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Natures Magick

Here's what was said at our talk session on 23rd October 2003 with Tracey Royce from Natures Magick. Tracey has 28 years of experience within the field of all things magic - from herbs, crystals, runes and tarot to psychic protection, astrology, auras, moonlore and much more.

Pulse_moderator: Greetings everyone! Well, there seems to be an enormous interest in Teenwitch and ancient customs and rituals out there, so we are very grateful to Tracey Royce from Natures Magick and the NZ Pagan Centre for joining us today. Before we start, just a reminder - DO NOT HIT YOUR REFRESH BUTTON as this will log you of the chatroom. Okay, let's do it! Can we have your questions please?

Why do you reckon so many people follow fads instead of being their own person? - Sapphire Brain
I guess it is a case of feeling safer that way as people are already doing it so to speak
·::sadeyes ::sadeyes What got you started and how old were you – Sara
I was about 10 years old - roughly it was more of a case of knowing there were things out there I did not understand - curiousity !
Flic: I've always wondered how much does current practice reflect ancient? Do we actually know much about the old ways?
No not alot - most of what we do know is from scholars who have done the research
What’s the best place to start for teens who’re interested in paganism and stuff (NP)::punk
We have a complete Teen Witch message board on our site and also 2 chat rooms - we also run monthly public meets and we do run a teen one - soley run by teenagers for teenagers
What’s the best place to start for teens who’re interested in paganism and stuff (NP)::punk
sorry :-) Our site address is www.naturesmagick.co.nz - just click on the message board link
Why shouldn't wiccans and practicers be able to express their beliefs? (Sapphire Brain)
I totally agree with you !
ara: Hi, I've recently started getting a bit interested in some charms and simple stuff like that but a friend of mine told me that it goes against god or something. does that stuff bother you?
It would only bother me if I was a christian I guess ! but as that is not my belief and I do not believe in their god - no it does not bother me at all - although it does hurt sometimes to be judged wrongly :-)
What is the best love potion? (Muffy)
hmmmm there are many out there but as there are ethical questions involved with doing a love spell or potion it is not somethign undertaken lightly
guy: are there many groups in chch or is your interest mostly solitary?
There are many groups in chch - in fact one of our trustees runs pagan meets and sabbats there. I do predominently work as a solitary but I also work within a coven as well
How should a Christian look into these things when all things pertain from God - Royce
well that depends on your beliefs does it not ?
How can I make some dramatic life changes and get rid of old habits? (Katie)::teeth
ahhhh the one thing we all want to do - including witches and magicians !! Look at yourself closey and be honest with yourself about the problem and exert your will over that problem
ara: how are ethics, etc decided on? is there a main text that's used as a point of reference or are there mostly unwritten rules?
The beauty about paganism is it puts the onus back to the individual - not the god or priest or priestess - ethics are a case of morals and knowing what is right and wrong - there is a point of reference though - we do not have a list of rules but a Rede which reads "An it harm none - do what thou wilt"
Do you believe in life after death? (Rockchick201)
Yes i most definately do !
guy: do you encounter much persecution for your beliefs? How do you deal with it?
iYes I do get persecuted because of my beliefs as for how I deal with it - that depends on what kind of mood I am in at the time - normally either smile and shake my head or go away and cry somewhere in private !
Do you believe in ghosts? (Sean)
I believe in many forms of different types of ghosts yes
flic: So is the wiccan life after death a 'heaven' type thing or a more like the buddist idea
Each witch has there own idea about what the 'summerlands' as we call it is like but basically it is a time to rest and recuperate before moving on to the next incarnation
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you’ze (Dan)
Gosh - that is a hard one ! Probably meeting the most famous witches in the world ! but yes - I ahve had many 'weird' experiences - just could not tell yu the weirdest ! :-)
ara: I like the emphasis on the individual (over a priest, etc) but isn't that sometimes a bit scarey and isolating?
