Post by Metaphysical Beginnings on Jul 25, 2013 1:57:28 GMT
Mosst Dictionaries define magick as ‘(1) The art that, by use of spells, supposedly invokes
supernatural powers to influence events. (2) Sorcery. (3) The practice of this art.’ And it defines
a spell as ‘(1) a verbal formula considered as having magical force. (2) Any influence that can
control the mind or character.’magick'
There is little with which those who weave magick spells today can argue about these
definitions. The word sorcery, perhaps. To anyone who has seen Walt Disney’s delightful The
Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the word probably conjures up an image of a desperate Mickey Mouse
ignoring his forbidding and formidable master’s instructions and getting into all sorts of trouble.
What lingers in the mind is the unforgettable image of the sorcerer’s shadow, cast on the wall of
a spiral staircase, winding his way down to his workroom.
That apart, the only other word in the dictionary definition with which one can take issue is
‘supernatural’. In the past, certainly, and maybe today in developing parts of the world,
superstitious people continue to believe in the supernatural powers of their wise men.
Had the compilers dropped the ‘super’ from ‘supernatural’ and deleted the word, ‘supposedly’
they would have come up with the perfect definition of modern magick: ‘The art that, by use of
spells, invokes natural powers (the power of nature may be better) to influence events’.
The same dictionary defines witch as ‘a person, usually a woman, who practises or professes to
practise magick or sorcery (there’s that mental picture again) especially black magic, or is
believed to have dealings with the devil.’magick
There is little to quibble with here. Delete the reference to black magick and accept the fact that
in the past witches were believed to be in league with the devil and we have a perfectly
acceptable definition of witch. We could also delete the reference to women, and that done we
have a perfectly acceptable description of what a witch is – a person who practises or professes
to practise magic.magick
The main purpose of this book is to explain what modern-day witchcraft is and to tell how
anyone with a belief in the power of nature can draw on that power to weave spells that bring
good into a life, be it the spell caster’s or someone else’s.
We will look briefly at the history of witchcraft, how it came to be regarded as a black art and how
it was ‘reborn’ during the last century as the art of Wiccan.
Why the quotation marks around ‘reborn’? Witchcraft never really died out. Because of the
reputation it gained for devil worship and because of the scepticism in which it was held, it was
driven underground. But as the Industrial Revolution came and went and people turned to
science to solve many of their problems, the practice of turning to nature to solve these
problems went on all over the ‘civilized’ world. So it was not strictly reborn: ‘resurfaced’ would be
a better word.
We will look briefly at witchcraft around the world.
We will explain as many aspects of modern-day witchcraft as is possible within the confines of
these pages! And in laying down how to use magick, and how to cast many spells that have
proved effective for many witches, we hope to banish much of the scepticism in which this
ancient art continues to be held.
Of course there is a lot of hocus-pocus but at its heart, 21st-century witchcraft holds undoubted
truths and powers that anyone who comes to believe in them can draw on and use for the good
of all.
It should be pointed out that casting spells is an intensely personal thing. What worked
wonderfully well for one magickmaker may not be quite so powerful in the hands of another. If a
spell calls for a particular essential oil and experience shows that an alternative works better,
then it is usually quite in order to substitute the one for the other.
Efficient spell casters keep a record in their Book of Shadows, or grimoire, of every spell they
cast and when they cast it.
Another thing that should be pointed out is that it takes time for a spell to work, so don't expect
immediate results – at least not most of the time.
One change that will happen quickly, though, is one that happens inside you. In putting yourself
more in tune with nature, with the flow of the seasons, the cycles of the moon and all the other
wonders that are there to be appreciated you will soon become a more relaxed and more
complete person.
The benefit can go deeper. Many spell casters use vizualizing techniques to help them with
their magick. But it is not just in their magic that the benefits are felt – these techniques can be
used at any time, in any circumstance where it is necessary to clear the mind and focus it
properly: a great asset in the modern, competitive workplace.
And in casting spells to create and spread (for want of a better word) ‘goodness’ – be it in
matters of health, wealth or happiness – spell weavers can smile on themselves, which, as long
as smugness or sanctimony are not allowed to creep in, is beneficial to the magick- maker’s
own health and happiness.
