White magic, also known as benevolent or good magic, refers to the practice of using supernatural or mystical powers for positive purposes. It is often associated with healing, protection, love, and positive transformation. White magic is believed to draw on natural and spiritual forces, as well as the practitioner's intention and energy, to bring about desired outcomes. Unlike its counterpart, black magic, which is associated with negativity, harm, and manipulation, white magic seeks to bring harmony and balance to the world. It is commonly used for healing ailments, both physical and emotional, bringing luck and good fortune, attracting love and positive relationships, and providing spiritual guidance. In white magic practices, practitioners often use various tools and rituals such as spells, incantations, herbs, crystals, and charms.
existing as an idea, feeling, or quality, not as a material object
The apostle Paul condemned Elymas the sorcerer, proclaiming him a child of the devil who was full of all kinds of deceit and trickery and was perverting the right ways of the Lord Acts 13 10. Although Wicca is fairly open-ended and there are various denominations and theological positions within the belief, there are certain beliefs, practices, and traditions that connect adherents of white magic to Wicca.
In white magic practices, practitioners often use various tools and rituals such as spells, incantations, herbs, crystals, and charms. These tools are believed to enhance the practitioner's connection to the spiritual realms and channel positive energies to manifest desired outcomes. It is important to note that white magic should always be used responsibly and with good intentions.
Survival Is An Invitation To Push Through Hard Times In 'White Magic'
Comparing multilayered narratives to onions can be an effective way of communicating that they possess various levels and many elements that work together simultaneously.
However, I've always thought the onion comparison implies some kind of organic nature, a type of structure that grows naturally. In the case of Elissa Washuta's White Magic, a better comparison is to a hand-rolled cigar — because there was clearly a deliberate layering after a series of violent events and a lot of pressure involved in the process.
White Magic is three books in one. The first is a critique of cheap, modern facsimiles of Native spiritual tools and occult practices that can be bought online in plastic, often kitschy, kits. This critique branches out to discuss some of the things that made those modern facsimiles possible: the cultural appropriation of ancient Native American practices, colonialism, and a search for something more that will help us escape, control, and improve our lives. The second book is a biography in which Washuta openly discusses the abusive men in her life, how a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder lead to years on useless pills that didn't help, her identity and heritage as a Cowlitz, the experiences that shaped — and often broke — her, and her battle with PTSD, drugs, these abusive men, and alcohol. Finally, the third book is a sort of fragmented encyclopedia of facts, stories, history, and even etymology. Magic and a constant search for answers are the glue that holds the three narratives together, and Washuta's writing makes it all a gripping, emotionally harrowing read.
This is a collection of mostly biographical intertwined essays, which makes it nonfiction, but other than that, this book is hard to categorize. To name all the things Washuta discusses here would be impossible because of word count constraints, but she brings it all together beautifully. For example, she writes about the history of the land, recounts her past relationships, and enters into conversation with a plethora of fiction and nonfiction texts. The book has an impressive bibliography. However, the two most important conversations Washuta has are with herself and with the reader. The conversation with herself is rich in both reflection and gloom. The conversation with the reader is sometimes direct, as happens in one of the many wild footnotes that accompany a few of the also numerous epigraphs:
"Are you wondering what I'm trying to do here? Do you think I made an error? Did you flip back to the previous epigraphs? Do you worry you're missing my meaning? Do you like my epigraphs? Have you ever been to church? Have you ever cast a spell? How do you feel about being asked a question? A rhetorical question? A hypothetical question? An intrusive question? Have you ever played devil's advocate? If you don't like my epigraphs, let me play devil's advocate: What if you don't actually know what an epigraph is for? Or, at least, not here, where I am the center."
The jumpy nature of that passage can be seen throughout the book. It's not, however, disorganized jumping. Washuta is always in control and uses borrowed narratives, folklore, legends, myths, and occasional help not only from books but also from Google and Wikipedia to infuse every essay in White Magic with information that shows she's not afraid to explore what lies beyond any of the doors that open in her mind. Also, she loves to discuss things like films, music videos, video games, and other visual and aural narratives that are often used to frame her words or offer respite from the onslaught of dark memories found here.
White Magic is a survival story, but one that's hard to read. Washuta's writing makes reading her a superb experience, but this is the type of book that runs toward darkness. From rape and horror movies to drug abuse and death from black lung, this is a book that digs deep to expose the ugliest corners of our history as well as colonization, alcoholism, abusive relationships, and heartbreak:
"Hell is not the underworld or the land of the dead. Hell is not where you go when you die. Hell is a place you get to while living. You get there through men. I kept looking for a husband, but nearly every body was a door to hell. I'm drowning in a lake of fire, barely keeping my mouth above magma."
White Magic is full of magic and pain. This is a complex book that deals with trauma while exploring cultural inheritance and the way the attacks on Native women never stopped. Yes, it's tough to read, but it is also necessary and magical because Washuta manages to give us pain, history, and abuse via words in a way that her survival becomes an invitation to push through our own hard times.
Gabino Iglesias is an author, book reviewer and professor living in Austin, Texas. Find him on Twitter at @Gabino_Iglesias.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
The ethics of white magic emphasize the importance of not causing harm or manipulating others against their will. Practitioners are encouraged to focus on personal growth, inner peace, and helping others. While white magic is often associated with pagan and Wiccan belief systems, it is also practiced by individuals from various spiritual and religious backgrounds. Its principles of positivity, respect for nature, and the belief in the interconnectedness of all beings resonate with people seeking a more compassionate and balanced approach to spirituality and magic..
Reviews for "Balancing the Chakras with White Magic Energy Healing"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "What's White Mefic" to be quite disappointing. The plot was disjointed and lacked depth, leaving me confused and uninterested. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was off, with slow moments that seemed to drag on and then sudden, random bursts of action that didn't make much sense. Overall, I felt the movie struggled to find its identity and failed to deliver a cohesive and engaging storyline.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "What's White Mefic" was an absolute waste of time for me. The dialogue was poorly written, making it cringe-worthy and uninspiring. The acting felt forced and unconvincing, further adding to my disappointment. Moreover, the cinematography was subpar, with distracting camera angles and shaky shots that took away from the viewing experience. The movie lacked originality and failed to provide any meaningful message or entertainment value. I definitely do not recommend wasting your time on this film.
3. Michael - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "What's White Mefic" but ended up feeling let down. The film's attempt at humor fell flat, with jokes that bordered on offensive and made me uncomfortable. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me disconnected from the characters and their plights. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult to engage with the narrative. While there were a few standout performances, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution of the film. Overall, "What's White Mefic" failed to live up to its potential and left me wanting more.
4. Emily - 3/5 - "What's White Mefic" had its moments, but overall, it fell short for me. The movie had an intriguing concept but failed to fully explore it. The characters' motivations and actions were unclear, making it hard to empathize with their struggles. The pacing was slow, and there were many scenes that seemed unnecessary and dragged on. While the film had some visually appealing aspects, this alone couldn't save it from its narrative shortcomings. I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the overall experience.
5. Daniel - 2/5 - "What's White Mefic" lacked originality and failed to offer anything new or exciting. The plot felt formulaic and predictable, leaving me feeling unengaged. The dialogue was cliché and lacked depth, making it difficult to fully invest in the story. The characters, while adequately performed, were one-dimensional and lacked development. Additionally, the pacing was off, with dull moments that took away from the overall viewing experience. Overall, "What's White Mefic" failed to leave a lasting impression and left me wanting more from its lackluster execution.