Two questions but it is necessary to understand what witchcraft is before forming an opinion on whether witchcraft is real or not. In order to discover what witchcraft is we need to strip away the hype generated by the likes of Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general. Witchcraft does not resemble the commonly portrayed television series such as Bewitched or Charmed, or the blockbuster movies such as Harry Potter. These are just creations of their respective writers and glamorized by the big studios for entertainment value.
Witchcraft itself was originally a way of life practiced over many centuries and not really thought of as witchcraft until the Middle Ages when the Catholic church turned its attention towards Pagan practices. There are quite a few variations of belief systems that were practiced and are now collectively labeled as witchcraft. Some of the more commonly known would be Druidism, Herbalism, and Spiritualism but there are many more. Of themselves the practice of any of them does not make someone a witch as that determination is made by the practitioner. This made little difference to the Catholic church and all such practices were seen as heresy and resulted in the persecution of witches.
Today witchcraft is thought of as a Pagan religion which makes it as legitimate a religion as any other. The more modern variation of Traditional witchcraft, Wicca witchcraft, is far more open and regimented than the older practices and has gained a large following in the western world. Like any religion it is a way of life which is practiced by its members which gather in covens rather than a congregation. The result is the same no matter what terms are used as these groups worship their own particular belief structure.
Understanding what witchcraft is allows for a determination for the second question posed in the article title. As a religion it is as real as any other which means that if you believe it to be real then it is. More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: What is Witchcraft and is Witchcraft Real? - Ezine Article
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Witchcraft - Is it Real?
There are any number of articles, books, and magazines that have asked whether witchcraft is real or just a myth, but a large number of such publications have a tendency to direct their thoughts towards magic and spells rather than looking into what witchcraft really is. In order to understand witchcraft it is necessary to examine the beliefs and history behind it.
Witchcraft is a Pagan religion meaning that it does not follow the three main religious paths of Judaism, Islam, or Christianity. The fundamental belief of witchcraft is the worship of nature often seen through ceremonies involving the seasons, moon, and sun. This does not mean that ancient civilizations which worshiped the sun, for instance, followed witchcraft. We are all aware that the Egyptians revered the sun as a God called Ra but this did not make them witches, merely a Pagan society as we would explain it today.
Ancient civilizations that worshiped nature would not see themselves as Pagan as it was just the way of life for them at the time. Paganism is a relatively modern concept. We tend to look back through history with eyes clouded by our modern religions which are not really that old. Our ancestors worshiped many different things long before organized religion surfaced and some of their practices have been linked to witchcraft because of their focus on nature.
Witchcraft is classified today as a Pagan religion which means that it is has a belief system which is followed by its practitioners much like any other religion in the world. The more traditional forms of witchcraft do not adhere to any type of strict code but more modern variations, such as Wicca, have evolved into what we would call a more regimented form of religious practice. The fact that witchcraft is now seen as a form of religion makes it as real as any other belief system. Christians believe in Christianity and witches believe in witchcraft, both are equally viable as a religion as their practitioners believe them to be true.
Magic and spells are a topic unto themselves and our perception of them has been altered by the likes of Hollywood to such an extent that it is harder to explain. More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews, the more complex nature of magic, and its existence will need to be discussed in other articles.
Article Source: Witchcraft - Is it Real? - Ezine Article
Witchcraft is a Pagan religion meaning that it does not follow the three main religious paths of Judaism, Islam, or Christianity. The fundamental belief of witchcraft is the worship of nature often seen through ceremonies involving the seasons, moon, and sun. This does not mean that ancient civilizations which worshiped the sun, for instance, followed witchcraft. We are all aware that the Egyptians revered the sun as a God called Ra but this did not make them witches, merely a Pagan society as we would explain it today.
Ancient civilizations that worshiped nature would not see themselves as Pagan as it was just the way of life for them at the time. Paganism is a relatively modern concept. We tend to look back through history with eyes clouded by our modern religions which are not really that old. Our ancestors worshiped many different things long before organized religion surfaced and some of their practices have been linked to witchcraft because of their focus on nature.
