Wiccan Basics for Newcomers Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is based on ancient pagan and witchcraft beliefs. If you are new to Wicca and interested in learning more about it, here are some basic concepts and practices to get you started. 1. **The Goddess and God:** Wicca is a polytheistic religion that often focuses on the worship of a Goddess and God. The Goddess represents femininity, fertility, and the moon, while the God represents masculinity, the sun, and nature.
hypnosis
Quotes--> Extra Examples--> He underwent hypnosis to treat his fear of water. While under hypnosis, she described the horrific accident in detail.
Recent Examples on the Web During the Covid mass hysteria and hypnosis, the Fogg shut longer than almost every museum in the country, but that’s on Harvard, not her. — Brian T. Allen, National Review, 14 Dec. 2023 Studies have proven the effects of biofeedback, meditation and even hypnosis as beneficial to various dermatologic conditions. — Essence, 1 Nov. 2023 On Monday's episode, Kalani revealed a shocking secret, and Ed underwent hypnosis therapy and made a surprising discovery about himself. — Kelly Martinez, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 The Department of Public Safety, the most prolific police hypnosis agency in the state, shuttered its hypnosis program the next year. — Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 21 Apr. 2023 Cooper joins as a mysterious new client, Jon Fallow, who claims under hypnosis to be a murderer. — K.j. Yossman, Variety, 15 Nov. 2023 These include breathing techniques, distraction, warm water, massage, hypnosis, and acupuncture. — Kristi Pahr, Parents, 3 Oct. 2023 Chung, who is a primary care physician with a Masters in Psychiatry, combines a variety of holistic disciplines, particularly hypnosis, and eschews prescribing any drugs of addiction. — Henry Everingham, Spin, 7 Sep. 2023 Early in the book, Darrieussecq provides a long list of the products and services that have failed to lull her to sleep: weighted blankets, acupuncture, acupressure, tea, yoga, psychoanalysis, machines, meditation, medication, hypnosis. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypnosis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Unraveling the Gendered History of Hypnotism
Hypnosis straddles the line between science and entertainment, encompassing both the therapeutic practice of hypnotherapy and performative stage acts. Since its introduction in Europe in the 19th century, its practitioners have included scientists, doctors, and those simply hungry for the spotlight; accordingly, hypnotists have varied widely in technique, experience, and intention. The one constant during these sessions, however, is the division of roles along lines of gender — particularly prior to the middle of the 20th century — which is clearly reflected in historic images.
Overpowered! The Science and Showbiz of Hypnosis, a new book by “The Singing Hypnotist” Christopher Green, explores the visual legacy of this gendered practice. Published by the British Library, it presents a richly illustrated history of hypnosis in the Western world through material — much of it sourced from the Library’s own archives — that includes photographs, posters, and performance pamphlets. Green chronicles hypnotism’s development up to the 21st century through the stories of influential hypnotists and illuminates (through sections as hilarious as they are informative) the gender and power dynamics prevalent throughout the practice’s history.
Men, overwhelmingly, have formed the theories that shaped society’s understanding of hypnotism, from Franz Anton Mesmer, the founding figure of mesmerism, to the surgeon James Braid, considered the father of modern hypnotism. But even as hypnotism grew increasingly popular and known hypnotists disseminated how-to guides, men dominated the place of power while women — mostly anonymous — remained their meek subjects.
‘Handbook of Hypnotism & Mesmerism’ by Dr. Vint (1891) (click to enlarge)
As Green succinctly writes in his book’s first chapter, “if one image could sum this story up, it would be a high-status man, slightly winging it, leaning over a hysterical woman and using experimental, mysterious forces to calm her down.”
The trend is evident whether one examines the documents produced by medical professionals or the visual ephemera created by popular performers, from the pseudo-scientific to those concerned with only smoke-and-mirror shows. Green, for instance, mentions the haunting black-and-white images of hysterical women taken by the neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, which remain some of the most widely seen photographs related to hypnosis. Charcot chose patients under his charge at the Salpêtrière hospital and asylum as his subjects, and the resulting scenes include a demonstration of hypnosis on an unconscious woman in front of a group of men.
