True black magic is a subject that many people are intrigued by and curious about. It is often associated with negative energies, dark intentions, and harmful consequences. Black magic is believed to have been practiced since ancient times and is known for its use of spells, rituals, and incantations to manipulate the energy around us. Black magic is often seen as the opposite of white magic, which is associated with healing, protection, and positive intentions. While white magic is used to bring about good outcomes and positive changes in people's lives, black magic is believed to have the power to cause harm, misfortune, and even death. The practitioners of true black magic are often believed to be sinister and evil individuals who are determined to use their powers for personal gain or to cause harm to others.
[15] Tamara Prosic, Development and Symbolism of Passover (London; New York: T&T Clark, 2004), 84.
But on the specific question of the dating of Christ s birth pagan traditions cannot be definitively demonstrated to have had any bearing; rather it was Jewish custom that more plausibly determined the date. Internet fact checker Snopes agrees; Christmas was invented to provide an alternative to the celebrations of Mithraism, a rival pagan religion which threatened Christianity.
The practitioners of true black magic are often believed to be sinister and evil individuals who are determined to use their powers for personal gain or to cause harm to others. They are said to have the ability to harness dark forces and energies and direct them towards their desired goal or target. Some common examples of black magic practices include hexes, curses, evil eye spells, and summoning spirits or demons.
Why December 25?
It's very tough for us North Americans to imagine Mary and Joseph trudging to Bethlehem in anything but, as Christina Rosetti memorably described it, "the bleak mid-winter," surrounded by "snow on snow on snow." To us, Christmas and December are inseparable. But for the first three centuries of Christianity, Christmas wasn't in December—or on the calendar anywhere.
If observed at all, the celebration of Christ's birth was usually lumped in with Epiphany (January 6), one of the church's earliest established feasts. Some church leaders even opposed the idea of a birth celebration. Origen (c.185-c.254) preached that it would be wrong to honor Christ in the same way Pharaoh and Herod were honored. Birthdays were for pagan gods.
Not all of Origen's contemporaries agreed that Christ's birthday shouldn't be celebrated, and some began to speculate on the date (actual records were apparently long lost). Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) favored May 20 but noted that others had argued for April 18, April 19, and May 28. Hippolytus (c.170-c.236) championed January 2. November 17, November 20, and March 25 all had backers as well. A Latin treatise written around 243 pegged March 21, because that was believed to be the date on which God created the sun. Polycarp (c.69-c.155) had followed the same line of reasoning to conclude that Christ's birth and baptism most likely occurred on Wednesday, because the sun was created on the fourth day.
The eventual choice of December 25, made perhaps as early as 273, reflects a convergence of Origen's concern about pagan gods and the church's identification of God's son with the celestial sun. December 25 already hosted two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman "birth of the unconquered sun"), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian "Sun of Righteousness" whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier. Seeing that pagans were already exalting deities with some parallels to the true deity, church leaders decided to commandeer the date and introduce a new festival.
Western Christians first celebrated Christmas on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the empire's favored religion. Eastern churches, however, held on to January 6 as the date for Christ's birth and his baptism. Most easterners eventually adopted December 25, celebrating Christ's birth on the earlier date and his baptism on the latter, but the Armenian church celebrates his birth on January 6. Incidentally, the Western church does celebrate Epiphany on January 6, but as the arrival date of the Magi rather than as the date of Christ's baptism.
Another wrinkle was added in the 16th century when Pope Gregory devised a new calendar, which was unevenly adopted. The Eastern Orthodox and some Protestants retained the Julian calendar, which meant they celebrated Christmas 13 days later than their Gregorian counterparts. Most—but not all—of the Christian world now agrees on the Gregorian calendar and the December 25 date.
The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against the holiday. "It's just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow," naysayers argue. But while kowtowing to worldliness must always be a concern for Christians, the church has generally viewed efforts to reshape culture—including holidays—positively. As a theologian asserted in 320, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it."
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This is supported even by more scholarly online sources such as The Conversation, "an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community".
These practices are often performed with the intention of inflicting pain, suffering, or misfortune on a person or group of people. It is believed that once the spell or ritual is cast, it is difficult or even impossible to reverse the effects. However, it is essential to note that the true existence and effectiveness of black magic are highly debated. Many skeptics argue that black magic is nothing more than a superstition or a product of people's vivid imagination. They believe that any perceived effects or consequences of black magic can be attributed to psychological factors or coincidences. Despite the skepticism, there are still many people who firmly believe in the power and existence of black magic. They believe that it can be used to bring about revenge, control others, or even attain supernatural abilities. These people often seek out practitioners of black magic to help them achieve their desires or to protect themselves from potential harm or evil forces. In conclusion, true black magic is a topic that continues to captivate and intrigue people around the world. It is associated with dark intentions, harmful consequences, and the manipulation of negative energies. While its existence and effectiveness are highly debated, there are still those who firmly believe in its power and seek out practitioners for their own purposes. Whether it is a true force or simply a product of superstition, black magic continues to be an intriguing subject that fascinates many..
Reviews for "The Alchemy of True Black Magic: Transforming Darkness into Power"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed in "True Black Magic". The plot was confusing and the characters were poorly developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring what happened next. The writing style was also lacking, with repetitive phrases and awkward dialogue. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
2. Mike - 1 star - "True Black Magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The story was slow-paced and dragged on for what felt like forever. The author seemed to prioritize descriptive paragraphs over advancing the plot, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the characters felt flat and their motivations were unclear. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "True Black Magic" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The narrative was disjointed and lacked coherence, making it challenging to follow along. The climax and resolution were rushed, leaving loose ends untied. While there were some moments of potential, overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. John - 1 star - "True Black Magic" was a struggle to get through. The writing was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to understand the plot. The author also introduced too many characters without fully exploring their backgrounds or motivations. This resulted in a lack of emotional connection and investment in the story. I found myself constantly questioning the author's choices and was ultimately unsatisfied with the reading experience. I would not recommend this book.