Can a Christian or Jew become a Witch?

Yes. But only if they leave Christianity or Judaism. Witchcraft is a religion all unto its own. The traditions within the Craft have their own belief structures.

Magic Vs. Prayer

There are two means available to us to change life's circumstances, magic and prayer. They have three things in common: 1) both refuse to accept the status quo; 2) both assume the ability to affect change; 3) and both require a belief that the procedure could work.

"Could" work?

Of course, while we have "faith" in the process as a workable solution, this faith should be tempered with a realization that just because we want something, doesn't mean we can have it. Sometimes the answer is "no". Some things are not meant to be changed.

Magic and prayer are two distinct approaches to problem solving. Magic is the belief that supernatural forces can be influenced and manipulated by executing a ritualistic formula, either physical or verbal. For magic to work, energy must be manipulated. The seeker or witch takes the active role in the manipulation. The energy can be from any
source, herbal energy, a spiritual force, God energy, an Elemental or planetary energy, etc.

This manipulation is what takes magic beyond the scope of prayer.

Prayer is a conversational request. It is not a ritual as much as a submitted application for assistance. It is asking God to manipulate change.

It is a paradox that Christian hymn verse and set liturgy glorifying God is magic! This is so because the hymns and liturgy are based on "the belief that supernatural forces can be influenced and manipulated by executing a ritualistic formula." The worshipper or congregant takes the active role in the manipulation, albeit without a conscious intent to
manipulate. But manipulation it certainly is.

Magic and prayer are two distinctly different approaches, nevertheless they utilize a means to achieve the same result.

by Adrian
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Doing Spells

Lighting a candle and chanting some words over a flame does not mean you are actually casting a spell. Before you begin down the path of magic, you should understand how it works.

The universe is energy; and on and within the Earth, we live within these energies. They surround us.

These energies must be used correctly or they can disrupt the flow of our lives or the lives of others. Therefore, it is important to be patient and learn what you are doing before you accidentally do harm when you intended to do good.

I would also like to say that I am a believer in Personal Consent and in the Law of Return.

Personal Consent means that we need to get permission before trying to "help" someone.

The Law of Return is a rule which states that in accordance with the laws of physics, energy that is directed in one direction will eventually return in the opposite direction. For every force there is an equal counter-force. Thus, positive spells are returned, as are the negative.

Wiccans believe in the Law of Three. That spells (energy) sent for good or evil return to the sender in threes.

Therefore, if you follow, it's wise to have the knowledge necessary rather than trying to do magic thru the back door.

technorati tags:spells, witchcraft, wicca

Thoughts On Becoming A Witch

As you may know there is no conversion to witchcraft or Wicca. Yet both witchcraft and Wicca are religions with many traditions or denominations. So how does one become a witch?

From the witchcraft and Wicca points of view, intrinsically wholesome religions are those very few that are harmless to all people and that encourage spiritual growth. So, remaining in a wholesome religion or finding one is best for most people.

But clearly this is not true of everyone. There are some few that are drawn to witchcraft. It is a personal realization of a state of being.

In orthodox Gardnerian Wicca and their elk, it is taught that "only a witch can make a witch." In other words, a witch is made only by being initiated by a duly initiated witch, who was in turn initiated be a duly initiated witch… Well, if this is true, who initiated the first witch?

In the real world, the truth is that witches are born, but they need to be trained and brought in tune with the universe and its forces. For many hundreds of years in Britain, witches were witches because they were born into families, or had neighbours, that taught them healing, herbalism, or whatever interested them. Classes were not held. Believe it or not, young men and women didn't study under guidelines set by a Gardner or a Cochrane.

It was a natural process devoid of very much ritual; instead these kind people were raised to live in harmony with nature. Most lived in villages, some on farms, but it didn't matter where they lived, nor did anyone care if they were ceremonially declared a witch. Such a thing would have seemed quite peculiar. Instead they simply were witches.

Witches are witches because they sense a calling. They have a positive feeling that selecting the pagan path is simply correct and that it seems in harmony with their spirit. The usual feeling of a Seeker who is coming closer to witchcraft or Wicca is one of inner peace and happiness. There is a prevailing feeling that they are truly home.

If you feel a calling to witchcraft or Wicca, you are already a Seeker. Traditionally, the term witch would only be used when someone had many years of experience. In fact, the term was hardly used at all.

If you are new to the world of witchcraft or Wicca, there are many traditions or denominations. But before doing anything, you need to read. Your local library should have many books available (except in the Bible Belt).

Look at Blue Moon Manor website for more information.

