Certainly authentic witchcraft is a term used to describe the practice of witchcraft that is considered to be genuine and legitimate. While modern witchcraft often includes a wide range of beliefs and practices, certainly authentic witchcraft refers to the traditions and practices that can be traced back to ancient times and are said to have been passed down through generations of witches. The concept of certainly authentic witchcraft is based on the idea that witchcraft has always existed as a separate spiritual path, independent from mainstream religion. It is believed to be a system of magical practices and rituals that are connected to the natural world and the spiritual realm. Certainly authentic witchcraft encompasses various forms of magic and spellwork, including divination, healing, and energy manipulation. Witches who practice certainly authentic witchcraft often have a deep understanding of herbs, crystals, and other natural materials that are used in their rituals.
With the number of books available nowadays that address the solitary practitioner, it’s surprising to see how very few of them focus on one concrete common fact – that most of us witches (or pagans) do not live in a small cottage in the countryside, surrounded by fairy-tale forests and herbs. That many of us live in flats, inside blocks, in the middle of the city. If you are lucky enough, you’ll have a small house with a garden. If you are even luckier – and your job allows you to do so – you’ll live in the suburbs. Even though most of the books mention that likely possibility, they do it in a rather ‘patronising’ way – IF one cannot go out to gather herbs, there’s the ‘possibility’ to use those in our kitchen. Personally I consider that that’s showing the reader that “it’s not very nice” but “it should work”, making him or her not appreciate what she’s using and regarding it as a “second hand element” (and we all know how important it is, for our practice, the feeling we put into something.) In Traditional Witchcraft for Urban Living, Melusine Draco dedicates the whole of this small volume to address this situation. Mainly offering a useful way to develop our Craft practice in what she describes as “an hostile environment” – instead of just stating the obvious inconveniences that we have. The surprising bit is that she doesn’t achieve this through the seeking of ‘exceptions’, of ‘country-like’ places in the city – she encourages the witch to rediscover the city, to look into it, and to change her (or his) attitude rather than getting stressed by the daily noises coming from the street. In short, she encourages us to make the best of what we’ve got. She guides us to small places in our city or our own house that may have been overlooked. In each chapter she also offers a useful exercise related to the subject. For more read http://wiccanrede.org/2013/11/review-traditional-witchcraft-for-urban-living/ ~ Alder Lyncurium - Wiccan Rede, http://wiccanrede.org/2013/11/review-traditional-witchcraft-for-urban-living/
The surprising bit is that she doesn t achieve this through the seeking of exceptions , of country-like places in the city she encourages the witch to rediscover the city, to look into it, and to change her or his attitude rather than getting stressed by the daily noises coming from the street. Other titles in the series are Traditional Witchcraft for the Seashore Jan 2012 , Traditional Witchcraft for Fields and Hedgerows Mar 2012 and Traditional Witchcraft for the Woods and Forests Mar 2012.
Witches who practice certainly authentic witchcraft often have a deep understanding of herbs, crystals, and other natural materials that are used in their rituals. One of the key aspects of certainly authentic witchcraft is the emphasis on personal experience and intuition. Witches who follow this path often believe that true magic comes from within and that each individual has the ability to tap into their own innate power.
Do Witches Believe in the Devil?
It's certainly tempting to just immediately say 'No, of course witches don't believe in the devil!' But today I'd like to take the time to think deeply about this question and I don't think the answer is as clear cut as many would suggest. To begin with, not all witches believe in the divine or would consider themselves religious. To me, witchcraft is a practice or something you do and as such it can be completely void of any belief in the divine. And if you choose to perform witchcraft without the addition of divine energy than of course the answer would be irrelevant as the devil is Christian religious entity.
There are, however, many witches who do channel divine power for their witchcraft practice. Sometimes this may include calling upon the power of the Goddess and the God. The god in this case is sometimes called the Green Man or the Horned one and can appear as a satyr type figure with horns or hooves. This archetype is inspired by pre-christian gods like the Greek God Pan or the Celtic God Cernunnos. This pagan God rules over the wild energy of the forest, our own human sexuality, and is a manifestation of the masculine energy in the world. Like many pagan Gods, he is neither good nor bad as Pagan societies did not view their religious figures in a rigid binary system.
When Christianity came to Europe it viewed chastity and modesty being righteous and sexual freedom as being immoral. So naturally, this put figures like Pan and Cernunnos in a difficult spot. Over time Christians overlaid their own story of the Devil with the much older masculine archetypes of pre-christian Gods, which is why the Devil often looks like the Greek God Pan. This is why it’s so difficult to say if witches work with the energy of the Devil. If a witch is calling upon the divine masculine energy of the wild, are they working with the Devil?
