Necromancy

[Kathy]

I too have been wanting to research Necromancy. Not to practice!!! just curious and want to know what it's about.
Now, what about just reading the book? i have access to one and I'm planning on barrowing it.

What do you think about this situation? Your advise would be most helpful.

Blessings~

[slavetolilith]

well i joined because i want to try and use necromancy and a mix of earth magic to bring lillith back to life

[SingingBear]

Just to make certain we are all defining the word correctly I'm going to give a few links. That way when you read my response you will know the definition I am using.
From Merriam Webster online
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/necromancy
The Online Etymology Dictionary
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=necromancy&searchmode=none
Lastly Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necromancy

By strict definition we practice minimal to in depth forms of Necromancy when we do what Witches do. Spirit Guides, and a typical Samhain Ritual are the simplest forms, Specifically Calling the recently departed and or the long dead to ask them questions are the most involved.
Let me ask those of you who wish to pursue the more advanced forms of Necromancy, How good are you at Grounding and Shielding? How Good are you at Energy movement?
The Craft should be taught from the same point of view as an Industrial Arts class or Vocational Technical Class
Safety First
General Familiarization with the tools of the Trade
Safety First
Advanced Practice with the Tools of the Trade
oh yeah Safety First.
That in mind I can only advise you in the very Basics and will leave the advanced practice to others more adept.
For what its Worth with Samhain so close what you do for your Samhain Celebrations could give you a nice introduction to the very Basic practice of Speaking with those beyond the Veil.
But remember to do so with the utmost care and concern that you come back from your circle to this world.
Blessings
Bear

[Malikite]

If Necromancy calls to you, do not let others' fears and the "taboo" of it put you off. It is not as hard to practice as one might think. And the physical demands, aside from a few scars from blood letting, are a myth. Not many have the will, power, drive, or desire, to control the dead but it can come in handy. Usually I use Necromancy to aide me in the making of talismans and fetishes. Now, don't go out and try this just because you think you can either. It is what most consider "higher Magic" so unless you are strong enough to channel manifest and control such strong energies across multiple plains I suggest you start off slowly with Blood magic and rituals, follow the path of blood before taking the next step.

[LupusStormDancer]

Ok so there are a whole lot of myths and stories about necromancy, but honestly how can you tell what is real and what isn't? The idea of necromancy though called different names has been around for a while from what I'm able to comprehend on this subject is it's main focus is communication and such with the other side. Some people will go as far as saying it's controlling the dead and bringing people back from the other side. Which we all know is a bit fantastical. So my question is what is it really?

[Malikite]

What is it really? Well, it is what you make of it. Simply put, you take it as far as you want it to go. A witch or mage is only limited by his or her own ability. That's the beauty and danger of magic, to those truly skilled at the arts, there are no limits to what can be done if enough energy and will is put into effect.

[moonTraveler]

Hmm, I disagree that one "cannot speak with the dead directly". Now, I will say that I disagree because I am a medium and not a necromancer per say. As for blood rituals and everything else, I would recommend several years experience in grounding, shielding, maybe binding or talismans, and just general experience. None of that should be taken with anything but all safety and seriousness.

[LupusStormDancer]

Bahaha wow that tells me nothing you have just explained what I already know. What I want to know is what is the actual physics of it the components the...the oh what's the word Gah now my brain hurts XP Telling me necromancy is what I make of it is a load of bologna each thing in magic has it's components and aspects unique to itself. I want to know what necromany IS not what it is do you understand??

[Malikite]

Necromancy is a form of magic created originally for none mediums to converse with the deceased. over time it evolved to include the darker forms of necromancy which involves taking control and enslaving the dead, dieing, and the remains of the dead. for those who think it is not the dead, but the memory of the dead energy we contact, let me inform you that is not the case. Not all dead pass to the next plane, and not everyone reincarnates. not to mention. time is living human concept. what could be 1000 years for us, can very well be but a blink for the dead, or vice versa. as for the name or title necromancer it means death dancer. necromancy would be death dancing or dancing with death depending on your translating skills. the places it originated from where ancient greece and later taken to higher levels in ancient egypt. as civilizations and religions moved and concord nations, so did all magics, and each culture had its own way of doing things and so we are left today with what we have.

