The above link is from a site I saw regarding Boscastle, of the recent floodings. It has always been something of a grey area, from the past historical side. We all have heard of witches and the likes, and many were in times of old just alternative healers who were good at using alternative methods to help others or animals. I doubt many were like the old hags from macbeth. I do know many people still sell and offer all sorts of macabre stuff, both on the net and in the odd specialist store, but I think it is all how you feel? I suppose if we could roll the carpet back to Cromwell times, we would all possibly be killed as witches, because we scry, or look to the stars for guidance in the daily papers with hororscopes, and many dabble with tarot and fortune tellers? I just thought it a bit ironical in it having struck the place where so much of this sort of stuff is stored? Myself I think it is just fate, and nothing special in its chance, but i presume many will say it is a sign?
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Witchcraft...fact or fiction.....
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The above link is from a site I saw regarding Boscastle, of the recent floodings. It has always been something of a grey area, from the past historical side. We all have heard of witches and the likes, and many were in times of old just alternative healers who were good at using alternative methods to help others or animals. I doubt many were like the old hags from macbeth. I do know many people still sell and offer all sorts of macabre stuff, both on the net and in the odd specialist store, but I think it is all how you feel? I suppose if we could roll the carpet back to Cromwell times, we would all possibly be killed as witches, because we scry, or look to the stars for guidance in the daily papers with hororscopes, and many dabble with tarot and fortune tellers? I just thought it a bit ironical in it having struck the place where so much of this sort of stuff is stored? Myself I think it is just fate, and nothing special in its chance, but i presume many will say it is a sign?
Sex God
burn 'em, burn 'em i say.
i have me Malleus Maleficorum to hand, and me ducking stool's set up over DaveJ's strawberry cordial stream. i seen that Edward Woodward round hereabouts too. buuuurrrrnnnnn 'em ffs!
these women didn't get to be wise for nowt tho ya know. i've had the odd magical, herbal experience ((( thoroughly legal i hasten to add! ;-) ))) but you don't wanna know bout Solar Bulls and Golden Dawns ((( no not that dawn ffs! ))) and stuff do ya now? eh?
if there was owt in it they might have done a better job, but maybe it was the druids getting a bit green eyed monsterish?
n x x x ;-)
i have me Malleus Maleficorum to hand, and me ducking stool's set up over DaveJ's strawberry cordial stream. i seen that Edward Woodward round hereabouts too. buuuurrrrnnnnn 'em ffs!
these women didn't get to be wise for nowt tho ya know. i've had the odd magical, herbal experience ((( thoroughly legal i hasten to add! ;-) ))) but you don't wanna know bout Solar Bulls and Golden Dawns ((( no not that dawn ffs! ))) and stuff do ya now? eh?
if there was owt in it they might have done a better job, but maybe it was the druids getting a bit green eyed monsterish?
n x x x ;-)
In a funny way, the usage of healing hands is being studied in america on premature babies. It needs no actual touch, and it is also a common practice from ancient Japan and China. In japan, it is called Reiki, and in China it is called Qigong. The Qipart and the Rei part both mean vital force, and the Ki, and Gong mean energy. Incidentally the Qigong, is also linked to Tai Chi, and parts of the warm up process to many martial arts like those done by the legendary Bruce Lee, had it as part of their studies.
Many find it false and not to be taken seriously, but others find it does help. I suppose it all depends on individual tastes, and if it is free and not a paying alternative therapy, then it must be a better alternative than to be dependant on medication... but only for those conditions we all have little immunity for, and not the more serious conditions many people do suffer with?
Many find it false and not to be taken seriously, but others find it does help. I suppose it all depends on individual tastes, and if it is free and not a paying alternative therapy, then it must be a better alternative than to be dependant on medication... but only for those conditions we all have little immunity for, and not the more serious conditions many people do suffer with?
Quote by yin yang
In a funny way, the usage of healing hands is being studied in america on premature babies. It needs no actual touch, and it is also a common practice from ancient Japan and China. In japan, it is called Reiki, and in China it is called Qigong. The Qi part and the Rei part both mean vital force, and the Ki, and Gong mean energy. Incidentally the Qigong, is also linked to Tai Chi, and parts of the warm up process to many martial arts like those done by the legendary Bruce Lee, had it as part of their studies.