Witchcraft is classified today as a Pagan religion which means that it is has a belief system which is followed by its practitioners much like any other religion in the world. The more traditional forms of witchcraft do not adhere to any type of strict code but more modern variations, such as Wicca, have evolved into what we would call a more regimented form of religious practice. The fact that witchcraft is now seen as a form of religion makes it as real as any other belief system. Christians believe in Christianity and witches believe in witchcraft, both are equally viable as a religion as their practitioners believe them to be true.
Magic and spells are a topic unto themselves and our perception of them has been altered by the likes of Hollywood to such an extent that it is harder to explain. More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews, the more complex nature of magic, and its existence will need to be discussed in other articles.
Article Source: Witchcraft - Is it Real? - Ezine Article
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Books On Witchcraft - Where To Look
Like any old practice or way of life, witchcraft has been around for centuries in its more modern forms, which means that there are a huge amount and variety of books on witchcraft. Libraries and book stores carry a large variety of titles by an equally large number of authors. Online outlets, such as amazon, also stock many different books on witchcraft, including some of the rarer titles.
The majority of outlets or libraries will carry books on folklore and mythology as well as the most popular type of witchcraft books, fantasy fiction. Most fiction books have very little to do with the actual practice of witchcraft and are simply tales designed to captivate a reader in a tale or story. The actual practice of witchcraft does not entail riding broomsticks or waving a magic wand around.
Traditional witchcraft books are not very common as this type of witchcraft is taught and learned on a one to one basis or by solo practitioners. You can find books on some aspects of this craft including those covering herbalism. This is an old craft but it is also practiced by modern day medicine which has opened it up and made such books more common. Books containing spell craft or potion making are still very rare though and such literature is often limited and costly.
Modern day witchcraft, often referred to as Wicca, is a more open practice and there are a number of titles that discuss the religion more openly. The book of shadows, a more modern take on traditional witchcraft and its book of spells known as a Grimoire, are available and do cover spells and magic.
The purchase of books on witchcraft is increasingly prevalent from online sources such as amazon where discounts are often available. There are also titles specifically made for online retail that are available as downloadable files that can be purchased quickly and securely.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.>
Article Source: EzineArticles.com.
The majority of outlets or libraries will carry books on folklore and mythology as well as the most popular type of witchcraft books, fantasy fiction. Most fiction books have very little to do with the actual practice of witchcraft and are simply tales designed to captivate a reader in a tale or story. The actual practice of witchcraft does not entail riding broomsticks or waving a magic wand around.
Traditional witchcraft books are not very common as this type of witchcraft is taught and learned on a one to one basis or by solo practitioners. You can find books on some aspects of this craft including those covering herbalism. This is an old craft but it is also practiced by modern day medicine which has opened it up and made such books more common. Books containing spell craft or potion making are still very rare though and such literature is often limited and costly.
Modern day witchcraft, often referred to as Wicca, is a more open practice and there are a number of titles that discuss the religion more openly. The book of shadows, a more modern take on traditional witchcraft and its book of spells known as a Grimoire, are available and do cover spells and magic.
The purchase of books on witchcraft is increasingly prevalent from online sources such as amazon where discounts are often available. There are also titles specifically made for online retail that are available as downloadable files that can be purchased quickly and securely.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.>
Article Source: EzineArticles.com.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Is Witchcraft Real
Is Witchcraft Real? The answer is open to debate and very much depends on the individuals point of view. Witchcraft as a way of life or religion is as real as any other belief system, but if the question is asking about witchcraft with relation to magic that is an entirely different situation.
Cave paintings can date witchcraft as a way of life back as far as forty thousand years, with pictures depicting the worship of nature often evident. Witchcraft is closely tied to nature which is why this type of historical finding is associated with it. This makes witchcraft one of the oldest religions in the world.
Other religions make frequent references to witchcraft, particlualry parts of the Christian faith, which persecuted witches during the Middle Ages. Clearly these people believed in witches and witchcraft enough to see them as a threat worth irradicating. The practice of witchcraft was linked with heresy during this time to justify the many witch hunts of the period, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of mostly innnocent people.
The magic or spells associated with witchcraft are also very much down to belief in most cases. Christianity, as an example, classes this type of unknown as a miracle, which is just another term for magic. The changing of water into wine by Christ is a miracle to a Christian, but to those who do not follow the same religion it can be viewed as a spell or illusion.
