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Author Topic: Witchcraft without religion???  (Read 8996 times)

Meow

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Witchcraft without religion???
« on: July 23, 2013, 03:43:45 pm »
I'm interested in witchcraft but I don't really believe in any sort of god because I think they are men made. I do believe in spirits strongly. Let me explain why.

I do believe in some sorts of energy. It is easy to feel when you enter a room and there is this tense atmosphere when something is wrong.
Energy is very real to me because every molecular part has his own energy. You come across energy all day. Food gives energy, exercise takes energy away.
Therefor I believe there are spirits, because if I compare a person before and after he has died, the only thing that has changed is the energy that is gone. The heart, brain and body are still there, but the energy to make all the body parts work has left. Since there is never a loss of energy, just a change of energy, the energy inside the body must have been transferred into another form or left the body somehow. I do wonder what kind of form that might be.

So the reason I'm interested in witchcraft is because I would like to work with energy. I think spells are a way to focus energy, to control energy, to send energy, to block/change (negative) energy.
I think the moon/planets/sun have a great deal of energy. Moon causes the tides of the sea. Since we are made for 90% out of water, I know it will affect people too. My father in law can predict weather (locally) just looking at the calender of the moon. We always have sun when we go to our trailer at the coast, because he picks a certain period (I have no idea which one, I should ask him some time).

Some things I picked up from science class...maybe that's weird? Since this forum is all about some sort of religion. But let me quote Einstein here: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand". So I know the importance of imagination. So what do I do with my god, goddess and other deities? I feel like it is imagination, but then again, imagination is also important. What would you advise me on doing, I find it very weird to pray to something I kinda think isn't there...

Darkhawk

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2013, 03:45:05 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516
So what do I do with my god, goddess and other deities?

 
If you don't have any, absolutely nothing.

You don't have to practice religious witchcraft to be a witch.
as the water grinds the stone
we rise and fall
as our ashes turn to dust
we shine like stars    - Covenant, "Bullet"

Indra

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Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2013, 03:52:57 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516

Some things I picked up from science class...maybe that's weird? Since this forum is all about some sort of religion. But let me quote Einstein here: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand". So I know the importance of imagination. So what do I do with my god, goddess and other deities? I feel like it is imagination, but then again, imagination is also important. What would you advise me on doing, I find it very weird to pray to something I kinda think isn't there...

Up until very recently I was exactly the same. I used power from, what I call the Source, to power my spells and rituals. I prayed to no God or Goddess and I don't think I believed in them. For I guide I had my animal spirit who has been with me for many years.

I was just like that.... Until recently when I was apparently recruited, lol!

Huginn

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2013, 03:54:39 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516
I'm interested in witchcraft but I don't really believe in any sort of god because I think they are men made. I do believe in spirits strongly. Let me explain why.

I do believe in some sorts of energy. It is easy to feel when you enter a room and there is this tense atmosphere when something is wrong.
Energy is very real to me because every molecular part has his own energy. You come across energy all day. Food gives energy, exercise takes energy away.
Therefor I believe there are spirits, because if I compare a person before and after he has died, the only thing that has changed is the energy that is gone. The heart, brain and body are still there, but the energy to make all the body parts work has left. Since there is never a loss of energy, just a change of energy, the energy inside the body must have been transferred into another form or left the body somehow. I do wonder what kind of form that might be.

So the reason I'm interested in witchcraft is because I would like to work with energy. I think spells are a way to focus energy, to control energy, to send energy, to block/change (negative) energy.
I think the moon/planets/sun have a great deal of energy. Moon causes the tides of the sea. Since we are made for 90% out of water, I know it will affect people too. My father in law can predict weather (locally) just looking at the calender of the moon. We always have sun when we go to our trailer at the coast, because he picks a certain period (I have no idea which one, I should ask him some time).

Some things I picked up from science class...maybe that's weird? Since this forum is all about some sort of religion. But let me quote Einstein here: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand". So I know the importance of imagination. So what do I do with my god, goddess and other deities? I feel like it is imagination, but then again, imagination is also important. What would you advise me on doing, I find it very weird to pray to something I kinda think isn't there...

 
I have a friend who identifies as Wiccan, but does not connect with the gods. He sees it as a philosophy (the Rede, the Threefold Law) with metaphysics overlaid (astral plane, sixth sense, etc).

Fionnbharr

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2013, 04:25:15 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516
Some things I picked up from science class...maybe that's weird? Since this forum is all about some sort of religion. But let me quote Einstein here: "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we now know and understand, while imagination embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to know and understand". So I know the importance of imagination. So what do I do with my god, goddess and other deities? I feel like it is imagination, but then again, imagination is also important. What would you advise me on doing, I find it very weird to pray to something I kinda think isn't there...

 
To the one reading a book, fiction or not, the experience is equally as real.


Whether you pray to beings that exist (of some who might or might not have given name to myth) or a manifestation of your own imagination, the outcome should be the same; it is the intent you put into what you do that determine the outcome. So do whatever you feel like basically ;) And what do you deem as not imagination?
Grief and sorrow grows on the far banks of the river Styx, go there and visit them and you might not find your own way back home. - Achilles

Meow

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2013, 04:33:37 pm »
Quote from: Darkhawk;116517
If you don't have any, absolutely nothing.

You don't have to practice religious witchcraft to be a witch.


Well, that was a very clear answer. Since I would like to get started with non-religious witchcraft, I've came across a lot of sites and books that do mention the god and goddess or other deities. I guess I'll have to look harder in order to find the right information.

