FAQ

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Is Magic Real?

We might as well ask if energy or prayer is real.  It is real in the sense that there are people that believe in magic and put it into a real practice for spiritual well-being, psychological health, and to exercise further control and discipline over their lives.  Whether it is real to you, is determined by what you believe. See also: What is Witchcraft/Magic?

Are There Real Witches?

Yes, there are real Witches.  However, they probably do not resemble or act the way you have seen in movies and media.  Witches have normal jobs, families, pastimes and you might not even be able to pick them out of a crowd.  Real Witches do not believe they can levitate objects, conjure matter out of thin air, or transfigure appearances of things, or grant supernatural powers as seen in movies like Harry Potter.  No one is born a Witch, as this is title that is chosen by someone that chooses to develop a magical or spiritual practice involving magic or energy. Not everyone chooses the title Witch but it is the most common. A  neutral term for someone practicing energy work or magic is a "Practitioner" as it lets the individual define their title and their practice.

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Is Witchcraft Evil?

Let's change this question to "is witchcraft harmful?" There are some concepts from Christianity that don't translate to different spiritual beliefs: good and evil are determined by social norms and religious laws. They're not objective ethics. One thing that is acceptable and holy in one culture may be considered a punishable heinous offense in another. 

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Witchcraft isn't objectively harmful. Just like the energy has no inherent ethical association, and neither does learning to harness it.  Witchcraft is a practice or a craft.  Just as a Blacksmith is a craftsman, learning to work metal and shape it, so is a Witch or Practitioner. The blacksmith then gets to choose how they utilize their craft - to make tools for everyday use, to create objects that make life easier, to make art, or to make tools that could be used for defense or battle. This is true of magic and witchcraft too.

Do Witches Hex People?

The term 'hex' generally refers to planning to bring someone to harm or to influence their will without consent. Under this definition, yes some witches hex/curse people, but so do Christians and anyone from any faith. Prayer can be used to curse people. Just like magic, prayer is generally used to heal, help, and protect. But it can also be used to manipulate someone toward an outcome or decision without their consent. Some practitioners will take an oath against hexing, while others use them for protection and defense. The choice is up to each person to determine in accordance with their personal values, just like the choice to be a pacifist or not.

Are All Witches/Practitioners Pagan?

No, the practice of magic and witchcraft does not automatically link you with any set of religious or spiritual beliefs. There are metaphysical practitioners who are Christian, Atheist, Agnostic, Polytheist, and Pagan. Many Practitioners choose to link metaphysical practices with a spiritual practice, but not all, and it's not required.

Do Pagans Worship Satan?

No, Satan is a figure from religions derived from the middle eastern prophet, Abraham. During the Roman colonization of Northern Europe, Catholicism sought to discredit Pagan beliefs by reframing prominent regional deities and turning them image into the iconic images of the Christian Satan we know today. Abrahamic religious texts contain no such descriptions of goat men or horned demons. The Church taught narratives that Pagan deities were Satan in disguise to sow fear and distrust of their ancestral Gods. This anti-pagan propaganda still continues today. This could be compared to a Pagan accusing a Christian of worshiping a harmful spirit disguised as their God: this is ignorant and extremely disrespectful to people from different faiths. 

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Does Witchcraft invoke the Devil?

No, although there are Satanic practitioners who work with Baphomet as a figure representing autonomy and freedom from dogma, this is specific to the practitioner. Invoking the devil or demons for witchcraft is part of American and Catholic Folklore but this is a much later invention after Christianity became the only acceptable religion in Europe and the early Americas.

Is Witchcraft Dangerous? 

Some magical practices may involve the following: herbs/plants, essential oils, tinctures, the outdoors, cooking, or burning incense and candles. These must be done with care and a certain amount of education regarding safe handling. That is the extent of possible physical harm from practicing magic. The emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the person practicing magic is up to the practitioner. Any hobby, interest, or spiritual practice can be harmful if used in unhealthy ways. Witchcraft isn't an exception. There are many different practices in witchcraft and it's up to the practitioner to determine what's healthy for them.

