Witchcraft and Magic
by Ella
Do fairies ever believe in or practice witchcraft or magic? Do they ever burn fern leaves to cause rain or steep rowan leaves in water for protection (or anything else of this kind)? Don't worry, I know that witchcraft doesn't involve wearing a pointy black hat and cursing people. I'm just interested in how a fairy's magic differs from witchcraft. Thank you.
Ophelia Fey says -- The word "witchcraft" is a human term that means many things to many human cultures, and over the centuries its meaning has evolved. Therefore, I am not sure in what way you are using the word.
I am aware that some people do follow rituals and practices closely associated with nature and its cycles, and what they perceive to be the spirits of nature. They also perceive the ability to use the Laws of Nature as magical, because they mostly live in their five senses and do not themselves understand how to use those Laws. However, as honorable as much of this is, it is not altogether accurate.
Nature spirits do not need to do such things as steep rowan leaves to achieve protection. Protection from what? We are already of and part of nature and are already protected. Nor do we technically need wands, rituals, spells, and the like. Nature spirits are one with those parts of nature they were created to nurture. We do not need to do such things as try to cause rain. We would never consider forcing nature. Why it does or does not rain can be a very complex issue and not to be forced or caused. We have the ability to do certain things within the Laws of Nature because we have a natural understanding of what is involved in those Laws at a very deep level. We see beyond the physical plane, and thus can utilize those forces.
This seems like magic to mortals. But as you develop a more complete understanding of physics, what you call the quantum world, chemistry, etc., and the ability to perceive other dimensions, these things will no longer seem so mysterious. Not that you will be able to do these things yourselves. Perhaps some of it. But it is not what you created for.
Ophelia Fey, fairy
