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Sorcerous Ways

There are many ways to practice magic and not all of them travel the road of spiritual improvement that is prevalent in the Wiccan way. Sorcery is a much more materialistic form of magic that is involved more with realizing ambitions on the earthly plain.

While the sorcerer may accept and adopt a pantheon of godlike spiritual entities for their personal philosophy, they tend to consider themselves as already advanced spiritual beings themselves. These magic workers are generally more concerned with the 'self' than the 'all'. Their work tends more toward ceremonial and ritual techniques than the average witchcraft practitioner who can improvise their spells to a greater degree.

Sorcery is not particularly 'evil', although they are often misunderstood. The practices undertaken in Sorcery can be sometimes a bit disturbing to the Witch who seeks harmony. There is occasionally a bit of bloodletting in sorceress rituals and the focus on the self entirely is viewed negatively by the Wiccan community. However, Sorcery is primarily involved in getting the most of what one wants out of life. That in itself does not make it wrong.

The sorcerer works more within the microcosm of their own world and worldview. While not selfless, the creation of personal harmony and happiness does still reflect and affect the greater reality in positive ways. The concept of 'karma' is not one that sorcerers believe in or feel is valid in their personal microcosm. They tend to create their own sense of ethics to live by and sometimes these can be situational. It is felt that by refusing a dogmatic ethical code they are more able to deal with changing situations that one who must adhere to set principles before acting.

It is wrong to believe that all sorcerers work dark magic and curse people at will. There is a danger to this path that the sorcerer feels is much more important than some future 'balancing'. Through indiscriminant abuse of their ability there is the very real possibility that another sorcerer in retaliation could target them. Magical wars are not pretty.

The sorcerer may, at their will and discretion, take up a good cause. As a quick judge and jury against someone who has committed an atrocious act, they may decide to punish a wrongdoer themselves without having to worry that their decision is somehow contrary to a set moral code against harming others. In most instances, sorcerers are quite happy to live and let live and treat others in the same manner they would prefer to be treated themselves.

Many of the techniques of Sorcery can be incorporated into Wicca Craft but there can be problems of an ethical nature that can interfere. The religious ethics of Wicca can prevent one from doing unconditional spell work that may very well mean harm even to someone who might justly deserve it. The sorcerer is not stopped by acting in place of some 'god force' but realizes they are their own 'god' and are willing to accept the responsibility for their actions.

This striving for an individual goal-oriented magic can be much more difficult to master that most other forms of Magic and Witchcraft as it is a solo path of self improvement which does not lend itself well to a communal support system. With the goals set more visibly in the real world, poor results or even failure are more quickly obvious and can destroy the practitioner's confidence more easily.

Many of the concepts of magical work in Sorcery are the same as in any true magical practice. The development of knowledge about the elements and influences of the things of the natural world are still required study. It is as equally important in Sorcery as it is in Witchcraft that the principles of Imagination, Concentration and Visualization be learned and improved on.

The primary difference between Sorcery and Witchcraft is one of intent. The Witch is more likely to seek the elevation of the soul towards divine enlightenment whereas the sorcerer is more interested in seeking a worldly harmonious balance. While the Sorcerer may take it upon himself to heal someone who is ill, he may also be as likely to hex someone who seems to him to richly deserve the wrath. Sorcery is not a power trip so much as it is a journey of responsibility for one's actions.

As well as writing and researching on the paranormal and occult phenomena that intersect our reality, Douglas Mefford can also be found helping spread literature to the world at Bell, Book & Candle Publications or hanging out at his bungalow in Greenwoods Village.

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Sorcery
written by Elvira Bickle, January 06, 2009

The dictionary description of sorcery is as follows: "Sorcery is a conceptual system that asserts human ability to control or predict the natural world (including events, objects, people etc)through mystical, paranormal or supernatural means. The foresaid applies to all magic.

When it comes to punishing the guilty, rather than helping the innocent, in a given situation are we not all capable of doing just that? It really does not matter if we call ourselves witch or wicca or anything else.

King Salomon was a sorcerer, so it surely does not mean a sorcerer is less altruistic than a witch or wiccan. When it comes to the 3fold law, it applies to all human beings, like it or not, including sorcerers. You shall reap as you sowest the church proclaims, which does not mean anything else as whatever you do comes back to you 3 x 3.

When it comes to sorcery as such it is only the main concept for all magic. All people who perform magic are also sorcerers by textbook definition.

Peace
Vera

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written by Douglas Mefford, January 07, 2009

Yes, it is quite true that even the 'holiest' of people are capable of vengence over forgiveness. It is the people who hold to a religious ethic that feel this is wrong. This goes, for example, for both Wiccan or Christian. The sorcerer creates his own ethic without input from any 'god' or institutional or cultural mores.