Many find it false and not to be taken seriously, but others find it does help. I suppose it all depends on individual tastes, and if it is free and not a paying alternative therapy, then it must be a better alternative than to be dependant on medication... but only for those conditions we all have little immunity for, and not the more serious conditions many people do suffer with?
Very wise words. As someone with a deep interest in alternative therapies and healing, I can back this up. Whilst therapies can claim to calm, ease and balance they don't heal serious illness. A wise person once said to me to bear in mind the Reiki rhymes with flakey, and there are as many con artists out there as genuine practitioners.
My personal interest is in massage, aromatherapy, indian head massage, homeopathy and ayurveda/shiatsu. It's the therapies as wholes though, and how they align the mind, body and spirit. Massage is never going to cure disease or illness, but what it can do is relax a person and promote good circulation, clear the mind and encourage "healing".
I wouldn't profess to being a witch in anyway shape or form, but am drawn to paganism and all it's energies, and many people do class true pagans as witches.
There is a huge misunderstanding and lack of information on this subject.
I have a friend who is a pagan and lives the life. She is really into it and does all sorts of things, but only for good! I can't judge whether she's right or wrong but it can't be anymore harmful than mass religion!
Just been listening to my music and Nick Cave was singing about 'I don't believe in an interventionist god....' me neither!
Just been listening to my music and Nick Cave was singing about 'I don't believe in an interventionist god....' me neither!
My theory is that al witchcraft and religion are very closely related. They are similar in that they depend on the power of positive thought, as does healing and many alternative theraphys.
We are still at a relatively early stage of evolutions and we may have powers that we still have to discover.
We are still at a relatively early stage of evolutions and we may have powers that we still have to discover.
MMMMMMMMmm - it's the use of religion as a surpressor of the masses which concerns me most. Today, of course, it's power has been lessened but in earlier times it was used to control and demoralize the people.
Witchcraft may be more 'gentle' but I can't really discuss it as I don't know anything about it really.
Witchcraft may be more 'gentle' but I can't really discuss it as I don't know anything about it really.
Sex God
Quote by Jags
MMMMMMMMmm - it's the use of religion as a surpressor of the masses which concerns me most. Today, of course, it's power has been lessened but in earlier times it was used to control and demoralize the people.
Witchcraft may be more 'gentle' but I can't really discuss it as I don't know anything about it really.
aahhh yes, but reading between the lines, outside yer "established" churches, you'll find exactly the same message in any religion you care to mention. i would bore you to tears going into this on here, but if you look at say, buddhism, or sufi islam, or qabala ( not the modern madonna type money making crap qabala ) you'll find the same techniques and the same underlying philosophy. and paganism as it's presented these days is no more related to the old pagans than i am to bonkers badgers. it was invented in the 40's by gerald gardner, based on GD and crowley stuff. now that's bollox. the rest is very very deep.
i find it interesting that yer old judaic qabalistic meditation used the same sounds as a mantra as yer tibettan buddhist and yer japanese zen person . . . .
you didn't really wanna know that eh?
;-)neil x x x x x x ;-)
Quote by neilinleeds
MMMMMMMMmm - it's the use of religion as a surpressor of the masses which concerns me most. Today, of course, it's power has been lessened but in earlier times it was used to control and demoralize the people.
Witchcraft may be more 'gentle' but I can't really discuss it as I don't know anything about it really.
aahhh yes, but reading between the lines, outside yer "established" churches, you'll find exactly the same message in any religion you care to mention. i would bore you to tears going into this on here, but if you look at say, buddhism, or sufi islam, or qabala ( not the modern madonna type money making crap qabala ) you'll find the same techniques and the same underlying philosophy. and paganism as it's presented these days is no more related to the old pagans than i am to bonkers badgers. it was invented in the 40's by gerald gardner, based on GD and crowley stuff. now that's bollox. the rest is very very deep.
i find it interesting that yer old judaic qabalistic meditation used the same sounds as a mantra as yer tibettan buddhist and yer japanese zen person . . . .
you didn't really wanna know that eh?
