Witchcraft is the practice of magick. It has long been viewed as an ‘evil’ or negative practice. In my opinion, this is due to the panic and fear created around the subject during the Witch Hunts. Which led to about nine million innocent people (mainly women) being tortured, strangled, burned, drowned or hanged over 300 years in the 16^th and 17^th centuries.

This stigma has remained into the 21^st century, fuelled by ignorance on the subject and general ostracism by society. Witch Hunt related murders continue today, numbers of cases are particularly high in Africa and India. 

Amongst the victims of the “Burning Times” were keepers of knowledge, guardians of ritual and healers of villages. Their traditions and practices were demonised and they were blamed for natural disasters that occurred, any illnesses, crop failures or ill fortune that fell upon an individual.  

This was a way for the patriarchal movement of that time to disempower individuals. By taking their belief in their ability to manifest their desires with free will away, they would be forced to rely on powers external to themselves for higher guidance, supervision and spiritual assistance. Thus making it much easier to control and dominate the masses. Free thinking was discouraged, encouraging conformity and an unquestioning mindset. 

Many people believe that the Bible condemns Witchcraft. However, the practices that Biblical passages in the original Hebrew and Greek translations condemn refer to “dark” forms of sorcery, murdering people by poisoning and human sacrifice.

Both practices are rejected by Wiccans and other Pagan practices alike. Scholars have pointed out that the word in the Hebrew Scriptures that is commonly translated as ‘Witch’ or ‘Witchcraft’ actually refers to the practice of reciting curses intended to hurt or kill other people.  The Greek word that is translated as ‘Witch’ would be better translated as "one who concocts potions to kill people," or "poisoner."

The philosophy of Wiccans and other Pagan practices do not allow for believers to harm, manipulate, control or dominate other people. It is clear that translators have had a great deal of difficulty selecting English words to match the Hebrew.  

Similarly, the African cultural concept of the ‘mThakathi’ a word directly translated into the English term 'Witchcraft' refers to the secret use of muthi, zombies, spells, spirits, magic powders, water, mixtures, etc. by a person with the sole intent and purpose of causing harm, damage or sickness to others or their property or outright murder. This concept has been greatly skewed by Colonialism and the work of missionaries throughout that time. 

There are many magickal traditions and schools of thought. Consequently, the magickal community is highly idiosyncratic and extremely tolerant of different points of view. Diversity is acknowledged and accepted as a means to best develop one’s own personal magick. However, as in all Traditions, Purists do exist and sometimes irreconcilable differences result.  

Witches do not have grotesque faces with moles, this was just a way that the Church depicted Pagans by ‘demonising’ them. They do not fly on brooms, in fact the broom is simply a symbol of clearing away negative energy. Witches do not wear pointy hats.

The hats may be symbolic of the cone of power which is the vortex of energy raised in a circle when casting magick. Alternatively, it was fashionable during the period when the artists began depicting witches with pointed hats. 

 That said, the majority of practitioners of the Craft are eclectic in their practices. Many people who practice the Craft are self-taught through books and the internet. What the individual learns in this way, is highly dependent on what type of information they come across.

Seekers of knowledge are vulnerable to manipulation and poor quality information in their eagerness to learn. They are also unable to discern good information from bad since they have no prior teaching to compare it with.  There are ‘good’ people and ‘bad’ people in all areas of life and you will find them practising the Craft too.

In effect, there is no good or bad, black or white. There is simply reflection. We perceive the denser and higher aspects of ourselves in others. What we experience within ourselves is reflected in our outer reality. If a practitioner chooses to embrace the shadow self and walk a darker path s/he may think that they are doing what is best for them or they may simply be lacking in knowledge.

Be that as it may, practitioners of the darker aspects of the Craft tend to burn out rapidly since the denser energy ultimately consumes them. Unlike the higher aspects of the Craft which transform and expand the individual. 

On the subject of curses; the individual who has been cursed has to accept the curse in order for it to be effective. That is, if you believe that you are not protected and that you are not firm enough within your own power and faith to withstand the negativity that is directed toward you, you will be susceptible.

Curses tend to play out as self-fulfilling prophecies. If you believe that the Curser can harm you, then you as the Cursee will experience that which you consider harmful. Your belief in the power of the curse is what fuels it.

A symbol used by many Pagans is the five-pointed star (pentagram) which represents the Universe. Each point signifies one of the 4 directions and the uppermost point symbolises Spirit, the Ethers. Often a pentagram is constructed with a surrounding Circle which is the symbol of eternal life and it serves to unite all the elements. The pentagram enclosed in this circle is called a pentacle and is revered as a symbol of All That Is. 

Often the pentagram and pentacle are misconstrued as “evil” symbols etc. All magickal symbols yield power, but it is the intent behind its use which determines what type of energy it will emanate. Witches do not worship the “devil”, many witches do not even acknowledge the existence of one, they do not sacrifice any creatures for ritual or magickal purpose either.   

The term ‘satan’ translated directly from Hebrew means ‘adversary’. In another sense, one could look at this from the perspective of the Shadow self we all have and need to acknowledge in order to grow spiritually. The Shadow is everything inside us that we believe we are not. Your Shadow aspect continues to push you into the light.

To a degree, it draws your challenges to you so you can see how you want to be. Learn to own your traits, recognise them, embrace them and accept that they are part of you. Once you’ve achieved this, the shadow will no longer run your life. This does not mean to surrender to the “Dark side” however some witches do explore this path.

Regrettably, witchcraft is sometimes used as a front for people who engage in less desirable activities to hide behind and to lure the young and impressionable.  The best way to prevent your self from becoming entangled with an unscrupulous practitioner of the Craft is to discern whether s/he uses magick to manipulate others, instil fear or for self-gain regardless of the impact on others or the surroundings. They impose their will upon others. Darkness seeks to withhold and control information.  

If someone makes unsavoury demands on you promising to exchange magickal information for them, get out... fast. Never engage in activities you do not feel comfortable with.

If there is secrecy involved and meetings arranged at secret or remote locations where you are requested to arrive alone, break all contact and stay way. These people cannot harm you unless you give them permission to do so. 

As a parent of a child that wishes to learn the Craft, do not alienate your child and make him/her feel that they have to be secretive about it. Rather show an open-minded interest so that you can share in his/her exploration and remain informed of activities. That way you can guide your child if you feel things are going awry. 

Practitioners of the Craft seek to cause effects in our world through connection with Spirit and the utilisation of energy. They are interested in the transformation of consciousness for the greater good, healing and peace. They constantly work on themselves to maintain the strength of will and resolve required to command their personal course.

Information is encouraged and shared. There are many diverse paths, traditions and sects which one may choose to follow or extract certain aspects and practises from, resulting in eclecticism.

Copyright 2010 Stella Seaspirit. All rights reserved.