Witchcraft is Older than Wicca!

With “Agatha All Along” wrapping up, some discrepancies in the show have stirred up a bit of controversy. One of the biggest points of contention is the distinction between “magic” and “magick” within the MCU. Some folks are trying to link this difference to Aleister Crowley’s teachings, which is just plain disrespectful. It’s important to recognize that this oversimplification can undermine the rich traditions and practices involved in both.

Origins of Witchcraft

Let’s get this straight: witchcraft isn’t tied to any organized religion; it’s incredibly personal to each witch practicing it. Witchcraft is about manipulating natural energy, encompassing various disciplines like herbalism, spell-casting, and divination. These practices adapt across cultures, reflecting a wide range of interpretations and meanings. For instance, in some cultures, witchcraft has been linked to healing and community, while in others, it has faced persecution and misrepresentation. While witchcraft today might evoke ideas of female empowerment, its historical implications were often quite different and not rooted in feminism at all. Most cultural depictions have seen witchcraft as malevolent, but many modern practitioners embrace it as a spiritual journey.

Witchcraft harnesses and directs energy, often through spells, rituals, or intention-setting, to achieve specific outcomes. While many people associate witchcraft with Wicca, it’s crucial to understand that witchcraft is its own entity, not confined to any religion. This distinction allows practitioners to explore their spirituality in ways that resonate deeply with their individual experiences. Witchcraft exists in various cultures around the world, each with unique interpretations, practices, and purposes; ranging from Europe to Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Magic Vs. Magick

The earliest known use of “magick” (with a “k”) can be traced back to Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa in the 16th century. Agrippa was a physician, occultist, and philosopher whose work laid down foundational ideas for Western occultism. His Three Books on Occult Philosophy dives into the principles of magic, astrology, and alchemy. These texts are essential for understanding the historical context of modern magical practices. Agrippa employed the term “magick” to signify a deeper, more esoteric approach to the practice. More modern practitioners, including Laurie Cabot and other witches from Salem, have also adopted spellings like “majick,” with Cabot linking her choice to numerological significance.

This demonstrates how language and symbolism evolve within spiritual communities. In Paganism, “magick” is connected to rituals that align individuals with natural forces and energies, emphasizing a personal, spiritual connection with nature.

Wicca is a Religion

Wicca and witchcraft are not the same. Wicca is an organized religion that emerged in the U.K. during the 1940s. While it includes elements of ritual and nature-based spirituality, it has specific beliefs (reverence for a Goddess and God) and a unique festival structure known as the Wheel of the Year. Understanding this structure can help distinguish Wicca from other spiritual practices. Wiccans utilize tools that may look similar to those of witchcraft practitioners (like candles, herbs, and altars), but Wicca itself is a nature-focused spiritual path, separate from the broader and less structured practice of witchcraft.

Contrary to what some may think, Wiccans do not practice Satanism or any form of evil magic. They prioritize positive spiritual growth, nature reverence, and ethical principles. This ethical framework is a cornerstone of Wiccan practice, ensuring that followers act in ways that promote harmony and respect for all life. Wicca consists of various branches, each with unique beliefs and practices, but they all share core values of nature worship, seasonal rituals, and honoring the balance of Divine Feminine and Masculine energies. These shared values highlight the unifying aspects of Wiccan traditions across different paths.

Aleister Crowley’s Lies

Crowley delved into taboo areas like sex magic, drug use, and spirit invocation, believing these practices could break social constraints and promote spiritual growth. This controversial approach challenged societal norms and opened discussions about personal freedom in spirituality. His reputation as a practitioner of “black magick” and use of taboo practices contributed to the perception of witchcraft as malevolent, despite his own disagreements with that characterization.

Aleister Crowley introduced “magick” to differentiate his spiritual practices from mere stage tricks. However, his work wasn’t about witchcraft or Wicca; he explored self-transformation and enlightenment through intense spiritual practices. Crowley didn’t identify as a witch and had no formal ties to Wicca, which developed after his time. Confusing Crowley with witchcraft misrepresents his philosophy, which emphasized ethical responsibility and personal empowerment.

Crowley’s ideas on magic later influenced Gerald Gardner, who founded Gardnerian Wicca, the first organized modern Wicca. Gardner incorporated Crowley’s concepts to develop Wicca’s rituals and ideas, further entwining Crowley’s controversial image with modern witchcraft. This connection complicates the public perception of witchcraft, blending various influences and histories into a single narrative.

Crowley’s philosophies, known for pushing boundaries, still resonate in modern witchcraft and esoteric spirituality. His writings and influence, especially in groups like the New Forest Coven, have shaped witchcraft into an often misunderstood practice. Recognizing this influence can help us appreciate the diversity within contemporary witchcraft practices. In reality, Crowley’s ties to witchcraft and claims of secret initiations are largely unverified, with some scholars raising questions about his direct involvement. However, the lore surrounding him has continued to shape the perception of witchcraft today.