The majority of Traditional Witches dating back to before the Middle Ages were often the village healers and frequently used various herbs and plants for medicinal uses. The fact that various potions and paultices actually did heal branded them as witches purely because that was the way to class such practices. Modern day herbalists are not classed as witches but as practitioners of medicine.
There were suspect activities practiced by witches but these activites were not necessarily unusual for the time period. Sacrifices and demonic worship are often associated with witchcraft but there is no actual proof that they are linked. Modern day witches deny any such practices and there is evidence that these practices were merely linked to assist with other religions persecution of witchcraft.
Dancing around a tree or gathering in a stone circle at various times of the year or during full moons is seen today as acting strangely. Perceptions change. This is how religion was practiced by people in those times and was a way of life to them. Going to church on sundays could just as easily be seen as strange in three hundred years time, but today it is seen as a normal religious practice.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Cave paintings can date witchcraft as a way of life back as far as forty thousand years, with pictures depicting the worship of nature often evident. Witchcraft is closely tied to nature which is why this type of historical finding is associated with it. This makes witchcraft one of the oldest religions in the world.
Other religions make frequent references to witchcraft, particlualry parts of the Christian faith, which persecuted witches during the Middle Ages. Clearly these people believed in witches and witchcraft enough to see them as a threat worth irradicating. The practice of witchcraft was linked with heresy during this time to justify the many witch hunts of the period, which resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of mostly innnocent people.
The magic or spells associated with witchcraft are also very much down to belief in most cases. Christianity, as an example, classes this type of unknown as a miracle, which is just another term for magic. The changing of water into wine by Christ is a miracle to a Christian, but to those who do not follow the same religion it can be viewed as a spell or illusion.
The majority of Traditional Witches dating back to before the Middle Ages were often the village healers and frequently used various herbs and plants for medicinal uses. The fact that various potions and paultices actually did heal branded them as witches purely because that was the way to class such practices. Modern day herbalists are not classed as witches but as practitioners of medicine.
There were suspect activities practiced by witches but these activites were not necessarily unusual for the time period. Sacrifices and demonic worship are often associated with witchcraft but there is no actual proof that they are linked. Modern day witches deny any such practices and there is evidence that these practices were merely linked to assist with other religions persecution of witchcraft.
Dancing around a tree or gathering in a stone circle at various times of the year or during full moons is seen today as acting strangely. Perceptions change. This is how religion was practiced by people in those times and was a way of life to them. Going to church on sundays could just as easily be seen as strange in three hundred years time, but today it is seen as a normal religious practice.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Friday, October 2, 2009
What is a Pagan and Paganism
What is a Pagan? There is no straight forward answer as it has several different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The most widely accepted definitions of both Pagan and Paganism derive from the Latin word paganus meaning "rustic', "of the country" or "rural". Even this is not considered the only definition of a Pagan as it can be considered a skunk word, which means that it has a different meaning to different people.
The most common usage is associated with any religion that is non-Abrahamic. Neither Christian, Muslim or Jew. That would make roughly 45% of the world's population Pagans. Needless to say those 45% are not likely to class themselves as Pagans although some would.
The term Pagan is also used in a derogatory fashion. People to hate or unbelievers. The main religions of the world have frequent references to unbelievers within their religious scripts, more commonly referred to as a heathen. Since the seventeenth century heathen has oftentimes been replaced by Pagan.
To Pagans it simply means those who practice a nature based religion. Neopagans are newer religions tracing their beginnings to the 20th century, but their roots much farther back, and they do refer to themselves as Pagans. Druids, Witches and Wiccans are some examples of the followers of Neopaganism.
Christianity has also been seen as Pagan by other Abrahamic religions and between different Christian religions. These accusations come largely from the practice of christianization which adopts others beliefs into Christianity. This is seen by the practice of celebrating Pagan feasts such as halloween or easter.
As you can see, answering a simple question such as What is a Pagan? is actually far from being easy as it has diverse meanings throughout the world.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.>
Article Source: What is a Pagan and Paganism - Ezine Article
The most common usage is associated with any religion that is non-Abrahamic. Neither Christian, Muslim or Jew. That would make roughly 45% of the world's population Pagans. Needless to say those 45% are not likely to class themselves as Pagans although some would.
The term Pagan is also used in a derogatory fashion. People to hate or unbelievers. The main religions of the world have frequent references to unbelievers within their religious scripts, more commonly referred to as a heathen. Since the seventeenth century heathen has oftentimes been replaced by Pagan.
