question of the day...

[littleebomb]

so considering the rule; 'harm none do as you will'

i think it includes phsyical and verbal abluse and assault to others and to the self. (neh?)

how about verbal abuse to others, even out of earshot?

i mean if words have power and ideas energy (mind over matter) does saying harmful words have an affect of some sort?

thoughts?

Comments

[renrabbit]

Well here is my thought:
Consider the belief that Names have power. which is an old belief that finding out the true name of someone can be their undoing. basically meaning they would loose "power".
I also will recall last year i went and had my JuJu read at the NYRF, and at the moment their was lots of small BB's in the JuJu and she said that represented some one or some were taking Pot shots at you. And I needed to get rid of them.
Well i had an assumtion on what the Pots shots were from. Not saying I was correct. But i woud say yes talking Ill of someone can have an affect in energy, and it can always come back if you believe in Karma and the rule of three. So i am always mindful how i speak of others. I tend not to Bash people to the extreme some think i might. I still think highly on somes peoples abilities, and try to find the positive side to them. To out right Hate a person is i think wrong.
Since the Belief that words have power Hate would be a strong powerful word.
Just my 3 cents

[temperlj]

Intention -always important. I find it funny that a successful doctor and speaker uses the same language as my Mom the witch. That same word-powerful.

Words ARE powerful, they can stir love or hate. Politicians both abuse and try to quell them.

The written word? Astounding-passing on knowledge in a common context.

So yes, that which you convey with your life, your speech and your written word can be a beacon or a cudgel

[valbearie]

I never thought of it that way before, but I guess yes. Words have great power. There is an old saying "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." I find that false since bones heal but once words are said they keep coming back into your mind even years later and at the most inopportune times.

Words, even said in private, can have a devastating effect on you and how you act later. Your words are remembered by you and can come back to your subconscious and affect how you act towards people and situations.

In my old age, I have learned that words, once said, are out there and can never be taken back and anyone can take them and twist them to suit their needs and then tell everyone they were your words. Even if twisted out of context, they are still your words and you can't deny having said them.

I tell Ben to count to 10 before speaking. I give very good advice but very seldom, follow it (Alice in Wonderland) At 53 I should start following my own advice. I'll start tomorrow. :o)

[bababarianmerc]

if you want some one hurt just let me know who.

words

[dathar]

you know i was going to say a similar thing as most of the previous posters so i won't rehash. I'll add though... the whole deal with hate... Hate is a self destructive emotion... you do more harm to yourself by hating than you do to the subject of your hate. I find it interesting that despite a lot of the negative things i've gone through over the years i harbour very little resentment or negative emotions towards the people who harmed... its better to let that go as all it does is harm YOU in stead... so the people who hurt us continue to hurt us. Again there was no context to your question (no example) and we're all just putting in our own experiences (and also anyone who knows me knows that I can be whipped up into a neg. storm of anger and resentment if prodded the right way... but for the most part i don't live with those emotions in my daily life

Re: words

[ctmatt]

Emotions themselves are not negative. Emotions are energy, what people do with those emotions is either positive or negative. People say that anger is a negative emotion, but if you use that anger to motivate yourself to be a better person or accomplish something greater then you have previously then you have used it in a positive way. Words are an expression of emotion and therefore hold a great deal of power as the focus of that energy. Again however, the words themselves are not the important things, but the intentions behind them are. Communication is the key in any relationship, whether or not it is between two people intimately or several people socially. Therefore words are extremely important.

So in direct response to Erica's original question, yes someone saying harmful words (if meant in a harmful way or not communicated beyond the initial statement for clarification) would have a devastating effect.

[ladykatyara]

Yes harm includes words. I believe its the intention behind the action which defines something as 'harm'. So if you think of it that way it's very encompassing. I tend to be rather simplistic in this veiwpoint so in no way do I feel that others should take my view as their own unless it's their desire to do so. Thinking about your intentions behind an action really forces you to think about everything you do and why for magical work as well so I also feel this is an important thing to keep in mind.