That is Lark, unless you are a part of a magical tradition which involves religion like heka. In that case you can't "keep your religion separate". Then again, they didn't have a term defining religion as different/other so it's kind of a moot point if you've studied heka (or the religion itself).
We seem to have gone off the thread.However, there is nothing supernatural about witchcraft. No Gods, no Goddesses. I practise witchcraft and I am an Atheist! Witchcraft is the study and application of Nature. The magic of "change". Witchcraft is "what it says on the tin"; it is a Craft!
I never mentioned Witchcraft Brysing, only magic that is specific to the Egyptian mindset and how it goes beyond the separation "guidelines". In my perspective, Witchcraft is something totally different as it specifically is involving British Traditional Witchcraft (which is separated).
I responded to the term magic and how it is important to keep it separate from one's religious inclinations because in heka it is important to not do that.
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Geek moment: sometimes this website makes me feel like a shiny Mew with maxed out base EV's.
Also for the record, Sorginkeria is the Basque term for Witches and followers of the Goddess Mari. In this case, Witchcraft is religious.
Concerning the original post, you can't take the Bible literally because it was written by Man, not God, who are considered flawed. As for Angelica... I can't formulate an opinion on her, but claims of being dead for 23 hours is outrageous.
This thread gets more complicated by the minute! Witchcraft is an English word. It is not Basque or Spanish, or any other language.
The "practise" of witchcraft can be, and often is,incorporated into many religions, as it does in Wicca. The "practise" is world wide. However, the practise, of itself, has nothing to do with any religious belief. Followers of many religions use witchcraft, the world over; and it may very well be "part" of the religion. But witchcraft can be, and is,practised without any religion at all! I have practised witchcraft for over 70 years; and I don't believe in anything supernatural, I'm an Atheist; or rather what I prefer, a Humanist.
The fact that you're atheist is all fine and good, but Sorgin/a actually translates as Witch in English and if you look at the neighboring languages, they also translate into Witch (like how you'd get Italian Witchcraft and the like). However, when people started translating things like Volva into Witch, they started being erroneous because Seidhr and Witchcraft weren't even similar practices.
The word "witchcraft" cannot be translated into the original Kemetic religion, because there is no definitive difference between magical and religious texts (and medical ones as well). As before Brysing, I explained what I was commenting on was the statement "keep your religion and magic separate". I, as a Kemetic who works with heka, cannot. Nor can anyone who works with heka do so as the religious aspect of it is ingrained into what it is.
Even if called "Egyptian magic", it is incorrect. The terminology and connotations between magic and witchcraft make it difficult and clumsy to use as definitions for heka.
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On another note, I'm a bit confused. You said that all peoples practice witchcraft, but somehow witch/witchcraft in Basque isn't an acceptable definition because it doesn't fit an atheistic view of magic? Or am I missing something?
As far as I an tell, witchcraft is the study of, understanding, and application of the universe. The most modern religion one can be a part of in doing this is science.
Religions have always utilised witchcraft, in the sense they have always attempted to explain the natural world, however, they lacked the equipment and vocablary we currently have, so they used allegory.
I would argue every religion uses witchcraft, but witchcraft itself is universal and not bound to one religion. Religion cannot be separated from witchcraft unless one gets rid of the religion.
Witchcraft at it's core is non-dogmatic, however, when a dogmatic movement is born it will blend with it's own version of witchcraft and the two will become inseparable, yes perhaps it is no longer true witchcraft, but a hybrid, yet it is still witchcraft blended with the religion.
Perhaps it is because language is limited, maybe we need a new term for this religious, dogmatic hybrid of witchcraft, but I personally have no problem with the name. Perhaps we should label every religious movement as 'neo-witchcraft'!
The qabalists stated that light refracted ten times and eventually created matter, is this witchcraft? They are understanding the creation of the universe, yet they explain it in dogmatic terms to make sense of it. Last year scientists made matter from light- the same thing, is this witchcraft?
I would say yes to both, the difference is science is non-dogmatic in the sense it does not work with unsubstantiated beliefs, whereas the Qabalists worked with Jewish and Christian beliefs.
I know this seems like a ramble, it is hard to put into words, I just hope my point is clear enough.
Hadit, what the scientists are working on is trying to find the effect of sunlight on shallow sea water. I have one of their reports before me, by Professor Brian Cox. The idea is that the effect of sunlight created enzymes, and then single cells. The beginning of Life itself.It is not yet absolutely proven; but it is well on the way! That light can, in certain circumstances, create matter.