Yes - sometimes it is - but it also allows for immense personal growth which is also scary but uplifting too !
guy: what do you think about the representations of witches and stuff that we see in films, etc (I guess I'm thinking about the popularity of harry potter and lord of the rings)
ummm entertaining lolol
What sort of things do you do? (Josh)
healing spells, divination like crystal gazing etc, we worship the earth and all it has to offer
kebab: Do you have any belief in Arthurian legends?
not too sure - jury is still out on that one !
flic: Do wiccans have any beliefs about euthanasia?
for ever how many wiccans there are in NZ, and it is in the 1,000's, you will get as many different answers - we all have our own opinions on that
Do you go to normal doctors and stuff when you get sick? (Sharleen)
We sure do !
Do you go to normal doctors and stuff when you get sick? (Sharleen)
But we also use alternative methods as well - a joining of the old and new :-)
kebab: Do you think witchcraft etc is more in tune with the environment?
Well a witch who knows her craft is - yes
saffron: do you believe in a variety of ancient culture's medicines or do you pick specific pagan gods?
yes - pagans are pretty open minded people and look at all cultures but most choose Celtic, Norse, Anglo Saxon, greek or Egyptian gods
guy: why might people be so afraid of witchcraft?
ignorance and fear - the first breeds the sencond
kebab: Do you ever get scared of stirring up something dark?
I work with dark energies quite alot - does not mean they are bad energies at all ! If you were doing healing on someone who had cancer you would use dark energies
Does everyone have an aura and what’s a good colour? (queenie)
yes everyone has an aura - a plant has an aura - so does an animal and even a vase that someone has picked up - they leave their auric print behind as for a good colour .....
Does everyone have an aura and what’s a good colour? (queenie)
there are many and they are not necessarily good or bad
saffron: were you brought up as a pagan or was it something you found for yourself?
I found it myself but did discover when I went back to England that my great aunt is a spiritualist and my great grandmother (bless her) was a witch so I guess I didn't have a chance hehehe
saffron: were you brought up as a pagan or was it something you found for yourself?
however my parents are very openminded and brought me up to think for myself - they support everything I do whether they agree or disagree
ara: can witchcraft be learnt or is it something that you either do or don't have?
witchcraft can be learnt and some are born that way too - it is a lifetime of study - a way of life - not just a religion
kebab: When you talk about using dark energies what does that mean?
energies that are more stronger and primal - in other words the contain abit more of a kick - terrific for getting rid of BAD habits !
Is this stuff safe ?? (Luce)
is walking across the road safe ? Is driving a car safe ? Depends on the operator and their level of knowledge - you'd be a fool to drive a car and not know what the brake is for !!!
I want to read Tarot cards what’s the best way to learn? Lazeedog
Buy a pack of tarot cards - for beginners the Rider Waite Deck is great ! Stay away from the more modern decks as they can be really confusing - get one that contains good symbolisms - the above is great for that - take the major arcana and take one card - sleep with it underneath your pillow - learn everything you can about it for a month beofre moving on to the next one - take in the picture the colours the symbols - find out what they mean in the occult world -
kebab: What is your opinion on astrology? Do you think the stars really affect our personality?
Yes I most certainly do !!! The more I learn about astrology ther more I think it is a valid practise. The best thing to do is study yourself and your stars - you may just shock yourself :-)
guy: are there many men practicing?
sure are ! Although alot of them prefer to be called magicians or ritualists but there are men witches yes ! Withcraft is about nature which is about balance you MUST have both energies and work with both - that includes male energy too !
ara: how much do you think is about being in tune with people and how much about magic itself?
I could not particularly give a toss if I was in tune with people at all actually (in the nicest possible way of course)! I am more concerned with being in tune with nature and myself - and nature IS magick !
ara: how much do you think is about being in tune with people and how much about magic itself?
magick exisits ! Just take a walk in nature and look around !
saffron: do you think there's a connection between patriarchy and fear's about power that don't fit within it (as one that's been identified and punished typically as a feminine power)? if so, would you consider yourself a feminist?