Altruism is a tricky business with the average sorcerer. If the good of the many is in his best interest, he can be at the top of the list of altruistic beings. He just does not necessarily feel he has to keep to the interests of the many over the needs of the few or the one.

As for the threefold law; that is a Wiccan philosophy and not particulary a reality for the entire universe. It would be nice to think it affects everything that way but observation of the world around us shows that, short of karma, many people fail to reap the rewards of their selfishness - and karma seeks only balance.

Don't forget, the textbooks and dictionaries tend to be written by people who don't believe in magic. The primary difference between a sorcerer and a witch is the direction from which their ethical standard comes. The witch will often adopt a communal ethic whereas the sorcerer creates his from his internal beliefs.

Peace to you as well and Blessed Be.

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written by ROMANA, January 07, 2009

THANK YOU DOUGLAS FOR YOUR POST. AS ONE OF THE SOOOO NON-TRADITIONAL CRAFTERS HERE I MUST SAY THAT I CAN SURELY IDENTIFY WITH THE SORCERER THEORY. I'M NON WICCAN AND I DON'T BELIEVE IN THE 3 FOLD LAW AND ONLY HAVE MY OWN ETHICAL STANDARDS TO LIVE BY.

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written by KnightMarian, January 17, 2009

I'm glad I am not the only one out there tht feels as you, Romana. Many times Wiccans want to crucify me! Thet say I am black...bla bla, I say there are gray areas!
Rock on sister!

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written by April (heroheidR), January 17, 2009

I thought long and hard about this one. And while I don't personaly have such a dismal view of Sorcerers and sorcery I can understand where these views can come from. Most sorcerers that I have known tend to take a longer view of things and a lot of people just don't understand that. Knowlege and wisdom are paramount in the world of the sorcerer. They have little time or patience for one who will not investigate things for themselves.

As for the "rule of three"... I don't know when that first showed up, and it is not really important. I want to know why they stopped at 3x3? After all doesn't it follow that if you do good things you would want more than a ninefold return? Also the " you reap what you sow" philosophy is older than the bible. It came down from the time man first put a seed in the ground. In other words you won't get wheat if you plant lettuce.

Another question has just come to mind... Why is the bible and the church being held up as paragons of virtue on a witchcraft forum? While we pagans and polythiests don't have a spotless past. I fail to see where the church has done any better. People still die daily because of the "my way of worshiping is better than your way" philosophy. They don't even care that they worship the same god. And don't dare throw a pagan in the mix. I take nothing that the church says at face value, and constantly look for the hidden knife they would love to plant in my back.
Just my thoughts on the subject.

Greenwoods Village
written by Douglas Mefford, January 17, 2009

"Why is the bible and the church being held up as paragons of virtue on a witchcraft forum?" asked April.

I said "???"

"Not me! LOL.

They hold themselves up to be hoist on their own pitards for being so self-sanctimoneous. I don't seek to diss anyone's 'religion', I just call 'em as I see them. They just happen to be Western Society's primary paradigm."

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written by KnightMarian, January 17, 2009

Seems to me there are a few Wiccans out there that are sanctimoneous as well.

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written by ROMANA, January 20, 2009

THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE PEOPLE AROUND IN A WALKS OF LIFE AND RELIGIOUS PATH S WHO THINK THAT THEIR WAY IS THE RIGHT WAY AND ONLY WAY.

Sorcery
written by KnightMarian, January 20, 2009

Douglas,
Your postings are ALWAYS fascinating~ KEEP up the fantastic work!
Thank you!

Scorcery verses Church Religion
written by Kindred, January 20, 2009

Hello Douglas,
I have thought long and hard over your article and I believe that Sorcery and witchcraft would go hand in hand in some form or another. As you said there are differences, but to the mainstream populous we are one. I certainly cannot tame nature, I think it is beautiful just the way it is, but there are some phenomena that is difficult to explain to the layman and even more difficult to prove unless they are standing right next to you when it happens. smilies/wink.gif

Regarding all the comments about the bible and the church, I have very strong feelings about the Catholic church in particular. When I was a child in primary school, I was being taught by Dominican nuns we were all aged around 10 or 11 yrs old. We all spoke out of turn when the nun needed to go into the adjoining office to answer the phone, when she returned she asked us "Who spoke while I was away" all but 3 students stood up (I told my friend next to me to stay seated) We all got a really hard belting from a wooden hand broom on the back of our legs several times. The nun was chanting "God give me strength" while she was beating us all up. The bruising did not go down for weeks. People I know have been damaged emotionally from Christian Brothers while boarding in their schools, they were put to work building them, they were bashed and beaten into submission, they were raped and molested. Past history lessons state Christians went on religious campaigns, when really they were killing people classed a heretic or witch. This is what we are taught to be a peaceful, caring religion. Me? I think it is the biggest money making scam on earth. And god help anyone who tries to stand up to it. smilies/angry.gif

Can anyone tell me whether the Bible (or Catholic church) was started by (King) Constantine? And where I could obtain literature on it? Me.. I would much prefer to "live and let live" Thanks, (Sorry about the vent, but I needed to get it out). smilies/cry.gif

And the storm clouds formed above their burning candles, for their world had been wounded. The ash I will wipe away later.