The entertainment industry adhered to this same power structure, as seen in the advertising posters and DIY manuals produced by hypnotic performers. From a 1891 handbook by the stage hypnotist Dr. Vint to a poster of the American showman Kennedy the Mesmerist (promoted as “King Laughmaker of the World”), the powerful hypnotists were mostly heavily mustachioed men. Green does mention some renowned female hypnotists, such as Annie De Montford — whose poster from 1881 boasts that her “mind governs the world” — and “The Little Hypnotic Sunbeam” Herbert L. Flint — whose title alone speaks to gender biases. Green notes, however, that these ladies were rare exceptions.
Elsewhere in Overpowered!, images depict women as mostly living props for hypnotists, present only to swoon or appear dazed. Green mentions an illustrated course in hypnosis that aspiring hypnotists could receive in the mail, written by Professor L.A. Harraden, apparently known as “the greatest hypnotist of the century.” Its cover features a vignette of a man passing his hands over a woman as well as a portrait of Harraden, held up by a beautiful woman in a trance-like state. Similarly, George du Maurier’s widely-read novel Trillby features illustrations of his eponymous protagonist under the spell of the evil hypnotist Svengali, being watched by hundreds. The popular fascination with hypnotism extended beyond fictionalized representations: Green shares depictions of somnambulist parties in Paris salons and even a bizarre “Hypnotized Tea Party” from 1896. Women in the former hold poses that resemble Charcot’s hysterial girls; those in the latter “are all cataleptic – ‘motionless as statues,’” Green writes.
“Extase Sonambulique,” from ‘L’Illustration’ (1855)
Images show that men do occupy the hypnotist’s hot seat at times, but they are far outnumbered by the illustrations of fainting and transfixed women. According to Green, there are actually now more women then men in the US and UK who are qualified as hypnotherapists, but they are always described as female hypnotherapists — the same limiting categorization that many women, from artists to novelists and beyond, find cropping up in their career descriptions all too often.
“When their gender becomes exceptional, then something will have changed,” Green writes. “And as I keep hinting — the world of hypnosis is ripe for change.”
Poster for Kennedy the Mesmerist at the Royal Aquarium Tehatre, Westminster (April 1890)
Poster for Annie de Montford at the Oxford Hall, Ilfracombe. Miss. (1881)
George du Maurier, illustration for ‘Trilby’ (1895)
‘Complete Mail Course of Twenty Illustrated Lessons in Hypnotism’ (c. 1900) by Prof. L. A. Harraden (image via Villanova Digital Library, licensed under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported, CC BY-SA 3.0)
“A Hypnotised Tea Party” from ‘Hypnotism. Its facts, theories and related phenomena’ by Carl Sextus (1896)
“The Peculiar Gaze of the Hypnozied,” ‘Practical Hypnotism: Theories and Experiments,’ compiled and edited by Comte C. de Saint-Germain (1909)
Diagrams of forms of hypnotism, and its effects, ‘Iconographie photographique de la Salpêtrière’ (1876-80) by D.M. Bourneville and P. Regnard
“Making the Magnetic Pass, for Producing or Deepening the Mesmeric State” from ‘The Magnetic and Botanic Family Physician’ by D. Younger (1887)
‘Secrets of Stage Hypnotism’ by Karlyn (J.F. Burrows) (1912)
Do Witches Use Hypnosis?
It took me a moment to work out why this question might be relevant to anyone interested in learning about Witches and Witchcraft because I had always viewed hypnosis as a useful psychological tool without any other complicating factors. But that was before I put my Christian Filter on.
It appears that some fundamentalist Christians rank hypnosis alongside yoga, Tai Chi and meditation as a route to demonic possession. Apparently there are those who don’t even approve of anti-psychotic medication and psychology for similar reasons. I don’t know how wide spread this belief is, and it does seem to be something held by the more extreme groups, but it does explain why this question may occur to someone wanting to learn about Witchcraft.
Why don’t some Christians approve of Hypnosis?
As with many things this disapproval of hypnosis hinges on the translation of certain words in the Bible. For example the words chabar/ lachash(meaning “to charm or bind with magic”) and nachash, meaning “enchanting” “to whisper/hiss” referring to the practice of snake charming all appear in various biblical denunciations of witchcraft/magic/sorcery. Some view these to be referring to practices which are analogous of mdern day hypnosis, particularly nachash where they apparent hypnosis.