[Arx]

Necromancy is a form of magic created originally for none mediums to converse with the deceased. over time it evolved to include the darker forms of necromancy which involves taking control and enslaving the dead, dieing, and the remains of the dead. for those who think it is not the dead, but the memory of the dead energy we contact, let me inform you that is not the case. Not all dead pass to the next plane, and not everyone reincarnates. not to mention. time is living human concept. what could be 1000 years for us, can very well be but a blink for the dead, or vice versa. as for the name or title necromancer it means death dancer. necromancy would be death dancing or dancing with death depending on your translating skills. the places it originated from where ancient greece and later taken to higher levels in ancient egypt. as civilizations and religions moved and concord nations, so did all magics, and each culture had its own way of doing things and so we are left today with what we have.

Ugh, actually Necromancy doesn't mean death dancer at all. It's based on the Greek words Necros and Manteia which translate to "the dead" and "divination." There's nothing in the meaning whatsoever regarding dancing. Even if we wanted to go further back with "manteia" it roots back to manteuesthai which means prophecy and "mantis" which means prophet. Secondly, if it was to mean "death dancer," the term Thanatos would have been more appropriate than Necros. Thanatos means "death" whereas Necros is "the Dead."

Furthermore, the Greeks didn't introduce the concept to the Egyptians at all. If anything, it would more likely be the Egyptians influencing the Greeks. The Egyptian civilisation was well past its hay day when the Greeks were at their peak - what with the Greeks conquering Egypt and all. It would have been quite probable that much of their spiritual traditions would have had an impact on the Greek empire.

Lastly, necromancy (the practice of divining via the dead as opposed to the etymology of the word) didn't originate in Greece. Most cultures around the world practiced some form of necromancy, with or without any contact with ancient Greece. You can't really say that Chinese ancestral worship was influenced by the Greeks - likewise with Mayan practices.

-Arx-

[RhiHu]

If Necromancy calls to you, do not let others' fears and the "taboo" of it put you off. It is not as hard to practice as one might think. And the physical demands, aside from a few scars from blood letting, are a myth. Not many have the will, power, drive, or desire, to control the dead but it can come in handy. Usually I use Necromancy to aide me in the making of talismans and fetishes. Now, don't go out and try this just because you think you can either. It is what most consider "higher Magic" so unless you are strong enough to channel manifest and control such strong energies across multiple plains I suggest you start off slowly with Blood magic and rituals, follow the path of blood before taking the next step.

I just have to say, I find calling necromancy a 'higher magic' rather ridiculous and offensive. If by 'most' people you are refering to people who don't have a clue what your talking about and are impressed with anything that sounds dark and scary... then sure, most might think it's a high art. If by 'most' you mean serious adlut practitioners who work with the dead as their calling and understand the basic principles and concepts of magick on an intimate level... then NO we would not. I don't think I'm allowed to say exactly what 'we' would think of it, or the minimal skill set and mentality required.

[LupusStormDancer]

Thanks a ton for the great information Arx

[Ken Ra]

I remember a line from somewhere...  The councils of the Dead are not beneficial to the living.  I have talked with the Dead several times mostly family, to help me and them with their passing.  Magic + the General Dead for your benefit, this is to me is iffy at best. Then again Magic against ordinary people for my benefit IS wrong. Purpose and Motive are important as well as the means you intend to use. "Necromancy is what you make it." with all the definitions ideas feelings and fantasy's about it you need to be sure of what You are talking about.  Then communicate that to who ever you are talking to.

[truffledude]

well i joined because i want to try and use necromancy and a mix of earth magic to bring lillith back to life

I don't get it. Who said She was dead?