What is the difference between witchcraft and magic?

Question

Please don't respond if you think it isn't real, that isn't what I am asking. Nor am I asking which is demonic, there are good witches and bad one, as well as good magic and bad. I just would like to know what is the difference. I am taking a class about Religion and alternate practices, and my proffesor said there is a difference I think they are the same, so what is the difference. Thanks. Oh and this isn't homework I would just like to know what you think. Thanks.

OK sorry I didn't know that the spelling meant something different, in that case I mean magick.

Answer 1

Magic is "the art of causing change in accordance with one's will", to paraphrase Aleister Crowley.

Witchcraft is one of the many forms that magical practice can take. Black Dragon has already given you the names of some other branches of magical practice.

Answer 2

Magic - prestidigitation, slight of hand, illusions, Sigfried & Roy, David Copperfield..

Magic - Harry Potter, Charmed. totally ficticious with no validity at all!

Magick (ie Witchcraft) - the manipulation of NATURAL (not supernatural) forces to produce a particular outcome. The use of natural items to affect change, such as herbal mixtures and colour magick (colour affecting ones moods and feelings).
Many non-witch pagans also use Magick, the spells and uses being similar, so in this respect Magick and Witchcraft are not the same. Many pagan resent being called witches. All witches are pagans but not al pagans are witches.

Just a note, Witchcraft IS NOT a religion, it is a practice and is not recognized as religion, However Wicca IS. Too many people confuse the two terms, not all witches are Wiccan and not all Wiccans practice witchcraft.

I, too, rather like the Star Wars reference!
BB
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Answer 3

That is a great questions (and I am personally quite partial to Nelly's response). To add to that: I would offer that witchcraft is about conscious creation. A miracle possibly is about unconscious creation. Again I think it boils down to what you term a miracle. Is, asking for something and then it happens, a miracle? If so - then I would reiterate what Nelly offered - that whatever belief system you follow - you are focusing on what you do want (praying, chanting, feeling into etc - whatever your belief systems process includes) and then so it becomes. Or, is having something happen that you never ever dreamed could or would happen a miracle? If that is your definition then I suggest it is due to unconscious creation. Which depending on your belief system may be due to a benevolent God. Or it may be due to the energies of the universe. As I would suggest also that often we are asking for things that we are completely oblivious to the notion that we are sending out energy for that thing to happen (and it happens when our energy is aligned). And whether you believe in one god, 'the god', many gods /goddesses, a higher power or the universal energies - the core of all of those beliefs systems is meant to be love. Not fear. To that end there therefore is no reason to demean or make another wrong, fear, or attempt to expunge beliefs or followings different to our own (it might save a few wars in this world too following that approach!) The most important thing is to focus on what we do want, and come from an open hearted, loving place - for ourselves and all of those who surround us (including nature & animals). PS: Please remember too - Wiccan and Witchcraft are complementary but not absolute. Not all wiccan's are witches. And vica versa.

Answer 4

Modern witchcraft is a particular form of magical practice. All witches practice magic, but there are many magical practitioners that are not witches. In Western culture, the other big division of magical users are the ceremonial magicians.

Answer 5

It's surprising to me how many christians espouse intimate knowledge of witchcraft & its practices, when I sincerely doubt they've ever experienced a Circle or opened a book on the subject.
Witchcraft is a religion, recognized by the U.S. government since 1987.
Magick is the manipulation of energy, by a Witch, to effect change.

Answer 6

Witchcraft actually means 'the craft of the wise'. It includes many different practices, such as herbalism, healing and even cookery, not just magic.

Magic, in its most well known sense, usually means illustion, card tricks, and things like that.
In a Wiccan sense, it is the act of spellcasting, which can take many forms.

Answer 7

Witchcraft can be, but is not always magic, it is often the use of things found in the natural world, herb lore for instance.

Magic encompasses many different forms, a some of which are:

Wizardry - Ceremonial Magic
Chaos Magic
Thaumaturgy
Kabbalah
Divination
Numerology
Runes

Answer 8

Witchcraft is the act of using magic. In laemans terms it would be like a Jedi (Witch) using the Force (Magic), metaphorically speaking of course. Also there is no such thing as white and black magic. That's like saying there is White and Black Nature. It doesn't have good and evil it just is. Like all things it's how the practitioner uses it.

Answer 9

As I understand it (I might be wrong), witchcraft is a path which INCLUDES the practice of magic, but is not limited to it.
There's many things in witchcraft, like for example study of herbs, meditation, prayer, rituals, study of literature.. and magic.

Witchcraft without magic isn't witchcraft, but it isn't also without other things, that you have to give your time and devotion to.

Answer 10

Magic can be done by anyone with a deck of cards. Witchcraft takes practice and devotion. And don't listen to the people who call it evil or satanic. They are just intolerant of things they don't understand.