Magical systems: Wicca

[Maia]

Since there appear to be quite a few misconceptions about what magic is here, I thought I would try and explain some of the different systems. I'll start with Wicca, as I'm quite well acquainted with it. I used to be in a Wiccan group, but gradually came to realise that it was not for me.

Wicca is a magical system in the Western magical tradition, devised in England in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner. It takes as its symbolism European witchcraft of the early modern period, but it is organised more like a Greek mystery cult. These two influences are derived from the anthropologists Margaret Murray and Robert Graves respectively. More immediately, its structure is derived from Freemasonry, as Gardner was himself a mason. Like Freemasonry, Wicca is divided into three craft degrees, and the Wiccan meeting place is similar to a masonic lodge, aligned to the points of the compass.

Like all systems in the Western magical tradition, Wiccan magic is based on correspondences. In the case of Wicca, these are based on the astrological planets, of which there are seven. So, take Mars, for example. Mars relates to war, violence, but other more positive attributes such as strength. Venus, of course, relates to love. And Mercury relates to communication, to name just three. Each planet has its associated correspondences, such as a type of incense, and, very importantly in Wicca, a colour (in the preceding examples, red, green and purple). Colour magic and visualisation play central roles in Wicca, which was a bit of a hassle for me, though I devised workarounds.

For a typical spell, a Wiccan will take three candles in the colour of three of the planets, and light them, visualising what they want to happen. They'll also most likely devise a short chant to the same effect, and may use incense, too. They might also burn something, such as a lock of hair. An important rule is that the spell must not bring harm to others, as this is said to rebound three times over on the person doing it. Other, more elaborate workings are possible, but these are the essentials.

There's a lot more, of course, and I haven't touched on Wiccan meetings yet, nor the more religious aspects of Wicca. But I think that's enough for the time being.

[Age]

Since there appear to be quite a few misconceptions about what magic is here, I thought I would try and explain some of the different systems. I'll start with Wicca, as I'm quite well acquainted with it. I used to be in a Wiccan group, but gradually came to realise that it was not for me.

Wicca is a magical system in the Western magical tradition, devised in England in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner.

Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.

It takes as its symbolism European witchcraft of the early modern period, but it is organised more like a Greek mystery cult. These two influences are derived from the anthropologists Margaret Murray and Robert Graves respectively. More immediately, its structure is derived from Freemasonry, as Gardner was himself a mason. Like Freemasonry, Wicca is divided into three craft degrees, and the Wiccan meeting place is similar to a masonic lodge, aligned to the points of the compass.

Like all systems in the Western magical tradition, Wiccan magic is based on correspondences. In the case of Wicca, these are based on the astrological planets, of which there are seven. So, take Mars, for example. Mars relates to war, violence, but other more positive attributes such as strength. Venus, of course, relates to love. And Mercury relates to communication, to name just three. Each planet has its associated correspondences, such as a type of incense, and, very importantly in Wicca, a colour (in the preceding examples, red, green and purple). Colour magic and visualisation play central roles in Wicca, which was a bit of a hassle for me, though I devised workarounds.

So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?

For a typical spell, a Wiccan will take three candles in the colour of three of the planets, and light them, visualising what they want to happen.

But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?

They'll also most likely devise a short chant to the same effect, and may use incense, too. They might also burn something, such as a lock of hair. An important rule is that the spell must not bring harm to others,

But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?

as this is said to rebound three times over on the person doing it. Other, more elaborate workings are possible, but these are the essentials.

But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.

There's a lot more, of course, and I haven't touched on Wiccan meetings yet, nor the more religious aspects of Wicca. But I think that's enough for the time being.

From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.

[Maia]

Since there appear to be quite a few misconceptions about what magic is here, I thought I would try and explain some of the different systems. I'll start with Wicca, as I'm quite well acquainted with it. I used to be in a Wiccan group, but gradually came to realise that it was not for me.

Wicca is a magical system in the Western magical tradition, devised in England in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner.

Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.

