Black magic, also known as dark magic or black arts, refers to the use of supernatural powers for malicious purposes. It is often associated with the occult and is believed to involve the invocation of evil forces to cause harm or manipulate others. One form of black magic is known as curses or hexes, which are intended to bring misfortune or harm to a specific person or group. These curses are believed to be cast through rituals involving the use of objects or incantations. It is believed that the curse will take effect once it is cast, leading to various negative outcomes such as illness, bad luck, or even death. Another aspect of black magic is the summoning and control of spirits or demons to achieve one's desires.
Another aspect of black magic is the summoning and control of spirits or demons to achieve one's desires. This involves performing rituals or spells to invoke these supernatural entities and then commanding them to carry out specific tasks. The practitioner of black magic may seek to gain wealth, power, or revenge through these means.
Witchcraft taro cwrds
We’ve seen an occult resurgence for a while now, especially among millennials, and witchcraft has been trending in fashion and media. I’ve been watching this all like a hawk. It’s odd to see anything occult, including tarot, treated as a mainstream fad. Pros: lacy, black, boho, granny clothes are my favorite clothes, and now they’re everywhere! Cons: the buzz over all things occult & witchy kicks up some old superstitions and misconceptions, including that tarot and witchery automatically go hand-in-hand.
I’ve heard people use the words witchcraft and tarot interchangeably, as if reading tarot makes a person insta-witchy. In this article for The Guardian, Sady Doyle sites Autostraddle’s tarot column as evidence that modern women are flocking to witchcraft because the patriarchy. (The lesbians have a tarotist - they’re witches!) It’s true that more and more people are dabbling in witchcraft, divination, and spiritual practices and expressions outside the Big 3, but mainstream writers tend to gloss right over the fact that all of these things are nuanced and distinct.
I’m actually excited to see the occult get any media attention that isn’t flat-out hostile, but the part of my writerly soul that loves specificity above all else is dying here. Interest in one occult thing does not imply interest in all the occult things. If we’re going to talk about the occult, let’s please be nice and accurate about it.
Witchcraft can be a wonderful thing, but the word “witchcraft” means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, for better and worse. What it doesn’t mean is tarot. Witchcraft is a practice and a lifestyle. Tarot is a tool. The two don’t always mix.
There are many witches and Pagans out there who read tarot cards, but so do a lot of other folks. Buddhists, Christians, Agnostics, Atheists, you name it. Likewise, there are witches and pagans who don’t read or even like tarot cards. (Side note: “witch” and “Pagan” aren’t interchangeable, either. Not all witches are Pagan, and not all Pagans practice witchcraft. Pagan is a religious designation. Witchcraft can be religious, spiritual, or secular, depending on the personal approach of the practitioner.)
I’d like to further hammer this point in with a metaphor:
Tarot ≠ Witchcraft. Tarot = Candles.
Think of tarot cards as candles. Witches love candles, right? Have you ever seen a witchy scene in a movie or TV show that didn’t have a million-billion candles on set? No, you haven’t.
Many (but not all) real-life witchy folks use candles, it’s true. A witch may light candles for rituals, spells, meditations, or holiday celebrations, to name a few things. Does that mean lighting a candle makes you a witch?
That’s a rhetorical question, but in case you got stuck, the answer is no.
Almost every religious and spiritual practice uses candles. They embody light, energy, and illumination - things we’re all after. Most people also keep candles in their homes for secular reasons. We light candles and make wishes over birthday cakes (arguably a magical practice, but one that we see as totally secular and ordinary). We decorate our dinner tables with candles, we rely on them for romantic ambiance, we use them as air fresheners, and we use them as a light source if the power goes out. We even ward off mosquitos with citronella candles in the summer. Candles are a tool for anyone so inclined to use—for decoration, entertainment, spiritual practice, and practical matters.
As with candles, so with tarot.
Tarot cards are a tool for anyone so inclined to use—for decoration, entertainment, spiritual practice, and practical matters.
Decoration
You can collect decks for the artwork or for historical value without ever reading them. That’s a thing.
Entertainment
Learning tarot is fun! Trading readings with a group of friends, preferably over wine and chocolate, makes for a great evening. Tarot can be approached in a really lighthearted way. It doesn’t all have to be so serious or precious.
Spiritual Practice
The lessons and metaphors of each card alone can teach us about spirituality. A whole deck is a little microcosm, and tells another story. You can use spreads and detailed readings to explore the spiritual and philosophical questions that keep you up at night.
Practical Matters
Just as lighting a candle can freshen the air in your room, drawing a tarot card can give you a fresh perspective on a stale situation. Just as you might use a candle for light in a power outage, you can use tarot cards for brainstorming and meditation, to spark new ideas when you’re in the dark. And if all else fails, you could probably grab a short stack of them and shim a bookcase or something. Practical!
Are there instances and practices where tarot and witchery overlap? Yes. Absolutely. But I think it’s important to underline that witchcraft and tarot do not automatically overlap, and nor do they ever have to overlap in your own practice.
Top image from "The history of Springfield in Massachusetts, for the young; being also in some part the history of other towns and cities in the county of Hampden,” courtesy of Internet Archive Book Images.
All other illustrations by yours truly.
Last August, we wrote a blog post answering: ‘How do I explain Tarot cards to family, friends and colleagues?’. The blog post asks you to consider how you explain tarot to yourself. Only then consider diving into the many ways you can formulate your practice to non-practitioners. A common question non-practitioners ask is: are tarot cards witchcraft?
In many cultures, black magic is considered a taboo and is often associated with witchcraft or sorcery. People who practice black magic are often feared and ostracized, as their actions are believed to have harmful consequences for others. There have been historical cases of witch trials and persecutions due to the fear and superstition surrounding black magic. However, it is important to note that the concept of black magic is largely based on belief and folklore, and its existence has not been proven scientifically. Many skeptics argue that any perceived effects of black magic can be attributed to psychological factors or mere coincidence. In summary, black magic is a form of supernatural practice associated with the use of evil forces to cause harm or manipulate others. It is often viewed as taboo in many cultures and is based on belief rather than scientific evidence..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Mysteries of Gkidden Black Magic Symbols and Sigils"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I found "Hidden Black Magic" to be quite disappointing. The plot seemed promising, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was rather lackluster, with clichéd dialogue and predictable twists. Overall, I was left unimpressed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Chris - 1/5 stars
Unfortunately, "Hidden Black Magic" did not live up to my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the next interesting part. The world-building was lacking, leaving many unanswered questions about the magic system and the overall setting. Furthermore, the story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of other fantasy novels I have read. I was left feeling bored and unsatisfied with the reading experience.
3. Emma - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for "Hidden Black Magic," but it fell short in several aspects. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it difficult to care about their fates. The romance subplot felt forced and unnatural, detracting from the main storyline. Additionally, the plot seemed to drag on unnecessarily, with repetitive scenes and predictable outcomes. Overall, I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story and would not recommend it to fellow fantasy enthusiasts.
4. Mark - 2.5/5 stars
"Hidden Black Magic" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The world-building felt incomplete, leaving many gaps in the story that were never addressed. The writing style was average at best, with awkward sentence structure and lackluster descriptions. While there were a few exciting moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lack of depth and coherence. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with my reading experience.