Questions and Answers on Wicca

     This site talks provides answers to several questions about the Wiccan faith, answered by a Wiccan. It talks about their beliefs, common misconceptions, and how they differ from "Satanists", which is what a lot of people think they are. Wicca originates from the witches that were persecuted throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and is more a reconstruction of the mythological beliefs that they practiced.  However, people usually associate them with the devil, even though Wiccans don't even believe in the devil (for the reason that devil worshipers refer themselves as witches).
   This site answers a lot of questions about Wiccans that I had left, mostly about their beliefs, but also about how they are interpreted by other people, and how they are the opposite of what others think that they are. For example, the rituals performed by Wiccans are their form of prayer, most Wiccans are pacifists, and some are even vegetarians. Wiccans are still persecuted today (although on a much smaller scale than before), and they don't believe in harming another living thing.
    Will society keep rejecting different ideas than their own, as they seem to be doing now with the Wiccans, or will they accept other people's choices and respect them? Although religious tolerance has improved since the Renaissance some religions are still frowned upon by many people, especially if its a minority. Will this ever change?




Citation: Questions and answers on wicca. (1996, August 05). Retrieved from http://wolfstone.halloweenhost.com/Wicca/wq_QAndA.html

A short history of magic

     Although the first examples of "magic" are the cave paintings found, the first examples of magic by illusion can be found as early as 2500 BCE, with the famous cups and balls trick in Ancient Egypt (allusions to it found on papyrus). Ancient Chinese text of the same era also makes allusions to a trick with magical linking rings. The rise of religion led many people to believe that such tricks were performed with black magic and were associated with the devil, and with that came the persecution of thousands of people believed to have been practicing witchcraft, until a book called The Discovery of Witchcraft revealed how many tricks were simply illusions. Street magic became popular in the 18th century, although most magicians who performed also had assistants who would pick pocket the audience while they were being distracted. It wasn't until the magician Robert-Houdin, however that magic really grew popular, as he set standards for magic that are still followed today. In fact, the famous magician that goes by the stage name Harry Houdini took his name from Robert-Houdin. Magic today is different from the past, however, in the sense that the secret to the trick, as well as how it is performed, is what's important.
     Reading this article gives me a more insightful look at magic, which will help add to the powerpoint presentation on my website. Although some of the information is the same, it also provides a new look at the past of stage illusion. Another interesting thing about this article is that it also includes information about witch hunts and cave paintings, which are examples of religious magic, and does not separate one from the other, which is something that I have also found throughout several other sources, unless I specify which type of magic (religious, theatrical, superstition, etcetera) it will always give me all types.
    Most of my questions have already been answered with this article, yet I still wonder, how will magic change in the future? It has been shown how it has changed in the past, but will it change, and if so, how? I realize that this question cannot be answered simply, but it is something that will persist throughout this project.



Citation:  "A short history of magic." Magic Zoom. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://www.magiczoom.com/history-of-magic.htm?sid=&lang_site=en>.

Superstitions & Myths: What Are They And Where Did They Come From?

     "The encyclopedia defines superstition as 'belief, half-belief, or practice for which there appears no rational substance'."("Superstitions & myths:," 2011). People have been creating and passing on superstitions for hundreds if not thousands of years, however each one has its own history and belief behind it. For example, the belief that breaking a mirror brings bad luck when broken comes from the ancient belief that a person's soul was in a mirror (thus breaking it unintentionally would damage the soul). The superstitions about cats (seeing cats, dreaming about cats) come from the Egyptian civilization where cats were sacred.

     This article does have some information explaining several superstitions, but more importantly it shows that superstition in itself does not have a history. New superstitions come from new civilizations and beliefs, which are closely associated with religion. Thus, it can be said that superstition has not only been around since the earliest civilizations (perhaps even earlier), but it has also been persistent throughout all civilizations. It can also be said that superstition is a form of magic since it involves several supernatural beliefs and rituals (for example, when spilling salt one is to throw salt to their left, thus removing the bad luck).

    How many other superstitions are there? What is their history (where did they come from)? Is superstition something that is strong today? 

Citation:

Superstitions & myths: What are they and where did they come from?. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.essortment.com/superstitions-myths-did-come-from-64790.html