Posts in category “Ontario Witch”
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Magic and Science Through history, science and magic, like science and…

Magic and Science

Through history, science and magic, like science and religion, have at been at best strange bedfellows and at worst bitter enemies. The battle lines have been drawn with the twin swords of rationality and measurability. On one side of the line stand those things scientists claim we understand, like evolution and matter. On the other side lie the things that science does not want to or know how to explain, such as god and magic.

Somewhat ironically, while the majority of scientists do have religions beliefs, a large number of scientists (probably a majority, though we know of no studies on this) vehemently believe there is no such thing as magic. Some scientists (notably Carl Sagan) go so far as to castigate religion as well because of its ties to the mystical, magical, or supposedly inexplicable. This position seems in some ways more consistent, but neither one takes into account one important fact.

Science doesn't have all the answers. Almost every scientist will admit this, when you push them into the unexplored corners of their own specialty. Physicists don't know why they can't find a magnetic monopole. Biologists don't really know what happened in the evolution from apes to humans. Astrophysicists don't know whether the universe will expand forever or collapse back on itself. Psychologists haven't got a clue about how most of the things our brains do for us happen. We personally find it amazing, then, that so many scientists are happy to declare as a fact that there is no such thing as magic or god.

It's not just that everybody's a critic... suddenly everybody's an expert too, in a field that very few people have really spent any time studying. Fortunately, there are some exceptions, or we'd have nothing interesting to present on this page. Among people who consider themselves scientists (rather than philosophers, or theologists, for example), there are two particular groups who are delving into the real questions. And despite one coming from orthodox science and the other often disrespectfully being called "pseudoscience," they seem to be converging on some interesting common questions.

The two fields we're referring to here are cognitive science and parapsychology. An interesting third voice has recently come from the medical community, who often are forced to approach things from a perspective that is more pragmatic than scientific.

Cognitive science is generally interested in understanding how the human mind works, but seems to keep butting up against the question of consciousness. What makes us conscious? How does this perception of consciousness differ (or how is it similar to) our ordinary perceptive modes?

Parapsychology studies powers of the mind that seem to lie outside the normal sphere of physical influence. Telepathy, precognition, and telekinesis are the main areas of study. But lately parapsychologists have been asking questions about consciousness as well. How do states of consciousness affect parapsychological effects? How do consciousnesses interact when multiple individuals combine their efforts or oppose each other.

Medicine, in contrast, is largely interested in mechanisms for healing. Within this there is both a conventional and a mystical track. Conventional medicine accepts that the human mind has a capacity for enhancing the healing process, and even accepts that belief systems including religion and magic can offer a way to convince the mind to help heal the body. However, there is also a small group within the conventional medical community (and a much larger group outside conventional medicine) that believes that there can be direct magical effects by another individual on the healing process. Bill Moyers' book and PBS special Healing and the Mind provides a nice introduction to some of the issues. Dr. Larry Dossey has also written a number of books about the subject.

I'm not sure who originally posted this. The site it came from was among many submitted to the Wiccan Online Book of Shadows category at the Open Directory Project, now Curlie. I'm an editor there, the last standing editor in the Pagan category after all these years.

I really believe in the science of Pagan and Wiccan ideas more than the religion. I even think the religion itself is based on a science, a psychological science about people being part of a group and creating explanations for things and believing in something together. No doubt there are lots of resources for this idea, other than myself. I'm quoting the above post because I don't often find others having much to say about Wicca/ Magic and science. Thank you to whoever posted it.

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Whatever Happened to Clio SilverLove?

Quotes found on a forgotten Pagan site by Clio SilverLove. I don't often find someone who thinks as I do about being or becoming Pagan and the issues about goddess/gods, spells, and etc. I'm quoting from this site because its no longer updated and very likely to disappear from its free web host. I like what Clio wrote and I wanted to keep it around.

Why You Will Never Find A Spell On My Site.

