So you want to be a Witch?….
With the growth of Paganism, New Age, Wicca and the Occult on the rise. There is a lot of confusion as to Which Witch is Which?
First, let’s break down the Five different ways one can walk this path.
1. Religion
2. Magickal Practice
3. Spirituality
4. ParaNormal
5. Philosophy
Now some people will have all five of these while others maybe one or two. For each person it is different and they will have these in different amounts. As no two people are exactly the same neither is their path.
Religion
re·li·gion [ri-lij-uhn] noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
When speaking in terms of Religion, this would include. Wiccans, Asatru, Haitian Vodou, Santeria, Indigenous Shamanism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hindu, Shinto, Some Pagans, Some forms of Buddhism and other Indigenous Religions.
Magickal Practice
Many Religions have a Magickal Practice, while in most cases the Magickal practice is kept to the priest class. It is possible to have a Magickal practice without Religion. Hoodoo, Folk Magic, the Occult and basic witch’s craft (aka practical magick) Usually a Magickal Practice is divided two ways.
High Magick – Ceremony or Ritual that’s intent is to commune with the divine or attempt to become divine. High Magick is an inward journey of spiritual evolution.
Low Magick or Practical Magick- While High Magick attempts to change what is within. Practical Magick attempts to change what is without, the external environment.
The concept and application of a Magickal Practice is best defined by the meaning of, practice.
Practice noun /ˈpraktəs/
practices, plural
* The actual application or use of an idea, belief, or method as opposed to theories about such application or use
* The customary, habitual, or expected procedure of something
* The carrying out or exercise of a profession, esp. that of a doctor or lawyer
* The business or premises of a doctor or lawyer
* An established method
* Repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it
* A period of time spent doing this
verb
* Perform (an activity) or exercise (a skill) repeatedly or regularly in order to improve or maintain one’s proficiency
* Carry out or perform (a particular activity, method, or custom) habitually or regularly
* Actively pursue or be engaged in (a particular profession or occupation)
* Observe the teaching and rules of (a particular religion)
It is the PRACTICE that separates it. A practice is done on a regular basis with thought and effort.
Spirituality
spir·i·tu·al·i·ty that which gives meaning to one’s life and draws one to transcend oneself.
Spirituality is separate from Religion. In most case the two go hand in hand however it is possible to be a very spiritual person and not be religious. Someone who is Spiritual wishes to evolve internally into becoming a better person. Believing in Deity is not necessary for this evolution.
Paranormal
Ghosts, Psychics, Guides and The Fae. Everyone is born with some psychic ability. It is like singing, some have a natural gift while others take singing lessons. However even if you can’t hold a note, with practice you can learn to sing very well. The same is true for extra sensory abilities, however our cultural for thousands of years has been shunning this trait and in many it has gone latent.
Philosophy
And finally we come to Philosophy. Philosophy is the impartial academic study of Metaphysics. This is purely a study of the mind and not the spirit. Philosophy is the intellectual equivalent to spirituality although unlike the goal of evolution. Philosophy attempts to learn for the sake of learning.
These are the five things that make up Witchcraft. Since Witches tend to be ornery beings not all of us are going to follow these five. I am sure there a couple of particularly ornery ones that fall into neither of these categories. *smiles* Human Beings are a complicated lot and this subject matter is as diverse and as complicated as us humans.
houseofcyanide 