Magick - White, black or neither (Moses, mystic, tradition, mission)

[Fluffy]

I suppose that magick could be grouped into "black" and "white" categories but there is unlikely to be much agreement over what each category should constitute and, at the end of the day, it is a pretty artifical affectation which might be useful to introduce beginners to the subject (in the same way as good and bad is used in ethics) but an advanced user who stays hung up on these terms is going to fail to come to their own conclusions about magick and inevitably screw up.

[Granny Beth]

Originally Posted by Pardus

I hate this question, but it needs a simple answer.

Is a hammer good or bad?

It can build a house or take a life.

I agree. Magic is neutral, it's just energy. It's what you do with it that counts. I guess a lot of people think in terms of polarity rather than balance.

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by Granny Beth

I agree. Magic is neutral, it's just energy. It's what you do with it that counts. I guess a lot of people think in terms of polarity rather than balance.

That comes from Christianity. The Good v. Evil syndrome. I look at it the same way... neutral. Our intent can either be helpful or hurtful, compassionate or mean-spirited... but that's the case with everything we do.

[Granny Beth]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

That comes from Christianity. The Good v. Evil syndrome. I look at it the same way... neutral. Our intent can either be helpful or hurtful, compassionate or mean-spirited... but that's the case with everything we do.

Yes it comes from Christianity but it goes deeper, I think. I know many people who aren't Christian but can't help that kind of " X versus Y" mentality. I think it comes from living in a traditionally "Christian" society. It's the way you are raised to think, however subconsciously.

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by Granny Beth

Yes it comes from Christianity but it goes deeper, I think. I know many people who aren't Christian but can't help that kind of " X versus Y" mentality. I think it comes from living in a traditionally "Christian" society. It's the way you are raised to think, however subconsciously.

Yes. I comes from the Christian Worldview which has dominated Western Civilization for the last 500 years, even in further back but in a different way.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Granny Beth

I agree. Magic is neutral, it's just energy. It's what you do with it that counts. I guess a lot of people think in terms of polarity rather than balance.

There's no such thing as magic; magic is only something people don't understand. And yes, there is just plain old magic, with no colour; the intent of the 'witch' is what counts.

But I don't like the name witch or magic, because they have derogatory connotations; mind you, I wouldn't know what else to suggest.

[kreeden]

Originally Posted by Granny Beth

I guess a lot of people think in terms of polarity rather than balance.

Interesting way to put it . And yea , I think that you have a very good point there .

[Plaidcat]

i ask from a point of little knowledge, could a prayer to influence someone or something be considered a form of witchcraft? or wiccan if tools are used?

[Mike182]

Originally Posted by Plaidcat

i ask from a point of little knowledge, could a prayer to influence someone or something be considered a form of witchcraft? or wiccan if tools are used?

on one hand, it could be conciderd as witchcraft, but on the other hand, it could not be

it comes down to your personal oppinion, you could prey for fortune to come your way, like, prey for a way out of a financial situation, or prey to find the love you've been searching for. there is nothing wrong with this, regardless of what you class it as

i would say i have a problem with preying via greed, like, i prey to win the lottery so that i can liv ein luxury for the rest of my life and not need to care about anyone else - but again, this is regardless of how you classify it

[Pardus]

Well i'll openly admit i purposefuly study the nastier stuff, animal sacrifices, etc, because if you don't understand the entire picture you are just blind.