Traditional Witchcraft

Bump. Hopefully this can arouse some interest for those people who have questions.

Dakota1234, i believe your mistaken. Animism, or animalism strictly partakes, the belief of animals, sacrifices, and veiw how each animal is alike us. In that case Bryson is correct!

Bryson has indeed made some amazing points above, as well as he knows his history, and sources. This is one post on traditional witchcraft, while bryson has given hundreds. The history of witchcraft is not always 100%(percent) correct. Many witchcraft practices were not recorded. Many couldn't write, it was all based on memory, and the family's teachings. Thus many historians still do not know fully on magic itself. Stating that, Traditional Witchcraft, we will never know for sure, exactly why, how, and when was it practiced. Don't believe everything you read, even history by the source. Reading itself can teach you a lesson, however don't believe everything you partake in. Question everything, this will grant you further knowledge.

I like how your post is very well written, but at one end some points of it, are not fully clear. Good job.

Dakota is right in terms of Animism. Although animalism is something I've never heard of

Maybe this will help clear things up:

Animalism: behavior that is characteristic of or appropriate to animals, particularly in being physical and instinctive.
Religious worship of or concerning animals.

Animism: 1. the attribution of a soul to plants, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena. 2. the belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the material universe.

Source: Google Dictionary

Animism:

an-i-mism
a-n-mi-zm

noun
: the belief that all plants, animals, and objects have spirits

Full Definition

1 :a doctrine that the vital principle of organic development is immaterial spirit

2 :attribution of conscious life to objects in and phenomena of nature or to inanimate objects

http://i.word.com/idictionary/animism

By the way, this was a very interesting post :)

"Spirits,ghosts, demons; no real witch believes in such things!"

I'm not sure what kind of world you live in Brysing, but I can't find a real witch that doesn't believe in "supernatural" forces and/or "higher" beings of some sort. Whether that be deities, spirits, or whatever else you or they want to call it, that is what it is.

To imply that those who do are not real witches might be offensive to some of the people you are calling out, which is technically a Terms of Use issue.

~

As for the article, I think this is fairly well written. It doesn't get bogged down in terminology or in explanations, and it gives a summary of the topic. Good job.

Nebethepet, I in a way agree with you and What you stated about the supernatural world. Yes Bryson, many people come inti the craft expecting to conjure spirits, and demons. While due to the stereotypical world and media, now adays.

With that said, the term, "Supernatural" is indeed meant to explain the terms of; Magic, ghosts, demons, ect " These terms are extremely relatable to those non- practitioners,and practitioners alike. Witches believe in divine, and other fources here inside our earth's plane, and the outer planes, or astral realms. A witch who doesn't believe in ghost? Well that is quite unheard of! Ghosts are dead souls, that A) wonder the earth(In myths), and B) Who have not yet decided to recarnate, or become spirit helpers. Thus, stating these so called, "Supernatural beings" are not real, and that a true witch does not believe in them, i believe is a wrong choice of wordibg, and information. A true witch isn't someone who casts spells, or hurts others. A true witch tries to help all, including people, animals, and the earth alike. A true witch strives to face her/his inner demons, and try to become a better person. A true witch strives to become a knowledgeable person, that can be count on to help, and guide. In reality, a true witch is not a(Bad person).

Traditional witchcraft is a really old work, but we mustn't trust all the written veiws. People didn't keep records back then, for secrecy, or fear. So overall traditional witchcraft is not traditional. It isn't the way that a person may have done it back then. Traditional witchcraft is workings that pass down through the ages.

All of this post has been a great read! Thank you so much.

You have to remember though Apollo, in the places mentioned there is still a strong root of traditional craft. Cornwall and Devon were some of the last places to experience conversion to Christianity. As such, the cunning folk practices openly and still do. Their tradition was never lost bevausevtheurctradition resides in the folklore of the land. By no means is it unbroken, but I think you're underestimating the passing of the craft in the traditional sense. No, you can't take everything you read 100%, but when enough pieces continue to add up and fit together, you can start to figure it out.