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
gabby2600 gave this response on 4/28/2000:
HUmm.. I could be here hours answering this so I wil suppy you with a few links first
http;//www.gothland.demon.co.uk/religion.htm http://www.sacred-texts.com/index.htm http://gofree.indigo.ie/~wicca/ http://www.grahamhancock.com http://www.whitedragon.demon.co.uk/
Here you should be able to ge more background and soem more details about witchcraft
Movies
The Craft Warlock Warlock 2 The Wicker Man
Books
Anything By Terry Pratchett (Yes He is a witch) The winter king, Enemy of god, Excaliber (Bernard Cornwell)[Take note of Merlin] any books by Janet & Stuart Farrar.
And some more info for you. Most of the old magic is based around Psychology of the unknown, as no one knew too much about occult engineering, then they tended to fear it. Oh and Common sence. Of you could get a name for your self like Merlin had then you could do anything, or that what everyone would believe, so no one would mess. a Witch has the power of knowledge, and the name to be feared.
Yes they can do magic but useually the belief that the witch had done something was enough, (The Placebo effect, thats why people get well even though they are taking nothing or have had nothing done to them) A witch also has the power of knowing ther enemy by there past and actions, and then predicting what he will do in certian situations (This is psychology).
However when it get down to it a real ritual can take up to 3 months to take effect, so just telling some one you had done it, and not actually doing anything useually works.
We don't prey, as we believe that we created the gods therefore they have no real power with out us so belief is enough.
We pick and choose the gods for each moment or for what we require, there are thousands of them and everything had a god, (e.g. Pete the god of Explosions might also be the god of fish food, all gods were for multiple things)
Afterlife, yep ther is a spirit realm where you go to and you can help people backon the mortal realm (these people are know as psychics). Also the spirit realm is the source of all power, as there is nothing but raw power here, and the spirits of beings.
Magic works on believe, and belief that it will happen Also some spirits can be sent to do tasks.
The power comes form the Spirit realm, it grants us the power, and it is controled by the spirits.
It rebounds as all spells come back threefold. So if you do a spell to aid someone then that aid will come back threefold in the future, someone miget help you out a few times. If you kill someone then you won't be killed but you will be tortured by spirits nothing will go right, and even some of your fiends might die, and you can do nothing to help them.
A spell can be anything from Candlemagic, to a Ritual which lasts hours, it depends on what you want to do.
There are many forms of magic Witchcraft Voodoo Shamanisam Candlemagic Druidry etc..
Anyone has the ability to use magic but they need the belief to enable them to do it if they don't believe then it won't work. And many years of training starting at 18 years old (min age) you can get to 3rd degree (highest level) in 3 years but this requires nonstop study, also power increases with age. so many people take 5 to 10 years training .
Some people are more naturally psychic than others, the Raw psychic ability of a being is what give the power a channel. (this can be improved by training.)
13 id the optimal number for a covern. The High priestess is the most powerfull, as all women are naturally more powerful than men.
A covern of 13 with a fairly even balence of men and women is the most powerfull, all women is not as powerfull.
All magic is grey, it depends on the person useing it. and the threefold law always happens (The law can be avoided by clever wording, and knowleged, this comes with age.)All magic also comes from the same source
Also All magic is based off the turning of the seasons, The solstices and equinoxes are the most powerfull times to do magic, as is the full moon, The Dark of the moon is the best time to do binding spells. Hence all pagan religions and magic celebrate these times, Also they are in tune with nature as well. as it is a nature and earth based religion and magic.
there are a few rules
1. The Threefold rule 2. If it harm none do what you will (Basically if it will not harm anyone or animal then you can do it, Also as long as all parties are concenting then you are ok to do what you want.)
If you require any more questions aaswering please ask.
Gabriel
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