Sovereignty is the concept of having supreme authority or power over a territory or group of people. It is the ability of a government or ruling authority to govern without interference from external or internal forces. Witching powers, on the other hand, refer to the supernatural abilities often associated with witches or individuals practicing witchcraft. The concept of sovereignty is rooted in the idea of a centralized power that has the ultimate say over matters within a specific jurisdiction. This authority includes the power to make and enforce laws, collect taxes, maintain order, and protect the interests of the state or community. Sovereignty is often represented by the presence of a governing body or entity, such as a king, queen, or elected government.
So, how does all this relate to the idea of sovereignty in witchcraft? In regards to many modern forms of witchcraft, besides the creation of the measure, to become initiated does mean the loss of one’s personal sovereignty to some extent. To become a part of a group does mean losing a part of your individuality and even a portion of your freedom as is usually the case when joining a group. The taking of oaths to abide by certain practices and adopt certain policies is a practice rooted in assimilation and is a form of personal binding and restriction, all of which is disabling to a degree. Even an alleged “autonomous” witch -a third degree witch in BTW- is not really granted their full sovereignty because for them to continue to function and be in good standing with the community that they have been initiated into, they still have to abide by certain expectations and rules depending on the situation or they risk expulsion or at the very least being looked down upon. So, just because an initiated witch did their time and became autonomous, does not necessarily mean that they can butter their bread however they please. They will always be under the foot of their initiator and the peer pressure of the tradition based status quo unless they choose to move away from the community.
When we finally abandon the false God in favor of the Old Gods of our ancestry or those of our inner longings we sometimes bring the baggage of our previous religions with us. In Faery we are taught that nothing must come in between ourselves and our own personal God, or God Soul what in BlueRose Faery we call the Holy Daemon.
Sovereignty is often represented by the presence of a governing body or entity, such as a king, queen, or elected government. Witching powers, on the other hand, encompass a range of supernatural abilities that are generally associated with witches. These powers can include, but are not limited to, casting spells, divination, shape-shifting, and communicating with spirits.
The Paradox of Personal Sovereignty in Modern Witchcraft
A few years ago, our coven’s intention for the Great Work of magick was to “don the crown of personal sovereignty.” Sounds romantic, right? In typical witching fashion, the results of that work did not unfold as expected. The lesson I learned that year can be summed up with two words: “User Error.” Thanks to the Facebook Memories oracle, I was reminded of these lessons today. This is the important part of the message:
“As in most cases, all my problems were ‘user error.’ There is a lesson here: when you feel like outside forces are picking on you, take a look at yourself…your problems most likely begin with you, but they certainly can end with you; seeking both assistance and knowledge are keys to overcoming all obstacles. Even if you really hate it.”Which got me thinking about the paradox of personal sovereignty within Modern Witchcraft.
Historically, witchcraft has often been viewed with fear and suspicion, leading to persecution and the association of witching powers with dark forces and evil intentions. While sovereignty and witching powers may seem unrelated at first glance, there are instances in history and fiction where they overlap. In some cultures and mythologies, rulers or leaders were believed to possess supernatural abilities. These abilities often acted as a symbol of their divine right to rule and their connection to the spiritual realm. For example, in ancient Egypt, the pharaoh was believed to possess magical powers and was considered both a political and religious leader. Additionally, in literature and folklore, there are stories of witches or magical beings who hold positions of power and use their abilities to govern. In these narratives, their witching powers serve as a source of authority and influence, allowing them to enforce their rule and control their subjects. In conclusion, sovereignty and witching powers are two distinct concepts, but they can intersect in certain cultural beliefs and fictional narratives. While sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of a ruling body, witching powers encompass supernatural abilities often associated with witches. Their convergence can be seen in historical and mythological instances where rulers or leaders were believed to possess magical abilities, and in literature where witches or magical beings hold positions of power..
Reviews for "The Sacred Lineage: Exploring Sovereignty and Witchcraft through History"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I found "Sovereignty and witching powers" to be quite disappointing. The writing style was very dry and lacked any sort of excitement or creativity. The plot was slow and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional and uninteresting. Additionally, I couldn't connect with the main protagonist, as she came across as flat and lacked depth. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. John - 1/5 stars
I really didn't enjoy "Sovereignty and witching powers" at all. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with the author failing to explain crucial details or establish a clear world-building. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I struggled to stay engaged with the plot. The dialogue was also quite stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and frustrating read.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars
Unfortunately, "Sovereignty and witching powers" didn't live up to the hype for me. The plot was promising, but the execution fell flat. The writing lacked finesse and elegance, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the story. The characters were also poorly developed, and I couldn't form any emotional attachment to them. The book had potential, but it fell short of delivering a compelling and engaging reading experience. I was left feeling disappointed and wouldn't recommend this to other readers.