;-)neil x x x x x x ;-)
Course we do.. I found that most interesting. Of course I always believed that IF (IF) there is a god of some sort then surely there must be many pathways to where the base is!! However, I struggle with the thought of an omnipotent being who guides us from somewhere up in the sky. The story of the Chinese majong players always sticks in my mind!
Free will AND being forced into 'god like' ways are uneasy companions
Orgasminator
Being terminally sad, and because I can't get to the Munch this weekend, I needed something to occupy myself, so I bought, earlier this week, a book.
Gasp, shock, horror.
The amazing thing is, it has no pictures, all words!
Oh, and the title of the book....
The Science of Harry Potter, How Magic Really Works
I shall start it tonight and let you know if it is shite...
Gasp, shock, horror.
The amazing thing is, it has no pictures, all words!
Oh, and the title of the book....
The Science of Harry Potter, How Magic Really Works
I shall start it tonight and let you know if it is shite...
Merry Meet and Greetings of the Four Winds to Ye
Religions are just large cults.
That makes Wiccan beliefs at least as valid as the big religions.
Just think about some of the daft things that Christianity, Judaism and Islam expect their adherents to believe. No wonder so many people described their religion as Jedi Knights in the last census. That's no more ridiculous than parting the Red Sea or walking on water.
Merry Part
Religions are just large cults.
That makes Wiccan beliefs at least as valid as the big religions.
Just think about some of the daft things that Christianity, Judaism and Islam expect their adherents to believe. No wonder so many people described their religion as Jedi Knights in the last census. That's no more ridiculous than parting the Red Sea or walking on water.
Merry Part
Sex God
Quote by JQL
Being terminally sad, and because I can't get to the Munch this weekend, I needed something to occupy myself, so I bought, earlier this week, a book.
Gasp, shock, horror.
The amazing thing is, it has no pictures, all words!
Oh, and the title of the book....
The Science of Harry Potter, How Magic Really Works
I shall start it tonight and let you know if it is shite...
:rotflmao: :rotflmao:and gutted for ya JQL. was looking forward to meeting you again. boiler still buggered eh? or the roof? or babysitters?
next time . . . .
neil ;-)
Sex God
Quote by Riff Raff
Merry Meet and Greetings of the Four Winds to Ye
Religions are just large cults.
That makes Wiccan beliefs at least as valid as the big religions.
Just think about some of the daft things that Christianity, Judaism and Islam expect their adherents to believe. No wonder so many people described their religion as Jedi Knights in the last census. That's no more ridiculous than parting the Red Sea or walking on water.
Merry Part
i'm in danger of being a pedantic tosser on this thread . . . . . yes the myths in the bible or qoran or bhagavad gita are no more real than ya Zeus or Mars or Osiris etc . . . . it's the stuff underneath that ain't said explicitly . . . . like crowley saying the best magic involves the sacrifice of a child of perfect innocence . . . he was talking about wanking ffs!
why do all the religions get so hung up on death and resurrection? is it maybe a metaphor for a real life spiritual rebirth? there is a lot in it, and i speak from experience.
and i'll STFU now . . . . ;-)
n x x x ;-)
Quote by neilinleeds
i'm in danger of being a pedantic tosser on this thread . . . . . yes the myths in the bible or qoran or bhagavad gita are no more real than ya Zeus or Mars or Osiris etc . . . . it's the stuff underneath that ain't said explicitly . . . . like crowley saying the best magic involves the sacrifice of a child of perfect innocence . . . he was talking about wanking ffs!
and i'll STFU now . . . . ;-)
n x x x ;-)
Yes it is Neil. It's a symbolic death and rebirth. I have read that much of the symbolism of Christianity was cobbled together from the Greek Elysian mystery plays which they used to have. These were some sort of audience participation type of productions involving rituals and stories about death and would use various types of theatrical tricks and such to achieve the desired effects, usually with the rebirth bit happening at the moment of dawn.
