"Unnatural" materials in Witchcraft

[tiniestsalmon]

A question for you magick users out there...

Do "unnatural" components affect your spell's, rituals, etc? For example, if I made a wand with epoxy/plastic components would that work against whatever you are trying to accomplish in a spell/ritual?

I noticed that many candles are made from a petroleum derivative called "parrafin" so I assume that there are some exceptions.

[Ashrend]

As far as it been explained to me, and when I've tried to sense the life in objects, things like plastic have no life in them because their manufacture is without love or effort

devon

[Lord_of_Nightmares]

Everything is natural. I use the internet for my witchcraft constantly.

[smogie_michele]

So long as you are able to put your energy into it, I believe there is no reason that it wouldn't be useful in spell work.

[Pallando]

Everything is natural....

Agreed. 100%


But as for my preferences in spell work, I endeavor to use only flora / fauna / mineral based elements.
The exception is my use of some metals; silver, copper, tin, gold etc.

If AT ALL POSSIBLE, I avoid epoxys, plastics, nylons/rayons, etc.
They dont 'feel' right to me.

You asked specifically about wands, and I know from your previous posts, that you are considering making and marketing them (which I think is awesome)....but not for my practice or philosophy. I make and infuse my own, and they are 100% a simple 'stick'. Some with bark, some without. I would venture that my style would not sell well AT ALL..... not one bit sexy enough.

[SpiritTalker]

Regarding bees wax candles versus paraffin wax, I feel a response from bees wax that I don't get from paraffin, in that bees wax holds a psychic charge easily; but the spells still work. It's a minor issue. Now, when it comes to staffs and wands, it's gonna depend on the practitioner. There's something to be said for working with the spirit of the land thru the branch, if it was taken from a living tree. My wand is from a fallen branch, already detached from the life force. I'm quite happy with how it feels.

However, I have just recently cut down a sapling that had been growing into my back deck. It was living but winter domant. As long as I had to cut it down, I thought I'd put it to use as a forked stang and had actually allowed it to grow to a desirable size. I want to see in what ways it might feel different, as a living tree. The idea being of working in cooperation with the tree spirit. I'm not real strong in that department. I sense the life force - there's something there alright - but I don't have a clue how to work with a tree spirit. I mean, I cut it down. That doesn't seem like an auspicious beginning, but this doesn't seem to bother other stang harvesters. Right now, it's drying.

[tiniestsalmon]

Fascinating responses, thank-you for your thoughts! Another question...Where is the line drawn? Sure, natural materials like flora and fallen plants is easy to see as connected to nature. And synthesized plastics are made via a mix of petroleum and other means that are made in a lab rather than the wild.

But then there's metal. Metal is gathered through mining and is then processed via harsh treatment of strong acids, redox reactions, some machining and press, etc. These steps are necessary to make my nice, shiny, workable craft wire.

If we were to compare making epoxy vs processing metal I guess both would be considered to be unnatural.

My gf says that I am being to methodical and from what she heard practicing magick has a lot of "feel" to it kind of like what SpiritTalker said.

[Firebird]

I wonder if you can try both approaches and see how it works and feels? I think you may want to differentiate man made materials vs that which is not artificial. Like, there are many vegan and vegetarian witches that would be more comfortable with faux leather and furs.
Metal had been a magical forging process, I wouldn't want to compare that to mixing epoxy, yet it is a sort of alchemical process!
But then I was recently in an argument with someone, that everthing is natural like Lady Lillth said. If it all came from the earth right?
Faux or no?
That is the question
I like stuff that is un-synthesized.
Bb, Firebird

[SpiritTalker]

One thing I think about, but that's just me, is petroleum products are from dead matter that has not yet rejuvenated, transformed, revivified. The nature of the magical process is life-oriented, spirit/sprowl infused. A magical tool holds, directs or shapes life-giving force, or on the dark side, takes it away.

[Lord_of_Nightmares]

Metal has been used in magical systems since ancient times. China comes off the top of my head where it is part of the elemental system there.

In Europe, Iron is used against the fae, witches, & evil spirits.

[RyukaAscendant]

I frequently use metals to hold charge and focus spells into enchantments. But then I view using metals like the wire in an electrical circuit. Electricity is simply a visible and readily usable form of energy. In fact my favorite pentacle is bronze and holds a charge very well.

[Wolf]

I think it depends on what the materials are. I've often wondered how an orgonite wand would work/act. With the main component of orgonite being a two part resin epoxy as a binding agent its most certainly unnatural, yet I can't argue with the energy you can get through orgonite pyramids and the like.

[Yukiah]

I think that if you feel comfortable using plastic then it's OK. Everyone is different and may feel comfortable using tools that are out of the ordinary.

[HopefulChild]

Check it out.

http://everythingunderthemoon.net/forum ... 33070.html

There is also a thread about a mechanical magic amplifier.

[SpiritTalker]

I have some orgonite disks, the size of mini-muffins, and a sphere, pyramid and a cone. None are very large. They all have various gem stone chips & copper suspended in resin, which is an organic matter known to attract orgone energy. Each shape gives off a different radiance. The cone is more direction-able than the pyramid. The mini-muffins give a bigger boost than the sphere. My cats love to play with them. I could gleefully run barefoot through them.

My plan was to get 7 chakra-colored orgonite mini muffins to put in sequence under my mattress, with an amber pyramid at the crown. I'm missing a satisfactory orange, so it's still in progress...tho I can substitute clear quartz. I do love toys.