The Role of Divination in Real Witchcraft: Reading the Signs

The way to real witchcraft Real witchcraft is not about casting spells or wearing pointy hats; it is a spiritual practice deeply rooted in ancient traditions and beliefs. To truly embrace the path of a witch, one must first have a clear understanding of its core principles and engage in a committed journey of self-discovery. **The main idea is that real witchcraft is a spiritual practice that requires commitment and self-discovery.** One of the key aspects of real witchcraft is the connection with nature. Witches believe that everything in the universe is interconnected, and by understanding and harnessing the energy of nature, they can bring about positive change in their lives and the world around them. This connection can be cultivated through regular rituals, meditation, and conscious awareness of the natural world.

In fact, a commonly held belief in the pagan community is that whatever you do unto others, you should be prepared to have come back on you.

And, of course, there was the dark chapter in America s own history when, in 1692, dozens of men and women as young as four years old were arrested and charged with suspicion of witchcraft in and around Salem, Massachusetts. Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

This connection can be cultivated through regular rituals, meditation, and conscious awareness of the natural world. Another important aspect of witchcraft is the understanding of energy and how to work with it. Witches believe that energy flows through everything, and they learn how to manipulate and direct this energy for their intentions.

On Halloween, real witches set the record straight

PHOENIX – Flying broomsticks, evil spells and pointy hats usually come to mind when people think of witches. But Rosemary Szymanski-Lockett, a retired elementary school teacher, and Stefani Michelle, who has a communications degree, don’t fit that description.

Halloween is here, and so are the classic images of haggard green faces with big warty noses toiling over bubbling cauldrons. But practitioners of witchcraft want to set the record straight.

Szymanski-Lockett is the high priestess of the Sacred Spiral Pagan Church of Arizona, where witchcraft is about using the energy in the universe to help people acquire and achieve their goals.

“The craft is more about healing and just being thankful and being grateful for this beautiful planet we live on,” she said. “It’s not anything like you see in the movies.”

Negative images of witches in Western society go back as far as the 12th century, when religious leaders began to view the long, benign practice as dark and devil-worshipping. Over the centuries, the condemnation grew into witch hunts and trials, which led to the current stereotype of witches as scary, black-clad creatures emerging on Halloween to cast spells.

Witches in popular culture often are depicted as evil sorceresses, but some real witches embrace the stereotype and dress up that way for Halloween. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“I don’t have a wart on my nose,” said Michelle, a psychic witch, Reiki master and yogi who works at Vision Quest Psychic Bookstore in central Phoenix, where there’s no indication of the coming holiday – nary a tombstone or zombie in sight.

Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, “because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together.”

Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

“They think of witchcraft as what you see in the movies; that we all dance around at midnight and summon the devil and all this stuff,” she said on a Zoom call from her kitchen, which is adorned with a spice rack and magnets on the refrigerator. “When in reality, we don’t even believe in the existence of the devil.”

Codey Cropper, local practitioner of witchcraft, was raised to believe that mysticism was evil, but he said he found love, acceptance and personal power through practicing.

“For the first time in my entire life, this was the first time I was able to pray and feel comfort in the divine,” Cropper said. “It is a little frustrating to see that at times, and it does suck to always see it be painted in such a negative light.”

Cropper said in any form of religion or practice there will always be people who take it too far.

Stefani Michelle, psychic witch and author, says one misconception of witchcraft is that it focuses on controlling energy in a negative way. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“Anything can be used to manipulate,” Michelle said. “There is a very small percentage of people who use it (witchcraft) in a manipulative way.”

There are many ways to practice, she said, including divination, prayers, spells and crystals. There’s green witchcraft, fairy witchcraft and kitchen witchcraft, to name a few.

Cropper said the broad social and cultural scope of witchcraft is accepting of people from any walk of life and any form of practice.

“I feel like it’s a perfect practice for people to grow and learn and fall into themselves,” he said.

And they don’t mind if you dress up like a witch on Halloween.

“If it makes you feel cool and it gives you empowerment, do it,” Cropper said.

“I love to see it,” said Michelle, adding that even her daughter is planning to dress as a witch. “I think it is wonderful.”

Olivia Munson expects to graduate in spring 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in women and gender studies. Munson, who has reported for the D.C. Bureau, Times Media Group, The State Press and The Arizona Republic, is working in the Phoenix News Bureau.

Breanna Isbell expects to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in fashion. Isbell, who is interning with RightThisMinute, is working for the Phoenix sports bureau.

Sierra Alvarez expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Alvarez is assigned to Cronkite News this semester.

"Wicca is a branch of witchcraft," says Blake. "All witches are not Wiccans, although all Wiccans are witches."

This can be done through spells, rituals, and visualization techniques. Self-discovery plays a crucial role in real witchcraft. It is not just about learning spells or following rituals; it is about understanding oneself on a deeper level and embracing one's own power. **The main idea is that self-discovery is crucial in real witchcraft.** Being a witch also means taking responsibility for one's actions and understanding the ethical implications of their choices. Witches follow the Wiccan Rede, which states, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This means that any actions taken by a witch should not cause harm to others or oneself. Real witchcraft is a lifelong journey of learning and growth. It requires dedication and a thirst for knowledge. Witches can learn from books, teachers, and through personal experiences. **The main idea is that real witchcraft is a lifelong journey of learning and growth.** In conclusion, the way to real witchcraft is through commitment, self-discovery, connection with nature, understanding of energy, ethical responsibility, and a dedication to learning and growth. It is a spiritual path that requires deep reflection and an open mind. **The main idea is summarized here: the way to real witchcraft requires commitment, self-discovery, connection with nature, understanding of energy, ethical responsibility, and a dedication to learning and growth.** By embracing these principles, one can truly walk the path of a witch and experience the transformative power of real witchcraft..

Reviews for "Embodying the Goddess: Real Witchcraft and Female Spirituality"

1. Julia - 1 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The way to real witchcraft". The author didn't go into enough detail about the actual practice of witchcraft and instead focused on their personal experiences and anecdotes. I was hoping for more guidance and instruction on how to practice witchcraft but instead got more of a memoir-style book. It felt like a missed opportunity and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for practical advice on witchcraft.

2. Mark - 2 out of 5 stars - I found "The way to real witchcraft" to be quite vague and confusing. The author seemed to jump from topic to topic without providing a clear structure or guidance. I was left with more questions than answers after reading this book. Additionally, while the personal anecdotes were interesting, they didn't contribute much to the overall message of the book. I was hoping for a more concise and informative read, but unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.

3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - "The way to real witchcraft" lacked depth and substance. The author touched on various aspects of witchcraft but never delved into them deeply enough to provide any valuable insights or practical advice. The writing style was also quite repetitive, with the author constantly reiterating the same ideas without offering any new perspectives. Overall, I found this book to be surface-level and unsatisfying. It left me wanting more information and a clearer direction on how to practice witchcraft authentically.

4. Michael - 3 out of 5 stars - While "The way to real witchcraft" had some interesting aspects, I found it to be overly focused on the author's personal experiences. I was hoping for a more balanced approach with a mix of personal anecdotes and practical guidance. The lack of specific instructions or techniques made it difficult for me to connect with the material and incorporate it into my own practice. It felt more like a storytelling book rather than a guide to witchcraft. Overall, it was an average read for me.

Ancestor Worship and Real Witchcraft: Honoring the Past