I have made a study of esoteric subjects since I was young and have covered some of the same ground as you Neil. I used to be involved with a group of pagans in Cambridge, nothing more than pub meets and going on country walks to see unusual places of interest. Though I did attend a few public rituals. Some of the group were practicing witches and some were just armchair pagans. Everyone was really nice and all rather like members of CAMRA or the WI, with a few hippies thrown in for good measure. It all reminds me rather of this site in the sense that you get all sorts of people. Some more experienced and others just learning or taking an interest. I think there is also a similar bias against pagans and witches as there is against swingers and their activites. Lots of misunderstandings by the general public.
Jags wrote
MMMMMMMMmm - it's the use of religion as a surpressor of the masses which concerns me most. Today, of course, it's power has been lessened but in earlier times it was used to control and demoralize the people.
Very true. The established church saw pagan beliefs as competition and set out to destroy it. Christianity was used as a form of social control in past times. I think as swingers we would have all been burned at the stake.
Any beliefs that contradicted the churches established system of beliefs and morals was ruthlessly oppressed. They used to use a quote from the New Testament that, "One should not suffer a witch to live". This is actually a missinterpretion of the word "witch" from the Greek. The orignial word was "poisioner". And even that may have been a symbolic word for someone who tells untruths. Who knows?
It's all open to interpretation and those who have translated the Gospels have been the rich and powerful with much to lose. Thus most of the meaning of early Christianity has been removed or edited out and cobbled together into the form we now know it as. It has been applied to substantiate and legitimize powerful organizations and their interests. Christianity has also been used as an excuse to persecute and destroy other races and cultures too, not just our own.
What is actually real about paganism and wicca, as well as practices of Amerindians and Aboriginies is that they are in touch with the forces of nature and work with them not against them. Something we are beginning to sit up and take notice of!
LC
Sex God
Quote by LoveCommando
They used to use a quote from the New Testament that, "One should not suffer a witch to live". This is actually a missinterpretion of the word "witch" from the Greek. The orignial word was "poisioner". And even that may have been a symbolic word for someone who tells untruths. Who knows?
yup. too true. know that one. i'd quote your entire post . . . spot on IMHO! ;-)
my other nick is SepherSephiroth! and i've found some real mad shit travelling 'em . . . . . talking to angels and watching God do his stuff will no doubt seem completely insane to many . . . . . . i can only say it was bloody real to me at the time . . . . . (( that's what ya get from ya columbians and hawaians <<< and i can buy 'em legal in leeds before i get slapped . . .
>>> )))and yer Mithraic son of god getting nailed to a cross etc . . . . i think we seen that elsewhere eh???? ;-)
LC i'm looking forward to 2moz all the more . . . . ;-)
n x x x ;-)
All I know is me gran is nicknamed the "wicked Witch of ......" however she ain't really a witch just spiteful... and she has a pointed hat and broomstick, black cat and a cauldron....
perhaps she is a witch???
At least i know there are no red/white stripey socks involved and no house is gonna land on her... she lives to far away from Boscastle for that... (little sick humour there but well I been working there and we all laugh te day through!)
perhaps she is a witch???
At least i know there are no red/white stripey socks involved and no house is gonna land on her... she lives to far away from Boscastle for that... (little sick humour there but well I been working there and we all laugh te day through!)
Sex God
perhaps she is a witch???
did she look after sheep and have a caravan on the chalk? maybe her granddaughter slapped green teeth jenny with a frying pan?
<<< neilinleeds on the sheep liniment again . . . . >>>
n x x x x ;-P
I once discovered a wiccans web page and found it fascinating and somewhat seductive in its philosophies . Nature is totally awe inspiring so I have a lot of respect for those that hold its principles and workings dear.
My interest in Wicca of course has nothing at all to do with the fact she was stunning looking blonde ...that would just be shallow wouldnt it .
My interest in Wicca of course has nothing at all to do with the fact she was stunning looking blonde ...that would just be shallow wouldnt it .
Sex God
Quote by neilinleeds
talking to angels and watching God do his stuff will no doubt seem completely insane to many . . . . . .
Yep, I'm sure it does Neil. And this is not me laughing about the fact that my nick is Angel Chat either. One of the reasons I chose that name is because I talk to my guardian angel all the time.
I went to a tarot reader a few years ago and some of the things she said to me were so accurate and specific there was just no way I was applying them to myself to make me feel better. She said my guardian angel was very close suggested I get into the habit of talking to him/her.
