Monstrous
Witches Brew => Pagan Living => Topic started by: Sinovess on June 14, 2004, 07:00:30 AM
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When you think of a witch, what does your mind's eye see? Curious to find out what everyone's perspective of a witch is. And do YOU believe 'witches exist' :?:
~Sinovess
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Believe? But of course. :) It's hard not to when it's all around you. Several of my friends are Wiccan and label themselves "Pagan", though I loathe the term because, as far as I've read, it is actually an old English word meaning "stupid and uneducated; ignorant" (truely coined, of course, when the Christians came to dominance in Europe during the 1000's, and 1100's).
Unfortunately, most of my run-ins with Witches haven't been really pleasant. Most of them were unwashed, unshaven and very overly-friendly. I do appreciate a friendly disposition, but there is such a thing as over-doing it in my oppinion. Ergo, many times when someone says "Witch" or "Wiccan" or "Pagan", the image conjured in my own imagination is that of an unwashed hippie - a crystal-waving New-Ager who has discovered the religious practice as some sort of Neo-Feminism to replace the "Patriarchal" dieties of modern society, and that allows them to "strike one back at men". It just makes me feel that they don't really have an appreciation for the forces that they're trying to call, but rather consider their "practice" as something chique and vogue - like they're part of some exlusive club that let's them medle in the lives of others... The Martha-Stewart how-to of Neo-Nazi-Feminism... "PRIVATE! No MEN allowed..."... etc.
Pardon me for the jaded outlook, but I was trying to be accurate. I'm sorry if I offended, or came across as rude. That wasn't my intention. I'm only trying to illustrate my experiences.
-Loup
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I used to to be the kind of person who had negative stereotypes about witches, mainly because my mom always told me that witches exploited restless spirits and sumoned demons to do their bidding.Some of my earlier posts reflect my ignorance at that time and if any of them offended you or any other witch, I am deeply sorry. Fortunately,after learning that most witches do not use their magic for evil I developed a more enlightened attitude towards witches. But knowing that dosen't prevent me from still feeling a little afraid of someone who can wield magic. It is only human after all, to feel slightly afraid of someone who can do terrible things to you. :oops:
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Good morning Loup...
I see you are very much a nightwolf. If only my job would allow it. :? You do not offend me at all. I've been practicing for over 10 years now and have learned that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everyone has different experiences. It's unfortunate the 'witches' you've come into contact with are those of the nature that you speak. Not to toot my own horn but I try to be well groomed. LOL! I am a founder of a fairly well known organization - P~A~A~N - Pagans Against Animal Neglect - so I like to be upkept and respectable:
http://www.supportpaan.org/
http://www.supportpaan.org/sinovess.html
Also, from my experiences, the word 'Pagan' simply means 'country dweller'. It has so many conotations (majority being insulting) but I am proud of being Pagan and a witch and the intent of my organization is to educate people on the injustice of animals in need while trying to disband the missconceptions of Pagans and Paganism in general. But...it's just a word. Personally I think I would prefer to call myself a witch. It fits me more. You should pick up a copy of 'Witches' by Erica Jong. AMAZING book. VERY educational. Also, I don't just worship female deities - 2 female, 2 male. I like my balance. :) Which is also why I study both the lighter and darker sides of Witchcraft. I don't promote evil practicings, but instead I think everyone should educate themselves on both sides. One of my pet peeves would HAVE to be the 'fluffy bunny' Pagan. Oy... Well...enough about that. Thanks for responding to my post!
~Sinovess
Believe? But of course. :) It's hard not to when it's all around you... etc.
... ... ...
Pardon me for the jaded outlook, but I was trying to be accurate. I'm sorry if I offended, or came across as rude. That wasn't my intention. I'm only trying to illustrate my experiences.
-Loup
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Good morning MB,
I can completely understand what you mean. You are shaped by your parents as the majority of the rest of us are. The same as your parents were by theirs. My mother never really went into the subject of Paganism or Witchcraft with me as we were batized and raised Catholic. Even that wasn't pushed on us as we were more the C&E Catholics (Christmas & Easter). It never really called to me though - not like nature did. So that's why I ended up reading on many religions and found out no 'religion' is right for me. Instead I chose Paganism which is more of a way of life. Yes, I worship my deities and thank them for what they have supplied but I also live, eat and breathe this 'way of life' and I ALSO give myself and others credit for what we have. That's something I could never understand with Christianity - when something good happened, it was a gift from God and when something bad happened it was 'of the devil'. Why not give yourself credit when something good happened and why not take a bit of responsibility when something bad happened? Anyways...that's just a few of the things that didn't fit right with me and why I chose to 'shop around' per se. But the majority of my 'magickal workings' are with animals. I feel a real connection with them and I feel they have been so injusticed through the years that I try to give a small piece back to them. I don't do it for praise or acknowledgement; I do it to see what they get out of it. I rescue stray dogs from the streets when we come across them. This is one of the most precious gifts I can receive. To see them go to a good home instead of ending up starving to death or 'roadkill'.
