Tales from the Occult The occult, a term often associated with mystery and the supernatural, has been a subject of fascination for centuries. Tales from the occult have captivated the human imagination, weaving tales of dark magic, hidden secrets, and encounters with otherworldly beings. These stories often delve into the realms of the unknown, exploring the boundaries between the physical and spiritual worlds. One such tale is that of a haunted house, where restless spirits roam the halls, causing fear and despair. In this story, a group of brave individuals seeks to uncover the truth behind the house's eerie reputation. As they delve deeper into the mysteries within, they encounter strange occurrences and inexplicable phenomena.
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.
As they delve deeper into the mysteries within, they encounter strange occurrences and inexplicable phenomena. Ghostly apparitions, poltergeist activity, and unexplained sounds become the norm, leading them to question their sanity. Another classic tale from the occult revolves around ancient artifacts said to possess incredible 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.
In this story, an adventurer embarks on a quest to find a mystical relic rumored to grant immortality. Along the journey, the protagonist faces numerous trials and must decipher cryptic clues, leading them into the depths of forgotten tombs and ancient temples. Dealing with curses, traps, and treacherous guardians, the adventurer braves all odds in an attempt to obtain the artifact's untold power. In other occult tales, witches and sorcerers take center stage, wielding their dark arts to manipulate the world around them. These stories explore the dichotomy between good and evil, where characters are faced with choices that may have dire consequences. Love potions, spells of revenge, and mystical ceremonies are all part of these enthralling narratives, drawing readers into a realm where morality is blurred and twisted. Tales from the occult also touch upon the human desire to connect with the divine. From seances to summoning spirits, these stories explore the lengths people would go to bridge the gap between the mortal and the divine. Characters seek answers from beyond, tapping into their supernatural abilities or seeking guidance from wise mystics. The occult becomes a means for characters to gain insights, access forbidden knowledge, or even alter the course of their lives. From H.P. Lovecraft's eerie tales of ancient cosmic beings to the witchcraft trials of Salem, tales from the occult have always fascinated and intrigued audiences. These stories not only entertain but also provide a glimpse into the human psyche's fascination with the unknown. They explore our deepest fears, desires, and curiosities, reminding us of the mysteries that lie just beyond our grasp. In conclusion, tales from the occult offer an escape into a world where the supernatural and the mundane converge. They take readers on a journey through the shadows, where the line between reality and imagination blurs. Whether it is a haunted house, an ancient artifact, or the power of witchcraft, these stories tap into our fascination with the unknown, showing us that even in the world of fiction, there is truth to be discovered..
Reviews for "Occult Practices in Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Greece, and Rome"
1. Sasha - 2/5 stars
I found "Tales from the Occult" to be quite disappointing. The stories lacked depth and were predictable. The characters were poorly developed and I didn't find myself emotionally invested in any of them. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to enjoy the reading experience. Overall, I was not impressed with this collection and would not recommend it to others seeking occult-themed stories.
2. Max - 2/5 stars
I had high expectations for "Tales from the Occult" but unfortunately, it failed to meet them. The stories felt cliché and lacked originality. Moreover, the pacing was uneven, resulting in a disjointed reading experience. I also noticed several grammatical errors throughout the book, which further distracted me from the plot. Overall, I was left unimpressed and wouldn't suggest this collection to fellow fans of occult fiction.
3. Emily - 3/5 stars
While "Tales from the Occult" had some interesting concepts, I couldn't help but feel that they were not executed to their full potential. The stories had promising premises, but the execution fell flat. The author seemed to rely on tropes and failed to bring anything new to the table. However, the atmospheric descriptions and occasional moments of suspense were definite strengths of the collection. It was an okay read, but didn't quite live up to what I expected from occult fiction.