Current understanding of witchcraft

[PoetPhilosopher]

@Rival 's thread for the Abrahamics got me thinking. I think witchcraft does work but only on a sort of cosmic scale affecting the universe, rather than just the smaller scale of necessarily affecting some physical objects. So it's magic affecting the spiritual side. Kind of like prayer, but stronger, in my opinion. A stronger form of prayer.

I'm not certain that an absolute master of the subject, with the help of demons, couldn't move a physical object, or do something just as miraculous that isn't that. But I have my serious doubts that it's just something your average Joe could do, or else YouTube would be full of so much evidence, experts would benefit from some of it through further research.

 

[danieldemol]

Well evidence for prayer is probably equal to evidence for other types of magic.

In my opinion.

 

[Martin]

@Rival 's thread for the Abrahamics got me thinking. I think witchcraft does work but only on a sort of cosmic scale affecting the universe, rather than just the smaller scale of necessarily affecting some physical objects. So it's magic affecting the spiritual side. Kind of like prayer, but stronger, in my opinion. A stronger form of prayer.

I'm not certain that an absolute master of the subject, with the help of demons, couldn't move a physical object, or do something just as miraculous that isn't that. BUT I have my serious doubts that it's just something your average Joe could do, or else YouTube would be full of so much evidence, experts would benefit from some of it through further research.

I'm not sure, but there seems to be an element of focusing and "crystallising" one's will or intention. Have you come across sigils?

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

Witchcraft is far more mundane, and far less "Harry Potter" than people think it is. It's mostly herbology; teas, tinctures, oils, incenses, etc. What today we call pharmaceuticals, only on a more personal and amateur (not novice, but "for the love of it") level. Taking mint or ginger to settle an upset stomach, or making a satchel of lavender for restful sleep. "Potions" of medicine and poultices, and curses devised to unsettle and offend with natural materials regarded as rotted and foul.

It's an art that anyone can do, really, and doesn't require a particular faith. Ritual and spellwork is something else entirely, though Pop Culture is keen to call that "witchcraft".

 

[Rival]

For the record, I think magic, spellcraft and so on is bunk, really.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

For the record, I think magic, spellcraft and so on is bunk, really.

For me, it only really makes sense in certain specific faiths.

Like if I told people "I subscribe to Wicca, but magic is really bunk", well, it'd lead to some scrutinizing additional questions as well as the scratching of heads, I think, maybe.

But to use an analogy, say a Christian were to say that. Most of their peers would probably just nod their head in agreement. If anything weird comes from it, it's just weird they stated the obvious to other people.

 

[stvdv]

For the record, I think magic, spellcraft and so on is bunk, really.

So, no Jesus walking on water for you?
Or Jesus healing magically the sick?

 

[stvdv]

But I have my serious doubts that it's just something your average Joe could do,

My thought too

or else YouTube would be full of so much evidence

Magic happens when least expected
Hence almost impossible to film it

 

[Rival]

So, no Jesus walking on water for you?
Or Jesus healing magically the sick?

I don't care for Jesus. He's not anything to me.

 

[RESOLUTION]

@Rival 's thread for the Abrahamics got me thinking. I think witchcraft does work but only on a sort of cosmic scale affecting the universe, rather than just the smaller scale of necessarily affecting some physical objects. So it's magic affecting the spiritual side. Kind of like prayer, but stronger, in my opinion. A stronger form of prayer.

I'm not certain that an absolute master of the subject, with the help of demons, couldn't move a physical object, or do something just as miraculous that isn't that. But I have my serious doubts that it's just something your average Joe could do, or else YouTube would be full of so much evidence, experts would benefit from some of it through further research.

Hi Kit-Kat,

Would not agree that witchcraft stronger than prayer. It has been my understanding over the years that anything outside religion is of the darker power, There is evidence of healing on the internet but no one looks far enough to find them. In the end, we are the one's who must decide what to choose to believe.

 

[Erebus]

If we're talking about actually casting spells then I think there are two components to it:

The first component is psychological. You're essentially aiming to trick your own or somebody else's mind with the placebo effect. The rituals, invocations and paraphernalia are there to help get yourself in the right frame of mind for it to work. Rather than cause a thing to happen in any supernatural manner, you alter your perceptions and behaviour to bring about some form of change.

