Witches and Magic

Magic dates back to the beginning of everything; to a time when human beings relied upon instinct and were fully in tune with the elements. Over the centuries, religions evolved throughout the world to include a belief in myth, mysteries, ritual, and the supernatural as part of their mystique.

Why did our ancestors need magic? Even today people worship Mother Nature, and many are reviving the old ways and traditions and adapting them to our modern way of life. So do we need magic today? To answer this question, we must first look at the history of humankind and how we have progressed throughout our time on this planet.

The Bronze Age blacksmith was acknowledged within his community as a priest or superior spiritual figure. To his fellow villagers, it appeared that he sat on the outskirts of his village and magically conjured blades, weapons, and stunning jewelry from stones. To a person living in the Bronze Age, this was nothing short of a miracle. We all know that we can make bronze by heating a combination of copper and tin to a very high temperature, but to the people of that time, these skills were considered to be miraculous and so, of course, the blacksmith was revered.

In the past there were "wise women" who were renowned for their skills in healing the sick; they used their knowledge of plants and herbs to cure certain ailments. Nowadays we would call them midwives, nurses, or doctors. It was only in the 16th century, when the witch hunts began, that these people and their knowledge were forced underground.

Magic and sorcery were common practices in many cultures, such as the Egyptian, Native American, and among the shamans of Central and South America. With each civilization, the method of ritual varied, but the principles were the same. Chanting and spell casting were used with the understanding that they would attract favor from the gods, who would grant good fortune.

Now, in the 21st century, we have become more advanced. Most of us are well informed and educated and live happily alongside science and technology. Today, almost everyone in the developed world has a mobile phone or smartphone and a computer. We can communicate with people in different countries with just a touch of a button, or we can climb inside a huge piece of metal and fly across the sky. We can flick a switch and drive out the night with electric lighting. Our ancestors would surely think us magicians! It is quite possible that, in a similar fashion, what seems magical to us may turn out to be quite natural in the future. Magic has always had its place in the world, and it probably always will.

The power of prayer has been recognized for many centuries; therefore, the spiritual world cannot be overlooked. I am a believer, but I am also extremely grounded. Because I've been a witch for the greater part of my life, I often use magic to change the energies around me and to bring about a more positive vibration. Ritual can also change a person's frame of mind, bringing confidence where there is none and lending a sense of proportion to difficult situations. With this in mind, magic should not be thrown out in favor of all that is mechanical or scientific just because many people don't understand it; magic brings us spiritual benefits that we should not ignore.

Karma and reincarnation are core beliefs in the Wiccan faith, and one of our tenets is "As you sow, so shall you reap." In accordance with this belief, we are careful not to incur bad karma by hurting anyone, either emotionally or physically. A modern witch will always endeavor to do the right thing and to protect and nurture everything around her, however big or small. Let's face it: Our planet is awesome and nature can be overwhelming, so much so that there has to be a greater source that has created something this beautiful and complex. I still have many unanswered questions, but as a child I was taught by my mamma that if something feels right to you in your heart, then you should believe it. If it doesn't, then you should leave it alone.

It is important always to recognize your inner truth, because it will seldom let you down. This is why witchcraft has struck a chord within me. It's about recognizing the balance and harmony of the planet and our relationship to it. Once you come to grips with that belief, you can comprehend so much more than you otherwise could about the spiritual side of life.

Another reason that I love Wicca is that there are no specific rules. Personally, I don't like rigidity and I prefer to express myself spiritually, without a rule book in my hand. I have never been one to follow and absorb old philosophies blindly, and I feel sorry for certain individuals who are too stubborn to move on and who are stuck in a rut in this life, and no doubt were in past lives, too.

Wicca is an individual faith that you can adjust and tweak to suit yourself. Of course, there are traditional teachings that you can follow if you want to, but religion has to move with the times. By virtue of your free will, you can bring your faith up to date. For instance, a few years ago I inadvertently cast a spell on top of the microwave while I was defrosting some meat. I was at one of my lazy stages in life, when I didn't have the time to set up an altar. To my surprise, the spell didn't take the usual week or so to work; the results were almost immediate. I got to thinking that maybe magic works well with electricity, and after casting several other spells on top of the microwave, I found that the theory proved to be right! I've since tried my ritual techniques on top of the television, beside the computer, and next to the radio. They all worked!

With Wicca, there is no right way or wrong way. There are no rigid commandments to follow, and you don't have to attend meetings, or go to church, or divulge all in the confessional box. You don't even have to share your beliefs with anyone else if you don't want to. You can join a gathering known as a coven, or you can be a Solitary Witch — it's a purely personal decision. Wicca is a private way of life that you can adapt and fit to any busy schedule. This flexibility is useful, because if you do decide to study the traditional methods, you can eliminate the parts you don't particularly connect with and adapt the ideas to your own way of thinking.

Let's now quash the common fear associated with the word "witchcraft."

Witchcraft stems from paganism, which is the oldest known religion. The name comes from the title "wise craft" or "the way of the wise." A more recent term is "Wicca craft" (the word "Wicca" being linked with the wick of a candle). After centuries of hype, people still shy away from the word "witch," thinking that some evil woman with a big black hat and a warty nose is out to turn them into a frog or worse! It is simply not the case. Today's witch would not hurt a fly. Sixteenth-century prejudice...