To Pagans it simply means those who practice a nature based religion. Neopagans are newer religions tracing their beginnings to the 20th century, but their roots much farther back, and they do refer to themselves as Pagans. Druids, Witches and Wiccans are some examples of the followers of Neopaganism.
Christianity has also been seen as Pagan by other Abrahamic religions and between different Christian religions. These accusations come largely from the practice of christianization which adopts others beliefs into Christianity. This is seen by the practice of celebrating Pagan feasts such as halloween or easter.
As you can see, answering a simple question such as What is a Pagan? is actually far from being easy as it has diverse meanings throughout the world.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.>
Article Source: What is a Pagan and Paganism - Ezine Article
Book of Spells
What is a book of spells? In most peoples mind it is a magician, sorcerer or witches spell book. This is somewhat true, but only in recent history, as it is a much newer concept than one would believe. This type of book only really began to become common in the twentieth century as newer types of Paganism began to emerge.
In ancient times and up until the Middle Ages practitioners of the magic arts were almost all illiterate as was the majority of the population. You cannot really make a book of spells if you are unable to write. When the world, and Europe in particular, began to learn to put pen to paper this still did not result in witches suddenly deciding to make books to hand down to their descendants.
Why? Because the magical arts were extremely secretive as they had largely been driven underground due to persecution. The Inquisition is most commonly associated with such behavior. It was not until the twentieth century that Pagan religions began to feel safe again and books of spells began to emerge. The introduction of Wicca witchcraft in the middle of the twentieth century is often attributed with beginning this practice.
Wicca does not call their book of spells by that name though. They use the term Book of Shadows and within it they write spells and other things learnt throughout their lives. Traditional witches on the other hand do not all observe the same practice. Some do write down spells and other things important to them but they call their book of spells a Grimoire.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: Book of Spells - Ezine Article
In ancient times and up until the Middle Ages practitioners of the magic arts were almost all illiterate as was the majority of the population. You cannot really make a book of spells if you are unable to write. When the world, and Europe in particular, began to learn to put pen to paper this still did not result in witches suddenly deciding to make books to hand down to their descendants.
Why? Because the magical arts were extremely secretive as they had largely been driven underground due to persecution. The Inquisition is most commonly associated with such behavior. It was not until the twentieth century that Pagan religions began to feel safe again and books of spells began to emerge. The introduction of Wicca witchcraft in the middle of the twentieth century is often attributed with beginning this practice.
Wicca does not call their book of spells by that name though. They use the term Book of Shadows and within it they write spells and other things learnt throughout their lives. Traditional witches on the other hand do not all observe the same practice. Some do write down spells and other things important to them but they call their book of spells a Grimoire.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: Book of Spells - Ezine Article
Love Spells, How do They Work?
How do love spells work? Simple really. You gather some herbs, light a candle, close your eyes and will the person you have a crush on to love you. Witches do it this way so it must be true, right? If you believe that then you need to stop thinking Harry Potter or Charmed are real.
Depending on what you read and believe then casting any spell can be done with nothing but inner power, and maybe a candle for focus. Traditional witchcraft is not generally into all the glorified type of stuff that you see on the big screen. Clean and simple is the way to go.
More modern witchcraft becomes a little more involved as the newer types of pagan like a little more ceremony. Still nothing too ornate but they have slightly differing beliefs, which is perfectly fine, it is their religion after all.
Whichever way you want to follow then the actual power for a love spell comes from within. How you focus that power is really all that changes. There is one thing that any witch, old or modern, will unhesitatingly tell you though.
Do not cast a spell on someone. They have rules and altering anyone's state of mind is taboo. So how do you find the one you love? Casting a love spell is perfectly fine but you do not direct it at someone, you instead phrase the spell in such a way as it brings the person who you will truly love to you. It might not be the one you currently wish to love you but it should bring the one who you will love. In this way you do not alter anyone else, either physically or mentally.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: Love Spells, How do They Work? - Ezine Article
Depending on what you read and believe then casting any spell can be done with nothing but inner power, and maybe a candle for focus. Traditional witchcraft is not generally into all the glorified type of stuff that you see on the big screen. Clean and simple is the way to go.
