Real Witches Do Not...
-Hurt people physically, mentally, spiritually or magically
Really, now?!?! Perhaps novices who come to "Wicca" directly from unrealistic sources such as tv shows and books that tell them that the Rede is "Harm None" (which is a bastardization of the actual Rede). Witches (and Non-Witches alike) harm things all the time...intentionally and unintentionally. There are many Witches out there who hunt for food, who kill mice, bugs or other pesky pests, or banish negative entities from their homes. If that isn't harm, then I don't know what is.
-Take illegal drugs
Let's not be so naive. There are NUMEROUS Witches out there who take drugs on a regular basis...perhaps the most popular being Marijuana, merely for the spiritual effects they believe it causes. For many it allows them to contemplate spiritual and philosophical meanings and questions (though most of the time they don't remember. Drug use to some is no less harmful than drinking, though many don't see any harm in that).
Let's also not forget those Witches who practice OUTSIDE the North American continent. There are LOTS of "Witches" who use what we would consider illegal (as well as legal) drugs to induce trance and euphoric states to assist in astral travel. Not all Witches conform to the laws of Man (or the US/Canada for that matter)
-Work Black Magic
My apologies to Ms. Ravenwolf, but there's no such thing as "Black" or "White" magic. Magic is a neutral force that remains neutral until intent has been determined. THEN it's more appropriate to call it "Black" intent or "White" intent. Magic is magic regardless of what you do with it. A knife isn't black because it stabbed someone, and isn't white because it cuts your Sunday dinner.
-Fly in the sky on brooms
Ok, I'll give her this one...however, I will say that the flying part is no problem...it's the landing that gets you into trouble (lol...little humor there). On a serious note, Witches never flew on brooms...it was perhaps an exaggeration based on perhaps people in the past stumbling upon a harvest ritual being performed in the woods or in a field, in which people were straddling brooms, jumping as high as they could. The height of the jump determining how high the crops would grow. A misunderstanding lead to the idea that they were "flying".
Another theory is that "Witches of Olde" would apply a concoction called a "Flying Ointment" to some...neither-regions...to induce the hallucination of flight. Some Witches actually thought they were flying while never leaving the ground.
-Eat babies or other ridiculous notions
Again, I'll give her this one. I think babies are cute, I'm not gonna eat one (I'll perhaps nibble on cute chubby baby cheeks, but that's as far as it goes). Ack...rumors...tsk tsk. I suppose it doesn't help when the media jumps on any opportunity to shed a negative light on Witches and other Pagans, when crazies do outrageous things (like killing children) in the name of their religion. Paganism has room enough to do without live sacrifices. Deities are now accepting of plant life and other non-living offerings.
-Kill animals or use animal blood or body parts in our magical workings. Witches respect animals and nature.
One can have respect for nature and still kill an animal. It would seem that Ms. Ravenwolf here is trying to make Witches pacifists in some form or another. As I said above, Witches hunt for food (generally)...many Witches are also happy omnivores, consuming meat every day. There's nothing wrong with that, as meat contains a large abundance of much needed nutrients and proteins. It's more harmful to deny your body that which it needs, merely because you find killing an animal to be distasteful.
As for killing as part of a ritual, that's true...Witches don't need to use blood or body parts of animals to complete work...there are NUMEROUS substitutes out there, that it's just not practical, however there are cultures and practitioners out there who DO do ritual killings, and these are perfectly legal.
-Tell fibs or big whopper lies
Oh really, Ms. Ravenwolf? So, if this is true, as you say, why is it in your books you condone your young readers to lie to their parents regarding practice? Hypocrit much?
Lying is a part of humanity. It is our thought that by lying, we either get ourselves out of trouble (when in fact, it gets us into far more trouble than the original lie was worth), or to spare one's feelings. Witches are not immune to the faulties of humanity. It's our curse as being pure human.
It's quite the conundrum. Lie and hurt someone mentally and perhaps physically (see 1) or lie and hurt yourself. Yes....conundrum.
-Call themselves "Warlock"
You know, I've never seen any actual, legit Witch call themselves "Warlock" (Warlock meaning "oathbreaker" and a term used to call a traitor). Most, if not all Witches, realize that this term is derogatory and insulting. Why bring yourself down by being derogatory?
