Shelle Wrote:

[Hi Markus,
How does your girl-friend deal with your beliefs? She probably knew ahead of time! I talked with hubby about this and there seems to be a little past involved here. He said at one time he used to read minds. So he says, and said it was a scary thing. I don't quite understand this but , that's what he said. He said he knew a witch in his past and that it was evil. He won't talk about it much but I'm having a hard time convincing him that basically I'm a good person, but he know that. Maybe there is a fear that I could read his and wouldn't like what I saw! Anyway, you mention the word empathic, what does that mean? Markus, I'm not for sure where all this is leading me but I just keep wanting to dig deeper. I need more books!!! It all seems to be mental, ya know? What exactly does the word witch mean, and what is the difference between someone who say speaks with the dead and a prophet or miracle worker or someone who sees into the future or someone with ESP or someone who reads others minds? Is this all considered witchcraft? I don't know all the words for these talents, or what exactly they are referring to but was wondering if they were all actually forms of witches!

Til next time, I look forward to hearing from you!
Shelle

Markus Replied:

[How does your girl-friend deal with your beliefs? She probably knew ahead of time!]

umm... actually, no... I didn't become "officially" involved with Witchcraft until about a year after we had started going out. She didn't take it well at first, it really scared her and she at first tried to ignore it, thinking it was a phase or something. Then, after she realized I was really sticking with it and truly interested, she tried to make it into a joke... I killed that one real fast. Then, in natural order, she became progressively interested herself and began mirroring my workings (ie, the simple household cold remedy herbs n stuff) and trying out the ideas I explained to her. Now, though it still scares her a bit, she's come to accept it. Like you, she grew up in an extreme Catholic family (not immediate family, but her grandparents who had more influence than her parents anyway.) So, I do know what you are going through and I know it can work if you both are willing to work at it. A line that really got her (yes, it's true, but also very effective shocker)... she thought magick was evil, I told her magick was a tool, just like a gun. The gun doesn't aim itself. "There's no such thing as Black Magick, only Black Souls" (my own quote), then asked how black she believed my soul to be? Yes, this is a set up question, and some would say "hey, that's not fair" but it is VERY valid and if they answer the wrong way... well, then it's not the magick that is the problem, it's something more.

[I talked with hubby about this and there seems to be a little past involved here. He said at one time he used to read minds. So he says, and said it was a scarey thing. I don't quite understand this but , that's what he said.]

Ask him to explain it to you. If you two don't understand each other, you will be forced to choose, him or Craft. Will be a tough choice, tougher than you might think if it happens to come (let's hope it never gets this far) after you have ingrained Craft into your life. Witchcraft is not something you can just drop, once it's with you, it shows in every thought... it's a part of you.

[He said he knew a witch in his past and that it was evil.]

whoa! Hold on her, pause for just a moment. A witch isn't an "it," I know it will be tough to escape the prejudices of society, but it's time to start working at it. I'm not an "it", am I? Let's continue...

[He won't talk about it much but I'm having a hard time convincing him that basically I'm a good person, but he knows that. Maybe there is a fear that I could read his and wouldn't like what I saw!]

Your inner soul is a scary thing. Most humans live in ignorance of themselves for their entire lives. Perhaps you wouldn't like what you see, but more likely, he doesn't like what he sees within himself. If I'm not mistaking (not mocking here), you believe the complete knowledge of your soul belongs to the Lord and no other... perhaps that is how he thinks it should be. It's something you two need to talk about.

[Anyway, you mention the word empathic, what does that mean?]

Empathy is the talent/skill of being able to sense another's emotions. If you've heard of Telepathy, being able to sense another's thoughts, it is very similar, just on a more solid emotional level. All people possess SOME level of empathy... someone puts his fist through a table, you know (and sense on a higher level) that he's angry. This is an extreme and you had a BIG clue to help you, but that's the idea of empathy, being able to determine another's feelings through a higher awareness.

[Markus, I'm not for sure where all this is leading me but I just keep wanting to dig deeper. I need more books!!! It all seems to be mental, ya know?]

:) Yes, I know... when you read, just remember not to take everything at face value, books are worse than TV much of the time. When you read something, question it. If it doesn't seem right, or doesn't "feel" right, then chances are it's not.