I did, and she has looked after me amazingly well ever since. (And when I think about it, she's been looking after me for years!) I've read lots of books about guardian angels, spirit guides, reincarnation etc since then and am completely fascinated by it all. I've also read quite a few books in the area of witchcraft, not "text book" types, but stories that have really made me think.
I agree with much of what's been said here so far. Most religions of today have the same basic principles and I don't class myself as having any particular religion now because of that. I have no idea (obviously) what happens once you're dead, I'll find out when i get there, but I'm pretty sure that going to a christian/muslim/jewish etc church/mosque/synagogue etc each sabbath won't influence it one way or another
We seem to have gone off-topic at least slightly, but at the same time, witchcraft could be seen by some as a religion of sorts. Basically, I think most world religions are the same, with each having its own merits and witchcraft/wicca is no exception. I'll be watching this topic with great interest though
The funny thing about the art of Reiki and Quigong, is that nearly ALL of you reading this, and almost ALL mothers have actually done some in their time? If you think about it, we all suffer from toothache and back/knee/ or some ache, and what is the first instinct and thing we tend to do? It is to cup the hurt in a hand, or to hold the part that is sore? When you nurse kids who have tummy ache, you rest your hands on it to ease the pain, or you press them into your body, and you imagine you are drawing away their pain into you or to wash it away for them? this is the principle of reiki, but I totally do not EVER understand anyone having the balls to call themself a HEALER and charging anything for it. Totally against my philosophies and principles. It is a natural gift in so many, and likewise it can be taken away. The best things in life are free, and my input is always with love and caring NOT the pocket... :rose:
Talking of witchcraft, I have been to many healers and the only one who took my pain away and never touched me was a warlock, he gave me quite a few treatments from a distance before I lost touch with him, he said it would work anywhere in the world and he didn't charge me one penny.
Iv'e had hands laid on me by evangelists, Jesus Army, priests, parsons, all over this country, they've spoke in tongues, anointed me with oil, pushed me over backward, invoked the name of Jesus, all to no avail.
One healer who made her name on Michael Aspels miracle show, gave treatments at different venue's all over this country, charged £25 and this was ten years ago, at a hotel in Bradford to a room full of cripples, diseased and very old people and I was there, she walked into the room with a dazzling white dress down to ankles and passed her hands over each one in turn, there must have been sixty people and not one of them was healed.
Nice little earner eh! at £25 a time.
Iv'e had hands laid on me by evangelists, Jesus Army, priests, parsons, all over this country, they've spoke in tongues, anointed me with oil, pushed me over backward, invoked the name of Jesus, all to no avail.
One healer who made her name on Michael Aspels miracle show, gave treatments at different venue's all over this country, charged £25 and this was ten years ago, at a hotel in Bradford to a room full of cripples, diseased and very old people and I was there, she walked into the room with a dazzling white dress down to ankles and passed her hands over each one in turn, there must have been sixty people and not one of them was healed.
Nice little earner eh! at £25 a time.
Again, it is the HEALER part that is the problem with me. I understand all too well wanting to help people BUT saying you can heal is something even a doctor cannot say?
The media do a good job, but sometimes they make people sound good when they are bad and vice versa.
The beatles got it right in a song, because that is all you need....
ALL you need is love
Intention and god thoughts often go a ong way, and that is what makes us all feel better, knowing someone genuine cares? It should never be a thing of price, because we al have illness, and it would be unfair to refuse someone help because they could not pay? I just wish I could help many more.... :cry:
The media do a good job, but sometimes they make people sound good when they are bad and vice versa.
The beatles got it right in a song, because that is all you need....
ALL you need is love
Intention and god thoughts often go a ong way, and that is what makes us all feel better, knowing someone genuine cares? It should never be a thing of price, because we al have illness, and it would be unfair to refuse someone help because they could not pay? I just wish I could help many more.... :cry:
Sex God
Quote by neilinleeds
but you don't wanna know bout Solar Bulls and Golden Dawns ((( no not that dawn ffs! ))) and stuff do ya now? eh?
Nah, can't rightly abide with all that stuff, me.
Blessed Be,
V.H. Frater D.S.L.L. (9)=
R.R. et A.C.
