Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

KISCHUPH

Kischuph, in the Kabbalah, is the higher magical influence. It is divided into two branches, the elementary and the spiritual, and includes exorcism.

Sometimes Kischuph exhibits a striking resemblance to witchcraft of the medieval period. Sorcerers were said to change themselves into animals (Shape-shifting), and go long distances in a short time. They may also induce pain, disease, and death in men and animals. Still further allied with witches are the "women who make a contract with the Schedim, and meet them a certain times, and visit these spirits who appear to them in the shape of goats. In many countries such women were killed." This form of Kischuph is true Sorcery; the other form, material Kischuph, is rather evil sympathy, consisting of disturbing influences on natural elements produced by exciting false "rapports" in various substances.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc