Black Magic: A Controversial Practice Black magic, also known as dark magic, is a controversial practice that has long intrigued and fascinated individuals throughout history. It refers to the use of supernatural powers or rituals to manipulate or harm others. While some consider it a mere superstition or a form of entertainment, others believe in its potency and use it for various purposes. The origins of black magic can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where it was often associated with rituals and ceremonies performed by priests and shamans. These rituals were believed to have the power to alter the natural course of events and influence the lives of individuals. However, as civilizations evolved, so did the perception of black magic.
Ash W. E. // Practicing Green Witch of 7 years // eclectic solo practitioner // pagan // published author // magic(k)al theory & spellcraft nerd // what's in the woods? // Aquarius sun, Cancer moon, Aries rising. I love you, fight me! // Asks are Open!
The Vulcanalia, August 23 Because Vulcan was associated with the destructive powers of fire, his celebration fell each year during the heat of the summer months. Photo above star that I made out of wire and wooden beads with Lammas August colours according to my synesthesia during an online workshop and celebration just after Summer Solstice.
However, as civilizations evolved, so did the perception of black magic. In many cultures, black magic is considered taboo and is condemned by religious and societal norms. It is often associated with evil, malevolence, and the summoning of demonic entities.
Lammas – witchy summer days and spells
Today, on August 1st, the festival Lammas or Lughnasadh is celebrated by witches and (neo)pagans in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, it’s time for Imbolc as Winter is slowly approaching its end. In this blogpost I’ll focus on Lammas as that’s what’s happening around where I live. I’ll show you some of the spells I recently did and a visionboard and wire star I made as well as my seasonal altar. By the way, there’s also a full moon tonight!
A few weeks ago I made a “summer park dreams” collage visionboard. The things I mentioned on there – from playing ukulele/guitarlele to learning about plants – are small but fun things I’d like to do on sunny summer days. I added the visionboard to my altar as you can see below.
I’ve also installed some spells on the mantlepiece that’s my altar:
A few weeks ago, I started a spell for my band Lavender Witch to find great new band members, accept the departure of our previous singer and bassist, and continue those friendships. I pulled the “wish card” aka 9 of cups (or vials) from the Numinous Tarot which inspired me to create a “wish jar” and set up this spell. My wish jar contains lavender buds, other purple flowers, and beads, and is closed with purple-green fabric and the purple cotton thread I use to bind the Lavender Witch zines. I placed it on a pocket mirror and put a witchy magnet (bought in the folklore museum in Vielsalm) on top. Around the jar are two orchid flowers that had fallen the same day, a “we are strange girls” button that my band mate Anso has made, a patch that says “pro-choice, pro-feminism, pro-cats” (a gift from my band mate Nath) and a patch with the next “Regardez bien les sorcières, reprendre leurs droits, reprendre leur joie“.
The weather balance spell, intended to fight heat waves (or at least help me deal with them psychologically), is still there too and and clearly doing its job with the rainy and gentle weather we’ve having here lately. 🙂 It consists of a tray made by Laurène Marcant, a sun amulet by Ayshe-Mira Yashin, wooden buttons, and a postcard of a fan:
Besides these spells I put creations on my altar that were made by Emilie (the tree of life made from wire), Flien (raven artwork), God Save the Queer (“you’re magical” postcard), Jessica (“witch” bracelet and triptych with key), Mawy (lino print), Paontaure (4 witchy postcards), Do the Magical Thing (wooden sigil keychain), Johannas Pas (postcard for her tarot deck Kringen op het Tafelblad – read more about it here), and Megan (embroidery):
My plans for today
I recently bought a book called Queer Magic which has an essay about queering the Wheel of the Year and pagan holidays. For Lammas it mentions “family” as the keyword so it’s encouraged to spend some time with your (chosen) family, friends, coven, community… I spent it with my unofficial coven aka band mates of Lavender Witch. I even brought Le Tarot Grunge to read some cards together (see photo below right)! 🙂
Photo above left: balms and parfume by Uncounted Galaxies, from a wonderful trade at Recyclart Holidays. They smell soooo good! ❤
My plans for August
After July which was all about zines, I’d like to focus on artjournals this month. On this blog I plan on showing you some journal artists who’ve inspired me greatly as well as focus my monthly witchy video selection on journaling. Of course I’d like to work on artjournals and grimoires myself and share some that I’ve made a little while ago. I’d also like to make something related to musicians who passed away, maybe a journal page or a triptych, we’ll see. August is festival season – I’m going to see Skunk Anansie! – and summer weather somehow brings nostalgic 90s grunge feelings to me.
