The strength and quality of the tool depends upon the ability of the user. Just like carpentry or plumbing, there is shoddy work and good craftsmanship. There are excellent people who know what they are doing, and there are hacks who dabble and cause more harm than good.
Learning to use the tools of Witchcraft properly, and taking time to learn the Craft itself returns more effective results.
But to say that the craft is evil is as foolish as saying that a knife is evil because it can be used to harm, or that an ordinary workshop hammer is evil because it can be used to crush a skull if swung at an opponent.
Both are valuable, powerful tools, and should be treated with respect; both can be used for positive or negative purposes, but neither is evil.
Can I incorporate elements of Witchcraft into my own religion?
Yes, although your work might not be as effective or powerful as someone who dedicates themselves solely to the craft.
Some organised religions, due to their monotheistic nature, do not at first glance sit comfortably with Witchcraft.
However, upon closer inspection, even Christian teachings, for example, encourage the individual to search for the Divine and open our minds, rather than immediately accept what is given to us by those in authority:
- "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Gospel of Matthew 7:7
"Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All." - The (Apocryphal) Gospel of Thomas v2.
Jesus himself is instructing his followers to search for the Divine: to ask, and to seek.
The Craft is a powerful tool by which we can search for the Divine and understand the world better, no matter what religion we happen to be.
How can I find a teacher?
There is an old saying that says when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
In my life and experience, I have found this to be true. However, it pays to be wary of anyone in long, flowing robes spouting claims of lineage from Lord-so-and-so. Especially beware of anyone asking for anything more than what seems like fair payment for classes.
And I have never met anyone who fulfilled the classic role of "wise master" or "guru" familiar to us all from movies like Star Wars and Harry Potter. The Obi Wan Kenobis and Dumbledores of this world simply don't exist - that's fiction. No teacher is infallible.
Often the best way to learn, instead for searching for the perfect teacher, is to share the study with trusted friends and learn together.
The internet is also a place where much can be learned, although there is a lot of repetition of basic knowledge, and not much deeper learning to be found. While this is for good reasons, it can also be frustrating for the newcomer.
Image from Elishams.
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