Witchcraft- have you tried? Would you try?

[speakout]

Have you had any experience of this craft? Would you try? I understand that some think it's all rubbish, or may have fear but I am curious to other's views.

I've just started reading about Wicca and paganism. I think it would suit me to live more In touch with the seasons and celebrate and connect with the natural world in a more meaningful way.
The rule of three is interesting and a good way to live life really, pagan, Wiccan or whatever you are...

I had a very strong feeling I was a Wiccan when I watched a late night channel 4 documentary about ‘obscure religioms’ In about 1994/5. The documentary spoke to a coven of witches and showed them celebrating summer solstice. I was immediately drawn to it, but had nothing to go on. I ordered some social anthropology books about a history of witchcraft from the library, but it wasn’t until I went to university in Scotland that I met other pagans, including the heads of the Scottish pagan society. I identified as a hedge witch and I was really very interested in it.
It’s certainly quite a lot more mainstream now; there’s a ‘look’ and a large presence on instagram. I don’t follow it as such, but I try to incorporate element of celebrating the changing seasons into my life.

I've been practising the craft now for many years. I am not Wiccan. No witchcraft is not entirely safe. But then again nothing is entirely safe.

In the craft you take full responsibility for what you do and the consequences. Many people find that rather frightening as there is no one to blame but yourself.

Not about blame Elphame. Just interested in the how you can take responsibility.

The person I knew, who I described in my posts, wanted someone to understand how they felt not have something equally traumatic happen to them. That aspect seemed to be like a nasty little sting. People often want other people to be understanding and show compassion. Maybe some anger was channeled through the craft. Maybe on hearing what happened to the person who was the spell's focus it was just guilt that was triggered. How can situations like this be prevented?

“No witchcraft is not entirely safe.”

I hope you’re taking about the possibility of accidentally poisoning yourself with wild plants here, rather than conjuring the Prince Of Darkness or some such.

cote- not all witches try to manifest spirits. Many don't believe in the " Prince of Darkness", and many witches are atheists.
I don't even believe in the supernatural.

What is the “unsafe” part for someone who doesn’t even believe in the supernatural, then?

What does “witchcraft” even mean to someone who doesn’t believe in the supernatural?

I am not suggesting that witchcraft is " unsafe".

soeakout, how would you view the experience of woman I spoke about? How would you prevent something like this happening?

How do you view spell casting, if not supernatural?

Sorry speakout. Typo.**

I no nothing about the situation you describe, your information is very limited.

speakout - “I am not suggesting that witchcraft is " unsafe".“

That is exactly what Elphame said in the post I replied to.

Would you say her information is very limited, too?

My question to you (which you didn’t answer) was: What does “witchcraft” even mean to someone who doesn’t believe in the supernatural?

What would you need to know, apart from what I have posted on this thread, speakout?

I really can't comment on that situation magpie.

It seems intense, feelings running high and I know nothing of the people involved.
There are no generic answers.

speakout - Are you going to answer magpie’s question?

How do you view spell casting, if not supernatural?

I can't answer magpies question no.

As I understand she talks of person A who cast a spell on person B.
A bad thing happened to person B, and now person A is suffering with guilt.

These things happen with or without witchcraft.

Person A hates B and wants them to be dead. Person B has a bad thing happen - and person A feels guilty.

This happens in life.

Generally I find it's best not to think bad things of others.

speakout, is wanting other people to understand you better and have compassionate towards you bad? Strictly speaking, that is what the spell was cast for. Yes, the person casting the spell felt hurt and angry. The spell was intended to help the situation, though, not cause harm. I expect the anger could have got in the way in terms of spell casting, however, once felt, how is the practitioner supposed to disassociate from it?

Could you say, speakout, you are never angry? Or do you never cast spells for the purpose of solving a situation you feel hurt, wronged or angry over?

The thing is, take the witchcraft out of the situation, people would not connect how the view a person to bad things happening to that person. They wouldn't have the guilt. They might just see it as a natural consequence of that person's actions or being affected by chance / random occurrences.

magpiemischief With witchcraft you get exactly what you ask for. Exactly being the key word here. Black and white, no shades of grey. No "but what I really meant...." . It also takes the line of least resistance. So yes your friend does bear the responsibility for the outcome of whatever spell she cast. She may have intended that the target was to understand how she felt - easiest way for magic to achieve that is to have something nasty happen to them...." Guilt is now the price she has to pay.

You have to be very very careful in how you craft a working, how you word it and be very clear in your own mind about what you want the outcome to be.

CoteDAzur Well as I grow, harvest and use belladonna, monkshood, henbane etc, the so called baneful herbs, accidental poisoning is indeed a possibility. Fortunately I do know what I'm doing and I'm still here.

Pop wicca bears very little relationship to the original initiated forms. I know several lineaged Wiccans and they are the best cursers I know! What passes for wicca on the internet and in the beginner books doesn't bear much resemblance to the religion of Gardner and Sanders. Wicca is a religion - witchcraft is a practice.

So yes your friend does bear the responsibility for the outcome of whatever spell she cast. She may have intended that the target was to understand how she felt - easiest way for magic to achieve that is to have something nasty happen to them...." Guilt is now the price she has to pay.

Elphame, I guess what I am asking is how people can have the ability to respond to the dangers inherent in witchcraft? Exercise responsibility. How would a person necessarily know how their intention was to be achieved? Or what it could involve? Time machine and squashed butterfly fiction comes to mind.

The occult is secretive by definition. There is no doctrine. Dabbling is practically encouraged by some. So, as I see it, novices could be especially at risk to fall foul.

Added to this the active haunting dreams accompanied by the 'spirit guide' I found pretty disturbing.

She is a lapsed Catholic. Absolute mine field.

Don't dabble is basically the answer. You wouldn't undertake performing surgery without extensive training. Most of the information available on the Internet is at best incomplete and frequently wrong. Fortunately in most cases the worst thing that happens is nothing and the would be practioner concludes that it's a load of rubbish and moves on to the next new thing. Sadly for some like your friend, they have to live with the consequences.

I for one will be glad when the craft ceases to be fashionable. Those who are truly called to the craft will still find the way like I did long before the advent of pop Facebook groups

Those who are truly called to the craft will still find the way like I did long before the advent of pop Facebook groups

How was that, if you don't mind me asking, Elphame? How does a person know they are 'called' and this feeling is not just their own wishful thinking? How would they find out? Who/what does the calling?

In terms of the craft, the person I spoke of, certainly had the power to significantly alter (her perception of) life events through practicing. However the ability / discipline to control that power whilst practicing the craft does not seen evident. How do practitioners develop the necessary discipline and control? Who / where do they go for direction or help?

“I can't answer magpies question no.”

Why not? Do you not know your own mind?

You said you don’t believe in the supernatural.

The question is how you can believe witchcraft (including spell casting) works if you don’t believe in the supernatural.

Surely it’s a fairly simple question to answer.

cote- and not one I really want to answer. Yes I know my own mind. I am not sure whether you are actually very sympathetic towards my view or whether you looking for ammo to take a pop.

This is personal stuff. There are things I don't talk about on public forums- my kids lives, my sex life, most of my spiritual views.

I am under no obligation to answer your question.

Suffice to say that I am atheist , don't believe in the supernatural and I practice witchcraft.

I think others here on this thread will understand my views even if you don't.