An answer for Eileen

[idnami]

Well Eileen I don't know if you are still around but since I think I am the only practicing witch around here lets see if I can't shed some light on this very convoluted subject.
Someone earlier on pointed out that witches themselves disagree on what defines a witch. This is true, but there are some common factors.
The word witch is thought to be derived from the saxon words wic and wit. To bend (think wicker) and wise. So, one who is wise, who does not blind themselves against what reality is by clinging to what they wish it was or think it should be. But also one who knows that we all bend and shape reality with our thoughts and actions and chooses to do so consciously with a deliberate purpose rather than unconsciously AS WE ALL DO. It is my personal belief that the force behind magic is also the life force itself and, whether we believe it and approve of the idea or not, we ALL are creating the reality we choose all the time. I feel that this idea is supported not only by the obvious results of our thoughts and actions, but by the Bible as well.
In many initiation rituals the initiate takes vows to quest for knowledge and to look beyond appearances. We mainly agree that self awareness is key. We also agree that our thoughts shape reality and this is the basis behind spellwork. Some witches use quite elaborate ceremonies to work a spell and others incorporate magic into our everyday existence. I sit on both sides of the fence myself. I like ritual in its place but because I believe that God is everywhere, including inside me, and because, to me at least, it is plainly clear how seen and unseen forces operate together, I tend to dispense with ritual and simply will a thing into being. Like Jesus cursing the fig tree. He pointed to the tree and said "No one will ever eat figs from you again!" When the disciples express their wonder that the tree is dead the day after he says (and I paraphrase) "what are you so surprised for? You could do this! Anyone who asks for a thing with no doubt in their heart that they will get it surely will! You can tell a mountain to throw itself into the sea and it will if you ask in perfect faith and belief."
Most witches don't like it when you cite the bible to support witchcraft. They like to consider themselves entirely seperate from christianity. I don't think so. I do believe that each religion has influenced the other in ways neither "side" likes to acknowledge. I don't go so far as to call myself a christian witch, but there are some that do and don't see a conflict.
I digress.
The question of what defines paganism is a sticky one. Pagan is generally taken to mean polytheist but that is not necessarily the case. A pharoah of ancient Egypt called Akhenaten believed that all the gods were manifestations of a single divinity called the Aten. He tried to enforce this by converting existing temples and building new ones. He was called a blasphemer after his death and his temples were all destroyed. However I am sure any christian in this forum would define him as a pagan despite his monotheistic beliefs. Interestingly, modern occult thought has largely adopted this idea. We say "All goddesses are one goddess, all gods are one god, and the One that is All is beyond gender, beyond human understanding. I personally have never been able to wrap my head around the idea that the One True God could be exclusively male. Some witches have chosen to focus only on the Feminine side of divinity and they are called Dianists after Diana the Vigin Huntress of Greek mythology. I think we need to get beyond that kind of limited thinking. My own belief on the subject is that God is beyond not only gender, but species or any other framework you might try to cage the Allmighty in.
Mainly, for me, being a witch is about healing the wounded human consciousness. I agree that all have "sinned" and fall short of glory. However I also believe that no one can save us from the ignorance that causes this but ourselves and each other. Sin is that which separates us from God. But because God is everywhere that separation actually ONLY occurs in our perception. So being a witch, for me, is about getting back to the perfect communion I feel we all unconsciously can remember.
Anyway, you see that it is not easy to put a neat definition to witchcraft. We are not an organized religion and we prefer it that way. I could go on and on and still not cover a fraction of what it can entail. If you are interested in more info I can offer you some resources. I hope that helps!

[Invicta]

The question of what defines paganism is a sticky one. Pagan is generally taken to mean polytheist but that is not necessarily the case. A pharoah of ancient Egypt called Akhenaten believed that all the gods were manifestations of a single divinity called the Aten. He tried to enforce this by converting existing temples and building new ones. He was called a blasphemer after his death and his temples were all destroyed.

Perhaps he was the father in law of Solomon and was influenced by him.

[idnami]

I wonder. it is very possible. Solomon is a very enigmatic figure. There is a medieval occult text called The Key of Solomon which is attibuted to the biblical Solomon, though it is unlikely that he had anything to do with it.
I couldn't find out what time period Solomon was supposed to have lived in, do you know it? Akhenaten is believed to have reigned from 1353 BC-1336 BC or 1351 BC–1334 BC though it is always up for debate.

[Invicta]

I wonder. it is very possible. Solomon is a very enigmatic figure. There is a medieval occult text called The Key of Solomon which is attibuted to the biblical Solomon, though it is unlikely that he had anything to do with it.
I couldn't find out what time period Solomon was supposed to have lived in, do you know it? Akhenaten is believed to have reigned from 1353 BC-1336 BC or 1351 BC–1334 BC though it is always up for debate.

I think all these dates are doubtful. David is said to have been about 1,000 BC so Solomon would be 1,000=900 BC. There was a comment on who was the father in law of Solomon in a book called "The Exodus problem and its ramifications (2 vols) but I am not sure what the conclusion was.

[Templar Knight]

if I remember correctly Akhenaten was contemporary with Moses. Again as I recall there is a school of thought that believes they may have been
the same person.

There are some other connections here but @4am my egyptology is a bit foggy.

[Invicta]

The Exodus Problem also gave what it thought was the name of Moses. It was too long ago that I read it to remember what, though.

[Templar Knight]

Akhenaten. there is a great deal of evidence that Akhenaten was in fact Moses.

[Invicta]

Akhenaten. there is a great deal of evidence that Akhenaten was in fact Moses.

Hardly! Akhenaten was about the time of Solomon, perhaps even Solomon's father in law.

[Templar Knight]

Akhenaten. there is a great deal of evidence that Akhenaten was in fact Moses.

Hardly! Akhenaten was about the time of Solomon, perhaps even Solomon's father in law.

I think you are wrong but as i dont have access to my books right now, (just moved still packed) we can agree to disagree.

[Mike Tea]

Solomon d.922 BC

Moses circia 13th century BC

Akhenaten d. circa 1362

(Source Philip's World History Encyclopedia)

I woulod like to see this evidence that identifies Moses with Akhenaten.