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Magic

Magic. It can be spelled as the traditional M-A-G-I-C or the more old fashion way M-A-G-I-C-K. Either way it's still magic. There are many different types of magic though.


Black Magic

Black magic is the use of supernatural knowledge and the powers for doing work of evil or for placing evil on another human being. Practicers of Black Magic seek to invoke demonic powers in order to control their own powers and force them to obey their will. Black magicians seek to gain control over other supernatural forces for the only purpose of gaining more power and the spreading of discord, discontent and disease. The desire to use the magic to cause chaos on the enemy or to obtain material wealth and power was in play during the times of ancient Greeks and Egyptians. In the middle ages, the belief in black magic grew to be so intense the world was a dark shadow place of dread ruled by the devil or Satan. The word devil comes from Greek meaning "accuser."


Voodoo

The word Voodoo means spirit in the language of the African people. It's a mix of African beliefs and rites that go back as far as 6,000 years and the teachings, saints, and rituals of Catholicism. Slaves who were taken from their homes brought their beliefs and gods with them to Haiti and other western islands. Today there are more than 60 million people who practice voodoo worldwide. They worship the Loa which is the central purpose of voodooism. The Loa do good and guide and protect humankind. The Loa communicates with it's faithful followers by taking possession of their bodies during a trance or by appearing to them in their dreams. All ceremonies are climaxed with a sacrifice to the Loa. Chickens are used the most but the morewealthy people offer a bull or goat. The possessed person drinks the blood that is collected in a vial and satisfying the hunger of the Loa. Sometimes, the dancers each drink the blood possessed or not, and the often add spices to the liquid. When the ceremony is finished, the sacrificed animal is usually cooked and eaten. There are also voodoo dolls and curses. Most voodoo deaths are promoted by the fear in voodoo itself and have willed themselves or others to death. It's mostly a form of pure fear and exhaustion.


Tea Leaf Reading

The first and only rule of tea leaf readings, is to brew the tea in a pot without a strainer so bits of leaves are able to enter the cup. Best results are usually obtained from a white or lighter colored cup with a wide top. When you are drinking your tea, you must leave a little bit left so you can swish the leaves around. The person who is getting the reading, swishes the cup around from left to right three times spreading the leaves onto the side of the cup. Once done, you want to quickly place your cup upside down on a saucer so the remaining tea is poured out. Turn the cup back over and you should have tea leaves sticking to the side of your cup. There are different shapes that mean different things.

Tea leaves can predict your future. Photograph by Richard Corner.

Meanings of teal leaf readings:


Amulets

Bells

The bell has been associated with the spirit world and mythical occurrences. The ringing of bells for the deceased is custom. In the medieval times, the church bells were sounded during epidemics with hope of clearing the disease. It was believed church bells held magical powers.

Bloodstone

Is a red-colored variety of carnelian that has been known as "bloodstone." It is credited with the power to stop the loss of blood from wounds. The redness of the stone, caused it to be greatly desired by the Egyptians. Some bloodstones are greenish in color with bright red specks of jasper that look like blood. The use of a bloodstone in a ritual or a spell is said to greatly increase the realization of all desires.

Candles

In the middle ages it was believed that a candle that was formed in the image of a woman and that was burned with the right incantation, would bring love to a man who was eyeing a certain lady. A red colored candle brought out the best results. A black candle shaped into a skull, was used in ceremonial magic to dispel curses. The skull candle was supposed to be burned at midnight.

Rings

Using the ring as a pledge can be tracked as far back to great antiquity. Rings won as ornaments were common in early Egypt, Greece and other not as civilized people. It was a custom among people that were of the lower class to break a piece of silver or gold to seal the marriage. Half of the token was kept by the man the other by the woman. This was actually what before the exchange of rings as we have it today.


The most popular of all amulets in all of history, are the twelve birthstones:

Agate

It is striped or clouded quartz and is astrologically matched with the sign Gemini. An Agate amulet promotes good health and in a ring, it bestows wealth an honor and can be used to earn favors from people in higher positions. A legend says that if anyone were to look at the stone, that person would be pretty much forced to speak the truth.

