Witchcraft

[Infinity1313]

You believe it is?

Or what do you believe it involves?

[AutumnalTone]

Do we believe *what* "is"? Your question assumes context you've not provided.

[neegoola]

IMO it's not matter of believing, it's about Doing and then Seeing.
it's not matter of "faith".
if not enough for start, or if one is still proceeding in theory, would be nice to link some studies about quantum physics; for instance i love dean radin's way of explaining very much, but i guess the web could be full of safe studies about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssO3uhvF73o

obligado :-)

[Infinity1313]

Do you believe in witchcraft or magic. And if so, what do you believe it is?

[lacunacoil]

Do you believe in witchcraft or magic. And if so, what do you believe it is?

an ideá to the éffect

[Scott]

You believe it is?

Or what do you believe it involves?

Personally, I believe in the power of belief itself to some extent. I was actually watching an anime until recently that had some elements of witchcraft I think.. well definitely paganism at any rate, called "Spice and Wolf". A fairly good series, although I stopped in the middle of the tenth season due to something I really didn't like.

[StarTeddy]

Witchcraft...I don't know much about it really. I know that it's a religious ritual that's supposed to have some kind of tangible effect...but as someone who is very scientifically minded, I don't think it's anything more than wishful thinking. Certainly no more effective than "regular" prayer.

[JaneQSmythe]

Do you believe in witchcraft or magic.

nope

[Quath]

If magic were real, then it should be able to be studied in a scientific type of experiment. And then it would becomes science. This is in a sense the premise to Ghostbusters.

[NovemberRain]

I believe in myth, I believe in belief, I believe in mystery, I believe in the mystery. I think 'witchcraft' is one way of saying all those things.

I believe in what I can see (oddly, I believe in a lot that I can't as well, but I try not to discuss it, because that sort of thing gets people locked up). What I see is 'do what thou will shall be the whole of the law'. <- that does not describe, or speak in any way to, consequences. And I believe there are consequences to behaviours. But I don't believe we get to immediately know or see all the consequences, therefore: 'do what thou wilt' is all there is to accurately describe human beings.

I believe that recognizing we live in tandem with the earth is a good thing, and I think lots of stuff that is ritual ascribed to 'witchcraft' was born out people recognizing and celebrating their symbiosis with the earth.

[trescool]

A question with many layers. Like asking, do I believe in prayer and ritual. What is implied in your question is: do I believe witchcraft achieves the end results it is supposed to. Well, that implies I know what those end results are indeed supposed to be. Again, implied in your question is the assumption of a tangible end, a change, a transformation... But without clarifying what kind of change or transformation I'm being asked to "believe in" or evaluate, it is a difficult question to answer. You see, I have seen from my experience that Wiccan practitioners have many different end goals, some which may be intangible, such as having a lovingkind heart.


Like others here have said, witchcraft is more than the Disney version of magic; where you get everything you want just by waving your wand. That is the capitalist version of magic, implying that something can come from nothing, that no effort or offering must be given in order to receive. That's not what I've seen of actual practitioners of Wicca, at all.

Committed practitioners endeavor for spiritual enlightenment, connection with the Earth, communion with the Earth, respect for All, and, yes, a scientific (but non invasive) study of nature, the natural laws governing nature, and a serious questioning of what our moral ethical and spiritual obligations and roles are as human beings, given our ultimately completely interconnected nature with the Earth, and other beings.

Ultimately Wicca is about Love, and coming to love. All the rituals and physical tools Wiccan use are supposed to remind us to enter back into the reality of love, interconnection with all beings, and harmony and balance within ourselves and others.

Having experienced the reciprocal creation of such a spirit of love, I believe it is possible; and waving a wand is only 1/100th of the creation of such a spiritual abiding space. However, I respect the traditions and innovations that Wiccans choose to physically symbolize this spirit of love, harmony and balance. These rituals and symbols help us to learn and understand again the reality of interconnectivity we live in, not just on an intellectual level, but an emotional and spiritual awareness which we can bring to our daily living.

A long answer to a seemingly simplistic question. This answer should also be understood as only one of many possible truths or understandings; it is rooted in my personal experience and I acknowledge it as such. Other experiences, having been learned from in depth communion with lore, ritual, and inquiry should also be validated as personally legitimate.

We are our stories and this is only one story.

[Rowan]

Witchcraft/Magic:
I believe and practice Wicca every day. Does that mean i can actually influence others by my will. No. Does it mean i can conjure money out of nothing, No.

To me, my faith is a way to commune with nature (a natural, necessary stress release for me), a way to feel more in control of the chaos my life becomes and most importantly, a way to continue to be the person I deserve to be (ie-centered, balanced and happy).

If you have questions specific to a particular topic, feel free to ask me. I enjoying sharing information.

[zephyrrine]

Do you believe in witchcraft or magic. And if so, what do you believe it is?

It is not about conjuring something from not or even spell casting it is about learning to have faith in your own abilities. Say you cast a love spell. that person isn't truly going to become enamored with you. all you did was give yourself a confidence boast. its all about the mind imo.