It takes as its symbolism European witchcraft of the early modern period, but it is organised more like a Greek mystery cult. These two influences are derived from the anthropologists Margaret Murray and Robert Graves respectively. More immediately, its structure is derived from Freemasonry, as Gardner was himself a mason. Like Freemasonry, Wicca is divided into three craft degrees, and the Wiccan meeting place is similar to a masonic lodge, aligned to the points of the compass.

Like all systems in the Western magical tradition, Wiccan magic is based on correspondences. In the case of Wicca, these are based on the astrological planets, of which there are seven. So, take Mars, for example. Mars relates to war, violence, but other more positive attributes such as strength. Venus, of course, relates to love. And Mercury relates to communication, to name just three. Each planet has its associated correspondences, such as a type of incense, and, very importantly in Wicca, a colour (in the preceding examples, red, green and purple). Colour magic and visualisation play central roles in Wicca, which was a bit of a hassle for me, though I devised workarounds.

So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?

For a typical spell, a Wiccan will take three candles in the colour of three of the planets, and light them, visualising what they want to happen.

But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?

They'll also most likely devise a short chant to the same effect, and may use incense, too. They might also burn something, such as a lock of hair. An important rule is that the spell must not bring harm to others,

But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?

as this is said to rebound three times over on the person doing it. Other, more elaborate workings are possible, but these are the essentials.

But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.

There's a lot more, of course, and I haven't touched on Wiccan meetings yet, nor the more religious aspects of Wicca. But I think that's enough for the time being.

From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.

+++Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.+++

It's difficult to describe what magic is without using the word magic (I could try, but it hardly seems worth the effort).

+++So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?+++

Mars is just a symbol, representing a quality. The Western magical tradition is all about symbolism, as opposed to, say, natural magic, which is what I'm more interested in.

+++But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?+++

Yes, to state the obvious. It's usually easier to do things the normal way than to try and bring them about by magic.

+++But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?+++

You can't, so this is something that would violate the Wiccan threefold law.

+++But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.+++

Describing what people practicing magic do is a fairly good description of magical practice, I think.

+++From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.+++

Tell me what you don't understand, and I'll do my best to remedy that. That's what discussions like this are all about.

[Sculptor]

Wicca like all magical systems is a system of delusion.

[Maia]

Wicca like all magical systems is a system of delusion.

I'd be interested to hear your experience of it to draw that conclusion.

[Sculptor]

Wicca like all magical systems is a system of delusion.

I'd be interested to hear your experience of it to draw that conclusion.

Ilived in West Wales long enough to see the complete fucking morons "practicing" the craft.

[Maia]

Wicca like all magical systems is a system of delusion.

I'd be interested to hear your experience of it to draw that conclusion.

Ilived in West Wales long enough to see the complete fucking morons "practicing" the craft.

What sort of rituals did you attend?

[Age]

Since there appear to be quite a few misconceptions about what magic is here, I thought I would try and explain some of the different systems. I'll start with Wicca, as I'm quite well acquainted with it. I used to be in a Wiccan group, but gradually came to realise that it was not for me.

Wicca is a magical system in the Western magical tradition, devised in England in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner.

Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.

It takes as its symbolism European witchcraft of the early modern period, but it is organised more like a Greek mystery cult. These two influences are derived from the anthropologists Margaret Murray and Robert Graves respectively. More immediately, its structure is derived from Freemasonry, as Gardner was himself a mason. Like Freemasonry, Wicca is divided into three craft degrees, and the Wiccan meeting place is similar to a masonic lodge, aligned to the points of the compass.

Like all systems in the Western magical tradition, Wiccan magic is based on correspondences. In the case of Wicca, these are based on the astrological planets, of which there are seven. So, take Mars, for example. Mars relates to war, violence, but other more positive attributes such as strength. Venus, of course, relates to love. And Mercury relates to communication, to name just three. Each planet has its associated correspondences, such as a type of incense, and, very importantly in Wicca, a colour (in the preceding examples, red, green and purple). Colour magic and visualisation play central roles in Wicca, which was a bit of a hassle for me, though I devised workarounds.

So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?

For a typical spell, a Wiccan will take three candles in the colour of three of the planets, and light them, visualising what they want to happen.

But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?