Adrian

Nature Spirit Magick

This amazing material comes from the Coven of Cythrawl website. Enjoy! Adrian

Some Effects of Working with Nature Spirits, Part I
Author Unknown

Spectacular physical manifestations can happen when working with nature spirits in the wild. I have personally seen actual foxfire mark the boundaries of a magic circle at a location that was identified as a receptive power spot and attuned to a planned ritual the day before. 

 

I have seen more than one site attuned for ritual be dry and comfortable, with a round hole in the clouds overhead, on days that were cold and rainy at other nearby locations. Birds have joined in rituals, flying around the circle when energy was being raised; and insects, birds and animals have joined in chants. In addition, the wind often responds to invocations. Generally, these spectacular manifestations happen unexpectedly.

 

With or without such manifestations, nature spirits often will channel tremendous amounts of power into the magic being performed. It is suggested that you do not consciously try for specific manifestations. Let Nature channel her power into the magic in her own way. If approached with respect, nature may give you many pleasant surprises.

 

Spectacular physical manifestations are not a necessary sign of success. If you need a spectacular manifestation and nature spirits know this, you will get it. The best success in magic is on the inner planes and more subtle than such manifestations. 

 

This success involves beneficial changes in consciousness that last and helpful chains of synchronicity. In addition, working with Nature Spirits can also bring a deep sense of partnership with Nature, and bring new levels of attunement.

 

To get the best results, perform nature spirit attunement several hours to several days before the main ritual. The purposes of such attunement are to find suitable power spots and to get the help of friendly nature spirits. This timing gives Nature time to gather her children and to prepare to actively
participate in the main ritual.

technorati tags:witchcraft, wicca, nature, naturespirits

Ancient Roman Religion

This comes fom Paganism; Past & Present, an interesting site.

Pagan religions believed in many gods and generally worshipped the earth, sea, sun, sky and various other elements of nature. The Romans were polytheistic and much of their lives were spent in a fervent effort to please their gods.  This was because ancient Romans believed that their gods had great influence over their daily lives and fates.  In order to placate the gods, the Romans believed that certain rituals and rites must be performed in appreciation of the gods works.  As the religion progressed, so too did the rituals, this made it necessary to form priesthood’s with specific rituals and traditions. In keeping with the Pagan tradition the Romans had a deep respect for the earth and her cycles. The ancient Roman religion is one of the better known pagan religions.

Early Roman religion was based on spirits. The Romans did not build great mythologies like the Greeks, rather they believed everything had a spirit. These spirits were thought to influence for good or evil, daily life. The Romans therefore had to keep them happy through worship and sacrifice. If the rituals and sacrifices were performed properly the Romans believed the gods would be happy and help them.

Romans believed each God had a specific "field" of expertise. There was a god of the sun, Apollo, a god of the sea, a god of the sky and many others. As Roman life had many different aspects there were many different Gods. If a Roman wanted a good crop he would pray to Ceres, the goddess of agriculture. The most important of all the spirits was Vesta the goddess of the hearth and home and the center of Roman family life. Each household had a small shrine dedicated to the household spirits. The Romans were great copiers. They borrowed many of their gods from the Greeks, but unlike Greek gods, theirs did not have the same definitely conceived personality, they were more cold and formal. The Romans lived under the gods and constantly tried to please them.

The Romans has a well defined state pantheon of gods. These were the official gods led by Jupiter, the father of the gods. Others included;

Mars; god of war, Ceres; Goddess of agriculture, Diana; moon goddess, Juno; goddess of women and childbirth, Minerva; goddess of wisdom and healing in war                       

The Roman religion was based on rituals and sacred rites. These rituals had become very complex over the years and needed special people to perform them. This is where the priests came in. The chief priesthood’s were usually filled by distinguished statesmen or generals. Roman religion and politics were intermeshed. There were two types of priests;
· priests for the general supervision of religion
· priests of particular deities

As the Roman empire expanded it came into contact with new and different religions. Many were absorbed into the state religion. Religious tolerance was a policy among the emperors. They introduced a policy of syncretism designed to encourage the merging of pagan religions to unite people and effect greater political stability. This cemented and united the empire. So it came to pass that Romans could worship whoever they liked as long as it didn’t interfere with others.

The ancient Roman religion is one of the most well known pagan religions. It was worshipped not only by the Romans, but by the various communities which were absorbed into the Roman empire. These communities added to the state religion with their own specific beliefs until it was a truly diverse and all encompassing religion. Throughout the modern world, the ancient roman religion is known as one of the world’s first and most famous pagan religions. It is the Roman and the Greek religions which are the basic from modern pagans take their beliefs.

technorati tags:romanreligion, paganism, rome