Witchcraft

The belief in and the practice of magic has been present since the earliest human cultures and continues to have an important religious and medicinal role in many cultures today.[1] "Magic is central not only in 'primitive' societies but in 'high cultural' societies as well... The concept of witchcraft as harmful is often treated as a cultural ideology providing a scapegoat for human misfortune.[3][4] This was particularly the case in the early modern period of Europe where witchcraft came to be seen as part of a vast diabolical conspiracy of individuals in league with the Devil undermining Christianity, eventually leading to large-scale witch-hunts, especially in Protestant Europe. Etymology[edit] From the Old English wiccecræft, compound of "wicce" ("witch") and "cræft" ("craft").[7] Definitions[edit] As in anthropology, European witchcraft is seen by historians as an ideology for explaining misfortune; however, this ideology manifested in diverse ways. Demonology[edit] White witches[edit]

Magic (paranormal) Magic or sorcery is an attempt to understand, experience and influence the world using rituals, symbols, actions, gestures and language.[1][2][3][4] Modern Western magicians generally state magic's primary purpose to be personal spiritual growth.[5] Modern theories of magic may see it as the result of a universal sympathy where some act can produce a result somewhere else, or as a collaboration with spirits who cause the effect.[6] The belief in and the practice of magic has been present since the earliest human cultures and continues to have an important religious and medicinal role in many cultures today.[7][8] Magic is often viewed with suspicion by the wider community, and is sometimes practiced in isolation and secrecy.[4] The word "magic" derives via Latin magicus from the Greek adjective magikos (μαγικός) used in reference to the "magical" arts of the Persian Magicians (Greek: magoi, singular mágos, μάγος), the Zoroastrian astrologer priests of the ancient Persian Empire.

Welcome to Bewitching Ways Please excuse the problems with the site. We ran into issues when loading it to the new server. We are working as quickly as possible to fix things. "Ten thousand years, we've struck the fire Creation's music freely sung With magick joined, we've praised the stars Since the world first begun. Welcome to Bewitching Ways, a site that will work to provide an online community as well as bring you all you need to aid you in the practice of The Craft. Register for a free ID and password to check out our message board or visit our chat room to get the latest on what's happening in our community. Clicking on the large pentacle at the bottom of any page or the nameplate on top will bring you back to this page. Hope you enjoy your visit! In perfect love and perfect trust, Apythia Editor/Owner Because what is remembered, lives. Fair use notice This Web site may contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner.

List of religions and spiritual traditions Religious symbols in clock-wise order: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Baha'i, Hinduism, Taoism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Rodnoveri, Celtic pagan, Heathenism, Semitic pagan, Wicca, Kemetism, Hellenic pagan, Roman pagan. Abrahamic religions[edit] A group of monotheistic traditions sometimes grouped with one another for comparative purposes, because all refer to a patriarch named Abraham. Babism[edit] Azali Bahá'í Faith[edit] Christianity[edit] Western Christianity Eastern Christianity Other groups related to Christianity[edit] Some of these groups consider themselves to be Christian, or to be derived from Christianity, but they are considered heterodox or heretical by mainstream Christianity. Gnosticism[edit] Many Gnostic groups were closely related to early Christianity, for example, Valentinism. Cerdonians (no longer extant)Colorbasians (no longer extant)Simonians (no longer extant)Bogomils (no longer extant)Cathars (no longer extant) The Yazidis are a syncretic Kurdish religion with a Gnostic influence:

Rending the Veil Witches' League for Public Awareness