Terms and rituals associated with black magic
There are hundreds of
rituals and systems across the world that are practised in order to gain material and spiritual benefits. None of them are negative in their original form and intent, but can become malevolent in the hands of unscrupulous practitioners with dubious motives. These terms are therefore generally associated with negativity and black magic.
o Demonology: The practice of categorising and summoning malignant demons and spirits. Necromancy is another form of divination in which the practitioner seeks to summon the spirits of the dead.
o Hoodoo/ Voodoo: African-American traditional folk magic, often used to describe a magical spell or potion. The practice of sticking pins in dolls is a common method of cursing and harming an individual in voodoo.
o Paganism: A term encompassing most of the faith traditions outside the monotheistic group of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In
Islam a 'pagan' is 'one who worships something other than the
God of Abraham'.
o Satanism: "Do unto others as they do unto you" is the credo of the Satanist. In Satanism, the
rituals of worship are directed inwards towards the Satanist, not outwards towards God. It is therefore viewed as being a religion that encourages cruelty and irresponsible behaviour.
o Tantra: One of the earliest esoteric traditions of India. The lefthand path, associated with the 'darker' side of
Tantra embraces what is usually considered repulsive, such as sex and alcohol. Lefthand
Tantra thus uses skulls and bones and uncooked meat in an effort to master the mind. However, this path cannot be used without the most implacable strength of mind, for it can otherwise overwhelm the practitioner and cause him to use it negatively to control others.
o Witchcraft: The use of certain kinds of alleged supernatural or magical powers by a witch. A male 'witch' is termed a wizard, sorcerer, warlock, or simply a magician. Negative witchcraft is used to influence another person's body or property against his or her will.
Wicca is a specific form of witchcraft involving the casting of spells, herbalism, divination and other forms of magic.
o Shamanism: Claims the ability to cause and cure human suffering by gaining control over spirits. Shamans are credited with the ability to control the weather, divination, interpretation of dreams, astral projection, and travelling to upper and lower worlds.
