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.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
