preconceived notions and look at it with an open mind & see what they're trying to say, it can't get any simpler, really. I don't know what chronological age you are (you say you're in school, but we don't know what grade), but you should take it slow until you get the basics under you. Right now you're making assumptions about spirits (that's a WIDE range of subject matter right there, there IS no 'one' kind of spirit), and candles and even the use and intent of witchcraft. Your friend isn't informed enough to give you good advice on this. A lot of people are afraid of things they don't understand, or what they don't know, or what they only see portrayed on movies & tv. What they see isn't the real deal but they think it is because that's ALL the ever see. You need to read up on things, think them over, make your own decisions. Forget the sites that tell about spells, just get the basics under you first. Without that, the rest is useless.

HudsonGray	19 Mar 2003
SilverLotus, some of the pages came up 'pages not found' or discontinued. I wonder if it would be better to send her directly to this one (had to dig to find it in the site). http://teens.thefarflung.net/ Coldsuns, this is the wicca for teens link. It's beneficial. But remember that is is ONLY Wicca, there are many other pagan paths that use witchcraft, many are eclectic practitioners. Each is different and the vast majority requires the ethics and morals to NOT hurt anyone.

Kiama	20 Mar 2003
Coldsuns: The reason why people in your school want you to stop Witchcraft is simply because they don't understand it. If they understood that it was a practice used within a neo-Pagan religion, and if they understoof the ethics behind it they might think twice. Most peopel are misinformed about Witchcraft: They think it is devil-worship, when it is not. They think it is about controlliong people, when it is not. Go with what your heart is telling you, and take what the misinformed say with a pinch of salt. Kiama

coldsuns	22 Mar 2003
I'm 14yrs. Still studying and preparing to have a big exam soon. So rather busy. ^_^ Thats a very nice web for Teens! But the font is a bit smaller..anywya thanks! ^_^ Can Christian believe in witchcrafts?

The Questions about witchcraft thread was originally posted on 16 Mar 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.