More modern witchcraft becomes a little more involved as the newer types of pagan like a little more ceremony. Still nothing too ornate but they have slightly differing beliefs, which is perfectly fine, it is their religion after all.
Whichever way you want to follow then the actual power for a love spell comes from within. How you focus that power is really all that changes. There is one thing that any witch, old or modern, will unhesitatingly tell you though.
Do not cast a spell on someone. They have rules and altering anyone's state of mind is taboo. So how do you find the one you love? Casting a love spell is perfectly fine but you do not direct it at someone, you instead phrase the spell in such a way as it brings the person who you will truly love to you. It might not be the one you currently wish to love you but it should bring the one who you will love. In this way you do not alter anyone else, either physically or mentally.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: Love Spells, How do They Work? - Ezine Article
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
What is Traditional Witchcraft
Basically it is a belief system much the same as any religion. It has become very secretive over the centuries after being widely persecuted in the Middle Ages. Most Traditional witchcraft practiced today is of British origin.
Like all religions or ways of life it has evolved over time and can trace it's roots back as far as 40,000 years. The witchcraft practiced today would not be anywhere near the same as it was back then but some of the core beliefs would remain.
During the process of evolution many religions split and Trad witchcraft is no exception. There are many differences between covens that are close to each other and very few actually practice in exactly the same way. Both beliefs and rituals differ from coven to coven.
Trad witches do not necessarily follow religious books or worship a god or goddess. More modern forms of witchcraft differ greatly in this regard. Traditional witches revere and respect nature above all and they do recognize the existence of spirits. Their power comes from within but they may summon a spirit to assist them with magic.
The majority of Traditional witches are fatalists and believe in reincarnation. Their new year begins at Samhain, more commonly known as Halloween, which is the when the agricultural year ends. Seasons and moons are followed closely by Traditional witches.
A number of more modern variations of Traditional witchcraft do not all practice magic. All Traditional witches do. The magic involved is more traditional folk magic and is basically very simple. No need for special ingredients or long winded spell casting and often practiced with the aid of only a candle for concentration. Traditional witchcraft tries to keep things simple and down to earth.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews..
Article Source: What is Traditional Witchcraft - Ezine Article
Magic Spells - Myth or Reality?
There is a wide variety of literature, both ancient and modern, that points to the use of magic spells throughout the ages. A large number of books or papers have been written by well respected historians and authors on some of the more famous instances where magic was allegedly used.
One thing is certainly reality. People have lost their lives over the centuries to supposed evidence of magic spells. A large number of these people were either innocent bystanders caught in the middle or falsely accused. The burning of witches at the stake during the Middle Ages is one well documented example of the pain of reality.
Another well publicized event is the Salem Witch Trials held in Massachusetts during 1692 and 1693. There is more than enough lack of evidence surrounding the whole episode that no conviction would be obtained today. Most of the accusations appear to be either outright lies or had been coerced by authorities. Nineteen people were convicted and hung as a result.
The most widely followed religions in the world all have some form of magic in their books. They don't necessarily call it magic, of course, preferring to use such terms as miracle instead. Whatever you want to call such things they can be construed as magic spells.
Some examples of what have been termed miracles could easily be called magic or illusion but because they are associated with a major religion they are termed miracles. Some of the more well publicized ones are a statue weeping human blood, an apparition of the Virgin Mary, the silhouette of the Virgin Mary on a building and Muslim symbols found inside vegetables. The largest miracle in the last twenty years involved Hindu statues drinking milk all over the world in 1995.
Modern society chooses to call these type of events miracles when they could just as easily be called magic or illusion. Christians believe in the miracles of Christ and Pagans believe in magic. In the end it boils down to religion or faith as to whether magic spells are a myth or reality.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews..
Article Source: Magic Spells - Myth or Reality? - Ezine Article
Learn Witchcraft as it Should be Done
So you want to be a witch and you want to be able to cast spells right away. Good luck finding someone to teach you. A practicing witch may well teach you but you must learn witchcraft as it should be done. Solo or in a coven you will have to begin with the basics.
Witchcraft has a set of basic principles that most adhere to. No two covens are identical and each will have some variations depending on it's own leadership. Learning from a solo witch brings in even more variables. The basics are fairly constant though.
The first principle states that you can do as you will, so long as you harm none. That also means you cannot harm yourself. Harming others includes gratuitous violence such as war unless in self defense.