For example Deuteronomy 18:10-11 (NIV)
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.
Whether or not these interpretations of these Old Testament paasages are correct there is no immediate reason to suppose that they can be related to the non-religious use of hypnosis as a tool of medicine and psychology however it appears that some Christians oppose the use of hypnosis outright. This is due to the belief that the state of mind achieved during hypnosis leaves the true believer at risk from unwanted influence from the hypnotist or, worse still, demonic possession. Taking this further it isn’t too much of a “logical” leap to therefore associate hypnosis with Witchcraft.
For a taste of some thoughts from Christian minds I offer this Watchman Profile as an example of one group’s thoughts on the matter. For others; Google is your friend.
Hypnosis and Witchcraft
Hypnosis is a relatively modern practice, initially envisaged as “animal magnetism” by physician Fraz Anton Mesmer(as in mesmerise) before being refined into the practice we would recognise today by men such as James Braid and Milton Erickson. At first glance it is difficult to see the use and benefit of hypnosis in Witchcraft until you realise that the lines between Meditation and Hypnosis are actually quite blurred. Few Witches would acknowledge that they use hypnotic (self or otherwise) techniques in their personal practice but most would meditate on a regular basis.
Meditation and Hypnosis utilise similar states of mind to help control stress, anxiety and achieve states of relaxation. The processes used to enter states of hypnotic suggestion and guided meditation are very similar in terms of methods used. The main difference lies in the end purpose and result of the process. Meditation, even guided meditation, is not always done with an end purpose which will manifest itself in to waking life. For example, the purpose of a given meditation may be to reduce anxiety at that time and for a period of time in the future but this feeling is not expected to exist indefinitely or be achievable with a moments notice. Hypnosis on the other hand will create the a state of relaxation whilst at the same time opening the mind to messages and suggestions which can have a positive impact on the subjects waking life.
This isn’t a “quack like a duck when you hear someone sneeze” kind of post hypnotic suggestion. It can be a word or phrase which would allow the person receiving the suggestion to return to that relaxed state simply by staying the word or phrase at a time of need. It may be worded to aid in combating addiction or help someone feel confidentin social situations.
This kind of suggestion does not take root in a single session, like meditation self-hypnosis requires time and practice and even when visiting a professional hypnotherapist a minimum of 6 sessions may be needed to reinforce the post hypnotic suggestion. Once the suggestion has taken it can be used to bring the individual to a feeling of calm and relaxation, ready for ritual work ahead.
As well as the example outlined above self-hypnosis can benefit the Witch in other ways as well. The most common way is in establishing confidence and visualising positive outcomes for life such as succeeding in the work place or in social situations. For the Witch the benefit comes in being able to strongly visualise the goals of spell or ritual as they may manifest themselves in the real world. Once a hypnotic state of mind is achieved it is possible to develop key words and phrases which will strengthen the belief in the ultimate manifestation of the goal and the resolve of the Witch to ensure that it is brought about in the mundane world.
Simple Self Hypnosis for a Witch
There are a multitude of websites describing ways that one can achieve self-hypnosis. I am including these two in my post because the second link refers to the “Hand Levitation” method which is one I find particularly effective (though I visualise balloons attached to my wrist which is how it was described to me).
Once you have achieved your state of hypnosis you can work on deepening the state and work on your own personal goals, including setting post hypnotic suggestions.
Getting Back to the Question
Do Witches use Hypnosis? Well the answer is posdibly maybe. The hypnotic state of mind can be achieved both by intent and by accident and it is likely that anyone who regularly meditates has achieved a similar state of mind and may have even set themselves goals and triggers akin to post hypnotic suggestion. They may have even helped someone else achieve this state of mind by guiding them through meditation and other relaxation techniques.
What Witches don’t do is set out with the intention of hypnotising you in their day to day lives. You can’t be hypnotised with a single glance, nor can you be hypnotised against your will. The hypnotic state of mind is one where we are more susceptible to suggestion however we cannot be compelled to believe things or act in ways that are contrary to our morals and beliefs. Conversely, no Witch is going to convert someone to Witchcraft through the power of hypnosis and will not be opening the minds of others to demonic possession.
