"Black" and "White" Magic

So...... I have seen a lot of comments and questions in discussion, chat, and blogs on several sites pertaining to "black" and "white" magic. I have seen newbies ask whether they should avoid books because they contain "black magic" and seen members refer to themselves and "white witches."

Black magic does not exist, neither does white. Nor does green, or blue, or any other color you can imagine. Magic is magic. It's really that simple. I understand that some people utilize these terms to seperate what they consider harmful magic from benign magic. However, I do not believe the two can be seperated. All magic has the potentiality for harm.

Now, I know that some will say, "But it's your intent that really matters." However, any spell or magic can cause unintentional harm. Say you cast a spell to help a friend escape an abusive relationship, and then the abuser is killed in a car wreck, was your spell white or black?? Or maybe somewhere in between??

In addition, "harm" or "bad" are subjective. Completely subjective. What one person considers "bad" may be a wonderful thing for another person. So, who decides which consequences are "good" and which are "bad" and thus what magic is "black" and what magic is "white" ??? Without drawing clear lines with dogma, this task is impossible.

Some of you will say, "But there are books on Black and White Magic!" And I hope these people will realize that the title of a book is a marketing tool. "Black Magic" books are written and marketed inorder to appeal to a particular audience, as are "White Magic" books. In addition, in my opinion, you should never avoid a book or a topic because it makes you uneasy or frightens you. The only way to fight fear is with knowledge.

There is no "black magic." There is no "white magic." I wonder how everyone else feels??

Tags: black, green, magic, white, witch

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Comment by Yiehom on May 24, 2014 at 8:44: Black or white, it depends who appreciates.

My humble opinion is that there is just no magic, but only phenomena that we can't yet understand/explain.

Comment by Strata on January 5, 2011 at 3:46: The point of this blog being that the intent does not anyways matter. Magic can have unexpected consequences. Even if your intent is *good*, in your opinion, all the consequences may not be.

Also, if you are going to post author's opinions in my blogs in the future please be prepared with the author's name and title of the book. I cannot find that book by a Caskaris or similar name for reference.

Comment by Strata on January 5, 2011 at 3:33: So why is specific magic called "Black" by this definition?? By the more traditional, the one that this blog addresses, at least it makes logical sense...even if it is wrong. Black has negative connotations.. black represents "evil" and "bad" to many cultures and people. So used to represent presumed "bad" magic at least the title makes sense. Why call specific magic "black?"

Comment by Strata on January 5, 2011 at 3:07: Stonewolf, I completely understand what you are trying to say, but manipulating a *person* whether a specific person or a non-specific person is manipulation, end of story. And manipulating a person effects their free-will. Events *might* be a little different, but not always. If you are manipulating events, you may have manipulated a person to put those events into play. I find that the less specific your magic is the more chances there are for the unexpected. Which brings me back to my original point. There is no "good" or "bad" magic as all has the potential for harm. And as these terms are subjective the concept itself becomes so. Therefore, there are no forms of magic that are definitively "good" or "bad."

Comment by Strata on January 4, 2011 at 21:28: And where did this definition come from again?? Because it makes no logical sense. White is nonspecific magic and black is specific magic? From what logic is this opinion formed?

Comment by Strata on January 4, 2011 at 20:18: So how exactly is manipulating an specific person different than maipulating a non-specific person??

Comment by Kleiner Wolf on December 20, 2010 at 9:14: The question about Green Witchcraft has already been put forth and "tackled", so there is no reason to really bring it up again. Only, to state that I associate more completely with Green Witchcraft, as well as Shaman beliefs. (I am still looking for more study material for Druidism and I will have to look into that Earth Magic you were talking about.)

I have never put much thought into "White" or "Black" Magic. I have always seen these as something from Fantasy books/movies. Only recently have I put started associating "Black" Magic with anything and that is with the Nocturnal side of things. Some of us reach our peak in our energy cycle when Mother Moon is out and Father Sun has descended into the horizon. (I like to refer to it as being Moon Called, as I love the myths and legends of Werewolves, but that is another topic all together.) It only seems natural to want to perform any type of Magic, from the most simple to the more ceremonial, when we are at the peak of our energy cycle. That is just my opinion.

I love that you decided to post on this. There are many out there, whether they share the same beliefs or are from the more organized religions, that put some type of dogma as to Magic being "White" or "Black". It is nice to see that there are those of us out there that truly know Magic is just that, Magic. I always explain, when asked about Magic, that Magic isn't nothing more than Change. The leaves changing in the Fall, that is Magic. A seedling growing into a beautiful flower or tree, that is Magic. Changing my negative energy and thoughts into more positive energy and thoughts, that is Magic. Asking the Goddess and/or the God to help me or a loved one, the change (outcome) is Magic. Again, just my opinion.

Comment by Dianna Greycat Silverclaw on December 8, 2010 at 20:49: I agree completely! Magic is magic.