As an example, a spell to make yourself more attractive isn't going to directly alter how you look or put people under a glamour. It may however make you more confident and encourage you to take more time attending to your appearance. The end result is that you do become more attractive.


The second component is supernatural, by which I mean affecting the outside world via spirits, gods, your own magical power and so on. I personally don't think it's actually possible to know if this part is truly "real" or if magic is entirely in your head. I also don't think it matters all that much in practical terms. If you want a spell to work, you generally need to get yourself to believe in the supernatural, if only for the duration of the ritual. You can spend your day to day life as a materialist and an atheist but during ritual, you become somebody who believes in interventionist gods and spirits.

Depending on your general mindset, this latter component can present a stumbling block to people.

 

[stvdv]

I don't care for Jesus. He's not anything to me.

I like being "neutral" (not anything)

 

[Aupmanyav]

Hinduism has a strong component of occult with paths and philosophies as Shakta, Tantra, Aghor; and more so in village Hinduism, where the Gods Goddesses come on specific days or even when invoked.

Magic happens when least expected
Hence almost impossible to film it

Why? Sai baba created watches, necklaces, coins and ashes before every one's eyes, and as far as I know, this was recorded on videos and TV. Of course, even after his death, ashes came out of his photographs.

 

[VoidCat]

Have you come across sigils?

I love using sigils...


Reading both threads makes me wonder if folks here think Im a con. I don't ever accept money for any sort of witchcraft. Nor do I really do any for other people most of the time. I mean sometimes but most of the time no. If I do magick it might be a protection spell for myself or something.

Also makes me wonder if folks actually know what witchcraft is. It's nothing like what pop culture shows it as.

 

[stvdv]

Why? Sai baba created watches, necklaces, coins and ashes before every one''s eyes, and as far as I know, this was recorded on videos and TV

True, I' ve seen it numerous times with my own eyes. Not many can materialize though

Of course, even after his death, ashes came out of his photographs.

Sai Baba, the body does not walk around, but the energy is there, hence ashes still can appear. But also plenty fake it (once in Mysore I saw a person who faked it, he got really mad at me, when I found out).

 

[Martin]

If we're talking about actually casting spells then I think there are two components to it:

The first component is psychological. You're essentially aiming to trick your own or somebody else's mind with the placebo effect. The rituals, invocations and paraphernalia are there to help get yourself in the right frame of mind for it to work. Rather than cause a thing to happen in any supernatural manner, you alter your perceptions and behaviour to bring about some form of change.

As an example, a spell to make yourself more attractive isn't going to directly alter how you look or put people under a glamour. It may however make you more confident and encourage you to take more time attending to your appearance. The end result is that you do become more attractive.


The second component is supernatural, by which I mean affecting the outside world via spirits, gods, your own magical power and so on. I personally don't think it's actually possible to know if this part is truly "real" or if magic is entirely in your head. I also don't think it matters all that much in practical terms. If you want a spell to work, you generally need to get yourself to believe in the supernatural, if only for the duration of the ritual. You can spend your day to day life as a materialist and an atheist but during ritual, you become somebody who believes in interventionist gods and spirits.

Depending on your general mindset, this latter component can present a stumbling block to people.

Yes, a "suspension of disbelief" may be required, or at least an open mind.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Don't forget AtharvaVeda with chants for all kinds of magic (Have to be chanted in Sanskrit). Chanting of translations in English will not work.
Atharva Veda Index
It is not that AtharvaVeda is without philosophy.

 

[MonkeyFire]

What’s done is done. In order to make wishes you must forgive the angels of omnipotence

 

[Viker]

Speaking personally, I don't view witchcraft as anything profound as in the movies or on TV. It's simply a collection of lost/abandoned arts, origins of modern science even and personal ritual connection with nature and the universe. By itself it's not a religion and belongs to no one group, there can even be Christian witches. Although, one can certainly fashion their own religion out from it.

 

[Erebus]

there can even be Christian witches.

Fun fact: The majority of medieval necromancers in Europe were Christian clergymen. They were among the tiny percentage of the population who would have been able to read grimoires and acquire the various paraphernalia that the rituals called for. They would also have been the most likely group to possess knowledge of demonology and exorcisms.