The law of cause and effect. Every action has a reaction and every effect has a cause. All things occur according to this law and whatever goes forth will return threefold.
Harmonizing with the universe is another basic principle. This involves recognizing that everything is dual. This can best be summed up by saying that to every action there is a reaction and that everything has an opposite. All things are balanced.
All things exist within the universe and therefore all live. Nothing is dead. This in turn means that there is no true death as we merely alter our condition or state.
All Gods are one God and all Goddesses are one Goddess. What these are called may be different in any given tradition but they are all one in the same no matter how the individual tradition chooses to name them.
Care for the body as it contains the spark of life. Heal others, both physically and psychologically, but only with their consent and express permission.
These are not all of the basic principles but cover some of them. All are equally important. Once you have learned all of that then you might begin to harmonize with nature and learn magick. Learn witchcraft as it should be done, do not try to run before you can walk.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.. Article Source: Learn Witchcraft as it Should be Done - Ezine Article |
Witch - Good or Evil?
Traditionally a witch would be considered by many as being evil as that is how they are portrayed in many religions. Pagans who practice the evils arts using blood sacrifice and possession to cast their spells. This is how many religions wish us to classify witches and witchcraft as a whole and just calling yourself a witch was enough to be termed a heretic in many faiths.
We have several television shows and movies that portray witches as being good. The most popular being the Harry Potter movies and books and shows like Charmed. These depict witchcraft as being good and not evil but they are purely fiction with no real basis in reality.
So on one hand we have our religions calling witches evil and on the other we have Hollywood and other media telling us they are good. This all helps to feed our curiosity about all things occult and makes us believers in witches as a whole.
Witches themselves, whether they are traditional or modern, will tell you that they are neutral and the person who casts the spell determines it's use for good or evil. They do not believe in Satan and they have their own rules which tell them that they can not use their skills to harm others.
A witch is often thought of as being an old hag which helps to create the illusion of evil and yet witches are just as likely to be male as female. During the history of witchcraft there have always been both male and female practitioners.
Witchcraft is commonly associated with the use of herbs and potions for healing which is considered good. On the other hand witches are also often supposed to be involved with possession which would be considered evil. This places the witches own description of being neutral as more likely as it would be the person who decides good or evil intent.
A witch decides good or evil by their actions and is subject to the threefold rule. They receive back whatever they sow threefold, so practicing evil would be a little against their belief structure as it would harm the witch more than the target of the spell.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews. Article Source: Witch - Good or Evil - Ezine Article |
The History of Witchcraft
The history of Witchcraft can be traced back as far as the Paleolithic period some 40,000 years ago. Archeologists have discovered cave paintings from this period that depict witchcraft in it's basic form. Our ancient ancestors would not have considered themselves witches but they were using practices associated with witchcraft today.
Witchcraft has evolved since that time and was much more commonly referred to as such beginning before medieval times. The practice of witchcraft was fundamental to many cultures of this period and was widely practiced in Europe where it is most often referenced. The emergence of Christianity as the main religion of the period would bring untold misery to those practicing witchcraft.
Many so called witches of this time, who for the most part were healers using basic herbs to treat their villages, were persecuted as a result of edicts from Pope John XXII in 1320. The history of witchcraft was mainly peaceful until this time as witches were not directly sought out by the inquisition, but this edict authorized the inquisition to prosecute sorcerers as well.
Estimates of those killed during this period range from 40,000 to 100,000, a large number of which were brutally slain out of revenge or jealousy more than for actually practicing witchcraft. Burning at the stake was the original method of execution but this later changed to hanging in many regions as it was less barbaric. Witchcraft would be practiced in secrecy for centuries as a result if this treatment.
Modern day practices are broadly referred to as neopaganism, although this term does not accurately represent the many varieties followed in modern times. Traditional witchcraft as a way of life with very limited direct structure is probably the most common but there are more regimented religious forms of witchcraft. Wicca is perhaps the most well known of these and is very much a religion involving witchcraft.
During the history of witchcraft no overarching principles were laid down that governed all covens or witches, which led to each coven practicing the arts in their own way as directed by their individual leadership. Solo practice is also wide spread and unique, again following the persons own beliefs.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews.
