MakoShark asked this question on 4/28/2000:

Hi there-

My name is Daryl and have an idea for fantasy novel where some of the characters will have magical powers.

Since this is fantasy fiction I can make up anything I want as far as their powers go, but I wanted the magicks to be as real and realistic as possible.

I mean no disrespect for your religion. Were I doing a novel involving Catholics or Buddhists, I would send a similar question so I do not do a disservice to the subject matter.

I would like to know more about your religion. Do you pray? To whom? To what end? Is there an afterlife?

How does magick work? Where does the power come from? Where does it go when you are done with your spell? Do you have to use a spell? Are there different kinds of magicks? Can anyone do magicks with training? Or only a select few? How old must you be to do magicks? How long does it take to learn to do magicks? Are you aware of instances where people are born with the powers and abilities without much training?

I have heard of covens and wicca groups. Is there strength in numbers? Are some people more powerful than others?

As with all things there are good and bad people. My guess is that magick is neither good or bad--black or white but that it conforms to the person using the power. Is this true or are there different types of magick for different types of actions? (e.g. murder, plague, etc. vs. healing, love, etc.)

I know this is a bit long and I am sure more questions will arise from your answers. If you are willing to talk, I appreciate your input.

Thank you Daryl

pharoahmoan gave this response on 4/30/2000:

Greetings Daryl!

You are right. There are quite a few questions within this. I am hapy to help all that I can.

First of all, I am sure you have heard a bit about our religion, but I do not know what you have heard. Feel free to check my website for historical information, etc.

Also, on the issue of "prayer" per se, we do pray, but we call them devotions. We do them either to a specific deity for a specific purpose or simply to the elements (earth, air, fire, water). The reason we do this is sort of like the Christian "Daily Affirmation" concept. It is a way to ground our faith and give us a place to start every morning. Afterlife? Karma and the Wheel. As you may have seen our "Wheel of the Year" that spins from Holiday to Holiday, that is how we view life and/ or the afterlife. When one cycle of life comes to an end, another begins. Each time teaching us something new and different.

On the black and white issue, you are right. There are both although it is not intended to be slanted toward either side. Magick is in the heart and in the intent. Yes, we do use spells, but true magick lives by the creed, "An it harm none... do what ye will." That is where a lot of people have gotten misinterpretations of who we are, what we do and what we believe. We harness the powers of the cosmos to help and to change that which seems unchangeable. We are not here to hurt anyone. We also live by another rule. It is known as the "Rule of Three." Whatever we put out comes back to us threefold. Why not make that threefold as positive as possible?

I know these answers were rather vague, but I hope thay have been of some help to you.

Brightest Blessings to you and yours...

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