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In the media, on TV shows and in some other places we see talk of black witches, white witches and even on occasion sometimes grey witches.

Although this concept does not really fit within the traditions of traditional witchcraft, we felt it might be helpful to try here to explain both what people mean by these terms and how it effects there beliefs.

White witches, usually Wiccan's have similar beliefs to traditional witches, but perhaps in classifying themselves as white witches seek to correct things, charge the world, society, or do what they consider to be good. Most white witches have an external god or goddess that they serve. Similar to other religions they may get a feel good factor by being the servants of the godd(ess), and even start to feel that they speak for this power and can interpret the message to society.

To fully understand this you would also need to consider 'role sets',  or how one relates to a situation wearing different hats. Perhaps one of the easiest examples is the girl with a boyfriend, and how sex is viewed by different people she is involved with, most boyfriends will consider it a part of a  healthy relationship, her mother may like to think of her daughter as a virgin and not want to acknowledge she is growing up, while her father may not like the idea of any guy taking advantage of her, but at the same time may dream about a night with one of his daughters friends. So what is good and bad, and can she be good in the eyes of everyone. 

Similarly the police officer who is carrying on a war on crime may hide evidence of use to the defense, overlook other clues that do not fit the target he has, and believe this is in the public interest, while the person wrongly locked up in a prison for years and his family may just see a corrupt police officer, interested in promotion, or just too lazy or stupid to see the truth. can a person therefore be trying to do good in too blinkered a way actually do a great deal of harm, in the same way that some police officers are a greater threat to society than those they try to protect people against.

In other religions the drive to convert, to make people confirm to their interpretation can result in self justification for murder, terrorism and oppressing peoples rights and freedoms.

Black witches, are individuals who believe that all magic and power comes completely from within them, they usually have no god or goddess, and where they do it is a power they can summon up and expect to perform according to their will. they believe that they have the divine right to use this power to reward or punish those they come into contact with. Some times people will have started off in a white witch area, not been impressed with the effects and then due to a problem, being harmed or threatened by someone that they should use their power to harm or bring justice. Some groups likewise can become tribal, and consider looking after its members interests involves perhaps harming others. Few if any of these people have any concept of a Christian or Jewish devil character, and as they seek to control magic from themselves would not seek to serve any god.

On occasions young people will be attracted to black magic, the need for power, to balance up injustices they are suffering, to survive bullying, to get over other problems, or just to get another handle on a world they are not enjoying being a part of.

Some people who have developed mental illness have along the way, sought comfort from black magic or black witchcraft, that is not to say that this caused them to have a mental problem but that perhaps it did not eventually offer them the solution they were looking for. Some of these people rather than getting medical help may seek out other beliefs with very fixed codes, or rituals, and may then even become anti witch, or persecutors of anyone involved in the craft.

Grey witches are rare, they tend to be white witches that have perhaps a feeling that some retribution is allowed, or that some reward is due to them for being one of the supporters.

Do we have to choose one of these?

We would say not, as they completely unnecessary to us, and let us explain why.

It is our belief that good or ill that we do is reflected, we suggest multiplied a number of times, Therefore

• If I do something to help a person I get rewarded,
• If someone does something to harm me they get negative effects back several times stronger.
• If I cast a spell to protect me from harm, I may also be reducing the harm that is reflected on those that try and harm me.
• If someone does something to help me they get rewarded for it several times over.

Likewise the craft is in part about balance like many of the eastern beliefs, we recognize that we are not going to be angelic all the time, therefore the effects of karma, or cumulative effects come into play, you can make mistakes without coming to harm.

As to the power source, again we see no need for polarization, we see a supreme power call it what you like, but we also see energy streams in the earth, through raising powers and from other sources, we see skills and magical power being used together to get the maximum effect.

So if someone asks me if I am a black or white witch, what do I reply, I just say I am a wise one.

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