Well, I'll confess I've tried the pencil thing and failed miserably! The film is like most depictions of witchcraft, it has its roots in truth but the overall effect has been souped up for Hollywood. The idea of calling the corners and invoking spirits obviously has a basic in reality. But I think the least accurate parts are the very physical representations of magic. Magic doesn't work in the strictly physical and linear way this film and others depict. Shame, it would be a damn sight quicker for me if I could just run my hands through my hair instead of trogging off to Boots to buy a hair dye. …..

There also seems to be an underlying theme in the film that magic is entirely illusionary and that doesn't sit well with me. Magic can affect permanent change as much as anything else.

And what a confusion between Witchcraft and Wicca in the film. Those little madams were most definitely not Wiccans given some of the naughty spells they were getting up to, but their constant “Blessed Bes” were not in keeping with a more traditional bent. All in all, the research team could probably have worked a bit harder. Good film though.

This does rather illustrate the lesson of making sure you know what you are doing before you do it. However I can fully reassure you that you are not a witch. There are no spells that will immediately turn you into a witch. Witchcraft is a progressive path of focus and intent that evolves your personality through time and experience. It is not a “quick fix” changeover that can be actioned on a whim and a sudden burst of enthusiasm. You’ve been a bit over keen to label yourself and now you’re paying the price for jumping in too quickly.

My suggestion to you is that you put your witchcraft books aside and don’t think any more about it. There may come a time when you pick them back up, dust them off and find you have the confidence to turn to witchcraft without it causing you so much concern. However, equally, you may go back to Christianity and lead a fulfilled and happy life on that path instead.

I wish you well in whatever you choose do do, but whatever you do, don’t rush into it. Both Christianity and Witchcraft have been around for many years, they’re not going anywhere. Take the time to decide what’s right for you. Dip your big toes before diving….


Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1415249 (Tallia22)

A bit. Its another name for Italian Witchcraft (hence the name which is an old Italian word meaning Witchcraft).The modern awakening turned up in the mid 1970s. Its got quite similar roots to Wicca, echoing the idea of the Horned God and the Moon Goddess and pentacle usage is common. A group of Strega witches is called a “boschetto”. According to the website www.stregheria.com (an excellent resource on the subject) you do not have to be Italian to practise Stregheria and nor is it a solely hereditary tradition, so it is a path you can come to and not one that you must be born into. I believe the followers celebrate a lot of the old Roman holidays.

The founder is a chap called Raven Grimassi who has published several books including “Italian Witchcraft” and “Hereditary Witchcraft.” His workings are based on the idea that Witchcraft is linked to the ancient and Pagan religions and traditions predating Christiantity.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=29640 (Cinacci)

Interesting question. I would possibly place a little less importance on his opinion than you obviously do. But from what I’ve read about Jesus (and yes, I have read the Bible) I always got the impression he was quite an open minded decent sort of a bloke who shared the message of spreading love and tolerance. And judging by some of the things he gets up to in the Bible, I’d say he had a pretty open minded view on magic as well (I wouldn’t mind the spell to change water into wine myself…)

I think you need to be clear that I do not encourage people to practice witchcraft, I advise and support those who have already chosen to do so. I do not push or promote my own path and beliefs on to other people. I respect the right of others to believe whatever works for them. I’m not necessarily a big fan of Christianity but nor am I particularly intolerant toward the religion and those who follow it.

There are a lot of positives involved in studying the craft. It is not the esoteric occult darkness that many would like to believe. Witchcraft can be used to benefit individuals, communities and the progression of what Christians may be happy to term as “good,” So I don’t think Jesus would have been quite as anti witchcraft as you perhaps think he would be.  

QUESTION - I have read through some of your previous questions and I have found them both insightful and thoughtful. To make a long story short, I was raised in a Christian based faith by my parents as a child. As an adult I realize there is more to faith and spirituality than what I was taught in Sunday school. I believe in God and I want to practice the craft. Okay...that was longer than I meant. But my question is, after years of "if you practice witchcraft you're going to hell...witchcraft is worshiping the devil" being forced down my throat in Sunday school and in Christian Church, how do I get through to my subconscious that I am not doing anything wrong and that magic really does come from the God and Goddess? I am not bashing Christianity in by any means. For many years considered myself a Christian because of that but I just feel that there is more to our spiritual enlightenment and growth than what I was taught as a child. I know that may not make a lot of sense but in my messed up brain it does. 

