[HPforGrownups] Re: Ancient Magic vs. Dark Magic (was ancient magic)

[Iggy McSnurd]

No: HPFGUIDX 82114


-Corinth:
> Why must Dark Magic be ancient?  The morsmordre incantation is
> probably a recent Voldemort creation, yet I would classify it as Dark
> magic.
>
> I agree that not allancient magic is Dark.  As a matter of fact, the
> only magic referred to in these terms in canon is deciseively un-Dark.

Nineve:
> > And in both there are new spells.

Corinth:
> Officially confused.  :)  Are you saying that ancient magic isn't
> necessarily ancient?  I thought that was the only thing we knew for
> certain.

Iggy:

As a Neo-Pagan and a practitioner of Ritual, here's how a lot of us tend to
view magic:

Magic is a force that is neither inherently good or bad.  It is like fire
and can be used for a variety of purposes.  It is the intent behind the
task, the methodology used, and the source that it's sought from that
determines whether or not it's White, Dark, or Grey.

White Magic tends to be used for healing, protection, blessings,
purification, good fortune, bringing bountiful crops, fertility, is used to
bring positive emotions like hope or joy, etc...

Black Magic is used to curse, bring pain or harm, bring something to one's
self at the unwilling expense of another, is sought from "evil" sources (by
Neo-Pagan standards...), is intended to cause negative emotions like fear or
anger, etc...

Grey Magic tends to be more neutral and usually includes things that don't
tend to impact others unless they wish it to.  This often includes things
such as divination (where the subject has to actively make choices regarding
the information), past life viewing, communing with a spirit guide, etc...

Offerings are often made in the form of burned herbs (such as Sage or
incense), something significant to the subject of the ritual (an item, hair,
or their own blood at times...), oils are often applied to key points of the
body, candles are lit, prayers or runes are written on paper and burned, and
other aspects of the rituals are performed.

In the past, for Dark Magics, unwilling human or animal sacrifices would
achieve some of the most powerful results.  The more significant the animal
or person, the more powerful the result.

On the other hand, for White Magics, sacrifices would also be used, but if
it was human, the sacrifice was a willing one.  (There IS archeological and
anthropological evidence existing of a number of willing human sacrifices.)

Divination also sometimes involved sacrificing an animal to read its
entrails.

Please note that, among Neo-Pagans in this modern time, the most intense
people get for sacrifice is including their own blood in a ritual...  The
above reference to human and animal sacrifice was for historical
background...


The ritual LV used to create a body for himself is a good example of old
Dark Magic.  While Wormtail's sacrifice was willing (well... for all intents
and purposes, since he cut off his hand under his own free will...), the
contribution from his father was unknowing (and would have been unwilling...
especially since it included the desecration of the grave), and the one from
Harry was definitely unwilling.  It was done for immediate selfish reasons,
and long term evil ones.

OTOH, Lilly sacrificing her life in order to save Harry was an example of
old White Magics.  She gave her life willingly, a VERY powerful form of
sacrifice, especially for the reason she gave it... (For love, not out of a
sense of duty or responsibility.)  Petunia taking Harry in of her own free
will, Harry returning to Privet Drive of his own free will, etc.


I hope that this was enlightening enough (and, hopefully, not too
confusing.).  I'd also like to point out that a lot of the rituals and such
in Neo-Paganism are not that different (fundamentally) to some of those used
in more widely accepted beliefs.

Here's a couple of examples that some believe.

Christ going willingly to the cross is a STRONG form of some of the most
powerful of White Magics.  (Willing sacrifice, done in love, with intent to
purify and bless others.)

the Holy Communion is a good example of Ritual, as is baptism.  (A
representational acceptance of the flesh and blood of Christ for the
former... Holy water, oils, wine, and prayer being used to purify and bless
in the latter.)

Meditation, prayer, drumming, and the burning of herbs or incense are often
used in Buddhist and Shinto prayer rituals.

The lighting of candles in the honoring of an old tradition and to bring
blessings upon the house during Chanukah.  Painting of blood upon the posts
and lintel of the doorway to protect their families during the plagues in
the Book of Exodus, for the Jewish faith.


Well... 'Nuff said for now.

Iggy McSnurd.
the Prankster

"WITCHES PARKING  (all others will be toad)"

-- Another of Iggy's bumper stickers