Why is Necromancy forbidden according to your tradition?

[Spiderman]

It's interesting that you said you're saddened to see it condemned by so many religions. While I agree somewhat that it's sad to seeing a religion forbid any practice, I don't particularly mind the widespread ban on necromancy. In fact it can be nice sometimes, since it really helps prevent a muddying of the waters. Magic as a whole has been so muddied lately with all the "Wicca new age real witchcraft spells that really work!" type stuff, it's so nice to have a few little corners that aren't very contaminated yet. As necromancy gets more popular (it seems to be, at least), I've noticed that whole Wicca/new age influence start to come in, but it's slow, and I honestly think that as long as some of the big religions keep their bans up, it'll keep enough people out that the traditions, theories, and philosophies can be preserved. In the end I don't really want other people taking up the practice, in an ideal world magic as a whole would be much less popular. When too many people dabble their way in we get muddied traditions, fogged up theories, and we loose some of the seriousness as a whole. On top of that, the last thing I want is for the gods to tire or the spirits to grow angry at all the attention and misuse. I'm much happier if the practice is just left alone for the dedicated to pursue.

I've received a lot of grace from praying to the dead. I guess I'd like for others to not be without that grace or forbidding the practice, but I also get the gist of what you're saying as well.

 

[Spiderman]

Why does it matter what the time of day is when you are in a cemetery?

at night it is just far better...more silence, no people, and night time is just better

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

It's not barred in Heathenry. One could argue that it's a major element in shamanism, and there are even staves and runes to speak with the dead.

 

[Neo Deist]

Magic as a whole has been so muddied lately with all the "Wicca new age real witchcraft spells that really work!" type stuff, it's so nice to have a few little corners that aren't very contaminated yet.

When you say magic, and are obviously talking about spells, what exactly is it that you do? I ask in earnest because I am trying to be open minded and learn something new. My position against magic and the supernatural is well known, but I also try and remain objective. Maybe there is something out there that I just haven't seen yet.

I know you are not talking about going all Dungeons & Dragons and throwing fireballs around, or summoning a Meteor Swarm to crush your enemies. So what spells do modern day practitioners actually cast, and how do they know if they work?

It's a common misconception by those who don't practice divination that it is the same thing as fortune telling (telling the future). I know of very few diviners who view it that way. Made a thread about that around here once. Could probably find it if I dig around...

My level of experience with necromancy is limited to AD&D and video games. But just breaking down the term necromancy, it means death (necro) and divination (mancy), so learning information through the dead.

 

[Quintessence]

My level of experience with necromancy is limited to AD&D and video games. But just breaking down the term necromancy, it means death (necro) and divination (mancy), so learning information through the dead.

That's a pretty accurate characterization, actually. Divination is a more esoteric method of gathering information. The kind varies, and the purpose varies, and does the means of course. As far as I'm aware, most who practice divination do so as a form of counseling or self-reflection. It is excellent at that. It could also be used to commune with one's deities. Or just for fun and entertainment if folks don't feel like taking it seriously.

As for the broader topic of spellcraft, might be better to make that it's own thread.

 

[David T]

Contacting the dead is a big part of my spiritual practices. I've spent all night in cemeteries and it was euphoric...I can't wait till it warms up and can do it again.

I'm saddened to see that this practice is condemned by so many Theists. Why is it forbidden?

 

[David T]

Contacting the dead is a big part of my spiritual practices. I've spent all night in cemeteries and it was euphoric...I can't wait till it warms up and can do it again.

I'm saddened to see that this practice is condemned by so many Theists. Why is it forbidden?

I spend tons of time communing with the dead. My guitar is dead, air is dead diet is dead water is dead, cosmos is dead the sun is dead the moon is dead 99. 99999999999% plus is dead. So what exactly is going on ?

 

[Spiderman]

When you say magic, and are obviously talking about spells, what exactly is it that you do? I ask in earnest because I am trying to be open minded and learn something new. My position against magic and the supernatural is well known, but I also try and remain objective. Maybe there is something out there that I just haven't seen yet.

My level of experience with necromancy is limited to AD&D and video games. But just breaking down the term necromancy, it means death (necro) and divination (mancy), so learning information through the dead.

I keep pictures of the dead with candles burning before them to honor them. I believe I have friendship with them. I honor them and exalt them. I believe my veneration of them is appreciated and exalting. I venerate serial killer victims. I feel close to them. It's a long story!

 

[Spiderman]

It's not barred in Heathenry. One could argue that it's a major element in shamanism, and there are even staves and runes to speak with the dead.