ANSWER - The thing is that although many religions claim to have the answer, the one true God and the right path forward - there is nothing except belief to suggest any one path is better or more "right" than another. This is because when considering the big questions and the nature of the Gods as humans we glimpse only one facet of the truth and not the whole of it. Neither you, nor I nor anyone else can understand divinity in all its dimensions, all we can do is choose a path that works for us and integrates well with our own lives. 

So it follows really that any path that works well for you and allows you to develop your own spiritual enlightenment is as valid as any other. Christianity is simply a path that works for some people. It has its own belief structure and as you comment, it has very definite ideas about right and wrong. But there is nothing at all to say the Christian viewpoint has any more foundation in the truth than Witchcraft or Islam, or Wicca or Hinduism or anything else.

I think what I am trying to say is that growing up in a Christian country, you are indoctrinated into the belief that there is the established way and the alternative way and by turning your back on Christianity you are rejecting the accepted for the unknown. The only way to overcome this is to accept that Christianity is just another way of thinking, not THE way of thinking. You are not rejecting a proven world view, your own way is just as valid as that of the Christians in light of the fact that as no human can actually comprehend the nature of divinity, nobody can reasonably make the claim that their way is correct.

Once you have your head round this, you understand that just because something you choose to do goes against the Christian belief system, that does not make it wrong. Magic exists. It is a fact. It can be used for the pursuit of good and the pursuit of evil. Don't disregard your personal intent in employing magic. You can choose how you use it. But like I say, choosing to use it in a manner not approved of by the Christian Church does not make it intrinsically wrong, just supportive of a different world view.

I am unsure you can legitimately make the claim that magic comes from the God and Goddess. To be honest, I would agree with you personally but as many witches do not worship divinity, you are presenting an opinion that reflects your own beliefs rather than making a statement of fact. Which is interesting because it does illustrate how belief and fact can so easily become intertwined. Which is of course the parallel I would draw with modern Christianity.

Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1208876 (ba1969)

I would tackle this problem in several ways, the lesser or greater emphasis you would put in each area is down to you as an individual. I would personally take both proactive and defensive action.

Betrayal does not necessarily imply either malice or deliberation so I am unsure hex work is appropriate. However, binding the individual to prevent them from doing you further harm would be a good starting point. You dont indicate your own level of comfort with using magical practises so I will give you a basic idea of how to perform a simple binding. (There are of course many different ways to do it).Take a small piece of melted wax or plasticine and form a simple representation of whoever has hurt you. Try to personalise it in some way, hair is ideal if you have it, if not try inscribing the name of your person on the figurine. Then physically bind the figure with string, ribbon, anything that will tie. Sometimes I like to seep the string in salt water first. Visualise the power of the person being limited with regard to yourself. Perhaps imagine a shield between you, blocking their negativity toward you from leaving them and reaching you. Seal the bound figure in a jar or cotton pouch.

I would advise from a protective stance that you ensure basic general protections are in place. Do you have a witch bottle buried? Are your own shields in place and strengthened? Have you put any protective barriers in place on your property?

With regard to removing the person from your mind, I would suggest something as simple as writing a full and frank letter detailing all the problems you have with them, the thoughts that are occupying your mind and the power you still feel they have over you. Then instead of sending the letter to them as a physical letter hrough the post, burn the letter and send their negative energies back to them through the smoke of your burning.  

Image http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1418837 (Stratsan)

I’m afraid this is a question with a very simple answer. You don’t. If your dog is in a lot of pain and presumably you have consulted a vet who is unable to control the pain (If not then do so, there are special pain killers for dogs that may well offer relief) then you have to face up to the fact that it is time to let her go. I would never advocate keeping a pet alive by witchcraft simply for the gratification of the owner. When we take on an animal we take on the responsibility of doing what is right for that animal and if that animal is old, ill and in pain then it is not fair to prolong their life just because you do not want to say goodbye. When your animal has had enough (and I think you’ll know by the way they look at you) then you have a moral obligation to fulfill your responsibility and put their needs before your own. So, if the time is right, if the quality of life for your dog is poor, if she is in constant pain that the vet cannot relieve, bite the bullet, be brave and put your dog down. 

You will be doing the kindest thing for your animal and you will remember her as a happy healthy pet and not as a pained animal you kept alive for your own needs. Do the last thing you can do for your beloved dog and put an end to her suffering.

QUESTION - Hello how can I get rid of Morgana? She haunts me in my dreams she has a body of a goddess and morbid face to go with it. I have tried to confront her but she is too fast for me. Does she haunt me because of my sexual energy? I have O negative blood it is considered the blood of the gods. I dream none stop it's like my soul is on the move I just want to be free do you think I need medicine to control my dreams and Morgana? Could you please help me and yes I am very serious thanks for your time.

