| Black magic or dark magic as it is sometimes | | | | There are thought to be many forms and |
| called is a form of magic that is intended to | | | | components to black magic and those casting |
| draw malevolent spirits or entities and is | | | | the black magic have different interests and |
| usually performed for acts of evil. | | | | reasons for doing so, followers of this |
| | | | theory believe that black magic is only |
| During the inquisition, Christians were | | | | harmful when it involves the use of personal |
| frightened of witches and warlocks who | | | | items such as clothing, hair or blood of |
| practised these black magic rituals but now | | | | those the spell is directed towards. |
| in modern times witches will use the term | | | | |
| black magic to offset the good magic they | | | | The no connection theory |
| profess to practise, as black magic is said | | | | |
| to be very rarely used. | | | | Followers of this theory believe that black |
| | | | and white magic have no connection at all as |
| In olden days, black magic was performed to | | | | both practises use totally different forms, |
| gain benefit without regard to the harm that | | | | followers to this theory see both forms as |
| it caused others and indeed most performed | | | | totally opposing each other. |
| black magic solely to hurt and inflict damage | | | | |
| on others. The difference between black magic | | | | The separate but equal theory |
| and white magic is still debated amongst | | | | |
| modern witches with several theories | | | | People who follow this theory believe black |
| contrasting the two branches. Theories such | | | | and white magic are the same thing with the |
| as the “all as one”, “no | | | | only difference being the goals they |
| connection” and “separate but | | | | accomplish and the means by which witches get |
| equal” theories all being popular and | | | | there. All spells are spells and the |
| open for debate. | | | | difference is only determined by the outcome |
| | | | of the particular spell cast. |
| The most popular theories include: | | | | |
| | | | Black magic is usually said to be performed |
| The all as one theory | | | | more by those who worship the devil hence the |
| | | | term black magic, magic spells cast this way |
| Believers of this theory believe that all | | | | will usually involve the use of ones personal |
| magic, black or white is evil with black | | | | belongings such a piece of clothing, a lock |
| magic generally being associated with the | | | | of hair or blood. The spells cast are said to |
| devil or Satan. Religions such as | | | | usually be for the sole purpose of bringing |
| Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism all | | | | harm to the one they are directed at. |
| follow the belief that any type of magic is | | | | |
| bad.As black magic refers to powers of | | | | White magic is usually thought to help people |
| darkness, believers of this theory believe | | | | and do no harm to others; popular spells of |
| that this type of magic relates directly to | | | | this type are love spells and potions, with |
| Satan. | | | | the hope of bringing the love of your life |
| | | | into your arms. However, spells of this type |
| The formal differences theory | | | | usually involve the use of personal |
| | | | belongings too but for different means. |