Nature based religions and spells part 2?

Question

so it seems that witchcraft is using what nature has made avaliable to us yes ?
going by the answers of those who practise
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AggonL1zB1fBtYe5lk0e15cgBgx.?qid=20070115155918AANQl0U

so that means anyone who uses asprin is in a sense using witchcraft ??


Many modern medicines were originally derived from herbs and other plants. For example, for centuries the Chinese Fir was used as a treatment for asthma & bronchitis. It wasn't discovered until the 1800's that it actually contains Ephedrine a substance used, in modern day medicine, in the treatment of pulmonary disorders and allergies. Also, it had long been known that the bark of the White Willow had pain relieving properties. Scientists isolated the active ingredients, a group of compounds called salicylates. A bit of work in the lab and they produced acetylsalicylic acid... now the main ingredient of... Aspirn !

I honestly hadnt thought about this before ...
as i am not Wiccan
until a friend pointed this out one day to me

vin sweetie
i dont know enough to even begin
and if i dont know enough , i would not attempt it
that is for those who are more knowledgable than me
i would be quite happy going to a practioner though

* practitioner *
think thats right lol

Kallan
of course sweetie ...
i am just trying to understand the healing side and point out that many of us use pagan based forms of healing without even knowing it ...
i know i didnt
and its wonderful

Answer 1

"Today's magick is tomorrow's science."

Answer 2

Uh...no. It's more like aspirin = herbal medicine.

Spellwork on the other is like I said, directing energies.

And yes, it's all using what made nature made available. But there's a lot more to earth religions than this.

There's a lot of information online, and excellent books on the subject. Suprisingly, there are some pretty good books in libraries. You might also want to look into some Native American religion and healing practices.

They way you toss the word witchcraft around bothers me a bit. I hope your not trying to sling spells or conjure whatever.

You've got some reading to do my freind, and you should know that whatever you toss off has a way of coming back 'round.

Know what you're doing before you do it, be careful, and blessed be.

Answer 3

I thank you for bringing this out. But I would like to take this one step farther. I wonder how many people would go into a building that blatantly displays a pagan symbol? Or a vehicle? or (heaven forbid) WEAR ONE? But they do, every day. The caduceus (that funny medical symbol) is Pagan in origin. That is that thing with 2 snakes on a staff. You find it in hospitals, doctors degrees, ambulances and *gasp* Medic Alert bracelets!! You do not have to believe me, look it up! It represents knowledge & wisdom.
Most medicines have a basis in herbs. Including Valium (Valerian), Digitalis (foxglove) and Aspirin (as you had noted). I think if one really tried they could probably trace all drugs back to some sort of herbal use. I am (happily) a Witch, and I use many myself.
BB
)O(

Answer 4

No, that's even too much to call oversimplification.

Spellwork has to do with energy.. as I said to the previous question, plants resonate with certain energy and we work with those energies in spells.

Healing work is done by many practioners.. western doctors, herbalists, homeopathic practioners, reiki, massage, acu-pressure/puncture.. et al.. that's a whole other issue.

Aspirin is sodium salicylate.. salicylic acid is found in plants like white willow bark.. this doesn't make it witchcraft. There is way too much to the craft to simply call it alternative healing.

Answer 5

you're preaching to the converted here...i have lived a certain way for many years...and herbs, plants,nature and the elements are a part of that for me...i can honestly say that i have not used any conventional medicine in at least 12 years...herbs are my thing ...i have long grown and made my own preparations...but dont confuse herbalism with the craft...although intertwined you can be a herbalist without being a witch...and indeed vice versa...it takes all sorts to make this world...;0)

Answer 6

Well, everything you do could be seen as 'witchcraft' or 'magick'. Every thought you have, everything you say and everything you touch effects the world (maybe even the universe) as whole. Waking up in a certain way every morning, the way you brush your teeth, it is all a ritual, all forms of magic. Wichcraft is just a way of forming order in what everyone(without realizing it) is already busy doing. It is also a way of analysing and amplifying the outcome, the result.

Answer 7

A polytheistic Neo-Pagan nature faith inspired by quite some pre-Christian western ecu beliefs, whose proper deity is a mom goddess and at the same time with using organic magic and benign witchcraft. a collection or community of believers or followers of this faith. maximum Christians gained't admit this yet so some distance as different religions bypass Wicca isn't a foul thanks to stay. some effortless Christian recommendations are from Wicca. to boot as another pre-christian practices. there's a ton of issues taken from the Pagans that Christians practice on a usual foundation.

Answer 8

I read about that a few years back and found it quite interesting. It has always been my belief that many of the witches hunted by the Church were herbal healers who aroused jealousy from the Christian doctors and their leeches.

I myself refuse to take pills unless it becomes absolutely necessary, but that's a personal choice for personal reasons. I use herbal remedies almost exclusively. What you point out is very interesting, though.

Answer 9

White Willow bark was one of the earliest aspirins... in plain English you use your goddess given common sense for your practice... when the patient is beyond what you can do for them in a shamanistic journey or spell or such then you should send them to a Western medical doctor. Ephedrine is NOW an illegal NO NO thanks to our idiots at the FDA who couldn't regulate it and make money off of it themselves so now it's nearly impossible to get legally and same thing with pseudo-ephedrine for nasal decongestion because they CLAIM that they're stopping people from getting it easily to make Ecstasy. (okay now that I've had THAT little raving fit...)

Whatever you do from your altruistic heart to help your patient or yourself is witchcraft, when you're using the common sense, nature and so forth... when you mix in calling in spirit, or goddess/gods of your choice then you're using witchcraft.

An that it harm none, do as ye will... so educate well first, promise me that... a basic study of medicines and herbs and then know their side-effects and interactions and I wish you much happiness and success!

_()_

Answer 10

1

Answer 11

sad isn't it what nature has provided in a perfectly good form Humans have to stuff it round