Geezer Innit Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 What makes you think they don't exist? Is the term "Witch" not just a position that someone holds within their beliefs? ... You seem to be associating "witch" with some kind of supernatural beings from folklore. I take your point - but it IS primarily a concept from folklore, and it is not possible to be one in reality. I'd say that claims, or allegations, of magical or supernatural ability are an intrinsic part of the term 'witch'. Even modern witchcraft is bound up in the terminology of magic and spellcasting (even if not all 'witches' believe in these things literally). Since I don't believe any such powers exist, then, for me, anyone claiming to be a witch is not in fact one. I appreciate that there are plenty of people who might call themselves witches, and many that might believe themselves genuinely to be witches, but unless they can substantiate their claims of supernatural power then in reality they are not witches. They are just people pretending to be witches. Do you think that priests don't exist? How about the term "Wizard", which is used in several organisations. Wizards likewise. It's a concept from folklore, and not possible to be one in reality. I know some organisations use it as a title (in some cases precisely to convey an aura of unnatural power onto the recipient), but they are not generally claiming to be actual wizards with actual magical powers (as many witches claim). Priests are slightly different in that they are primarily defined by pastoral care and interpretation of scriptures. These are things that can be done regardless of whether any particular deity actually exists. So I'm happy to accept that priests DO exist. I certainly don't believe that Prophets exist - in the sense of people with real messages from a real god. There are only people who call themselves prophets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaliRichard Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 I take your point - but it IS primarily a concept from folklore, and it is not possible to be one in reality. I'd say that claims, or allegations, of magical or supernatural ability are an intrinsic part of the term 'witch'. Even modern witchcraft is bound up in the terminology of magic and spellcasting (even if not all 'witches' believe in these things literally). Since I don't believe any such powers exist, then, for me, anyone claiming to be a witch is not in fact one. I appreciate that there are plenty of people who might call themselves witches, and many that might believe themselves genuinely to be witches, but unless they can substantiate their claims of supernatural power then in reality they are not witches. They are just people pretending to be witches. Wizards likewise. It's a concept from folklore, and not possible to be one in reality. I know some organisations use it as a title (in some cases precisely to convey an aura of unnatural power onto the recipient), but they are not generally claiming to be actual wizards with actual magical powers (as many witches claim). Priests are slightly different in that they are primarily defined by pastoral care and interpretation of scriptures. These are things that can be done regardless of whether any particular deity actually exists. So I'm happy to accept that priests DO exist. I certainly don't believe that Prophets exist - in the sense of people with real messages from a real god. There are only people who call themselves prophets. Is there (and this is a genuine question not a 'ahem' take as I genuinly don't know) a body of scripture that sets out 'what' exactly a witch is or does. From the perspective of my (and most other) religions you can trace back the practices/definitions to source (whether that source is 'genuine', ie, in the case of the Abrahamic faiths the word, or representation of God is another matter). Is there a body of scripture that lays out something like the tennats of faith for witches or is it a case of picking and choosing what appeals from various sources? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezer Innit Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 Is there (and this is a genuine question not a 'ahem' take as I genuinly don't know) a body of scripture that sets out 'what' exactly a witch is or does. From the perspective of my (and most other) religions you can trace back the practices/definitions to source (whether that source is 'genuine', ie, in the case of the Abrahamic faiths the word, or representation of God is another matter). Is there a body of scripture that lays out something like the tennats of faith for witches or is it a case of picking and choosing what appeals from various sources? I think there are many competing traditions of 'witchcraft' around the world. Some are self-defined by the practioners, while others are defined by the wider society and imposed upon an unfortunate person that society has deemed to be a witch - eg witch trials, etc. A lot of current 'Wicca' is based on the writings of Gerald Gardner in the 1950s and 60s, which itself is partially based on Aleister Crowley's earlier occultism. These are probably the best places to look for any 'official' doctrines. The theme that runs through all these conceptions of witchcraft is some form of magic and spellcasting (although each tradition has other elements too - it's own theology, healing practices, etc). This is for me why the concept of the supernatural, through magic and spells, is central to any definition of witchcraft, and why, if these supernatural powers do not actually exist, there can be no such thing as a 'real witch' - only various varietes of pretenders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eckolad Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Does anyone of any real covens in Sheffield? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteMorris Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Oh dear...here we go!....(Sticks fingers in ears)...lalalalalalalalalalalala Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giggy Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 None that would have you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteMorris Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 My understanding is that you wouldn't be able to just find one and join one. They are very secretive in where they have their meetings, what they do, and how they do it. And you would have to be invited...I wouldn't bother even thinking about getting involved in that sort of malarky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scare Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 Does anyone of any real covens in Sheffield? Join rainbows coven/cauldron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
claracluff Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 any body know pat crowthers fone number???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eckolad Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 any body know pat crowthers fone number???? Surely she should know your wanting to call and call you instead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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