http://www.celticattic.com/olde_world/witchcraft.htmWitchcraft refers to the use of certain occult and spiritual practices to seek the assistance of supernatural powers in resolving the problems whose solutions cannot be achieved through known rational means. The process involves reciting prayers and performing rituals in a specific format. Prayers and rituals when performed with utmost sincerity and faith often fructify into the desired results. Witchcraft has existed since man was born and he had to struggle for his survival against unmanageable forces such as famines, floods, epidemics or other occurrences which could not be easily explained. Witchcraft had all the more reason to exist in the medieval times when human knowledge was still primitive and there appeared to be no other solutions to daily problems that plagued the people of those times.
Sometimes the practitioners of the witchcraft did not use prayers but resorted to rituals and extreme practices such as the use of blood or asking evil spirits for help. Like other branches of knowledge, witchcraft has beenmanipulated. The first crusade against witches was held in 1022 AD when a witch was burned to death. Witchcraft history echoes the terrible campaign against witchcraft in Salem in 1692 in which 150 people were tried as suspects of practicing witchcraft.
Individuals accused or practicing witchcraft were classified as heretics. Once the victim was caught, they were coerced into confessing their crime through inhumane tortures and was then either hanged or burnt alive during the inquisition.
The music used in rituals, magic, worship and spell-work are the liturgical music of paganism. One term used is functional music, because the music serves a function for a purpose other than musical performance. In this instance it serves as part of the religious and magical workings. These basically fall into three sub-categories.
Chants are used during the ritual and magical workings. The purpose of chants are to raise energy from the inside and outwards to direct to a focused set of goals. The goals can be to cast a circle, invoke deity of spells (healing, money spells,etc,).
Meditation is a procedure that directs an inward movement. It is to direct energy into the person and up to the higher self and build the inner temple, The music used for this practice is to aide in the focus. Usually the music is slow, soft and instrumental, but it can use vocal music as well as faster tempos. It all depends on the type of meditation.
Music does not have to contain text to send energy to the gods. Many drum circles and instrumental music serve the same purpose. Many times drumming is used as an accompaniment to chanting and are more often than not improvised. Instrumental music can also be any type of music. It can be an instrumental version of a chant, improvised or abstract music. The instruments used for magical goals can be specific to the type of magic that is being created.
Witches were normally portrayed as ugly old hags so as to make them the target of hatred and dislike. The fact is they are very normal people and in some cases witches were very pretty ladies.
The music used in rituals, magic, worship and spell-work are the liturgical music of paganism. One term used is functional music, because the music serves a function for a purpose other than musical performance. In this instance it serves as part of the religious and magical workings. These basically fall into three sub-categories.
Chants are used during the ritual and magical workings. The purpose of chants are to raise energy from the inside and outwards to direct to a focused set of goals. The goals can be to cast a circle, invoke deity of spells (healing, money spells,etc,).
Meditation is a procedure that directs an inward movement. It is to direct energy into the person and up to the higher self and build the inner temple, The music used for this practice is to aide in the focus. Usually the music is slow, soft and instrumental, but it can use vocal music as well as faster tempos. It all depends on the type of meditation.
Music does not have to contain text to send energy to the gods. Many drum circles and instrumental music serve the same purpose. Many times drumming is used as an accompaniment to chanting and are more often than not improvised. Instrumental music can also be any type of music. It can be an instrumental version of a chant, improvised or abstract music. The instruments used for magical goals can be specific to the type of magic that is being created.
Witches were normally portrayed as ugly old hags so as to make them the target of hatred and dislike. The fact is they are very normal people and in some cases witches were very pretty ladies.
Excellent post. I really like the way you discussed music in relation to the witchcraft.
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