Cernunnos The DevilTo complicate matters further, there are also some witches to do work with the Christianized concept of the Devil as opposed to the Pagan masculine archetype. Some believe that the Devil represents the very embodiment and power of witchcraft. In Christianity the Devil is connected with things such as ecstatic pleasure, celebrations, feasting, and unbridled revelry. These are things that are often connected to various witchcraft traditions. This concept of the Devil is still somewhat removed from the character of Satan - the one who casts evil doers into the fiery realms of hell. So in that way, you could say that yes, some witches do celebrate the wild and unpredictable power of the ‘Devil’, but not the fire and brimstone figure that is Satan.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are many witches that do not work with the wild masculine energy at all. There are some groups, like the Dianic witches, who focus more on the Goddess and the ideas of the sacred feminine. There are also groups that work with a much more watered down version of the sacred masculine that is very much removed from the idea of the Devil. So once again I leave you to determine the direction of your own spiritual path and which, if any, divine forces you will choose to work with in your witchcraft practice.
So, to conclude, I think this question is more complicated and I don't believe a 'yes' or 'no' answer would suffice. To practice witchcraft requires a thinking beyond the binary of Good vs. Evil (or God vs. Devil) to which most belief systems are based.
Unlike the Abrahamic traditions, Witchcraft is not based upon a strict division of what is good and what is evil. Witches use nature to fuel their concept of the divine and in the world of nature there is no battle between good and evil. A lion is not ‘evil’ because it kills the gazelle, and a deer is not ‘good’ because it eats only plants. Nature is both cruel and beautiful at the same time. Likewise, witchcraft can be used for both positive and malevolent gains.
With witchcraft there is no governing body or official rule book telling you what you can and cannot do. Witchcraft is not something that was invented and controlled - it has always existed. The power of witchcraft lays within the plants, the moon, the stars, and ourselves. Witches over time learned to tap into this natural power and created spells for what they needed help with in their day to day lives. There have been many witches that have cast curses against others from time to time and there have been many that have dedicated their craft to healing and helping others. There are some witchcraft traditions, like Traditional Witchcraft, that are not morally opposed to hexes and will perform them if a significant need arises. There are also some belief structures, like Wicca, where most of the followers are very much morally opposed to casting hexes and curses.
How you choose to perform witchcraft is entirely up to you, and the moral consequences of those actions will likewise lie entirely on your own shoulders. Witchcraft respects that you are an individual, capable of defining and establishing your own sense of morality and justice.
What are your thoughts on this? I'd love for fellow witches to share their thoughts in the comments section. Do my ideas resonate with you or am I way off the mark?
The author of these books was an initiate of the late Bob Clay-Egertons Coven of the Scales and she has been a practising occultist, magical teacher and writer on esoteric subjects for over twenty years. These two books are the first volumes in a series on modern traditional witchcraft for beginners.
While certainly authentic witchcraft may vary in its specific practices and beliefs depending on cultural and regional influences, it is believed to be rooted in the ancient pagan traditions of Europe. These traditions were often oppressed during the rise of Christianity and the witch hunts of the Middle Ages, but they have survived and continued to be practiced in secret. Today, certainly authentic witchcraft is experiencing a resurgence as more people are drawn to its connection with nature, personal empowerment, and the spiritual realm. There are various resources available for individuals interested in exploring this path, including books, online communities, and local covens or circles. In conclusion, certainly authentic witchcraft is a term used to describe the practice of witchcraft that is considered to be genuine and rooted in ancient pagan traditions. It encompasses various forms of magic and emphasizes personal experience and intuition. With its connection to nature and the spiritual realm, certainly authentic witchcraft offers individuals a unique and empowering spiritual path to explore..
Reviews for "Healing and Magickal Practices in Certainly Authentic Witchcraft"
1. Sofia - 1 star
Certainly authentic witchcraft claims to offer genuine witchcraft practices, but I found it to be a complete scam. The rituals and spells mentioned in the book were poorly explained and lacked depth, leaving me skeptical of their effectiveness. Additionally, the author's writing style was confusing and difficult to follow, making it hard for me to understand the instructions. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Alex - 2 stars
I was very excited to learn more about witchcraft and its authentic practices, but unfortunately, Certainly authentic witchcraft fell short of my expectations. The information provided in the book was very basic and lacked any real depth or insight into the subject. The author failed to provide any real evidence or personal experiences to support their claims, which left me feeling skeptical and unsatisfied. The book also lacked practical instructions and guidance, making it difficult for a beginner like me to grasp and apply the concepts. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it as a reliable source on witchcraft.
3. Emma - 1 star
Certainly authentic witchcraft turned out to be one of the most disappointing books I've ever purchased. The author makes bold claims of providing authentic witchcraft practices, but fails to deliver anything of substance. The information was nothing more than a regurgitation of basic witchcraft concepts found in any introductory book, and lacked any unique or insightful perspectives. The lack of detailed explanations and step-by-step instructions made it extremely difficult for me to understand and apply the practices mentioned. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this book if you're looking for a genuine understanding of witchcraft.
4. Nathan - 2 stars
Certainly authentic witchcraft promised to reveal the secrets of genuine witchcraft, but I found it to be a shallow and misleading guide. The author's explanations were vague and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to understand the concepts and apply them effectively. The book also lacked any personal experiences or testimonials, leaving me skeptical of its authenticity. I was disappointed by the lack of practical guidance and detailed instructions, as well as the overall lack of substance in the content. If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to witchcraft, I would recommend looking elsewhere.