A caveat! Spells should never be cast for nefarious purposes – to bring bad luck to someone or
to get revenge for an ill-thought action by another. Witches believe that what goes out comes
back, not once, but three times! Be warned.
supernatural powers to influence events. (2) Sorcery. (3) The practice of this art.’ And it defines
a spell as ‘(1) a verbal formula considered as having magical force. (2) Any influence that can
control the mind or character.’magick'
There is little with which those who weave magick spells today can argue about these
definitions. The word sorcery, perhaps. To anyone who has seen Walt Disney’s delightful The
Sorcerer’s Apprentice, the word probably conjures up an image of a desperate Mickey Mouse
ignoring his forbidding and formidable master’s instructions and getting into all sorts of trouble.
What lingers in the mind is the unforgettable image of the sorcerer’s shadow, cast on the wall of
a spiral staircase, winding his way down to his workroom.
That apart, the only other word in the dictionary definition with which one can take issue is
‘supernatural’. In the past, certainly, and maybe today in developing parts of the world,
superstitious people continue to believe in the supernatural powers of their wise men.
Had the compilers dropped the ‘super’ from ‘supernatural’ and deleted the word, ‘supposedly’
they would have come up with the perfect definition of modern magick: ‘The art that, by use of
spells, invokes natural powers (the power of nature may be better) to influence events’.
The same dictionary defines witch as ‘a person, usually a woman, who practises or professes to
practise magick or sorcery (there’s that mental picture again) especially black magic, or is
believed to have dealings with the devil.’magick
There is little to quibble with here. Delete the reference to black magick and accept the fact that
in the past witches were believed to be in league with the devil and we have a perfectly
acceptable definition of witch. We could also delete the reference to women, and that done we
have a perfectly acceptable description of what a witch is – a person who practises or professes
to practise magic.magick
The main purpose of this book is to explain what modern-day witchcraft is and to tell how
anyone with a belief in the power of nature can draw on that power to weave spells that bring
good into a life, be it the spell caster’s or someone else’s.
We will look briefly at the history of witchcraft, how it came to be regarded as a black art and how
it was ‘reborn’ during the last century as the art of Wiccan.
Why the quotation marks around ‘reborn’? Witchcraft never really died out. Because of the
reputation it gained for devil worship and because of the scepticism in which it was held, it was
driven underground. But as the Industrial Revolution came and went and people turned to
science to solve many of their problems, the practice of turning to nature to solve these
problems went on all over the ‘civilized’ world. So it was not strictly reborn: ‘resurfaced’ would be
a better word.
We will look briefly at witchcraft around the world.
We will explain as many aspects of modern-day witchcraft as is possible within the confines of
these pages! And in laying down how to use magick, and how to cast many spells that have
proved effective for many witches, we hope to banish much of the scepticism in which this
ancient art continues to be held.
Of course there is a lot of hocus-pocus but at its heart, 21st-century witchcraft holds undoubted
truths and powers that anyone who comes to believe in them can draw on and use for the good
of all.
It should be pointed out that casting spells is an intensely personal thing. What worked
wonderfully well for one magickmaker may not be quite so powerful in the hands of another. If a
spell calls for a particular essential oil and experience shows that an alternative works better,
then it is usually quite in order to substitute the one for the other.
Efficient spell casters keep a record in their Book of Shadows, or grimoire, of every spell they
cast and when they cast it.
Another thing that should be pointed out is that it takes time for a spell to work, so don't expect
immediate results – at least not most of the time.
One change that will happen quickly, though, is one that happens inside you. In putting yourself
more in tune with nature, with the flow of the seasons, the cycles of the moon and all the other
wonders that are there to be appreciated you will soon become a more relaxed and more
complete person.
The benefit can go deeper. Many spell casters use vizualizing techniques to help them with
their magick. But it is not just in their magic that the benefits are felt – these techniques can be
used at any time, in any circumstance where it is necessary to clear the mind and focus it
properly: a great asset in the modern, competitive workplace.
And in casting spells to create and spread (for want of a better word) ‘goodness’ – be it in
matters of health, wealth or happiness – spell weavers can smile on themselves, which, as long
as smugness or sanctimony are not allowed to creep in, is beneficial to the magick- maker’s
own health and happiness.
A caveat! Spells should never be cast for nefarious purposes – to bring bad luck to someone or
to get revenge for an ill-thought action by another. Witches believe that what goes out comes
back, not once, but three times! Be warned.