A Very British Witchcraft

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tjj T
tjj Aug 19, 2013 10:29:52
Replying to Mustard

Mustard wrote:
tjj wrote:
My understanding of 'ancient' witchcraft is that it was the practice of herbalism, healing and midwifery undertaken mainly by women - and that they were often persecuted/murdered by the male dominated, power based Church in past centuries. It is possible that the knowledge of herbs was sometimes misused, either by accident or design, as many are poisonous.
Well that's certainly one interpretation. The reality is though, like with much of history, we simply don't know. We don't even know whether "witchcraft" existed in the sense of a consistent set of beliefs and practices.
Thank you for you comment Mustard, always appreciated. I may be wrong (I often am) but I thought that whilst we don't know for certain witchcraft and magic were practised as a 'set of beliefs' we do know that the knowledge and practice of herbal healing (and poisoning for that matter) was often condemned as witchcraft.

The programme 'A Very British Witchcraft' seemed more about Occultism which was alive and well around London when I lived there with bookshops such as Atlantis and Skoob (then near the British Museum) as meeting places. I had a close friend who worked at Skoob and my first ever visit to Avebury and Wayland's Smithy was because there was a spare seat going on the coach trip from London. I always respect other people's beliefs if genuinely held but when someone (as happened on that occasion) starts talking about bringing on the demise of an adversary by casting spells in their direction - I did not want to know, then or now.

M Mustard
Mustard Aug 19, 2013 10:40:27
Replying to tjj

tjj wrote:
Thank you for you comment Mustard, always appreciated. I may be wrong (I often am) but I thought that whilst we don't know for certain witchcraft and magic were practised as a 'set of beliefs' we do know that the knowledge and practice of herbal healing (and poisoning for that matter) was often condemned as witchcraft.
I think that's a reasonable supposition. It's human nature to beat people with whatever stick is available.

tjj wrote:
The programme 'A Very British Witchcraft' seemed more about Occultism which was alive and well around London when I lived there with bookshops such as Atlantis and Skoob (then near the British Museum) as meeting places. I had a close friend who worked at Skoob and my first ever visit to Avebury and Wayland's Smithy was because there was a spare seat going on the coach trip from London. I always respect other people's beliefs if genuinely held but when someone (as happened on that occasion) starts talking about bringing on the demise of an adversary by casting spells in their direction - I did not want to know, then or now.
I don't respect beliefs. I respect the people who hold them - if that respect is earned.

I dabbled in paganism when I was younger, and I've always felt an affinity with native British mythology and culture (such as we know of it), and the landscape resonates with me in a way that I'd describe as spiritual. Of all the different spiritual practitioners that I've met, however, the ones whose personal ethics, morality, sincerity, conviction and self-sacrifice have impressed me the most have been Christians. Go figure.