There has always been a lot of controversy over things like divination, the occult, and witch craft.

I myself am only into divination. Mostly just dream interpretation and numerology. I've not told my family and only tell strangers on the internet (they're more accepting) and close friends.

I've heard people say it's all evil. I've heard others say it's only as evil as the person using it (kinda like guns not shooting people, people shoot people with guns). I agree with the latter.

Spoons~
Do you think divination, the occult, and/or witch craft is evil?
Do you practice any of it?
Has anyone ever called you a witch and tried to burn you?
Have you ever received hate for any of your practices?

I don't think it's evil necessarily, only that people who practice in the wrong way can use it for such.
I myself practice oracle card and rune readings, as well as pendulum and crystal work. More involuntarily i am also clairsentinent & clairaudient to a certain degree.
I don't often tell people. Only those i know who won't try and persecute me for it. Nobody has ever called me a witch in a hurtful sense, although i'd gladly explain to anyone who misunderstands what i do.

Although what we currently call 'Wicca' is actually a fairly modern system based on older beleifs, most modern Wiccans follow a code that says that whatever you do comes back to you times three. I'm not a Wiccan myself but I've known people who are. I have been called some pretty creative nicknames, but that was a long time ago, and I don't think it was so much because they beleived I was any of the supernatural things they were calling me, they were just trying to bolster themselves by picking on the designated 'outsider'. Kids can be pretty cruel.
Otherwise, I do beleive that there are things in this world we don't understand yet. The world is an amazing and often strange place, and thats not a bad thing by any stretch.

There's nothing evil about it unless you harm other people. I don't practice any of it. I want to practice but I do not have the time nor do I know people who could teach me how to do it. Does it require special powers like being psychic?

It's just a tool like any other including knives and guns. People use knives properly every day to chop their meat and veg. Other choose to abuse them and use them to harm their fellow being. I feel that witchcraft is just like that.

I don't think those are evil. I, myself, am wiccan ^^ and I have told my family. My mother is wiccan and so is my sister. My grandmother on the other hand tries to convert me to a christian based religion, and tells me I worship the devil, which isn't true.

I don't keep my beliefs a secret, but I don't just bost about them either. If someone asks me, I won't lie about it, but I do know that most people are close minded about many of those types of things. It's really quite said when some one will not talk to you because you don't share their religion, but it isn't as bad as it used to be.

I remember telling a kid in my third grade class, a long time ago, my religion, and during that recess he threw a rock at me. He only hit my arm but I was completely shocked because I had no idea why he'd do such a thing. Now I know that his family doesn't except anything outside their religion. But back then he could've just been being mean to me for no reason ^_^

There's no small amount of people who find it hard to accept other faiths or beleifs, it's not a problem soley with Christianity, though thats where we hear about it the most. <:/ If it were just arising from one source it would be easier to deal with I think.
As far as i'm aware though, being a practicing Wiccan isn't much different from any other faith. They've all got their own rituals and practices. Casting a spell, I think isn't much different than praying, you're just taking the idea that you have more active control over what happens.

Originally Posted by Ryose

Although what we currently call 'Wicca' is actually a fairly modern system based on older beleifs, most modern Wiccans follow a code that says that whatever you do comes back to you times three.

'Tis true. It is the general trend among us to believe that each deed shall come back thrice.

The style of witchcraft which Pagans/Wiccans/worshipers of the Goddess use is definately not of the popular image. I don't get why there is hatred left over from years ago among many communities. We're pacifists in general, trying to keep this world from being even more screwed over at this point.

I've been lucky enough to go to an extremely open and accepting school. It's one of the few where Christianity is a distinct minority with mostly Atheists, Agnostics, Hindus, and a smattering of Buddhists. There are only a few Pagans I know of, one of whom graduated a few years back, but we're accepted.
I don't broadcast my religion through wearing a pentacle, so nobody who doesn't attend rituals other than those who have asked/been in a theoligical conversal with me know. If I did, I know that i'd get a few people giving me dirty looks and a few others telling me i'm going to hell and such, but I doubt there'd be violence.


So basically, yes, I do believe in witchcraft. No, I don't believe its evil firstly because I don't believe the concept of evil exists nor would I label what I am doing as it if it was there in my mind.

I honestly don't care what people are.
They can believe in what they want.
As long as it isn't bringing harm to others or telling them they are wrong, or forcing them to follow their beliefs. *CoughChristiansCough*

I'm Wiccan, but i was raised Catholic, so all growing up, the word witch made me uncomfortable. It's kind of unbelievable that my life would lead me to changing to Wicca, but I love my choice. I honestly can't see myself practicing anything else.