Then I am clearly a Heathen

 

[lovesong]

That's a pretty accurate characterization, actually. Divination is a more esoteric method of gathering information. The kind varies, and the purpose varies, and does the means of course. As far as I'm aware, most who practice divination do so as a form of counseling or self-reflection. It is excellent at that. It could also be used to commune with one's deities. Or just for fun and entertainment if folks don't feel like taking it seriously.

As for the broader topic of spellcraft, might be better to make that it's own thread.

So what of necromancy then? What are your opinions on it, and why do you think we do it? Self-reflection definitely is one of the aspects of it, and I also do use the practice to grow closer to the gods I worship the most, as they are primarily death gods. I would say it's more esoteric than common divination, as anyone can pick up a book and look up the meaning of a tarot card, whereas necromancy is a skill that has to be learned and practiced over time.

 

[Spiderman]

So what of necromancy then? What are your opinions on it, and why do you think we do it? Self-reflection definitely is one of the aspects of it, and I also do use the practice to grow closer to the gods I worship the most, as they are primarily death gods. I would say it's more esoteric than common divination, as anyone can pick up a book and look up the meaning of a tarot card, whereas necromancy is a skill that has to be learned and practiced over time.

If I was to invoke one of your death Gods, which do you think has the most authority?

 

[Neo Deist]

I keep pictures of the dead with candles burning before them to honor them. I believe I have friendship with them. I honor them and exalt them. I believe my veneration of them is appreciated and exalting. I venerate serial killer victims. I feel close to them. It's a long story!

Ok, and respectable.

But I don't equate honoring the dead as magic. I have pictures of my oldest sister that died of cancer. I love her, miss her, and wish I could see her again. But I know that is impossible as she is dead and buried.

 

[Spiderman]

Ok, and respectable.

But I don't equate honoring the dead as magic. I have pictures of my oldest sister that died of cancer. I love her, miss her, and wish I could see her again. But I know that is impossible as she is dead and buried.

Her spirit may still hear you. Ask her spirit to reveal things to you...ask for dreams... Put flowers on her grave

 

[Quintessence]

So what of necromancy then? What are your opinions on it, and why do you think we do it?

Mmm... it'd be better to ask someone else, probably. The idea of necromancy rests on some metaphysical assumptions that I do not share. The otherworlds are a strange and unbound place. Things are not necessarily what they appear, and your interactions there are very much shaped by the assumptions you bring to the table. An assumption of necromancy is that "the dead" are a thing. It plays into traditional narratives told about death and afterlives told in Western cultures that I personally do not share, so it is unlikely I would bring those assumptions with me when journeying. The practice can certainly work well for those that do, but my dealings with the otherworlds are not well-described by a model like necromancy.

I would say it's more esoteric than common divination, as anyone can pick up a book and look up the meaning of a tarot card, whereas necromancy is a skill that has to be learned and practiced over time.

I agree and disagree with this characterization. I kinda get what you are saying, but I'm not sure how I would go about assessing if something is "more esoteric" than something else. And certainly oracular systems like tarot require a lot of learning and practicing over time. I think what really happens is that some people take to some forms of divination more than others - we have natural aptitudes in one area over another. So what is harder or easier depends on the person.

 

[Mindmaster]

Contacting the dead is a big part of my spiritual practices. I've spent all night in cemeteries and it was euphoric...I can't wait till it warms up and can do it again.

I'm saddened to see that this practice is condemned by so many Theists. Why is it forbidden?

Because you're not supposed to actually know what is going on on the other side, of course.

 

[Spiderman]

Because you're not supposed to actually know what is going on on the other side, of course.

Good answer...but why?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Because you're not supposed to actually know what is going on on the other side, of course.

What "other side?"

 

[Quintessence]

What "other side?"

Sssh! It's less frightening for people if the dead people are "over there" instead of "right here."

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Sssh! It's less frightening for people if the dead people are "over there" instead of "right here."

Hehe! At best, "the Veil" is the fact that Westerners put up a barrier in their mind to shut the spirit worlds out...you're right, it's not like they are somewhere else in relation to our 3D/4D cosmos...

 

[Quintessence]

Hehe! At best, "the Veil" is the fact that Westerners put up a barrier in their mind to shut the spirit worlds out...you're right, it's not like they are somewhere else in relation to our 3D/4D cosmos...

The so-named Veil is also important for one's own good, too. Mainstream culture makes a big deal about distinguishing between so-called "fantasy" and so-called "reality." And it considers those who fail to do this - those who do not have a veil - to be a problem in need of correcting. It is rather curious.