LOLOLOL my other half says I am a feminist but I dispute that ! I am for EQUAL rights no matter WHAT sex colour religion or creed you are or have !
johnnysmithsonian: Does wicca and witchcraft etc have any connection with Eastern ideas and philosophies such as Buddhism?
connection in the respect that some ideas are similar yes - there are common threads and truths running through every religion - if you look hard enough - they stand out easily and witches as said earlier are happy to embrace other cultures and ideas :-)
kebab: But aren't people part of nature too?
they are - but they are understood enough as far as I am concerned - energies are better spent elsewhere trying to understand that which most others have ignored
saffron: what do you do for fun? do you still go to the movies and out for dinner and stuff?
Yep sure do ! I play with my 5 week old kitten and her mum alot at the moment - I attend protests - trying to make a difference is fun as well as rewarding ! I do alot of work for the NZ pagan community as do others - I make incenses and stuff like that - as I said witchcraft is part of my daily existence :-)
johnnysmithsonian: Do you think people can have some kind of psychic connection? I have a friend and usually if I think of them they will phone me. What does this mean?
yes I do and more often that not it means you are very close at that time in your life - you could look into past life experiences, therre is a theory that everyone we know in this life we have met before in another
saffron: do you engage in environmental activism?
OH YEAH ! As much as I can ! Normally a subject close to witches hearts !!!
kebab: Do you put much store in dreams? Do you think they have some deep connection to the spiritual and mystic world?
Yes I do but they are symbolic - just becuase you are in a boat in your dream does not mean you are going in a boat !!!
guy: yep - does the nz pagan community ever have problems within it?
OH boy oh boy - YES ! The pagan community in NZ is young and needs to grow not in numbers either, but you will get that in any walks of life anyway ! People like to disagree with one another I think
what sort of problems do you hve to contend with within the pagan community, Tracey?
ara: i really like how paganism takes good parts from different religions and beliefs but do those groups ever get mad because of it?
We don't actually 'take' anything from other beliefs - we have our own practises that are unique to us - what I did say was we were 'open' to others ways and beliefs - witchcraft is orginally a tribal culture as opposed to a religion - the peoples of the NOrse and anglo saxons and they have their own beliefs
johnnysmithsonian: Do you protest GE? Do you think it is against nature, and do you think Gaia would fight back?
I'm not sure about Gaia fighting back but I am sure she will have a thing or 2 in store ! But yes I protest GE for 2 reasons - I don't think we know enough about it and the govt is ignoring EXPERT and SERIOIUS prolblems that have occured overseas with GE and also I want to KNOW what I am eating thank you ! Don;t use MY body as an experiment
saffron: have you ever been to some of the historical witchsites (Salem and stuff)? if so, I wonder what kind of experience that would have been for you
I have been to historic alleged witchcraft sites in Britain yes - but not Salem - the only thing Salem is famous for is burning alot of poor christians at the stake - I'd rather not visit thank you ! but yes visited a waterfountain dedicated to the witches hung in Edinburgh and stone henge and various other sacred sites - but we have lots of good ones here too !!! It;s about the energy of the land at the end of the day - was good to see them though yes !
ara: do you remember any of your past lives?
I'm not too sure if I believe the fact that you do ! If everyone does there has been a hell of alot of cleopatras reincarnated that's for sure ! No I dont' recall a past life
saffron: just thanks - it was really interesting :-)
My pleasure Saffron - glad to be here !
Pulse_moderator
whew ... sorry dudes but times up. Our thanks to Tracey for such a fun and informative sesh. Look out for the transcript if you want to check things out. Also, keep an eye on Pulse for next month's Talk to session when we'll hve the experts in to answer your questions on Sexual Health & Relationships. Have a good month!!! The chatroom is now closed