'Gypsy' Articles
Gypsies do not have a single tradition. The Gypsy people actually originated from India. Some migrated through northern Africa and is why they got the name Gypsy. It’s an adaptation of the Greek word for Egyptian, but they are not Egyptian. They do believe in a spirit world, and they do believe that spirits can make bad luck for people. So much of their magickal practice is based on interacting with these spirits.
If you are practicing any magick, it’s possible it had been carried by Gypsies, even originated with them. It’s just as possible it had nothing to do with them.
“It is impossible to imagine a more complete fusion with nature than that of the Gypsy.” Franz Liszt
“The dog that trots about finds a bone.” Gypsy Proverbs
Gypsy Magick
Tonight’s topic is Gypsy Magick. It’s kind of a hard topic to talk about as they do not have a single tradition. They are not a single tribe for one, and they do not all engage in entertainment for a living, or didn’t. Fortune telling, thieving, maybe edging on witchcraft? Actually, no witchcraft. Not as westerners know it, and most have embraced the dominant religion of the places they have settled. More leaning to Voodoo then? Yes. Actually for those who are Catholic their magickal practices are more like Santeria. Santeria is adapted from Voodoo, but replaces the Loa with… Seek More
Patriarchal Society
Gypsies are a patriarchal society, but they do not see women as cattle. In fact, their marriage ceremonies are rather informal. Two who wish to be married come before the tribes head man and state their intent promising to be loyal to each other. Then they are considered married. Keep in mind their view of breaking promises. Men lead because they are seen as the ones who should be responsible for dealing with the outside world. They can interact with outsiders and not bring the outsiders taint home. But what makes a man the leader of his clan, at least… Seek More
Roma Spirituality
Back to magic. The Gypsy people do not believe the practice of magick is evil, but they do believe it can be practiced foolishly and cause harm. From their point of view, you respect God and look for his/her hand in the world, look for signs. But if you need healing you do it yourself. To pray to God for healing, they feel is disrespectful of God. How do they heal themselves? Natural medicine and purification rites. In the movies, they have no use for the non-believer in the crowd. That is actually true. A Gypsy won’t argue with you… Seek More
Gypsy Belief
Gypsy people do believe in possession, and they do believe that those possessed are under the influence of the Devil. But again, it’s not about evil. They do believe in werewolves and such, but it’s more just an accident than a moral failing. They believe werewolves are bad. They do believe in vampires, but vampires are draining spirits not movie villains, and they have ways for dealing with any source of negative influence. Crystals and such? Potentially. They did adopt magick from other cultures and adjusted it to keep with their understanding of the worlds balance. What exactly you would… Seek More
Gyspy Family
Gypsy people work as an extended family and they play the same way. Brother John isn’t poor, the clan is poor. Sister Sue isn’t unhappy, the clan is unhappy. There is a reason you don’t hear of Gypsy people “escaping”. Telling OMG stories of how horrible their families are. They don’t escape because they don’t feel the need, and those who have had a falling out with their clan are generally unhappy about it. They may have disagreed with their peoples ways and usually have a sense of spiritual unease about it. A solitary entrepreneur doesn’t earn respect among them.… Seek More
Luck Of The Gypsy
Does superstition come from Gypsy beliefs? Not just. The Gypsy people picked up a lot of beliefs, but some they never embraced and still don’t. The word superstition means surviving belief, and they make a point of avoiding practices and even ideas they feel are unclean. Superstition is basically the same thing as tradition, but in the case of the Roma, breaking tradition is seen as bad luck. If you are practicing any magick, it’s possible it had been carried by Gypsies, even originated with them. It’s just as possible it had nothing to do with them. There is a… Seek More
