Witchcraft versus Magic

H

Hermes

Guest
Upon careful examination of these metaphysical sciences, one cannot help but come to the conclusion that witchcraft is somewhat superior in the sense of total independence and not in need of using any tools or outside "crutches". It is all metal and based on mental powers and spells.
Magic on the other hand is using rituals, mirrors, alchemy and of course the will (wilt) etc.
There are certain overlapping in these two and the delineation is getting fuzzy....
As a witch uses brews, a cauldron, nature and the magician can practice his craft based on spells and his mental powers. What is your opinion. Any witches around here, come out do not be shy... :)
 
All Witches use Magick, but not all Magickians use Witchcraft.
 
Thanks Etu....care to elaborate more? :rolleyes:

P.S. I always type "metal" when I mean "mental" and then I cannot change it as I am always late noticing it...is it a Freudian slip?
All Witches use Magick, but not all Magickians use Witchcraft.
 
LOL . . . could very well be a Freudian slip!

Magick is a blanket term for any number of Systems, Witchcraft (Traditional for example) is more of a religion that incorporates certain types of Magick.

Magick is simply creating a change in one's self and eventually in one's environment through the projection of Will.

I practice a lot of Ritual Magick and use a lot of 'props' to help enter that state of gnosis necessary to the Magickal operation. It helps me.
 
It is my understanding and belief that its the same game , just different methods . Creative visualization , l.o.a. , magic , witch craft , ect all work through your higher self . As to if one is better , I would think it would more how well one knows how to use that system . desert rat
 
The word Magick is a confusing term actually, where it fragments from spirituality is a blurred line.
 
Welcome to the forum flame...
I am curious how can you assign priority or otherwise date these two concepts that are very similar? Shamanistic magic was likely the first but as soon as it was used for the common good of man soon after it was likely perverted for individual use. Note, I am not putting down using something for selfish reasons. But the next step was to use it for money and for nefarious reasons such is to kill some foe, etc (see voodoo)....I suspect witchcraft and the dark side magic was to come about side-by-side with the advent of magical thinking and benevolent sorcery (note all royalty or kings had a advisor, consilieri who knew astrology, magic, etc)
Witchcraft has partly emerged from magick
 
I suggest reading a few works by scholars on the historical significance and origin of the Witch Cult. Michael Harrison and Margaret Alice Murray are good places to start.

Magick is "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will"
Witchcraft is the practice of the "Old Religion" . . . typically the Neolithic era with the worship of the Horned God and Goddess.

The line becomes blurred when spirituality and magick are mentioned to together.
Spiritual worship of the Horned God and Goddess was integral to fertility rites, hunting, and agricultural needs. The understanding that there was a force of Nature that could be dealt with gave birth to ritual magick.
 
Etu,
Thanks for the book recommendations, I managed to get my hand on Michael Harrison's book (Roots of Witchcraft) - a fascinating read but his single handed theory of fertility cults were somewhat refuted by scholars in recent years. Also, I am more interested in practical aspects from experienced practitioners (I like the scholarly approach but I am a "get-my-hands-dirty", practical magician myself)-Nevertheless a great read. Thanks.
-Hermes
I suggest reading a few works by scholars on the historical significance and origin of the Witch Cult. Michael Harrison and Margaret Alice Murray are good places to start.

Magick is "the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will"
Witchcraft is the practice of the "Old Religion" . . . typically the Neolithic era with the worship of the Horned God and Goddess.

The line becomes blurred when spirituality and magick are mentioned to together.
Spiritual worship of the Horned God and Goddess was integral to fertility rites, hunting, and agricultural needs. The understanding that there was a force of Nature that could be dealt with gave birth to ritual magick.
 
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