When asked for a spell, a person I met in a pagan chatroom said, "I would rather give someone a nuclear bomb than give a spell to a beginner and I would feel much safer."

At the time, I found it a bit funny and witty but later, after considering what he said, I had to agree with him. Some witches and/or pagans may disagree with me, and I acknowledge that they have the right to their own opinion, but I can't imagine giving someone a spell when I can never know how they will use it. I would not even give my best friend a spell not knowing how they will use it.

I am a firm believer that spells can be likened to prayers. It may be the Christianity in my background that makes me say that but to me spells are a way of asking the Goddess to do something for you in a specific way. My belief may not be others though. Some may use spells I have written to manipulate someone else or cause someone else's downfall for their own gain. I cannot take that responsibility. Besides, the outcome of a spell for me may be very different for someone else. When I "cast" a spell, I do it with a humble, beseeching heart that is devoted to my Goddess. I could not imagine giving my personal spells, my "prayers", to someone who may pervert them.

My dear friends, I do not mean to discourage you who are searching for the meaning of Wicca nor am I saying that you would do such a thing but to me, spells are very private things. Please bare me no ill will if you were searching for spells. I am sure that you will be able to find them somewhere else but before you think of casting a spell, learn the true meaning of the religion you are researching and are interested in. Strive to understand Wicca and its components. If you find a spell, study it piece by piece but do not think of casting it unless you are ready to take the responsibility for your actions.

Make sure the spell does not:

  1. Go against the Wiccan Rede (Harm none do as ye wilt).
  1. Result in the manipulation of someone else's free will.
  1. Compromise your own judgement, morals, and feelings about what is good and what is not.
  1. Require harming someone else or causing someone else to suffer.

There are more that should be on this list (^) but I do not have the space to write them all down.

If you have a more experienced person or group who you trust, ask them about their theories on casting someone else's spells or giving your spells to someone else and see what they say. Do not take my own rules as cast (pardon the pun) in stone. I invite and charge you to explore on your own to form your own theories on this subject. The glory of this religion is that it is based on a person's right to think for him or herself, SO THINK FOR YOURSELF. Learn, read, ask questions, and think for yourself and form your own conclusions.

Dear Fellow Seekers,

Merry Meet to you.

First, let me say I'm honored that you have decided to read my page. It means a lot to me to see that my page is read at all, so thank you very much.

Now, I recently received a letter from a Wiccan who was very angry at me for misrepresenting Wiccans. My response to this is the same as I put on my Yahoo! Group page: I am a Pagan who seeks the Goddess in my life but I'm not narrowed by choosing a specific path. I am not a Wiccan. I have no name for my "religion" other than Pagan.

I have started this page for those of us out there who are tired of having different Pagan sects throw their beliefs in our faces every time we search for answers and are seeking to reconnect to the Goddess in other ways. Wicca and other NeoPagan religions are fine religions and this page is not about hating on them. I respect those who follow that path but there are others out there as well. This page is for those who are searching, like me, for their own way to the Goddess.

I'm not trying to say that I'm better than anyone else, or that I represent anyone but myself. I'm not trying to misrepresent Wiccans, Witches, or anyone else. I'm just putting my own beliefs and thoughts on the screen and letting others decide what they will.

To the others whose are reading this, remember only this: "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." -- Buddha

May the Goddess (and the God) be with you.

Clio SilverLove*

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I am a Quiet Solitary Earth Witch

Quietly an Earth Witch

I choose to call myself an Earth Witch because it reflects what is most important to me in my feeling about life and living: the planet we live on and the traditions we keep.

The Earth is, of course the planet. It's the air we breathe, literally. We are far more dependent on the Earth than it on us. So, of all things, the Earth should be respected and cared for.

Witch, is the oldest and most commonly known name for the women who were midwives, wise women, herbalists and so on through history. So, Earth Witch suits me. Traditions for me include all the families, the history and the people who have built up our cultures, arts, and sciences.