Also, I am clairvoyant, and slightly clairaudient, and I'm an empath. There's a certain layer of auras that I can see, too. Though, honestly, I'm thinking my clairvoyance might just be really good intuition. I have clairvoyant dreams, then forget, them and get the message later, without remembering the dream.

I don't really know anything about any of them.

I don't think divination is evil, I've done a little, but witchcraft and the occult are frowned upon in my religion (I'm a Baptist). I don't criticize anyone who does witchcraft or the occult though.

I'm superstitious and everything but I'm not into anything like wicca or anything. I do believe in spiritual magic like the Buddhists but not so much hocus pocus type stuff that it seems to be all about. I'm not saying it's wrong or anything, it just seems to be a bit much for me.

I was actually thinking about this quite a bit last night:

I caught a radio program for a couple hours and it talked about different experiences with the Ouiji board. I don't personally believe in it, but it seems that many people have received accurate predictions about catastrophies and natural disasters from their board. It made me curious about other people's stories.

I really don't find it evil, like others have said, it's a tool and how you use the tool defines the intent of the practice.

I've been reading up on both Wicca and Witchcraft and I don't know what to think about it quite yet. There's a lot of misinformation out there and a lot of either hate or fear spread about Witchcraft and the occult by other religions. Thanks to technology and the internet, the Occult isn't as occultish as it once was.

I don't hold much weight in divination, but that's because I personally haven't had it work or be remotely true. I tried that numerology thing on my name and the number I got was just a 180 of my real personality. I'm not saying it doesn't work, it just hasn't worked for me.

Faggy Chan, not every Christian tries to convert people and thinks their way is the only way. :( I think you're thinking of Scientologists :P

@Knerd I try to stay away from the board myself. I've yet to hear anything positive about it.

Oh, a topic I can really relate to!
I am a very strong believer in divination, and the spirits that I believe surround us all.
I'm a practicer of tarot, crystal ball reading, numerology, palm reading, and dream interpretation.
Yes, I have been called a "witch" and was almost burned.
But it was eighth grade. We were flammable then.
I just brush it off now.

If I believe it, what right to they have to tell me I'm evil?
I don't think it's evil at all.
In fact, I think in some ways, it's the epitome of holiness.
After all, most people (at least I do) go into a bit of a mystic trance when they read.
It's almost like meditation, which is pretty holy if you ask me.

So, I don't think you should hide from it.
Just fully explain yourself, and embrace it!
:3

Do you think divination, the occult, and/or witch craft is evil?

no i believe that every thing has a reason too be here so no it is not evil

Do you practice any of it?

i am a wiccan and i enjoy some divination.

Has anyone ever called you a witch and tried to burn you?

not yet... lol

Have you ever received hate for any of your practices?

not yet... i hope never!

I have an aunt who is a very proud Christian but also believes in the significance of dreams and their interpretations. Her son-in-law's mother claims that she is the devil because of it. I find it all quite ridiculous. What's wrong with trying to figure out what your dreams mean?

nothing sho-shonojo if it makes some one happy then other people should butt out!

I have a very large, very awesome crystal ball, it's part of a fountain I own, but it's got natural cracks in it, so I'm wondering if it'd be good for reading.

I don't know anything about crystal balls. I recently started tarot. My numerology is a little out of practice right now.

i used to practice wicca.
I kind of mixed it with my christianity, which was prolly a no-no but meh.
I got mixed up in the wrong stuff and my friend was taken over by a demon spirit while we were talking about spells in my other friend's backyard. It was literally, quite scary. My friend's dog tried to bite the possessed friend and he was making a big ruccus and everything. We had to hold him on a leash to keep him from attacking my friend. Then all of a sudden everything went quiet and the dog stopped barking. I've never searched down any spells or anything ever again, and I don't think I will simply because of that one night. It scared the shit out of me.

I don't think it's evil or anything like that. I have a very open mind to other religions and practices, it's just not for me.

I've done a fair amount of research into the occult and for the most part it's bunk. Especially the withcraft aspect. From my own observations I have never seen any of it ever work. Divination I have seen work. I've always had a bit of psychic ability that I have traced back through family lineage. I've even had waking visions that have came true minutes later. I can't control that and it feels like getting stabed in the head with a knife. Luckly I've managed to block it out for the most part. The problem with divinations and visions is you never know where they are coming from. Could come from a good source could come from a bad source and half the time it's misleading. Ultimatly causing more problems than doing good. Which is why I try to avoid it at all cost.

@Loversend I've heard of others who mixed the two. Personally I don't see what is so wrong with it.

@Grim I know what you mean. I have an aunt that is as atuned with things as I am and she has had her share of scary happenings involving bad sources. I'm careful not to try anything more than interpret numbers, cards, and dreams.