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' If it harms none, do what thou will'
Pagan, Wiccan, Witchcraft - myth and legend, psychlogy or global conspiracy?
AND WHERE, EXACTLY, MIGHT SCIENTOLOGY FIT IN?
Do witches really exist and how evil can their magic / magick be? The easiest answer to this is a resounding YES, witches do exist and their powers can be perceived as magical to the point of assuming that great harm could befall anyone who is unfortunate enough to be cursed. But that is NOT what this is all about. Is the whole concept of evil and witchcraft a global conspiracy to prevent us from discovering a deeper meaning to life?
Many people the world over see Paganism, Wiccan and Witchcraft as one and the same - almost like a trinity - but this is total mythological, misguided rubbish. Here, we are looking at certain aspects that they may have in common - Please note that these are personal research notes, thoughts and findings, not meant to be taken literally and not written as 'Gospel'. You may take from this what you want in the hope that it can be of some small benefit to you, the reader.
PENTAGRAM
The pentagram is an ancient symbol used in many religions and belief systems. Some relate it directly to witchcraft, even invoking a sense of fear or distrust. To me, the pentagram represents the eternal 'being' within the circle of life. The five pointed star is a perfect, infinite shape for it has no beginning and no end; it can be drawn in one continuous line, like the circle. From this one, solitary 'object' has transpired so many customs, myths and legends, but what does it mean to you? Think about it, the roundness of the earth, the eternal cycle of life and, contained within it, the consequences of all our actions and reactions...bringing with it the possible knowledge of both the beginning and the end. As for the 'fear' element, modern day religions have created a fear and hatred for any form of what is perceived as heresy and witchcraft, yet have adapted and adopted many, many traditional Pagan ceremonies as their own. The Pentagram can be used as a type of charm for warding off evil - if we all believe the beliefs of many of the modern day religions, would you go near one? It is simply fear of the unknown, despite it being an inanimate object!
'If it harms none, do what though will' - relating to the Rede
'Hear now the word of the witches...' The belief that we should take account of our own actions and consider the reactions and consequences beforehand sounds pretty sensible to me. Basically, if it does no harm then do what you feel is for the best. 'Be it for the good of all'. Consider each being as having the power to create even the most minute changes in the energy of the life forces and you may begin to see from where the total respect for mother nature is founded. Energy is everywhere. Matter is merely particles vibrating with spaces in between, energy is emitted from almost everything. These tiny particles that make up the whole can't possibly take much energy to move or affect. However, in the witches' belief system is the three fold law - that which you give out will be returned three times over, whether it be good or evil. The word is that the Pagans, Wiccans and Witches may already know the secrets of those favorite sayings - 'knowledge is power' and 'the truth will set you free'. Perhaps the term 'free spirit' isn't so far from the truth afterall. But their secret has been kept. Some relate to it as confidential information while others relate to it in similar fashion as the Masonic Lodge - a secret society.
MYTHS?
Witches only come out at night, like vampires
Witches practice magick and cast spells
Witches dance naked around bonfires
Witches curse people, places and events
Witches are evil, especially black witches
Witches fly on broomsticks
Witches have black cats
Witches call up evil spirits at Halloween
Witches make human sacrifices
OK, so I could go on forever with this but at the end of the day if your faith, religion or belief system was liable to get you killed, would you practice by daylight? Even now, with these belief systems once again becoming more acceptable you never hear of witchcraft being performed in a public place for all to see by the light of the day. (Or at least I haven't heard of any.)
As for the casting of spells - how many of you are practicing Roman Catholics and have published a Novena? How many of you bless yourselves in the shape of the cross? How many have heard of St. Brigit? The following are a few modern day celebrations or recognised holidays that have probably been adapted and adopted from the traditional Pagan calendar:
Christmas (Yule), Thanksgiving, May Day, Halloween, Beltane and the riding of the marches... the list goes on and on... even the lighting of candles and the Novenas so many publish. In order to 'tame' the Pagans and 'heretics' they had to introduce belief systems that embraced their traditional belief systems - lull them into a false sense of security and then abolish their former faiths. During the Inquisition they simply killed those that would not comply.
Number Theories
A true year comprises of thirteen lunar months, yet our modern calendars name but twelve. There are thirteen full moons, each a celebration of the circle of life... yet the number 13 is deemed, by some, as unlucky.
Playing cards versus the Tarot - how many cards in a standard playing pack? 52! Isn't this the number of weeks in the year? How many suits? 4! Isn't this the number of our seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall? How many cards in a suit? 13! Isn't this the number of lunar months in a year? Is this all coincidence? I think not!
666 - the number of the beast, according to the christian book of Revelations. Number 3 - the holy trinity? In ancient times, the numbers 3 (trinity?) and 7(days of the week?) were thought rather special. Taken together as 37 and multiplied by any integer of 3 will always take you to a trinity number...
| 37 x 3 x 1 | 111 |
| 37 x 3 x 2 | 222 |
| 37 x 3 x 3 | 333 |
| 37 x 3 x 4 | 444 |
| 37 x 3 x 5 | 555 |
| 37 x 3 x 6 | 666 |
| 37 x 3 x 7 | 777 |
| 37 x 3 x 8 | 888 |
| 37 x 3 x 9 | 999 |
Another interesting fact is that if you add up all the numbers below 37 you arrive at... you got it... 666! eg 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 36 = 666