-Get into sexual perversions. Sex is indeed respected in Witchcraft as an act of the expression of love and the celebration of life. But it is never forced upon anyone and should only be done between consenting adults with discretion regards to protection, privacy and other matters.
Sex IS respected. It is considered a natural act; and yes, it is done between two consenting adults. However, how it's done is up to the individuals. Certainly there are adults out there who take sex to a whole new level. Sex isn't always "making love"...sometimes some people enjoy a little rough sex now and then, and that's perfectly ok...so long as it doesn't get too rough, and each party understands the word "NO"
-Drink blood. That's just unhygenic, and has no purpose in Witchcraft.
Exactly, however...I'm not sure why this is in here, can someone clarify as to when Witchcraft crossed over into Vampirism? Cause that's news to me. Now as for USING blood in witchcraft (as opposed to drinking it), that's another story, as many see blood (and other bodily fluids) as powerful substances. I don't use blood (personally I have an extremely low tolerance for pain), but that's not to say ALL Witches don't use blood.
-Change their hair color in the blink of an eye
Well, this isn't entirely true. Hair color can be changed in as little as 10 minutes....that is...if you're using hair dye. No Witch can change ANY part of their body in the blink of an eye. That's a physical impossibility.
-Steal or take part in any type of criminal behavior
Well, if we were living in the 19th century (or even the beginning of the 20th century), Real Witches certainly WERE taking part in criminial behavior. It wasn't until the early 1950's when the last of the laws against Witchcraft were repealed. Up until then, Witchcraft was an illegal practice (at least in the US), however that didn't stop people from participating in it. In other parts of the world, Witchcraft is STILL an illegal practice, and grounds for punishment by death.
Today, many Real Witches participate in many illegal and criminal activities on a daily basis, some quite minor, others quite major. Many Witches speed as they drive to work, many Witches take illegal drugs, there are even real Witches out there who steal. It's naive to assume that a Real Witch is some fairy tale person who respects all and "Harms None"
-Pervert the symbols of any other religion
I've never seen a Witch "pervert" the use of another religion's symbol. If Ms. Ravenwolf is referring to Satanists using the Christian Cross upside down as a representation of their faith, then I'd have to say that no symbol is copyrighted to any one religion. The cross no more belongs to Christianity than the Pentacle belongs to Wicca. Anyone may make use of a symbol in any way they wish. It's based on personal interpretations and identifications. It's individual.
However I will agree that PURPOSEFUL desecration of a sacred symbol is just plain rude. Don't bring down our beliefs just because you're ignorant.
-Summon evil spirits, or demons
Many Witches don't believe in demons much less summon them. However, there are some who do, and I won't deny them this right to believe in such. *I* personally do not believe in demons, therefore I do not work with them (much less summon them).
-Worship Satan/believe in Hell
I have stated my opinion on Satan so many times It's becoming annoying to hear my own voice on the matter.
Witches don't believe in Satan; Witches can't worship something they don't believe in; the idea that Witches worship Satan makes as much sense as Christians worshipping Hades....etc
As for the concept of Hell, it's actually contradictory to the belief system from which it originates. For an all loving God to pitch his creation into a lake of fire for disobeying doesn't say much about that love. I know as a parent, I wouldn't eternally torture my child for disobeying me. Didn't the Abrahamic God say something about "forgiveness"???
-Coerce or brianwash people into joining Witchcraft.
People come to Witchcraft of their own free will. If there are people coercing people into "Witchcraft"...then it's not actual Witchcraft that these people are being coerced into in the first place, but some made up practice under the guise of Witchcraft. Witches have little use for brainwashing or coercing someone who doesn't want to be a part of the craft.
-Use Satanic Symbols
Again, a symbol is not copyrighted to any one religion. There really is no such thing as a "Satanic" symbol, as the idea of something being "Satanic" really means anything opposing the Christian belief (and this is according to Christianity, not me).
-Have to go through an initiation ceremony to practice Witchcraft
In essence, no one HAS to go through an initiation ceremony to practice anything. The point of an initiation (or a dedication for that matter) is to declare to both yourself and others that you have chosen to dedicate your life and yourself to a particular path or belief system. I have been a Witch (former Wiccan Witch) for just over 10 years and have NEVER done a dedication ceremony. I have never felt the need to. This is my practice, it's who I am, why do I need to do a long winded ceremony, just to say to myself "I'm a Witch and this is what I do".