Do Pagans/Witches go to Heaven?

This would be determined by the spiritual beliefs of the individual. While this is a vital question to Christians, this question may be irrelevant for other beliefs.  An Atheist Witch would have a different perspective than a Muslim Witch or a Norse Witch, for example.

Neopagan culture today does not generally concentrate heavily on what the afterlife holds but prefer to focus on the lessons and trials in their current life; whether the individual is behaving in an ethical and loving manner, and what their soul can learn during this lifetime. Pagans generally accept a scientifically-backed perspective on spirituality and the afterlife, such as the law that "matter is never created or destroyed, but merely changes form". Many pagans take this a step further and believe in literal reincarnation or ascension of the soul into another sentient life.  Additionally, some hold the belief that souls who achieve a level of divine wisdom may become Guides in the spirit realm to aid and assist Humans in achieving their Highest Good.  However, it should be noted that beliefs regarding the afterlife are diverse throughout different Pagan religions and can also be unique to the individual.  

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The Bible says Witches will go to Hell

Just as Heaven is unique to Christianity, so is the concept of Hell. Belief regarding what happens when a person does not live according to their moral conscience is determined by the spirituality of the individual.

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I have several answers to this:

1. There are numerous incorrect translations made in the Christian Bible from the original Greek/Hebrew. Many due to King James's obsessive phobia of witches and those that still practiced old European traditions.  He is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent men and women. (Robinson. Translation errors and forgeries* in the Bible.)

2. The same sections of the Bible that say witchcraft is evil, or that witches should be put to death are the same sections that forbid the eating of shellfish and the mixing of fabrics, such as Exodus and Deuteronomy

3. Please remember this is not our holy book.  We are no more fearful of this than a Christian might be of laws and subsequent threats in a different holy book, such as the Veda (Hindu) or the Quran (Islam), the Wiccan Rede (Wicca), or numerous other Religious Laws.  

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Do the Pagan religions have a Holy Text or a Bible?

Yes, most pagan religions have oral traditions that have been recorded by scholars such as the Mabinogion for Celtic pantheons and the Eddas for Norse pantheons. Every culture will have its stories and oral tradition that preserves their beliefs, practices, and history. Usually, these stories and lore are viewed as allegory and metaphor rather than literal guiding texts for living our life.

These stories usually invite examination and even criticism of our deities, heroes, and ancestors. Unfortunately, most of what we have is incomplete. Oral Tradition and non-written teachings have been lost or eradicated through violent or manipulative conversion by colonizers from Rome and later England. They destroyed almost all pagan art, bastardized stories, and destroyed a lot of pagan teachings. Various laws have been passed regarding the practice of the Old Traditions and Witchcraft (Witchcraft Acts of 1542, 1547, 1563, 1604, 1736**) in all of the regions that were colonized. Today the reconstruction of European Paganism is done through examination of the remaining oral traditions, historical records, archaeology, and social scientific discoveries regarding how pre-Christian peoples lived, worshiped, and practiced their spiritual perspectives.  Modern Pagans have also incorporated modern scientific evidence and theory to supplement spiritual ones, as they see the spiritual world as a reflection of the scientific natural world.

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I've heard of Wicca, is that also Witchcraft?

Witchcraft is a practical skill that utilizes metaphysical concepts to work magic and spells.  It is separate from any religious doctrine and can be practiced alongside any religious tradition. There are Pagan Witches, Wiccan Witches, Muslim Witches, Jewish Witches, and even Christian Witches. 

Wicca is a specific religion founded by Gerald Gardner in the 1930s to be a modern culmination of Celtic Paganism and the practice of witchcraft.  This is one of the few Pagan religions that comes with specific religious teachings and structure regarding initiation, religious training, doctrine, accepted practices, rituals, and promotion in the clergy. 

Do Witches/Practitioners Practice Black Magic?