I have only recently started to use self-hypnosis in my personal practice, purely with the intention of reducing stress and leaving me with the tools to enter a relaxed space at will. Previously I have attended led sessions and found that going through the process with someone else first made the process of self-hypnosis a little easier.
The Goddess represents femininity, fertility, and the moon, while the God represents masculinity, the sun, and nature. Different Wiccans may have different names or interpretations of these deities. 2.
**The Wheel of the Year:** Wiccans celebrate the changing seasons and cycles of nature through the Wheel of the Year. This is divided into eight Sabbats or festivals, such as Samhain, Yule, and Beltane, which mark significant moments in nature and the agricultural year. These celebrations often involve rituals, feasts, and other observances. 3. **Magick and Spellwork:** Wiccans often practice magick and spellwork as a way to connect with the divine and manifest their desires. Magick is seen as a natural part of life and can be used for healing, protection, divination, and other purposes. It is important to remember that Wiccan spellwork does not involve harming others or manipulating their free will. 4. **The Four Elements:** Wicca recognizes the importance of the four elements—earth, air, fire, and water—as fundamental aspects of creation and energy. Each element has its own symbolism and associations. Wiccans often incorporate these elements into rituals, spells, and other practices to enhance their connection with the natural world. 5. **Rituals and Tools:** Wiccans often perform rituals to honor their deities, celebrate the Wheel of the Year, and connect with the spiritual realm. These rituals may involve casting circles, invoking deities, chanting, and working with tools such as athames (ritual knives), wands, candles, and crystals. The specific details of rituals may vary depending on personal preference and tradition. 6. **Ethics and Rede:** Wicca places a strong emphasis on ethical behavior and the concept of "harm none." This means that Wiccans strive to act in ways that promote harmony, respect for nature, and the well-being of themselves and others. The Wiccan Rede, a guiding moral principle, states, "An' it harm none, do what ye will." 7. **Covens and Solitary Practice:** Some Wiccans practice in covens, which are organized groups of practitioners who come together for rituals, study, and community. Others prefer solitary practice, where they follow their own individual path. Both approaches are valid, and it is up to the individual to decide which resonates with them. 8. **Continued Learning and Growth:** Wicca is a lifelong path of learning and self-discovery. As a newcomer, it's essential to continue reading books, attending workshops, participating in online communities, and seeking guidance from experienced Wiccans. Be open to new experiences, explore different aspects of the Craft, and embrace the opportunity for personal growth and spiritual development. Remember, these basics only scratch the surface of Wiccan beliefs and practices. Wicca is a diverse and individualistic religion, and each person's practice may vary. Respect for nature, harmony, personal responsibility, and a genuine desire for spiritual connection are central to the Wiccan path..
Reviews for "Connecting with Ancestors and Spirit Guides in Wiccan Practice"
- John Doe - 1 star - I found "Wiccan basics for newcomers" to be extremely superficial and lacking depth. It seemed more like a book for beginners, rather than newcomers as advertised. The information provided was too basic and didn't delve into the more advanced aspects of Wicca that I was hoping to learn about. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive introduction to Wicca.
- Jane Smith - 2 stars - While "Wiccan basics for newcomers" did provide some useful information on the history and basic principles of Wicca, I felt that it failed to capture the essence of the spirituality and depth associated with Wiccan practices. The writing style was dry and lacked the inspiration that one would expect in a book about such a mystical and empowering subject. I also found the organization of the book to be confusing, making it difficult to follow along and fully comprehend the concepts being discussed. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book and would suggest looking for alternative resources for a more fulfilling introduction to Wicca.
- Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Wiccan basics for newcomers," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked practical guidance and exercises that would have helped me understand and immerse myself in the Wiccan practices. I also found the author's explanations to be overly simplistic and repetitive. Furthermore, there were several instances where the text contradicted itself, causing confusion and frustration. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive and well-organized introduction to Wicca.
- David Johnson - 1 star - "Wiccan basics for newcomers" was a major letdown. The content felt shallow and lacked any real substance. It felt more like a rehashed collection of basic information easily found online rather than a well-researched and thoughtfully written book. Additionally, the author's writing style was monotonous, making it difficult to stay engaged and motivated to continue reading. I would not recommend this book to anyone serious about delving into Wicca and wanting a more substantive introduction to the topic.