-Become Witches overnight
Ok, fair enough. I'll throw Ms. Ravenwolf a bone and let her have this one.
One CANNOT become a Witch overnight. It took me close to 5 years before even thinking of labelling myself a Witch. For one thing, I was only at the beginning of my path and still didn't understand everything; the thought of using the word "Witch" scared me a little (I still had stereotypical thoughts in my head of what a Witch was). Once I began using the title I became more comfortable with it, and with what it meant. I continued on my search until this point. And I will continue from now on until I feel this path is no longer for me. It's 10 years later since starting.
-Attack people, but we may defend ourselves when attacked by others.
Retaliation is ok, so long as there is a good reason for it. Stolen IPod? Not a good reason. Someone started a rumor about you at school? Not a good reason. Boy/girlfriend cheated? Not a good reason. Rape? Yes, that's a good reason. Murder? Yes, that's a good reason. Get the picture?
-Blab to everyone that they're Witches"
It's one thing to tell a select few people that you're a Witch (especially those who are close to you, and whom you can trust); it's a complete other thing when you're telling everyone you pass on the street. It's ok to be proud of your craft. But it's not ok to brag. No one likes a bragger. For one thing, telling everyone and anyone is opening yourself up for a lot of aggrivation and "persecution" as many like to say. There are still lots of people in this world who are afraid of the word "Witch", as it stirs up imagery of the stereotypical Witch, hovering over a cauldron, green faced and warty, conjuring up her latest creation; a poison or malevolent spell. There are still many people not yet ready to understand what a Real Witch is...that most have no interest in hurting people purely for their own enjoyment. Keeping quiet isn't hiding who or what you are, it's being prudent and respecting what's sacred...and special to you.
-Always work magic
This isn't necessarily true. People are always working magic, either consciously or unconsciously. A birthday party yeilds magic in itself: your cake sits in front of you, aglow in lit birthday candles. You take a deep breath, close your eyes, and make a wish...then you blow out the candles hoping you get all of them in one breath. Now if that isn't a magical act, then I don't know what is. Magic isn't just rhyming off an incantation with lit candles and a sprinkling of herbs. Magic can exist in just about every act you do. Go through your day and think of all the mundane acts you do that could potentially be magical. You'd be surprised at how often one works magic on a daily basis...even if they're not a Witch!
-Practice a magical art such as a spell they do not fully understand.
This one I agree with. A REAL Witch knows that it takes time to learn something and that knowledge of something doesn't come automatically like unlocking a lock in the brain after reciting an incantation. One can practice spell work after they learn WHAT it is and HOW to work it
-Charge money to work magic or pray
I feel that it's unethical to "demand" payment for a service. It's a spiritual craft, not one that one works for profit. There is much debate on this topic. Many people feel one should be paid for time and service...but I'm ok with one accepting donations for that time and service. Yeah, supplies don't come cheap, but people don't go to Witches on a regular basis for a working. It's not meant to be a job, otherwise it looses it's mystique.
-Use their magic or other skills to show off
I feel this point should be directed at those who are too young to understand (particularly the teenagers out there who believe Witchcraft and magic are like Charmed and The Craft). Magic is not a toy or a game. It's a serious practice that deserve serious respect. If you have no respect for the craft, then why should it respect you? If you participate in something merely to gain friends, then those people aren't really your friends...they just like you because you show off. It'll back fire sooner or later.
**There are a few other points I found under the heading of "Real Witches Don't" that I'm unsure if came from Ms. Ravenwolf or not. But I'll post them anyways, because I have some things I want to mention in regards to them:
-Manipulate others, such as using love spells that manipulate someone to love the Witch or manipulating spiritual entities to do their bidding. Free will is always respected.
Uh...no, it's not. There are NUMEROUS Witches out there who don't always respect someone's free will; forcing their own will upon another at regular intervals. It may not be common, but let's not be so naive as to believe ALL Witches respect others. Some Witches are downright "Bitches".
As for manipulating spiritual entities...I suggest a look at my blog post here about the young woman who wishes to use a random spirit plucked from a grave site to do HER bidding. I rest my case.
-Always become Goths or Hippies. Witches respect various subcultures, but has no enforcement of how one should dress, what music they should listen to, etc.