The name was my choice and it is fairly personal. I don't tell people about being an Earth Witch in every simple introduction. Religion (I don't really think of it as a religion or a faith or spirituality) is a personal choice and something you may not share with just anyone.

Keeping being a Witch to yourself is not about past history with Witch burnings and all of that. People will use that as a way to puff themselves up or connect themselves to a tragic part of history. I don't feel that way about it. Being a Witch is personal for me. I don't need to prove myself, prove how much of a Witch I am to anyone but me. So, I'm quietly an Earth Witch and I'm a solitary, quiet Earth Witch.

Guide Books for Solitary Witches

Everyone needs a place to begin. If you have questions about what a Witch is or what a Witch does/ believes/ etc do some research and find out.

A Solitary Earth Witch

Discovering your own Path and Exploring in Your own Way Being a Solitary Witch (or Pagan or Wiccan or which ever name you give yourself) is not a lonely thing. It does not mean you are not really a Pagan or Witch or Wiccan. It often means you could not find another group or path which suited you.

For instance, I don't believe in any god or goddess. I could be an Atheist but I do believe there is something out there. Everything had to begin at some point of origin. However, I don't think there is any god looking over us, looking out for us or guiding us. We are on our own and responsible for our own actions - a god is not going to step in and save us from the mess we create on our planet.

Almost every last group of Pagans I have discovered have beliefs in some form of god or goddess. I don't believe in any god or goddess who asks for or requires worship. This is why I stopped believing in gods. If you were a god, all powerful, how arrogant you would be to require worship and followers. Isn't needing worship and praise and thanks a big sign that you really aren't all powerful at all?

This is how I see it. I'm not asking anyone else to think the same way. Being a Solitary Witch works for me because my beliefs, thoughts and ideas are my own and I don't need to defend or explain to anyone because I'm the only one on my path.

In essense, being a Solitary Witch (or Pagan or Wiccan) is discovering your own path and deciding what makes sense and matters to you and then you follow your path without waiting for anyone else to give you their permission. However, you still need to do no harm to others. Following your own path is not about thumbing your nose at other religions. It is about doing right for yourself - for your self.

Do No Harm to Others

Magic Comes from Within Yourself I have deep beliefs in doing no harm to others.

For me this means I don't like the spells and spellcraft most people write about as Witchcraft. At some level they are all doing harm as they take away the free choice of others and assume we (personally) are right in all our choices and should now enforce them on others or cause change for others. I just don't think we have that right.

Everyone has their own destiny and their own path to get there. The only person you have a right to change is yourself.

Magic comes from within yourself. A spell is only a tool to help you focus on what you are changing within yourself. So, work from within first. Change yourself and you will change the world around you without having to touch a thing or cast any spells on anyone or any thing.

Exploring Religion and Paganism

I began exploring other religions and beliefs when I was in my early 20's. It started when I read about Catholic women not being allowed to attend church after giving birth. The women had to be "churched" as they were seen as unclean and unfit after having a baby. This was deeply not right to me.

I began to see how much of the accepted religions were based on gender and especially how often women were kept out or put down in some way. Being a woman myself I did not see how I could participate in any religion which did not fully value me.

So I explored. I love exploring!

I found out a lot of background for all the standard religions. I would not say I did in depth research. Once I found out enough I would begin looking elsewhere for a religion which did not let me down. I did not find anything I could accept until I began exploring Paganism, modern Pagans.

Of course, part of the reason it is fairly easy to find Paganism acceptable is the freedom to choose from among so many beliefs and never find yourself pigeon holed by rules and expectations. Don't think this means there are no rules or standards or snobbery. Of course there are. People are people. We bring out snobbery and our expectations to everything.

What Do You Think About Pagan Beliefs? - I've had some very aggressive attacks based on my beliefs. However, most people enjoy a good discussion. Whether or not you have ever researched a religion, what do you think about the Pagan religions or beliefs?