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written by April (heroheidR), January 20, 2009

Caonstantine did not start the Catholic church, nor did he write the Bible, or have much to do with it honestly.

There is no clear line as to exactly when he converted to Christianity. The scholars can't pin it down, but he was a gifted ruler and I think that he saw the ongoing conflict between Pagan and Christian as a destructive force that needed to be dealt with. He did set up the Council at Nicea where a few MAJOR points of church doctrine were hammered out. The actual sorting through and subsequent cannonisation of the Bible was a separate thing all together. Wiccipedia ( I know not always the most reliable source) has a lengthy article about Constantine, with links to some good articles about the Council at Nicea, the Council at Jerusalem, and a few other religious points in his life.

Ya know... I found it really interesting to read what was not cannonised ( the Apocryphal texts, and the Pseudographic texts) Of course I can only take so much of them at a time before the inner sceptic starts screaming "Acid trip!!!". Of course that goes for sections of the Bible too. But that's me.

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written by ROMANA, January 20, 2009

I HAVE TO ADD MY 2 CENTS WORTH INTO THE MIX.... I DID SOME CHECKING AND FOUND OUT THAT CHRISTIANITY CAME FROM FIRST ABRAHAMNISM, THEN JUDEASIM AND THEN CHRISTIANITY. CONSTANTIN JUST TRIED TO MAKE THE SCRIPTURES MORE APPELING TO PEOPLE AND THEY PUT IN THE BIBLE WHAT THEY THOUGHT SHOULD BE IN THERE. ALSO, THE TRANSLATION PROBABLY WAS LESS THEN PERFECT AND THEY WORKED IN SOME DATES TO COUNTERACT THE PAGAN HOLIDAYS. IN MY OPINION THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS LIKE A DICTATORSHIP....DO AS WE SAY OR ELSE

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written by KnightMarian, January 20, 2009

What religion is NOT a dictatorship? Even Wiccans have a hierarchal system. "If you are't an initiate you can't play with our little group" What CRAP!

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written by April (heroheidR), January 20, 2009

Well... That's not entirly the case. They will let you play within a certain limit. That is one way they find those they may want or will accept as initiates. Each region of the country is different too. When I lived in Denver there were always open rituals. Open Sabats, open moons, gatherings and get togethers. Not to mention classes. Here in SC it's a different story all together. very little is completely open. Usually it's open by invitation only, and then you will probably get a watered down version of the real thing. I'm working to try and change that here but it's a long and hard road. Not only do I have to work around Christian dogma, but Pagan as well.
The way I see it... There are many of us who haven't given up that religiocentric world view. Basicaly there are too many christian-wiccans. Too caught up in what makes us comfortable to realize that the universe is quite big enough for litteraly anything, any thought and any belief.

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written by ROMANA, January 21, 2009

THAT'S SO TRUE. IF WE ALL COULD LIVE BY "LIVE AND LET LIVE" IN EVERY ASPECT IT WOULD BE A KINDER AND EASIER WORLD. BUT, AS WE ALL KNOW THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ANY TIME SOON.

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written by KnightMarian, January 21, 2009

You all are so much fun! I was not raised in a christian household, SO that issue is not one I have ever had, as far as my own personal belief system. I do have to deal with the "southern variety" of ignorance and bigotry which I like to call the 'good ol boy mentality'. I was raised by a medicine women and a Scottish hedgewitch. What fun our family had and the remaining ones still do. We never applied any 3 fold anything. I was taught, however how to protect myself from those whom would seek to crucify...the funny thing is THEY are the first ones to come to me when they need something!

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written by ROMANA, January 22, 2009

DON'T WE ALL KNOW ABOUT THE "GOOD OL' BOYS" MENTALITY HERE IN THE SOUTH! smilies/wink.gif

SOME THINGS TAKE A LONG TIME TO CHANGE. I HOPE I STILL SEE IT IN THIS LIFETIME.

Sorcerery
written by Ray, August 10, 2009

Sir, I throughly enjoyed this artical. I to have come to think of myself as being a Sorcerer. I have a business. I use the work to support my family and help others. I do mainly Healing and Protection. I will use what I do against another to protect the helpless.

I also do Past Life Readings for theraphy for helping my clients current conditions. And I've been thinking back on all my past cases and how each situation that had an influence on my clients current condition, NONE of them were Karmic. The clients created the problems themselves.

I had a client with a back problem. In the past she was stabed in the back by a spear by a Indian warrior for going where she was told not to. From then on she has had back pain, because she said she deserved it. I counciled her on it and now it's gone.

Peace to you all