Merrily Meet! Date: 7/15/97
The Witchcraft Dawning Newsletter will be conducting a general education on
Witchcraft for the next couple of mailings. This newsletter will be a Bi-weekly
posting.
Let us first address various Definitions of Witchcraft to begin our lessons:
(The following definitions were taken from the American Heritage Dictionary - 3rd edition)
Craft :
(n.) 1. Skill in doing or making something, as in the arts.
2. Skill in evasion or deception; guile.
3. a. A trade, especially one requiring skilled artistry.
b. The membership of such a trade; guild.
Witch :
(n.) 1. a. A sorceress, especially in folklore.
b. A woman believed to practice sorcery.
2. A hag.
Witchcraft :
(n.) Magic, sorcery.
Magic :
(n.) 1. The art that purports to control or forecast natural events, effects or forces by invoking the supernatural through the use of charms, spells or rituals.
2. The exercise of sleight of hand or conjuring for entertainment.
Sorcery :
(no definition listed in American Heritage Dictionary - 3rd edition)
Investigation of the definitions above unveil a presenting problem in the world's (or at least the American Heritage Dictionary's) ignorant view of what witchcraft is actually about. It is apparant that witchcraft is viewed today within the dark shadows of history's past fears, anxieties and prejudices.
Note that although the dictionary's definition of Craft involves a credible
skill orientation, the definition of Witchcraft is simply pushed aside with
two words: Magic and Sorcery.
Actual definition of witchcraft (as defined by its practitioners):
Traditional witchcraft is a way of life, a thought process, revolving around living in harmony with nature (not against or trying to control it). The magickal aspect is a means to benefit life.
A witch holds a high degree of reverence for the sacredness of their ancestors, nature and life. Practitioners of traditional witchcraft do not consider themselves to be Wiccan. Witchcraft and Wicca are two seperate belief systems, although they hold many common or similar beliefs because Wicca draws many practices from Witchcraft as well as other paths.
Traditional crafters consider themselves to follow the "old ways" or native religions or belief systems of Europe and hold the belief of the duality of deities. In fact, the term "witchcraft" was a term given by the Christian Church to identify practioners of the old European belief systems and religions. The church did also, in fact, perpetuate the association of "evil" or "satanism" with these belief systems in an attempt to uphold it's own , self induced belief of "rightousness" and the need to exterminate all beliefs that it saw as a challenge of it's ultimate authority. By stating that the old religions were evil and "devil worshipping", the church did a great injustice to these belief systems and in effect carried out a disloyalty to one of it's own greatest of all laws - (Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor).
The fact of the matter is, wichcraft does not worship or even acknowledge the existence of the devil or any other deity. The concept of the devil or "Satan" is veiwed as an "Anti-God" needed by their belief structure as a balance of power, as did Christianity's predecessor - the ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism. A common craft belief is the belief of both the God and Goddess (aka, The Great Spirit and Mother Earth) and the need for spiritual balance.
(From Kahlil Gibran's work "Satan"; Father Samaan speaking to Satan -- "Father Samaan quivered and rubbed his hands nervously, and with apology in his voice he said, 'I know now what I had not known an hour ago. Forgive my ignorance. I know that your existence in this world creates temptation, and temptation is a measurement by which God adjudges the value of the human soul. It is a scale which Almighty God uses to weigh the spirits. I am certain that if you die, temptation will die, and with its passing, death will destroy the ideal power which elevates and alerts man... if you die and the people know it, their fear of hell will vanish and they will cease worshipping, for naught would be sin.")
Witchcrafters understand the importance of passing their practice on by word of mouth and, at times, rites of passage. There are certain mysteries and secrets held and passed on by practioners of the craft that you will not find in books.
Until Next Time, Thanks for your Support!
Merry Part and Bright Blessings!
On outside notes: This is just the first newsletter, it will take a few to get the ideas rolling (Ralph is a new writer, but good at it). Please be a bit patient, and for the more involved folks, remember this newsletter is geared toward the newbies. This is not to exclude you either, we will more than gladly accept any
additions you would like to make. From here, I would like to welcome Jenni to the Newsletter, she will be helping Ralphy with the publishing... "Welcome aboard, and thanks for your time (in advance)."
Witchcraft Dawning Newsletter Author:
Ralph Melancon
ralphm@cmq.com
http://www.communique.net/~ralphm
http://www.oocities.com/athens/delphi/3552
Witchcraft Dawning Webmaster:
Markus Witch
witchdawn@hotmail.com
http://www.oocities.com/CollegePark/4885/
(
geocities.com/collegepark)