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sanguina ~ yes i would describe anyone that uses whatever colour they use as a positive that colour, be it white or black. i myself would use white as a positive colour so i'd refer to myself as a white witch, similary those that use black as a positive colour i'd refer to as a black witch. but those are just my thoughts smile

what do i mean by positive? just having a positive outlook on life really, trying to find the positive aspects in all of my life. for example i mostly do temp work & i try & take a positive aspect from every job that i do. likewise my studies.

make more sense?

rmcdra ~ i've already explained as best i could what part of my original wording did you not understand? i mean i described as best as i could, could you please expand on your non-understanding for me please?

You know what, I take this back. I do acknowledge the truth of something that can be deemed a "three fold rule" : This rule states that three-folding a sheet of ordinary 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of paper is difficult without machinery.

Not that it has anything to do with witchcraft, of course.

@CalledTheRaven: I know of non-Christians who believe very much in demonic possesion. I think it's possible that it may have originated as a Christian concept, but I couldn't support that idea one way or the other.

It was created from Jewish origin but rejected. Carried over to Christianity though not part of Canon.

heart So it would seem the practice of magic and all it encompasses has similar variables to that of practicing various styles of martial arts. (just an easy comparison. Forgive me if it's not a good one.) It would appear that there is definitely more than one way to go about it.

I have been very curious about the use of magic for years, and my studies have found various conclusions thus far.

I have noted the use of psychology, as a means of making people do what you want them to do, but I'm not sure I'd call that magic. But I suppose psychology to one might be magic to another.

Concerning spiritual manipulation (similar to how manipulation of psychology is conducted) is very volatile. I'm not sure anyone should be playing with anyone else's spirit, or even attempting to for that matter. But it may also depend on their intent. If I noted someone attempting this to hurt someone, I would most certainly attempt to stop them. But if it seemed to be wholeheartedly on the behalf of good and well being of another, then who am I to interfere?

The use of herbs and consumables seems to be far more the profession of herbalism/alchemy than anything that should be called magic.

Most invocations I have witnessed, and the like, seemed to play on people's hearts and minds more than anything. I have never witnessed anything beyond the norm at the hands of anyone who claimed to practice magic.

Many who have been very open about their practices have since shown me very logical and scientific means of achieving their goals. I am certainly open to one day be shown otherwise.

Conclusively, magic seems to be the term used for a variety of practices and skills combined in an effort to invoke, summon, or otherwise make happen a number of things otherwise completely explained by logic.

I can elaborate much, much further on this topic, should anyone desire. heart

Take your time.

Also, please understand that even the most positive actions can easily involve some unforseen negative consequences. Even the most unconditional love that a human can show is either so spread out as to have no lasting effect, or chooses a few to focus on - thus depriving the others.

Also, even the most self centered individual will choose others that they (often inadvertently) help out of self-interest, even if the self interest is only by association or some self-indulgence.

Awareness of this fact has helped me learn to detach when necessary and have a more positive effect on those around me. "Each one, reach one" describes the resulting practice.

Thankee-sai.

Drastically though out of all the denominations of Christianity Catholicism and the Orthodoxies have the closest the Jewish view of Satan, though I could be mistaken. Any Catholics, or Jews would like to clear this up for me.