Amethyst

Is a purple kind of quartz and is the Aquarian birthstone. A ring of Amethyst is usually worn for protection against black magic and the evil eye. A Pendant of amethyst prevents depression and supposedly gives spiritual visions.

Bloodstone

This is the Piscean birthstone. When it is worn as a pendant, it prevents miscarriage and other illness during a pregnancy. When mounted in a ring, the amulet promotes creativity. When it's worn to bed, the bloodstone can bestow pleasant dreams and clear visions for the future.

Diamond

Associated with the sun sign Aries. A diamond amulet symbolizes enduring love and happiness in a marriage. Given as a gift, it's believed to help strengthen an emotional bond and promote loyalty. I diamond pendant is to obtain honor and friendship. In a ring, the amulet insures a lasting marriage and financial success.

Emerald

Associated with Taurus. It's appearance is green and has several unique properties. A pendant is thought to help women with protection against assault. In a ring, it promotes domestic stability and fortune. According to a legend, it can combat epilepsy, depression and insanity.

Garnet

Is the birthstone of Capricorn people. It Reputedly healed snakebite and food poisoning by absorbing the chemicals in the blood through skin. A pendant of Garnet is warn to arouse the passionate love of the opposite sex. A garnet ring combats fear and pessimism.

Opal

Associated with the sign Libra. It helps with stomach disorders and instills tranquility and joy. An opal pendant is worn to attract happiness in love and favorable judgment in court.

Ruby

The birthstone of the sign Cancer. It promotes mental health. A ruby pendant is thought t ohelp with depression and enable the wearer to not feel a great deal of sorrow. A ruby amulet as a ring, promotes knowledge health and wealth. This amulet should never be given as a gift, it is said to promote discord and broken relationships.

Sapphire

This deep blue gem is associated with the sign Virgo. A sapphire pendant is a cure for fever seizures and delusions. In a ring, the sapphire bestows wisdom and compassion. When Danger is near the amulet takes on a chalky appearance which stays until the threat is gone.

Sardonyx

The birthstone that Leos are graced with. It's a remedy of impotence. Occultists said that an amulet of sardonyx could be worn to protect against affliction in less than a week. In a ring, sardonyx has no power but won as a pendant the stone combats sterility. Given as a gift, it's thought to guarantee the receiver�s fidelity.

Topaz

The birthstone of the Scorpio people. Medieval occultists insisted that a topaz pendant reputedly bestows honesty, happiness, sensitivity and control. In a ring, the topaz insures promotion and financial success.

Turquoise

The birthstone of Sagittarius. The turquoise has been worn an amulets since the earliest of times. Indians considered this stone sacred, and sorcerers used it in many rituals. Today it's claimed that the amulet is an effective deterrent against illness and injury. As a pendant, the stone protects it's wearer from a violent death. As a ring, it's said to have the power to allow the person wearing it, to rekindle old love affairs.


Other stone amulets are

Tarot Cards

A Visconti-Sforza tarot deck.

The tarot is a set of cards used in fortune-telling. Today, the cards are popular among occultists and other people use them for recreational purposes.

The modern tarot deck has been traced back to 15th-century Italy The traditional tarot deck consists of two sets of cards, one having 22 pictures (the major arcana), such as the Fool, the Devil, Temperance, the Hermit, the Sun, the Lovers, the Hanged Man, and Death. The other set (the minor arcana) has 56 cards with kings, queens, knights, and pages of sticks (or wands), swords, cups and coins or pentagrams(pents).

The meanings of the figures and numbers on tarot cards vary greatly among tarot readers.

Tarot cards are usually read by a fortune-teller, though in these days anyone can buy a deck with instructions on how to discover your real self and your potential. Why it is that anyone's fate would be placed in playing cards is a mystery that no one has been able to figure out; although magic seems to play a big role.


Centuries of scientific advancement and learning have not diminished the popularity of occult guidance systems such as the tarot, Ouija boards, palmistry, crystal balls, tea leaves, and you get it..