Poppet of Serendipity

Witchcraft: 101 FaeryLizzy Edition

sewingwitch:

faerylizzy:

I get a lot of questions like “What is Witchcraft?”, “Is it real?”, “Isn’t it evil?”, “Do you have to be Wiccan to practice it?”, and so on.

I’ve decided to make a Witchcraft 101 section, just to clear up confusion. I hope everyone enjoys <3

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• I’ll start out with the most common question:What Is Witchcraft?

To put it simply, Witchcraft is a practice of magic. To be more detailed, its a non-religious form of low-based magic. This definition I find to work out pretty well.

What the heck does that mean? Well, Low-based magic is a form of magic that uses more physical items. Witchcraft usually focuses on the use of items and the use of your own power; however, some do mix in their religious beliefs and spirituality in their own brand of Witchcraft. So in some Witchcraft, it can involve otherly entity work, which may or may not include deities, spirits, fae, demons, and so on.

• Wait wait wait….I thought You said Witchcraft was non-religious?

Yes it is. Of course, people like making non-religious things into special, spiritual acts. Painting is non-religious, until the individual artist makes it into a form of prayer and worship.

The same can go with Witchcraft. As a whole it is viewed as non-religious, but the individual and choose to make it apart of their religious worship.

It is important to note that Witchcraft can be 100% secular.

• ???Secular Witchcraft???

Well to make it simple to understand, I’ll provide this lovely example. A pastor is seen as a religious figure; however, he plays baseball. He doesn’t play for the sake of religious purposes, but rather he plays because it is fun.

Secular act: Playing Baseball because it is fun

Religious act: Playing Baseball in honor of your god(s)

The same exact thing can be applied with Witchcraft. Its an act, a practice, an art. People just choose to make their witchcraft religious.

• Does Witchcraft have rules?

There is no set code of conduct, no set rules, no one way to do things. You don’t have to follow the moon, you don’t have to follow the seasons, you don’t even have to work with Nature.

There is a whole lot of different sorts of Witchcraft. Each person’s witchcraft is different from another.

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• Alright to the next big question:Is Witchcraft real?

I think a better question would be “Is Magic real?”, and it most certainly is. Some say its a “Mind over Matter” thing or a “Placebo effect”, but these are both incorrect. Well, Witchcraft can have those things; however, it doesn’t go far enough. We all have a power, and whether you look at it from a science view point or a religious view point its there. It exists.

• That was sort of a vague response…

Well of course it was. Everyone has sort of a different view of where our power comes from. Some are more religious, others are more scientific. I suppose it doesn’t matter. Its there, and that is all that matters.

I am a firm believer that you will never believe what you don’t experience.

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• Is Witchcraft evil?

“Is Magic evil?”

No, and yes. It all depends. Is Science good? Some might argue that.

The concept of magic doesn’t have a “good” or “evil” mentality. It simply is. Its like going to a Volcano and trying to arrest it for mass murder. It doesn’t make a lot of sense.

So simply, only our concept of “Good and Evil” is what determines it. If we believe it is harmful, then it is harmful. If we believe it is helpful, it is helpful. Our intentions define magic.

• so….what about White and Black magic?

Its a lie, and it doesn’t exist. To label magic, is just like trying to label which building is good and which one is evil. It doesn’t make sense.

• wait…so Magic can’t be labeled with colors? What about Green Witchcraft???

This is a completely different matter. Green Witchcraft is a type of Witchcraft. Black and White Magic? Its trying to label magic in a negative way.

• BUT BUT! I heard Witchcraft is all about Sex and devil worship

Why are those bad things?

Witchcraft is individual. You like those things? You can have a devil orgy for all I care.

Do I do it? NO because its not in my own Witchcraft and religious views. Do you have to do it? No, there is no set moral code or rule book for Witchcraft.

Christians can be Witches, Muslims can be Witches, Satanists can be Witches, Atheists can be Witches. It doesn’t matter.

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• Do you have to be Wiccan/follow Wicca to practice Witchcraft?

Absolutely not. Witchcraft, as I stated before, is the non-religious practice of Witchcraft. However, there are groups and individuals that do have religious forms of Witchcraft. Wicca is one of them.

With so much confusion today, a lot of authors and people say Wicca and Witchcraft are the same, but they are not.

One is a religion, and one is a Practice.

• But…so many Witchcraft books talk about a god and goddess…

Its because they are confusing Wicca and Witchcraft as the same thing. Witchcraft is non-religious, so if you don’t want to change your religious views then don’t!

Witchcraft as a whole is free from culture, religion, race, ethnicity, location. Anyone and everyone can practice it.

Witchcraft as a small group or individual is always influenced from culture, religious views, race, ethnicity, and location. (Sorry if this is confusing lol)

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• What is a good way to Start Witchcraft?

As a personal suggestion, I would probably suggest starting with Herbal magic, candle magic, or crystal magic, since these three are probably the most popular among Witchcraft topics. They’re easy to learn, and you can pick them up rather quickly.

I would suggest that you learn energy work as well. To understand, feel, and control energy is a very helpful skill in Witchcraft.

Don’t know the magical property of a plant? Pick it up and feel the energy. It will tell you what it is.

• What are some good books to get?

My Recommended books for witchcraft

http://faerylizzy.tumblr.com/post/38408850500/khalheyokha-ah-ah-most-of-my-books-were

http://nonwiccanwitch.webs.com/nonwiccanreadinglist.htm

These book lists are fantastic.

• Are there any authors/things I should stay away from?

Anything saying “G*psy magic”
Anything saying “Totem Animal”
careful with Shamanism: Most appropriate things
Anything saying “all you need to know”
Anything that says “It must be done this way and only this way”
Books that don’t give the “Whys” behind things
Anything with “Burning times” or says “Wicca is ancient”
Silver Ravenwolf
DJ Conway
Fiona Horne
Amber Wolfe
Any thing that confuses Wicca, Paganism, and Witchcraft
Anything that says “Harm none” and ISN’T talking about Wicca

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Lizzy’s Posts on Witchcraft

• Elemental Magic Types
• Fae
• Spells
• Charms
• Tarot
• Alternatives to Smoke Cleansing with Sage
• Color Magic
• Magical Properties of Yellow Roses
• Sea Witchcraft tip: cleansing
• Power of Quartz
• Familiars
• Sweater Magic
• Magical Properties of Tears
• Simple Full moon ritual
• tarot magic circle of power
• My Recommended books for witchcraft

Lessons in Witchcraft:

• Lesson 1: Cottage Witchcraft pt1
• Lesson 1: Cottage Witchcraft pt2
• Lesson 1: Cottage Witchcraft pt3
• Lesson 2: Mountain Witchcraft pt1

This is perf in every way