However and unfortunately, not all Witches are like this. Some do become witches for their own personal gain and to get back at others. This is sad. That is not what Witchcraft was initially noted for. It was noted for helping others with herbs and energy. For becoming selfless midwives and helping women deliver their children successfully. But the idea of a witch is much different from that now - with their green and warted skin, flying around on brooms (which initially came from the idea of witches clearing their space with besoms [brooms] for a more succesful healing) and getting their 'familiar' demons to do their evil bidding. Maybe someday this will change again with the growth of interest and respect for this way of life. We can only hope.
~Sinovess
I used to to be the kind of person who had negative stereotypes about witches, mainly because my mom always told me that witches exploited restless spirits and sumoned demons to do their bidding.Some of my earlier posts reflect my ignorance at that time and if any of them offended you or any other witch, I am deeply sorry Fortunately,after learning that most witches do not use their magic for evil I developed a more enlightened attitude towards witches. But knowing that dosen't prevent me from still feeling a little afraid of someone who can wield magic. It is only human after all, to feel slightly afraid of someone who can do terrible things to you. :oops:
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Of course they exist.
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Yes, they do. But some people bring the name too far. By calling Wiccans, Pegans ect.....Satanist. How is something Satanist when they don't even believe in the Devil, nor Hell? Some Wiccans try too hard to be noticed and that gives all Witches a bad name. No offence, but in my mind I would think of a Witch as a quiet type, trying to do good and not too noticed for their gift. Witches are normal people, just a different religon and a way of practicing their religion.
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By calling Wiccans, Pegans ect.....Satanist. How is something Satanist when they don't even believe in the Devil, nor Hell?
I used to feel that way - I found out that just because I chose not to believe there was a devil didn't make him not exist.
I enjoyed Loup's personal experience with witches. Sounds like you ran up on some feminist Dianic witches...... :D
~Morticia
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believe?? in my town i'm a part of a small group that consists of 2 lycans, 3 users of witchcraft and a vampire....yeah i'm pretty sure i beleive
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In my experience...people tend to kind of lump witches and Wiccans together...which, although they go hand in hand, I don't think they are the same thing. Witches conjure spells. Wiccans believe in the Goddess, set up an altar for her, worship her and what other deities they choose, etc. etc...Wicca is the religion, witchcraft is the practice.
So, to me, witches are just people who can cast spells. They tend to respect nature a lot.
Many people also tend to lump psychic abilities in with witchcraft...and I think they're different too. To use myself as an example...I am in tune with my intuition, with my spirit guides, and although I don't now after a rough experience I am still trying to understand, if it weren't for that, I would still attempt astral projection. I can sometimes hear people's thoughts...that or they hear mine...because we will have been thinking the same exact thing...and it happens entirely to often. I get premonitions. However, I don't send out my wish for my true love to find me, I don't change the weather if I see fit, I don't invoke spirits, I don't use pentacles to protect me, and I don't turn people into toads! (That last one is a joke.)
I suppose the difference is...I work with the world around me...witches change the world around them. ...I use a pendulum too...and that's just a stone picking up on vibrations, and using them to answer questions. I'm not changing the world around me by using that.
Therefore, of course witches exist!
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I can tell you are very sincere about what you're doing, and the knowledge you're gaining.
But does it ever seem to you that a lot of the New Age religions are kind of "Build It Yourself" beliefs.
I know that witchcraft is ancient, but the books being written today and the methods taught are New Age. They're mostly all jumbled together and one tradition is borrowed from another until there are no lines between any of them.
When we get to a state of mind where WE are the ones who attempt to control or change situations, the focus is on US, the SELF.
If you look into true satanism, it's all about the SELF. That's why most people think that witches are also satanists. There's a very fine line and it's easy to step over the line without knowing it.
~Morticia
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three of my friends are wicca (almost me too, its a religon and that wouldn't sit well with my parents)
wicca is witchcraft so i believe (it is witchcraft right)
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you all say that witches have to be women or girls but i found out that men are witches aswell ok they do get called wizards and warlocks but there is no difference in what they do even i have used what power i can to attempt to summon a demon it failed and it ruined my life but i never brought out into our world, and i have tried spirits and spoken to them you will see in other post i have done that i have had a rather bad life but i have come to the conclusion that there is a reason for all of this i dont care if it spiritual or scientific i just like to have some answers now
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I veiw them as everyday people, with an extraordinary life. Most of us just go about our own buisness, dress in every day clothing, work, and play the way other people do. Its when you get into the cracks of our lives that you see the difference.