Anyway, I hope you have a great day and month, wherever you are!
Photo above: star that I made out of wire and wooden beads (with Lammas/August colours according to my synesthesia) during an online workshop and celebration just after Summer Solstice. Thank you for the workshop, Jessica!
Read more:
- Last year’s Lammas blogpost
- Imbolc
- Wheel of the Year journal
This negative perception has led to its widespread rejection and condemnation in many societies. Despite its controversial nature, black magic continues to intrigue and attract individuals who seek to gain power, control, or revenge over others. Practitioners of black magic often claim to possess special powers or knowledge that allows them to manipulate the natural world to achieve their desired outcomes. The practice of black magic often involves the use of various tools, rituals, and spells. These may include the use of amulets, talismans, crystals, incantations, and sacrifices. The effectiveness of black magic spells is believed to depend on the skill and knowledge of the practitioner, as well as the intent behind the casting. However, it is important to note that the belief in black magic and its effectiveness varies greatly among individuals. While some firmly believe in its powers and claim to have experienced its effects firsthand, others view it as nothing more than deception and psychological manipulation. Furthermore, the ethical implications of black magic are heavily debated. Critics argue that it goes against the principles of free will and personal autonomy, as it seeks to control and harm others against their consent. Others argue that it is simply a reflection of human nature and the desire for power and control. In conclusion, black magic remains a controversial and enigmatic concept that continues to captivate and divide society. Whether it is perceived as a dangerous practice or an ancient tradition, its influence on individuals and cultures cannot be denied. Ultimately, the belief in black magic and its effects is a highly personal and subjective matter..
Reviews for "Behind the Scenes: A Closer Look at the Craft of Black Magic Production"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Black Magic Production". The plot was weak and poorly executed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The acting was subpar, with wooden performances throughout. The special effects were laughable and contributed nothing to the overall viewing experience. I regret wasting my time and money on this film.
2. Mike - 2 stars - "Black Magic Production" had an interesting concept, but it fell flat in its execution. The pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the acting was mediocre at best. The film also failed to deliver any real scares or suspense, making it more of a letdown than a horror film. Overall, I found "Black Magic Production" underwhelming and would not recommend it.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't wait for "Black Magic Production" to end. The storyline was confusing and lacked cohesion. The jump scares were predictable and overused, leading to a feeling of boredom rather than fear. The characters were poorly developed, making it hard to care about their fates. The film relied too heavily on clichés and failed to bring anything new or fresh to the genre. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.
4. David - 2 stars - "Black Magic Production" started off with promise, but quickly lost its way. The film had too many unnecessary subplots that detracted from the main story. The pacing was inconsistent, with too much time spent on irrelevant details. The scares were few and far between, failing to create any real sense of tension. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, "Black Magic Production" had potential but failed to deliver in several key areas.
5. Rebecca - 1 star - I went into "Black Magic Production" with high hopes, but it quickly became apparent that it was a disaster. The acting was cringe-worthy, with awkward deliveries and forced emotions. The plot was convoluted and poorly explained, leaving me feeling confused throughout the entire film. The attempts at horror were laughable, with poorly executed CGI and predictable scares. I was thoroughly disappointed with "Black Magic Production" and would not recommend it to anyone.