Darkhawk

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2013, 04:35:39 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116524
Well, that was a very clear answer. Since I would like to get started with non-religious witchcraft, I've came across a lot of sites and books that do mention the god and goddess or other deities. I guess I'll have to look harder in order to find the right information.

 
I believe Randall usually recommends Huson's Mastering Witchcraft at this point.
as the water grinds the stone
we rise and fall
as our ashes turn to dust
we shine like stars    - Covenant, "Bullet"

Meow

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2013, 04:44:57 pm »
Quote from: Fionnbharr;116523
To the one reading a book, fiction or not, the experience is equally as real.


Whether you pray to beings that exist (of some who might or might not have given name to myth) or a manifestation of your own imagination, the outcome should be the same; it is the intent you put into what you do that determine the outcome. So do whatever you feel like basically ;) And what do you deem as not imagination?


True, but I think is is weird to do so...I do have a lot of imagination and (day)dream a lot, very vividly, but still the deities don't come naturally. Maybe I can get started using archetypes, since it is a representation rather then a "person"?

Meow

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2013, 04:47:40 pm »
Quote from: Darkhawk;116525
I believe Randall usually recommends Huson's Mastering Witchcraft at this point.

 
Thank you for the tip!

Materialist

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2013, 04:54:13 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516
I'm interested in witchcraft but I don't really believe in any sort of god because I think they are men made. I do believe in spirits strongly. Let me explain why.


It is also my opinion that gods were invented by humans. Praying to them as actual, autonomous deities and meditating on them as archetypes of one's psyche produces the same results. So don't worry. Now, about praying. I don't pray to figments of my imagination. No, "oh come, ye bounteous god" stuff. I see gods as personifications of human abilities, so I say something like "may my ability to do such 'n' such be strong."

Also, don't worry about any dichotomy between science and religion-this only exists for people who reject scientific facts for mythology, doctrine or new age ideas.

Fionnbharr

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2013, 05:04:30 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116527
True, but I think is is weird to do so...I do have a lot of imagination and (day)dream a lot, very vividly, but still the deities don't come naturally. Maybe I can get started using archetypes, since it is a representation rather then a "person"?


The teachings of Taoism is to be in balance with the path, so simply create your own path of Witchcraft in which you are in balance with. Imagination is based on knowledge and knowledge come from imagination - it is a circle that strengthen itself, like two snakes in a balanced circle eating each others tail. So read up on Witchcraft and take with you what you can use on your path and leave behind what is of no use, and that that way create the path you are searching for, possibly even with your own made up rituals and so.

My path is a Chthonic path that says that everything is Life and therefore everything is of Life. It does not go into depth with what form Life take because it is imagination that creates Life, so it can be Anything. Basically my Mythology of Nothing says that Everything is Nothing and that is why it can be Anything.
Grief and sorrow grows on the far banks of the river Styx, go there and visit them and you might not find your own way back home. - Achilles

Meow

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2013, 05:32:47 pm »
Quote from: Materialist;116531
It is also my opinion that gods were invented by humans. Praying to them as actual, autonomous deities and meditating on them as archetypes of one's psyche produces the same results. So don't worry. Now, about praying. I don't pray to figments of my imagination. No, "oh come, ye bounteous god" stuff. I see gods as personifications of human abilities, so I say something like "may my ability to do such 'n' such be strong."

Also, don't worry about any dichotomy between science and religion-this only exists for people who reject scientific facts for mythology, doctrine or new age ideas.


I think that's a good perspective and resembles mine. I think your example is a good way to use it. Looking for a certain force within rather then praying to it.

Meow

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #12 on: July 23, 2013, 05:37:04 pm »
Quote from: Fionnbharr;116532
The teachings of Taoism is to be in balance with the path, so simply create your own path of Witchcraft in which you are in balance with. Imagination is based on knowledge and knowledge come from imagination - it is a circle that strengthen itself, like two snakes in a balanced circle eating each others tail. So read up on Witchcraft and take with you what you can use on your path and leave behind what is of no use, and that that way create the path you are searching for, possibly even with your own made up rituals and so.

My path is a Chthonic path that says that everything is Life and therefore everything is of Life. It does not go into depth with what form Life take because it is imagination that creates Life, so it can be Anything. Basically my Mythology of Nothing says that Everything is Nothing and that is why it can be Anything.


Interesting... But complicated. I understand that imagination can take any form, and imagination is a form of creation. But do you actively practice something?

Fionnbharr

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #13 on: July 23, 2013, 05:56:58 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116537
Interesting... But complicated. I understand that imagination can take any form, and imagination is a form of creation. But do you actively practice something?


Somethings can be hard to decipher into a simple string of words. My path is made up of what makes sense to me from my experiences throughout my existence and centers around my Mythology of Nothing (which solely exist within my head); the core of it all is about being in balance with the path which is Life. So you can say I actively practice Life in all its beauty, welcoming all its possibilities into my Existence. The mantra goes like this: Life is Perfect in itself, so there is no need to create Perfection, all one has to do is to take part in the Perfection that already is.
Grief and sorrow grows on the far banks of the river Styx, go there and visit them and you might not find your own way back home. - Achilles

xGypsy13x

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Re: Witchcraft without religion???
« Reply #14 on: July 05, 2016, 01:15:41 pm »
Quote from: Meow;116516
I'm interested in witchcraft but I don't really believe in any sort of god because I think they are men made. I do believe in spirits strongly.

 
I feel the same way, i feel like religions have been corrupted over the years, i find that its all about your personal relationship with the these energies. I have more faith in the energies of the earth than any god

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