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==Modern definition== | ==Modern definition== | ||
In a modern context, the line between white magic and black magic is somewhat clearer and most modern definitions focus on intent rather than practice. There is also an extent to which many modern [[Wicca]] and [[witchcraft]] practitioners have sought to distance themselves from those intent on practising black magic. Those who seek to do harm or evil are less likely to be accepted into mainstream Wiccan circles or covens in an era where benevolent magic is increasingly associated with | In a modern context, the line between white magic and black magic is somewhat clearer and most modern definitions focus on intent rather than practice. There is also an extent to which many modern [[Wicca]] and [[witchcraft]] practitioners have sought to distance themselves from those intent on practising black magic. Those who seek to do harm or evil are less likely to be accepted into mainstream Wiccan circles or covens in an era where benevolent magic is increasingly associated with [[New Age]] beliefs and practices, and self-help [[spiritualism]]. | ||
==Black magic as Satanism== | ==Black magic as Satanism== | ||
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Those lines, though, continue to be blurred by the inclusion of spirit rituals from otherwise white magicians in compilations of work related to Satanism. [[John Dee]]'s sixteenth century rituals, for example, were included in [[Anton LaVey]]'s ''[[The Satanic Bible]]'' (1969) and so some of his practises, otherwise considered white magic, have since been associated with black magic. Dee's rituals themselves were designed to contact spirits in general and angels in particular, which he claimed to have been able to do with the assistance of colleague [[Edward Kelley]]. | Those lines, though, continue to be blurred by the inclusion of spirit rituals from otherwise white magicians in compilations of work related to Satanism. [[John Dee]]'s sixteenth century rituals, for example, were included in [[Anton LaVey]]'s ''[[The Satanic Bible]]'' (1969) and so some of his practises, otherwise considered white magic, have since been associated with black magic. Dee's rituals themselves were designed to contact spirits in general and angels in particular, which he claimed to have been able to do with the assistance of colleague [[Edward Kelley]]. | ||
==Voodoo== | ==African diaspora religions== | ||
[[Voodoo]] has often been associated with modern black magic; drawn together in popular culture and fiction. However, while hexing or cursing may be accepted black magic practices, Voodoo has its own distinct history and traditions that have little to do with the traditions of modern [[witchcraft]] that developed with European practitioners like [[Gerald Gardner]] and [[Aleister Crowley]]. | [[File:Quimbanda Ritual.jpg|400px|thumb|[[Quimbanda]] ritual in Brazil]] | ||
Throughout the western world, especially in countries where a large majority of the population practices [[Christianity]], practitioners of less-known religions are often demonized as practicing black magic. This is especially true among the various [[African diaspora religion]]s. | |||
===Voodoo=== | |||
In the United States, [[Voodoo]] has often been associated with modern black magic; drawn together in popular culture and fiction. However, while hexing or cursing may be accepted black magic practices, Voodoo has its own distinct history and traditions that have little to do with the traditions of modern [[witchcraft]] that developed with European practitioners like [[Gerald Gardner]] and [[Aleister Crowley]]. | |||
Voodoo tradition makes its own distinction between black and white magic, with sorcerers like the Bokor known for using magic and rituals of both. But their penchant for magic associated with curses, poisons and zombies means they, and Voodoo in general, are regularly associated with black magic in particular. | Voodoo tradition makes its own distinction between black and white magic, with sorcerers like the Bokor known for using magic and rituals of both. But their penchant for magic associated with curses, poisons and zombies means they, and Voodoo in general, are regularly associated with black magic in particular. | ||
===Afro-Brazilian religions=== | |||
In Brazil, the majority of the population is Catholic, but a sizable minority adhere to traditional African religious beliefs which have been syncretized with those of Christianity and other mainstream religions. | |||
Because their practices sometimes include animal sacrifice, the use of ritual scarification, and encourage possession by spirits, these are often viewed as black magic by outsiders. However, the adherents of these religious traditions, such as followers of [[Candomblé]] and [[Umbanda]] distinguish their magical practices from those of "evil" magic such as [[Quimbanda]], which specifically seeks to work with [[demon|demonic]] entities. | |||
==Practices== | ==Practices== | ||
During his period of scholarship, [[A.E. Waite]] provided a comprehensive account of black magic practices, rituals and traditions in ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]''. Waite claimed that the following forms of magic were explicitly evil: | During his period of scholarship, [[A.E. Waite]] provided a comprehensive account of black magic practices, rituals and traditions in ''[[The Book of Black Magic and of Pacts]]''. Waite claimed that the following forms of magic were explicitly evil: | ||
* True name spells - | * True name spells - The theory that knowing a person's true name allows control over that person. | ||
* Immortality rituals - Because of the need to test the results, the subjects must be killed. Even a spell to extend life may not be entirely good, especially if it draws life energy from another to sustain the spell. | * Immortality rituals - Because of the need to test the results, the subjects must be killed. Even a spell to extend life may not be entirely good, especially if it draws life energy from another to sustain the spell. | ||
* [[Necromancy]] – Any magic having to do with death itself. | * [[Necromancy]] – Any magic having to do with death itself. | ||
* Curses and hexes – | * Curses and hexes – A curse can be as simple as wishing something bad would happen to someone, or as complicated as performing a complex ritual to ensure that someone dies. | ||
[[Category:Magic]] | [[Category:Magic]] | ||
[[Category:Featured Articles]] | [[Category:Featured Articles]] | ||