How do I learn about REAL witchcraft?

I want to learn more about real witchcraft. Not that silly fake wicca stuff which seems to be christian based. Plus they say magic is dangerous which is real silly to me. Now every single person tells me that the only real book on real witchcraft is the "Satanic Witch" by Anton LaVey so I am going to go get it at the bookstore today. But I am anxious so has anyone on here read it yet? Is it as brilliant as everyone keeps saying?How do I learn about REAL witchcraft?
The "Satanic Witch" is certainly not the only "real" book on witchcraft. LeVey was an arrogant reactionary, who tries very hard to portray "his" way as the "only" way. He completely ignores several very very important principles of magic as being "beneath" him. His brand of magic certainly works--to a point--but at a very high karmic cost.



Witchcraft is actually deceptively simple to describe, although like any other craft, it takes a lot of work and practice to become really good at it. It's not a religion in and of itself, although it's associated with several. It's based on two principles; first that everything in the universe is related to everything else, but some things are more closely or obviously related than others, and second that we can change our circumstances through sheer application of will. It works with the natural order, not against it, and emphasizes that we are part of the world, not above it. There are a number of other books on "real" witchcraft out there that do not emphasize any particular religion.
You can pick up an old Paul Daniels Magic Set off Ebay for a couple of quid. All sorts of tricks in those babies.How do I learn about REAL witchcraft?
Please post this in the Horscopes section or Mythology and Folkfure...
Wicca is not christian based.How do I learn about REAL witchcraft?
get in touch with Bubby's baby mama
"Real witchcraft" is not religion-based. Wicca is a religion, and *hardly* based on Christianity.



Witchcraft is magic, which can be practiced by someone of any religion, or by atheists. LaVey speaks to one viewpoint, but I'm not familiar with it.



The best book that I am familiar with is "Magick in Theory and Practice" by Aleister Crowley.
I got some really need magic tricks you can do for parties and kiddie shows
LaVey is not the only one who has insight on classical witchcraft. I agree with your observation of Wicca (though my daughter is currently Wiccan). I have a friend who is a Celtic Pagan, and she refers to Wicca as "the Catholicism of Paganism", what with all of the ritual and structure. It is a valid path, for sure, but if it's not what you're looking for, then you are right to move on.

However, I do agree that magic (majick) can be dangerous, in the hands of those unprepared to use it properly. I know a woman who has called on spirits she could not control. People have gotten into a lot of trouble, and even died, because of this. No, I do not have specific examples, but I would caution you to be wise in your workings.

You might want to research other majickal beliefs, such as Hermeticism and Cabala, in addition to the Satanic and Pagan beliefs. There is a LOT of information out there. Find the path that was intended for your feet.



Blessings!
You could do worse than studying the history of medicine, especially phytotherapy. Much of real witchcraft was the knowledge of the effects of plants, the way it worked was not understood, but the outcome usually beneficial.



The church disapproved because it was generally more effective than prayer!
How dare you? You obviously know nothing about Wicca if you think it is based on Christianity. I find you offensive and immature. If you really want to know about Anton LaVey's books read them yourself instead of basing your opinion on other people's.
"Fake Wicca stuff?" How are you defining "real witchcraft"? Also, why is the idea that magic may be dangerous so silly to you? Finally, Wicca is almost nothing like Christianity. Where did you get that idea from?



You do get kudos for trying to find ways of researching the topic on your own as opposed to expecting the answers to just fall into your lap though.
Don't know much about diplomacy and tact, eh? lol I'd hate to be on the receiving end of this question.
Start reading. Don't stop until you learn something.



Not rocket science there sparky.
i am starting wicca. the best place to go is www.witchschool.com and sign up. you can register upto 8 classes for free.
Wow. You are a little confused here.



Wicca is not fake - it's a religion, a spiritual path. While Wicca accepts the practice of witchcraft, it is not a required practice to be Wiccan, nor do all Wiccans practice it. Wicca is about a relationship with the divine first and foremost, it's not all about witchcraft.



Wicca is certainly not the only spiritual path that has practicing witches within it - also there are witches who don't belong to any particular religion.



Who are you referring to when you say "Plus they say magic is dangerous which is real silly to me."? Both Wiccans and Christians will say that magic is dangerous, but for different reasons. Christians believe any magic performed by anyone other than their God/Jesus is dangerous because they think it's "of the devil". Most Wiccans will tell you magic is dangerous if you "dabble" with it or play around with it when you don't know what you're doing, because you could harm yourself or someone else, not because we believe in the devil. So which of these seems silly to you?



Where are you getting that Wicca is Christian based? Other than the fact that Wiccan holidays include some pre-Christian pagan beliefs/customs/and practice, some of which were also adopted into Christianity?



Witchcraft is magic. As others said, Anton LaVey is only one of many "teachers" of magic. This book is certainly not the only valid source of information. You should read stuff from as many authors on magical practices as you can if you really want to learn "real witchcraft". And it wouldn't hurt you to learn more about which cultures and spiritual paths are accepting of witches.



But based on your statements here, I'm very curious, what is it that YOU consider "real witchcraft"?
You ask a lot, but here goes: If you're looking for "real" witchcraft in the sense of one true, undisputed and unchanged book of shadow passed down through the mists of time... good luck with that. You'll be run in circles by every priestess and crackpot who claims to have the one true tradition.



If, instead, you're simply trying to sort out the good, practical stuff from the fluff, here's an idea. There are a couple of books by Kerr Cuhulain called Full Contact Magick and Wiccan Warrior. He's a former Vancouver cop who I find has a good system for explaining energy work and ethics without the silliness you will find in many entry level books. Wicca is "Christian" based only inasmuch as it uses many ritual forms from ceremonial magick, which indeed came down to us from the late middle ages when practicioners had to at least maintain the appearance of Christian loyalty. Unfortunatley many current Wiccans and other pagans simply never bothered to do the tough self-examination to know why they want to be pagan ,and how it truly differs in worldview from the religion they're fleeing.



LaVey's work doesn't reflect witchcraft, as far as I'm concerned. He was somebody who developed a system which mainly defined itself as a rebellion against Christianity through the image of Satan. They didn't even worship Satan as much as themselves. Satansists are really just radical humanists who happen to like the tools and imagery of the occult, often for shock value.
Oh gods, the "Satanic Witch" by mr. Anton is just as silly and fake as all those wiccan books. Real witchcraft or ceremonial magick books USUALLY can't be found in Barnes and Noble or Walden Books or Borders for that matter. Check anyways. Here's some REAL books I would recommend.

Magick by Aleister Crowley

The Book Of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage

Modern Magick by Donald Micheal Craig

and for fun, My Life With The Spirits by Lon Milo Duquette

Also you might want to check out Enochian magick. Its very real.

And if you get bored with all that you can always practice Vodoun. Good luck!
I hope you're sitting down, because - there is no such thing as REAL witchcraft. Your time would be better spent playing Grand Theft Auto.



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Thumbs-downers, feel free to try to turn me into a frog - I'll be waiting.



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If there are "real" aspects of "witchcraft", like using plants for healing, I would call that "herbal medicine". Calling it witchcraft is like practicing mathematics but calling it "numbercraft". Of course, saying that you practice herbal medicine doesn't have the same "wow factor" as saying that you're a witch.



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0-6, a personal best for me; I seem to have hit a nerve. I invite any of the thumbs-downers to email me with proof of a single scientifically documented case of anything supernatural that has occurred as the result of "witchcraft".