They'll also most likely devise a short chant to the same effect, and may use incense, too. They might also burn something, such as a lock of hair. An important rule is that the spell must not bring harm to others,

But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?

as this is said to rebound three times over on the person doing it. Other, more elaborate workings are possible, but these are the essentials.

But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.

There's a lot more, of course, and I haven't touched on Wiccan meetings yet, nor the more religious aspects of Wicca. But I think that's enough for the time being.

From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.

+++Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.+++

It's difficult to describe what magic is without using the word magic (I could try, but it hardly seems worth the effort).

+++So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?+++

Mars is just a symbol, representing a quality. The Western magical tradition is all about symbolism, as opposed to, say, natural magic, which is what I'm more interested in.

+++But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?+++

Yes, to state the obvious. It's usually easier to do things the normal way than to try and bring them about by magic.

+++But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?+++

You can't, so this is something that would violate the Wiccan threefold law.

+++But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.+++

Describing what people practicing magic do is a fairly good description of magical practice, I think.

+++From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.+++

Tell me what you don't understand, and I'll do my best to remedy that. That's what discussions like this are all about.

What I do NOT YET understand is how you even define the 'magic' word?

Which, in understanding, would help in understanding what this thread and your other thread/s about 'magic' are actually about, better.

[Maia]

Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.


So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?


But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?


But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?


But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.


From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.

+++Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.+++

It's difficult to describe what magic is without using the word magic (I could try, but it hardly seems worth the effort).

+++So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?+++

Mars is just a symbol, representing a quality. The Western magical tradition is all about symbolism, as opposed to, say, natural magic, which is what I'm more interested in.

+++But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?+++

Yes, to state the obvious. It's usually easier to do things the normal way than to try and bring them about by magic.

+++But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?+++

You can't, so this is something that would violate the Wiccan threefold law.

+++But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.+++

Describing what people practicing magic do is a fairly good description of magical practice, I think.

+++From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.+++

Tell me what you don't understand, and I'll do my best to remedy that. That's what discussions like this are all about.

What I do NOT YET understand is how you even define the 'magic' word?

Which, in understanding, would help in understanding what this thread and your other thread/s about 'magic' are actually about, better.

I'm trying to define it by describing it, and describing what people who practice magic actually do.

[Age]

+++Since, to you, there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about what 'magic' is here, why not just inform us of what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, instead?

And, especially BEFORE you go on to use the 'magical' word, like you have just here.+++

It's difficult to describe what magic is without using the word magic (I could try, but it hardly seems worth the effort).

+++So, what does this mean or infer, exactly?

If, for example, I use the word 'mars' do I then just start becoming strong and violent and seek out warring? Or, does one have to travel to 'mars' before these things start occurring? Or, is something else required first?+++

Mars is just a symbol, representing a quality. The Western magical tradition is all about symbolism, as opposed to, say, natural magic, which is what I'm more interested in.

+++But, for example, one could live in "russia" and start a war with, let us say, "ukraine", and they could do this without taking candles and lighting them first correct?+++

Yes, to state the obvious. It's usually easier to do things the normal way than to try and bring them about by magic.

+++But how does one start a war and being violent to "others" without bring harm to "them"?+++

You can't, so this is something that would violate the Wiccan threefold law.

+++But just expressing what people, "themselves, do does NOT, and I will repeat does NOT, SHINE ANY light onto what ACTUALLY OCCURS.+++

Describing what people practicing magic do is a fairly good description of magical practice, I think.

+++From my perspective you have NOT even 'touched' on what 'magic' IS, EXACTLY, YET, which is what you BEGAN WITH and ALSO CLAIMED that there appears to be quite a few misconceptions about.+++

Tell me what you don't understand, and I'll do my best to remedy that. That's what discussions like this are all about.

What I do NOT YET understand is how you even define the 'magic' word?

Which, in understanding, would help in understanding what this thread and your other thread/s about 'magic' are actually about, better.

I'm trying to define it by describing it, and describing what people who practice magic actually do.

But there are millions upon millions of people who have practiced 'magic', and maybe NONE of them practice 'it' the SAME WAY.

I have found that if and when one is serious about just defining a word, then they would just do that, like, for example, 'How I define the 'magic' word is: 'magic' is ...'.