'Black Magic' is a term that refers specifically to the African and Haitian magic and spirituality practiced by black slaves in America.  The term in this way referred to Hoodoo, Voodoo, and other religions unique to the regions that the slaves were taken from.  Later it was used to refer to "evil magic", but as with most racist issues, we have since been educated on the true history of this.  Black Magic continues to be a slur referring to Hoodoo and Voodoo.  There are Witches of Color that practice elements of their cultural roots, but it is not evil in any way.

Does Witchcraft/Paganism Include Animal/Human Sacrifice?

Although animal sacrifice was a common practice in ancient Pagan practices, as well as Jewish and Christian ones, we do not currently practice this today.  Just as Judaism and Christianity have evolved beyond these primitive practices, so have Pagan traditions. Human Sacrifices did exist throughout different world religions at one time, including but not limited to Incan, Mayan, Norse, Slavic, Abrahamic (stoning), Mesopotamian, and others. These practices are now not only outdated but illegal and considered heinous.*

*It is this blog's stance that murder or the torture of living creatures is never part of the spiritual practice of a Healthy Minded individual.

Do Pagans Summon Spirits?

Yes.  Just as Christians or Jews summon Angels, The Spirit of The Lord and other Guardian spirits, Pagans summon their Deities, the spirits of deceased loved ones, Ancestors, Guardian Spirits, Fae, and Spiritual Guides.  There are numerous purposes for summoning spirits.  A Pagan may summon the spirit of their mother if they need guidance, love, or reassurance.  A Pagan individual may summon a spiritual guide that has elected to help them reach their greatest potential and well-being.  Likewise, Pagans may banish negative spirits that turn up or wish others harm. 

Do Pagans Summon Demons? 

The definition of "Demon" varies greatly from one religion to another. Demons can be evil entities that only wish humanity harm (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) or simply Spirits of the Earth and beneath the earth whose intentions vary spirit by spirit (Pagan). Most likely a Pagan is not summoning spirits from the Abrahamic or Christian cosmology. Whether an Abrahamic Practitioner chooses to work with these spirits is up to them.

I am a Parent, and My Child is Interested in Paganism and/or Witchcraft. Should I be concerned?

The misinformation that most people are exposed to from media and religion may make this idea worrisome. Hopefully, the above FAQ's will help dispel some myths, and answer your questions. Paganism and Witchcraft both teach Responsibility for One's actions, Love and Tolerance for All People, Critical Thinking and Learning to Make Healthy Decisions, Learning About Oneself, and Community Responsibility and Action.  Both are protected by law under the Constitution and Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. 

Witchcraft, Nor Pagan religions involve the joining of a Cult.

Cults are abusive groups that discourage members from thinking for themselves, discourage questioning beliefs or practices, and alienate members from friends and family outside of the Cult. It is important to understand that Cults can exist within any religious or philosophical belief system, including Christianity, Paganism, Wicca, Islam and Hate Groups such as the KKK or Focus on the Family.

It is important to ensure your child is safe while exploring their religious beliefs. Please see this article on Safety when choosing Spiritual Groups.

Maintaining an Open Dialogue

While these religions and practices may disagree with your beliefs, they are not harmful, dangerous, or a cause for concern for the health and well-being of your child. The curiosity for learning about various faiths and traditional practices is a sign of healthy development and an intelligent mind.

Although you may desire to control the religious practices of your child and it is within your legal rights, forbidding your child from learning about or practicing their beliefs may result in a child turning to secrecy, rebellion, or other behavior that could put them in harm's way.  Allowing children to talk to you about where they are with their beliefs and listening without judgment or an agenda will help foster open communication with your kids and will help provide avenues where they can explore new beliefs in a safe environment that keeps you fully informed.

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*The Spiral Path will never knowingly have direct contact with a minor regarding religious education, and will always encourage openness between the individual and the family members they live with.  

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Sources: 

Robinson, B.A. Translation errors and forgeries* in the Bible. Religious Tolerance Website. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.. July 25, 2015. 

Witchcraft Acts of 1542, 1547, 1563, 1604, 1736, UK Parliament. **The Witchcraft Act of 1736 was in effect until its repeal in 1945, it continued to prosecute and convict British Citizens through 1944.