Article Source: The History of Witchcraft - EzineArticle
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Why is Witchcraft Real
Today Witchcraft is both a Religion and a way of life practiced by an increasing number of people throughout the world. The answer to the question, is witchcraft real, would be yes, as it is a belief system and thus is real if people believe it to be.
Witchcraft is close to paganism and would be classified as an unorthodox religion in that context. There are many different variations of witchcraft from older more traditional ways to the more modern and somewhat more popular types.
Traditional witchcraft has it's roots in Britain where it has been practiced for centuries and was the predominant way of life up until the Middle Ages. In medieval times some witches went to more extreme lengths with their practices and would use blood in their rituals to summon evil spirits for help. These practices allowed the church powers of the time to denounce witchcraft as heresy which had far reaching consequences and led to the slaughter of thousands of innocent people.
Witchcraft, out of necessity, became a more hidden society to survive. Anti witchcraft laws remained in force in England until 1951 when they were repealed. The last known person to be convicted was Jane Rebecca Yorke in 1944.
The Witchcraft Act remained in force in the Republic of Ireland until 1983 and the British Law is still in force today in Israel, which gained it's independence prior to the laws being repealed in 1951.
The fact that so many countries made specific laws against witchcraft and that it is mentioned in the writings of many other different religions answers the question, is witchcraft real, more than anything else. Christianity in particular denounced witches as heretics which means that if you are a Christian then you acknowledge the existence of witchcraft.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews..
Article Source: Is Witchcraft Real
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Is Witchcraft Real
Is Witchcraft Real? The answer depends on your own beliefs and that of others, as well as what you mean by Witchcraft.
Witchcraft is very real as a Religion. It has been practiced for many centuries and it's roots can be traced back as far as forty thousand years. Ancient cave paintings point to our ancestors believing in the power of Nature which is the fundamental focus of Witchcraft. This makes Witchcraft one of the oldest known belief systems.
So is witchcraft real? As a Religion or system of beliefs the answer would be yes. Witchcraft is just as viable as any Religion, be it Christianity, Muslim, Judaism or any other.
If you mean Witchcraft with respect to magic and spells that is an entirely different matter. Forget Harry Potter or Charmed, these are purely fiction and have absolutely no link to any real witch or the craft they pursue. Fun to watch maybe but products of the human imagination.
You could also say that magic and spells as a whole are also pure imagination. There are plenty of references in Religious books to spells and magic though, and there is no smoke without fire. Witches do believe in magic and will cast spells depending on their particular path.
As an example: being Wiccan does not necessarily mean you cast magic spells. Wicca is a newer form of Witchcraft and some practitioners do use magic and some don't. On the other hand all Traditional witches do use magic. Again it is down to who and what you believe.
Do you believe that Christ turned water into wine? If the answer is yes, then you should have no difficulty believing in magic. This was a miracle you say. Only because you believe it to be so. It could just as easily be fiction, a simple magic illusion or a form of spell craft.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews. The key is belief.
Witchcraft is very real as a Religion. It has been practiced for many centuries and it's roots can be traced back as far as forty thousand years. Ancient cave paintings point to our ancestors believing in the power of Nature which is the fundamental focus of Witchcraft. This makes Witchcraft one of the oldest known belief systems.
So is witchcraft real? As a Religion or system of beliefs the answer would be yes. Witchcraft is just as viable as any Religion, be it Christianity, Muslim, Judaism or any other.
If you mean Witchcraft with respect to magic and spells that is an entirely different matter. Forget Harry Potter or Charmed, these are purely fiction and have absolutely no link to any real witch or the craft they pursue. Fun to watch maybe but products of the human imagination.
You could also say that magic and spells as a whole are also pure imagination. There are plenty of references in Religious books to spells and magic though, and there is no smoke without fire. Witches do believe in magic and will cast spells depending on their particular path.
As an example: being Wiccan does not necessarily mean you cast magic spells. Wicca is a newer form of Witchcraft and some practitioners do use magic and some don't. On the other hand all Traditional witches do use magic. Again it is down to who and what you believe.
Do you believe that Christ turned water into wine? If the answer is yes, then you should have no difficulty believing in magic. This was a miracle you say. Only because you believe it to be so. It could just as easily be fiction, a simple magic illusion or a form of spell craft.
More information on Witchcraft can be found at Witchcraft Reviews. The key is belief.
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