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A Seeker's Guide to understanding Traditional Witchcraft beliefs, concepts, customs, rituals, and spellcraft.
Please Note: This Trad is part of the traditional "Old Craft".
We are NOT Wicca.
Adrian Eglinton's
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A 180-page illustrated reference on Medicinal Plants and traditional home remedies.
Can a Christian Become
a Traditional Crafter?
Witchcraft is defined as the use of magic. A Traditional Crafter (a traditional witch) would say that magic is the use of natural abilities to influence reality. Some more philosophical Traditional Crafters would say that magic is the transformation, alteration, or changing the form of the very essence of nature according to one's will.
Magic can be used outside of religious context. It can also be used within the framework of religions or spiritualities that allow the use of magic.
That is the case with The Traditional Craft, which is the Traditional Witchcraft of the British Isles. Every Traditional Witch, or Crafter, follows a particular path in pagan spirituality which reflects classical pagan ideals and which has magic as a primary element. This evolved from the nature spirituality of our ancestors. The old pagan spiritual traditions of Britain, sometimes called "Earth spirituality," has a witchcraft heritage. The old religions of Britain and magic complimented each other in a brilliant manner and provide a beautifully cohesive religious paradigm reflective of old folk culture.
Christianity was never part of this.
Here are a few ideas to ponder:
1) The application of magic into any religious structure necessarily must assume that the religion itself does not prohibit the use of magic or witchcraft.
However, Christianity specifically and repeatedly clearly prohibits the use of magic and witchcraft. The same is of course true of Judaism. This is stated in very clear language in scripture as well as commentaries on scripture by their respective Talmudic and Church authorities.
Judaism and Christianity are revealed religions; this means the legitimacy of each religion rests solely on their sacred text, called "the word" in Christianity. They both believe their respective scriptures to be the only true revelations from their respective monotheistic supreme god. These are considered "revelations" that are stated in the Jewish Torah and in the Christian New Testament, sources that establish each religion's version of their respective "ultimate truth."
In Judaism, the prohibitions against witchcraft include Exodus 22:18, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live", and in Deuteronomy 18:10-11, "There must not be found among you anyone... practicing divination, or soothsaying, observing omens, applying sorcery, neither a charmer, a medium, a wizard, or a necromancer."
In Christianity, the prohibitions include Galatians 5:19-20 (King James Version) in listing "acts of sinful nature" which included the "worship of idols and witchcraft...", and in Revelations 21:8 that lists those destined for Hell which includes those that "practice witchcraft." There are others, but you get the idea.
These are just some examples of Jewish and Christian intolerance and myopic thinking that is incongruous to the higher ideals of pagan spirituality.
2) There are many reasons why it is not logical to try to combine Judaism or Christianity with Traditional Witchcraft. In fact, many members of both sides (Traditional Witches vs. Christians and Jews) would consider a practice that combined witchcraft with Christianity or Judaism with strong disapproval and even disgust. The main problem is the impossible task of accommodating directly conflicting fundamental beliefs.
3) Traditional Witches are pagans. We subscribe to Nature or Earth spirituality. Christians traditionally are somewhat fearful of Nature and to Earth spirituality because of Nature's closeness to the gods. Of course, they would use the word, demons. Christians approach nature with a great deal of apprehension specifically as a reaction to classical Neoplatonism of the Greco-Roman world and to ancient pagan civilization which exhibited a superior culture and a higher level of spirituality based on love, rather than the fear Christians needed to generate to herd people into their churches. Christians (Catholics) considered Nature as the domain of demons, which they considered to be evil spirits. However, the word "demon," is Greek for "spirit" not evil spirit. The Christians were affraid of spirits even though each person has a spirit, a.k.a.soul. This type of anti-rationalism is what helped to drove Europe into the Dark Ages.
4) Christians are monotheists, at least according to them. Classical Neoplatonists of ancient Greece and Rome questioned this idea as being ludicrous. Monotheism is defined as the belief in one supreme god. However, in Christianity, their one supreme god was declared to be three gods-in-one, a so-called "trinity" in the third century, C.E. That is 300 hundred years AFTER their Jesus lived. (Which means he never heard about a "trinity" and presumably would not approve.)
This trinity godhead is made up of 1) God the Father, 2) His "only begotten son" Jesus Christ, and 3) The Holy Ghost. This threesome may not sound like a monotheistic religion (because if you count them, there are three). Nevertheless, since the third century C.E., Christians have insisted that a trinity godhead is not polytheism. As a side note: Roman Emperor Julian Augustus called the Christian trinity, "the three-headed monster."
In any event, paganism and monotheism are not compatible.
5) Pagans take very strong exception to the Christian idea that "God's only begotten son is Jesus Christ." This makes no sense as we believe we are all the sons and daughters of the gods.
6) Another claim in both Judaism and Christianity is the demand that their faithful follow no other god than the one their religious authorities approve. With this one point alone, it's obvious that the concepts of deity in Judaism / Christianity and those in Traditional Witchcraft hopelessly irreconcilable.
7) Then there are those other Christian pesky details, like:
• The expectation of being repentant of "sin",
• The disbelief in reincarnation, and
• The belief in the devil, otherwise known as Satan.
These are but three bizarre Christian beliefs that have no place in paganism because they are incompatible with traditional European spirituality.
8) Besides, those that are have pagan spirituality at heart could never accept Jesus as a "savior." We simply do not believe we are in need of being saved by anyone. In fact, pagans find the very idea absurd and arrogant.
Select One Path
The Traditional Craft is not suitable for everyone. So, if you're on the fence and you feel you don't really know what to do, then that is perfectly fine. Take time and think about what is in your heart. Only you can decide what is best for you.
If Judaism or Christianity is deeply meaningful to you, then live a Jewish or Christian life. Good people are in every religion.
We all should travel a religious path that causes no harm to others and which is the most meaningful path for us.
Ultimately, you must decide which way of life you really wish. It is not always easy being a Traditional Witch, yet few Crafters would want to do anything else. But not everyone is up to it. It is only for a select few. When the time is right, you need to select the ONE PATH that is the true path for you. Then travel on that path with your chin held high and with a happy heart.
.: Traditional Witchcraft Home :. .: Articles Table of Contents :.
Traditional Witchcraft
Welcome Orientation
What Is Traditional Witchcraft?
Solitary Practice
Magic & Spellcraft
Moon Articles
Solstices & Equinoxes Dates
Glossary of Traditional Witchcraft Terms
Beginner's
Mini-Course
Traditional Magic
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