I'm a Birdbrain

[Elspode]

Originally posted by LUVBUGZ
Els, I'd love to see your pics. Post um when you get a chance, Please. My next question deals with spellwork and magic, which I note you spell differently than I do. So, what is this all about? These topics, along with the "external trappings" that we've discussed previously, are what most outsiders "fear" most about witchcraft. You know, people think that a spell was put on them and they are going to die or what not. So, what is spellwork and can you "put a spell" on a person so that bad things happen to them?

My own personal view of spellwork is that it is essentially the same thing as prayer, or the power of positive thought, etc. The path I follow specifically forbids me "putting a spell" on someone. I don't mess with anyone's anything unless I've been asked to do so. That being said, not everyone who calls themselves witch follows this credo. Traditional witches do what they want, when they want. "And it harm none, do as ye will shall be the whole of the law" is a Wiccan precept, not a witchcraft precept. The Law of Three is similarly something which is not necessarily adhered to by anyone other than Wiccans.

So does that mean you should fear witches in general? Naw...not any more than you should fear anyone else. You, me, everyone - has the power to protect themselves from the actions of others, be those actions magickal or not. Be confident, be aware, stand by your own beliefs, and you'll be fine. Be hypocritical, be an asshole, etc...and bad things are going to happen to you, whether from a direct outside source or via Karma.

For me, everything is a choice. It is difficult to do *anything* without causing harm to *something*. It is something that we debate often in our community. In the end, it boils down to intent. Good intent is generally considered to better than bad intent. Intentional harm is bad, and you are going to get bad in return thrice over. Sometimes, one must judge the risks and do what they feel they have to do...but that is a very long and deep topic. Wiccan morality and ethics is a constantly evolving thing, I'm afraid.

I just like to sum it up by saying "I'm a good witch!"

I'll post pics of the ritual space when I have a little more time. Oh...and regarding the spelling difference between magic and magick...it is pretentious, first of all, and I admit that. In general, I think we use "magick" to differentiate between what we do in spellwork and those parlor tricks involving making ping pong balls disappear and women being sawed in half.