[What exactly does the word witch mean?]

"Witch" literally means "country dweller." It is an Anglo-Saxon word invented during the middle ages to label a person that used herbal lore and magick to manipulate the world around him/her. I will not white wash this, magick is manipulation, but then again so is Everything else we do, from how we word our sentences to what we eat. All we do manipulates and effects our environment at some level. The word "Witch" is very much akin to "Gay," not in meaning, but in origin and progression. It began as a derogatory term used to mark "evil pagan magick users and servants of the Devil" and has in present day become a mark of pride (to the point that those who are NOT Witches and, in my opinion, have no idea what a Witch is, try to claim the label)... similar yes? "Gay" stared as a teasing, mocking term for Homosexual and today has become a badge of pride and self-esteem.

[and what is the difference between someone who say speaks with the dead and a prophet or miracle worker or someone who sees into the future or someone with ESP or someone who reads others minds?]

hmmmmmm... I guess all this would depend on which area you come from. Technically, a person who speaks with the dead is a Necromancer, one who speaks with the souls of the dead to find out answers to questions. Necromancer has been "evolved" (more like trashed) and become a "evil" path, but anyone who speaks to, let's say, their dead grandmother and asks for help answering a question is technically dipping into the magickal field of Necromancy.

A prophet or miracle worker is tougher... could be called a Seer, a Saint, a Healer, or any other labels. Labels aren't really what's important though, it's the talent they have and how they use it.

A general collective term that has become popular today is "Psychic." It encompasses fortune telling, ESP, empathy, telepathy, blah blah blah. It's become such a dime'a'dozen term that it holds little meaning anymore (if you discount the two words "BS", that immediately jump into your head when you here someone talk of "psychics")

[Is this all considered witchcraft?]

I say yes, they are all considered Parts of Witchcraft, some would disagree. Perhaps it would be best for me to first ask you "What do YOU think Witchcraft is?" This is not a trick question and there is no right or wrong answer. Simply let me know the best way you can, what you consider Witchcraft to be and consist of.

[I don't know all the words for these talents, or what exactly they are referring to but was wondering if they were all actually forms of witches!]

:) There are as many potential "forms" of Witches as there are people... Witches aren't "it's"

[Ya know, Markus, your beliefs seem to be closer to what I feel I'm looking for that anything I have found yet. Maybe with a few alterations. Mostly I think right now I'm trying to find myself. Trying to see if I have power of the mind. See exactly how strong my mind is and trying to find out how to develop it. There is just so much, I'm overwhelmed. I keep getting lost and don't know exactly where to begin.]

Relax... know one thing about Witchcraft: it is fluid and personal! If you are looking for the 'right' way to do it, or hoping to find a certain text that will explain it all for you in easy to do steps...... nah uh. You are in for a loooooooong search! Take what you learn (either from me or elsewhere) and fit it into yourself. "A few alterations"?? I HOPE SO! I don't think this world could stand another ME! .................. ok, let's hope you take these thoughts as well as you did the others.

Christianity teaches largely that there is a ONE "right" way to do something, ONE "right" way to be, to behave, and to essentially only ONE "right" way to exist. Which way is that? As the Christ Jesus did. All good and well, but not realistic. Jesus was God incarnate, the idea is to make the attempt to be like him and overall, try to be the best person you can! Everyone is faced with different circumstances and therefore cannot be uniform. Period. Know what this means? It means you're gonna have to continue to think for yourself and your best interests. If it doesn't work for you, trash it.

[You think you could help. I keep trying to do candle control and stuff like that but to no avail. Is there nothing there? How do I reach this inner self? HELP!!!!]

:) I'm trying... ok, the candle control... if you are looking for a grand bend in the candle, forget it... not this early. All you want is a lean. It may help to try a physical signal, like slowly tilt your finger the direction you want the candle to lean, and with your mind/thoughts direct the candle gently in that direction. You are looking for ANY reaction, not just the one you wished to happen. Many times with lack of control, you want it to lean left and it will grow tall and thin... fine! A start is a start!

Give it a try and let me know either way -- "failure" or success -- what happened.

Best Wishes,
Markus