ANSWER - Ok, you seem a bit confused. By Morgana, I'm presuming you either mean The Morrigan or you mean Morgan Le Fay. Morgan Le Fay is a sorceress from the Arthurian legend - more myth and legend than magical reality - so I'm going to assume you are referring to The Morrigan in your question. (If I'm wrong, please tell me more about Morgana).

Regular dreams on a single theme or relating to an individual, even a Goddess, do not necessarily imply that you are haunted. It is more likely that the dreams have a message for you that may have some bearing on your current life. If we think of The Morrigan and her connotations of war, death, fertility and conflict, can you perhaps think of any key ideas that are being brought into play here? Perhaps you are being offered guidance through your dreams.

I think it unlikely you need medicine to control your dreams but if you are having recurring images in your mind that you are finding difficult to control, you may benefit from talking them through with an experienced counsellor. Sometimes bringing dreams from the sub conscious to the conscious mind and looking at them objectively can reduce your fear of them. A therapist may be able to help you explore the metaphorical role The Morrigan is playing in your dreams and help you understand how to move on.

If you genuinely feel you are being harassed (and no, I doubt your sexual energy is playing a part in it....) then I would suggest you sit quietly, light a candle and tell her politely but firmly that you are not ready for her intervention at this stage in your life. It may well be something you will welcome one day but at the moment you would prefer to decline her attentions. Suggest she leave you alone for a year and then tries to make contact again after that time if she truly she feels she wants to work with you or has a message for you. I think it highly unlikely that any Goddess worth her salt will ignore a reasonable plea to be left alone.

Image <a href="http://fantasyartdesign.com/free-wallpapers/digital-art.php?i_i=886&u_i=719"> Photo Manipulation, Fantasy Art, Teaching a black crow bird - free computer desktop wallpaper. </a>

  QUESTION. Hi, this is probably a silly question, but I was reading through all of your archived questions (great stuff by the way) and noticed on the question you were asked about the dangers of ouija boards that you mentioned that if the board starts to count down the letters or numbers to end the contact immediately. Is there any particular reason behind this?

There is, but to be honest I'm not sure how much credence I actually give it. It is popularly believed that if the ouija board counts down through the numbers or the alphabet by itself then it is opening a portal through enabling spirits to come through the board and inhabit the world.
I'm a bit sceptical, despite the fact that this is a very widely held belief. I can't really see why or how this would work and as a ouija board is effectively acting as a portal anyway then I can't see what difference a spirit demonstrating a good working knowledge of the alphabet would achieve.....

However, if my board ever decides to do this (and it never has) then I would certainly close it immediately*. Sometimes it is prudent to bow to the wisdom and experience of others, even if you retain an element of healthy scepticism. Better to be safe than sorry. And if a spirit did manage to come through the board (can you hear the doubtful tone of my typing there...) then it would be harder to deal with than a spirit that stayed on the right side of the board. Not worth taking the risk.

*I think I would. I've got a bit of a gung ho...I wonder what will happen attitude. Lol

QUESTION - I am fifteen and I know a bit about witchcraft. The thing is that I am pregnant and I need to know if my future tells me to keep the baby or not. Can you look into my future and tell me if I should keep it and if not what kind of herbs I should take if I need to abort it?

Should I advise a fifteen year old girl to drink any potentially harmful concoction I deserve to be shot. And should you drink anything just because someone on the internet tells you to then quite frankly you are a serious danger to yourself.

I am going to offer you no opinion at all whether you should keep your baby. You don’t have one future where the preordained decision is shrouded in mystery, you have two futures – in one you are a mother, in one you are not a mother. The future you choose to bring to fruition must be by your choice alone. Nothing I can tell you will make that decision easier for you.

I do however urge you to consider: What future can you give the child? Are you with the father? Does the father want it? Will your parents support you? Do you want to be a mother? Can you afford a child? Can you cope with having an abortion? Do you have religious beliefs that encourage/discourage you having an abortion? And of course – the really important question – Do you want this baby?

Now I don’t have strong views on abortion. Its right for some women, its wrong for others. I don’t believe anybody should condemn you if that is what you choose to do. I do however think that doing anything at all to induce your own abortion is foolhardy and very very dangerous. We live in a world where such a medical procedure can be simple and safe. Why would you want to risk your own life if you don’t have to? Maybe a couple of hundred years ago my advice would have been different but in 2013 you have rights and you have choices. You also have access to information and support. Your doctor will recommend a counsellor to discuss your options with you.

The only real advice I can offer you is to think things through carefully and do what you honestly believe is the right thing for you.


Image http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1359621 (Milan6)