The Kabbalah isn’t Witchcraft

Many misconceptions about Kabbalah arise from fundamentalist Christian views that label Jewish mystical practices as heretical or even akin to witchcraft. Kabbalah is a Jewish mystical tradition that seeks to understand spirituality and the nature of God, often through texts like the Zohar, a commentary on the Torah. This focus on spirituality highlights the richness of Jewish mystical thought and its role in the broader religious landscape. Kabbalah doesn’t have a single authoritative canon, which makes it complex and open to various interpretations. While the Zohar is a primary text, Kabbalistic thought includes other works like Sefer Yetzirah, and acceptance of certain texts can vary among scholars and Jewish traditions.

There’s an internal debate within Judaism over Kabbalah’s mystical teachings, with rationalists like Maimonides often skeptical of texts like the Zohar or ideas like reincarnation, while mystics embrace them. This highlights the diverse spectrum of beliefs within Judaism itself. Such debates revolve around interpretation rather than a division similar to witchcraft. Kabbalah is viewed as a complex, integral part of Jewish spirituality, but it isn’t meant for everyone. This selective nature emphasizes the depth of Kabbalistic study and its appeal to specific seekers. Figures like Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto initially focused on Kabbalah before creating more accessible works for the broader Jewish audience, further showcasing the niche nature of Kabbalistic study.

The Ars Goetia is NOT Jewish

Now, let’s talk about the Ars Goetia, which is part of the Lesser Key of Solomon, a grimoire compiled in the mid-17th century. While it incorporates various traditions, including elements from earlier texts, it is not a Jewish work and doesn’t originate from Jewish mystical or religious traditions. Understanding the origins of the Lesser Key helps clarify its place in the broader context of Western esotericism. The Lesser Key of Solomon pulls from a mix of earlier sources, including the Testament of Solomon, which has some Jewish connections, but it is heavily influenced by Hellenistic and early Christian thought.

The Ars Goetia specifically focuses on evoking demons and practices associated with ceremonial magic, rather than traditional Jewish spirituality. The term “goetia” itself refers to the evocation of demons and is derived from Greek, not Hebrew. This distinction is a nod to broader cultural influences at play in the development of goetic practices. Historically, “goetia” was considered a more nefarious form of magic compared to theurgical practices, which were often viewed as more noble within medieval and Renaissance European contexts. The names of the demons listed in the Ars Goetia are influenced by a variety of cultures and traditions, but they don’t stem from Jewish demonology. They originate from a blend of earlier occult texts and traditions that extend beyond Jewish influences.

Contemporary practitioners of occultism and esotericism may engage with the Ars Goetia, but this doesn’t reflect traditional Jewish practices. Rather, it illustrates how the Ars Goetia has been woven into a broader Western esoteric tapestry that often misrepresents its origins.

Food for Thought

When we compare pagan teachings to the Kabbalah, we’re essentially letting conquerors define a culture. In today’s world, Kabbalah has been polished and dressed up to appear respectable. We’re often presented with selective quotes that suggest innocence, but at its core, it’s really a medieval attempt to blend pagan philosophy, magic, and superstition with Jewish mysticism. This blending often distorts the original beliefs and practices.

Kabbalah isn’t an ancient belief system; it started in the 13th century with Moses de León (1240 – 1305), the author of the Zohar, which is the foundational mystical text of Kabbalism.

Originally, Kabbalism focused on controlling demons and magical forces, granting good fortune to some while cursing others. Essentially, it was a form of Jewish witchcraft. This connection to witchcraft is crucial for understanding the opposition it faces within Jewish traditions today. Modern Kabbalah has been heavily sanitized to obscure its occult roots. The primary reason Talmudism opposes Kabbalism is due to its ties to medieval witchcraft: practices that the Torah explicitly forbids.

In the 17th century, those practicing Kabbalist magic were called baaley shem (or “lords of the Name”), as they claimed to wield God’s name as a weapon against demons. By the 18th century, these baaley shem were creating amulets—magical charms inscribed on small pieces of paper that were believed to heal the sick. This historical practice shows the intertwining of Kabbalah with folk healing traditions. The Babylonian Talmud even supports the use of magical charms (Pesachim 112a:11), allowing baaley shem to justify their practices through sacred texts. Some, like Chaim Samuel Jacob Falk, an alchemist, were even accused of witchcraft by Christian authorities. In response, some rabbis, such as Rabbi Hagiz in Amsterdam, attempted to discourage Kabbalah due to its connections to magical rituals. In Eastern Europe, Kabbalist healers were known to perform demonic healings and exorcisms.

In ancient times, prophets condemned the people of Israel for engaging in pagan practices. Yet today, we see individuals who ardently study Kabbalah while claiming it to be inherently Jewish. This raises important questions about authenticity and cultural appropriation. Let’s be clear: Kabbalah is NOT Jewish in origin; it’s not even Yahwist. It’s a medieval blending of pagan, magical, and superstitious practices with Judaism. 

Let’s not be fooled into thinking it means something to pagans or Jewish.

Don’t Repeat History!

Be mindful of the impact of media portrayals on public perception of spirituality. Wicca is not witchcraft, witchcraft is not Kabbalah, and Kabbalah is not witchcraft. Each practice deserves respect and acknowledgment for its unique cultural and historical background.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk!

– The Lore Monger –