Witches come in a varitey of cultures and lifestyles. Many are indeed Goths and Hippies; many are Satanists and Christians too. While not all Witches are these cultures, they're not NOT part of these cultures either.
...and my favorite:
-Have an official religious hierarchy.
**We don't need one. Witchcraft is not a religion!!!
Now....for the "Real Witches Do" part
Real Witches Do...
-Believe in God
Witches don't all necessarily believe in a God (Wiccan's perhaps, but not all Witches). Deity belief is an individual belief, not universal among Witches. There are certainly Witches who practice their craft without the aid of any deities. Many Witches are atheistic and don't believe in deities. There are some who believe in God, some even believe in multiple Gods, so the belief in a God varies among Witches. It's naive to assume that all Witches believe the same thing when all are individual.
-Respect other/honor all positive religious paths
Well, we certainly try, but then you have those hypocrits that cry out, "Respect my religion!!!" and then turn around and badmouth, disrespect, belittle other religions, especially Christianity, merely because they had a bad expreience with someone who didn't know how to properly practice the religion. Respect is a two way road. You can't get it unless you give it, and vice versa.
As for honoring all "positive" religious paths...no religion or path is negative or positive. Like magic it's neutral. What someone does with it is their choice...that doesn't reflect on the religion as a whole.
-Believe that we are all one
I don't necessarily see us all as one thing. We are all one race; one species yes, but we are also unique and individual. Our beliefs are just as unique and individual, so we are not all necessarily one.
-Believe in Prayer
Prayer is rather religious in it's context. Seeing as Witchcraft is not a religious practice, prayer is really moot. If you are a Witch who happens to practice Wicca or other belief system involving deities, then it makes sense for one to believe in the power of prayer, however, because there are also atheistic Witches out there, to say all Witches believe in prayer is erroneous.
-Follow certain laws
Sure, we follow certain laws...the laws set forth by the legal system in the countries that we live. However, Ms. Ravenwolf, if you're referring to the Threefold Law and the Wiccan Rede, this is incorrect. Not all Witches follow these beliefs (I know I don't). There are many more ethics out there that Witches believe besides the Wiccan Rede. Many Norse practitoners believe in the Nine Nobel Virtues; Satanic Witches follow the Eleven Satanic Rules; my personal ethic is stressing responsibility. We all follow whatever rules and ethics our individual traditions and paths dictate, as well as those of our own personal beliefs.
We all don't follow Wicca.
-Believe in Karma
Karma is an Eastern concept. A Real Witch doesn't necessarily have to follow the ethics of Eastern belief systems in order to properly practice their craft. Witches of the past had no idea about Karma, so how could they follow it? Much the same can be said for the Witches of today, especially those who try to keep their craft as close to those of their ancestors as they can. Most people here in the West have a distorted idea about Karma anyway. It doesn't even reflect the true nature of Eastern Karma. They turned it into a "Rubber vs. Glue" concept that isn't what Karma was intended to teach.
-Realize that to make the planet a good place to live, we have to live in harmony with others, and to do this, we work positive energy
Ah...in a perfect world where we all get along with each other and live in harmony, holding hands and singing Kum-Ba-Yah. HA! If only things were so easy. Regardless of positive work or negative...our world will still be as deteriorated and deplorable as always. We are animals. As such we are prone to attacking both ourselves and other species, just as other species are prone to attack us and themselves. We will NEVER live in the harmony we wish because of this. "World Peace" is a pipe dream.
-know that the art of magic is our greatest gift. if we work bad magic, spirit will take our gifts from us
I think this is a naive thought. Magic comes from within, not "Spirit". Our magic is the manipulation of surrounding energies. These energies are always there. "Spirit" isn't going to take that energy away because we choose to misuse it. That would GREATLY affect our plane and wouldn't work anyways. Not to mention the fact that, because Witchcraft is not a religion, the belief in a deity is not mandatory, therefore Atheistic Witches don't believe in "Spirit" and thus would work whatever magic they see fit at that time anyways.
This point doesn't make sense.
Real Witches work their craft in whatever way they see fit. Regardless of if they follow the ethics of "Threefold Law" or not; believe in a deity or not; lie or tell the truth, they are STILL Real Witches. One cannot determine who is and isn't a "Real Witch" based on a few distasteful acts determined by ONE (fairly unreliable) author.
No comments:
Post a Comment