And, for example, I would finish that sentence with, something like, 'an art in which illusion is created'.

[Maia]

What I do NOT YET understand is how you even define the 'magic' word?

Which, in understanding, would help in understanding what this thread and your other thread/s about 'magic' are actually about, better.

I'm trying to define it by describing it, and describing what people who practice magic actually do.

But there are millions upon millions of people who have practiced 'magic', and maybe NONE of them practice 'it' the SAME WAY.

I have found that if and when one is serious about just defining a word, then they would just do that, like, for example, 'How I define the 'magic' word is: 'magic' is ...'.

And, for example, I would finish that sentence with, something like, 'an art in which illusion is created'.

You're undoubtedly right to say that no two people practice magic in *exactly* the same way, which is also true of anything else. There are, however, a number of well established systems, of which Wicca is one, and these have practices in common.

I don't have a simple definition of magic in a few words. I think it's more useful to describe it.

[Age]

I'm trying to define it by describing it, and describing what people who practice magic actually do.

But there are millions upon millions of people who have practiced 'magic', and maybe NONE of them practice 'it' the SAME WAY.

I have found that if and when one is serious about just defining a word, then they would just do that, like, for example, 'How I define the 'magic' word is: 'magic' is ...'.

And, for example, I would finish that sentence with, something like, 'an art in which illusion is created'.

You're undoubtedly right to say that no two people practice magic in *exactly* the same way, which is also true of anything else. There are, however, a number of well established systems, of which Wicca is one, and these have practices in common.

Okay, but what HAS so-called "wicca" actually done or achieved?

I don't have a simple definition of magic in a few words. I think it's more useful to describe it.

Okay. So I will wait for you to describe what 'magic' is, EXACTLY.

[Maia]

But there are millions upon millions of people who have practiced 'magic', and maybe NONE of them practice 'it' the SAME WAY.

I have found that if and when one is serious about just defining a word, then they would just do that, like, for example, 'How I define the 'magic' word is: 'magic' is ...'.

And, for example, I would finish that sentence with, something like, 'an art in which illusion is created'.

You're undoubtedly right to say that no two people practice magic in *exactly* the same way, which is also true of anything else. There are, however, a number of well established systems, of which Wicca is one, and these have practices in common.

Okay, but what HAS so-called "wicca" actually done or achieved?

I don't have a simple definition of magic in a few words. I think it's more useful to describe it.

Okay. So I will wait for you to describe what 'magic' is, EXACTLY.

Wiccans would say it has provided them with a framework that makes sense of existence, and the means to have agency within it.

I hope I'd already described it, if only scratching the surface. What are you unsure about?

[Walker]

For a typical spell, a Wiccan will take three candles in the colour of three of the planets, and light them, visualising what they want to happen. They'll also most likely devise a short chant to the same effect, and may use incense, too. They might also burn something, such as a lock of hair. An important rule is that the spell must not bring harm to others, as this is said to rebound three times over on the person doing it. Other, more elaborate workings are possible, but these are the essentials.

It appears that non-ordinary rituals serve to focus attention. The more completely attention is focused on something, the more that the chaos of the universe is organized according to that something, to the awareness of the attentive. For example, you get a new car and suddenly it seems like so many other people have that car, whereas you would not have noticed that organizing structure in the general chaos, prior to your attention focusing on that car.

The point: Focused attention is underrated. It is a source of energy. Usable energy, whether used by machine or organics, is important for doing. For example: there’s lots of energy in lightning but it’s unusable because it can’t be organized, much to Tesla’s disappointment.

However, electrical energy can be organized through magnetism. Human energy, which at the level of neurons and ganglia is electrical, can also be organized, via attention. As energy, the effects of organized attention take on a life of their own that is independent of choice, and humans with their imperfections and limitations merely add to their ignorance with hubris by assuming to know all the effects of attention upon the world … particularly group attention focused upon a single, something. Some of the effects often get passed off as coincidence. Coincidence can be called the Dark Matter of daily affairs in that it's how the inexplicable is explained, along with the multi-purpose, "Wow!"

[promethean75]

Logically, if Maia weighs as much as a duck, she's made of wood. Therefore she's a witch