Occult spells are supernatural rituals or incantations performed with the intention of achieving a specific outcome. These spells are often associated with the occult, which refers to hidden or secret knowledge and practices. The word "occult" itself means "hidden" or "concealed." Occult spells have been practiced for centuries by various cultures and belief systems, including witchcraft, Wicca, and ceremonial magic. These spells typically involve the use of symbols, rituals, and specific words or chants to channel and manipulate supernatural energies or forces. The purposes of occult spells vary widely, ranging from love spells and protection spells to curses and hexes.
The purposes of occult spells vary widely, ranging from love spells and protection spells to curses and hexes. Some practitioners use these spells to bring about positive changes in their own lives or the lives of others, while others may use them to harm or manipulate others. It is important to note that not all occult spells are inherently negative or evil.
Official says journalist’s Nobel Prize not a slap on Duterte
FILE - In this Oct. 9, 2021, file photo, Rappler CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa gestures during an interview at a restaurant in Taguig city, Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration belatedly congratulated journalist Ressa, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for helping fight for freedom of expression under grave risks but rejected criticisms that it was a slap on his leadership, which critics say veer toward authoritarianism.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila, File)
By AARON FAVILA and JOEAL CALUPITAN Published [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Share Share Copy Link copiedMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration belatedly congratulated journalist Maria Ressa Monday for being one of two winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her fight for freedom of expression under grave risks.
However, it rejected criticism that it was a slap on Duterte’s administration despite Ressa being a critic of the president, who opponents say veers toward authoritarianism.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Ressa, the 58-year-old co-founder of the Rappler news website known for its probing reportage into Duterte’s bloody anti-drug crackdown, has been convicted of cyber libel and faces other criminal charges which courts would independently decide on. Journalists were not being muzzled in the country, he said.
It was the first time the Duterte administration has publicly reacted since Ressa won the award on Friday.
“There is no slap there because as everyone knows, no one has ever been censored in the Philippines,” Roque said in reply to a question at a news conference.
Roque sought to back up his statement by citing a Filipino National Artist awardee, Francisco Sionil Jose, who said in a statement that Ressa did not deserve the award and that “the Philippine press is alive and well” not because of her, and added that there were no writers in jail nor did censorship exist in the country.
Duterte has not shut down any newspaper or radio station, Jose said. Even though the president exerted influence on Congress, which did not renew the license of leading TV network ABS-CBN, leading to its closure last year, that was not a press freedom issue, he said.
Jose conceded that journalists have been killed after attacking local politicians and officials under Duterte — similar to what had happened under his predecessors. However, “those killings cannot be laid at Duterte’s door,” said the 96-year-old multi-awarded novelist, whose comments drew intense criticism and ridicule.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee noted that Ressa’s Rappler news site, which was set up in 2012, has put a spotlight on Duterte’s “controversial, murderous anti-drug campaign” in the Philippines. Other domestic and international news agencies have also closely reported on the brutal campaign, which Duterte launched when he took office in 2016, and which has left more than 6,000 mostly poor suspects dead.
Western governments and human rights groups have repeatedly expressed concerns about the level of brutality and lack of due process.
The committee also cited the work of Ressa and Rappler in documenting “how social media is being used to spread fake news, harass opponents and manipulate public discourse.”
Ressa won the award with Dmitry Muratov of Russia, a co-founder of the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta, which the Nobel committee called “the most independent newspaper in Russia today, with a fundamentally critical attitude towards power.” Six of its journalists have been killed since its founding in 1993, the committee said.
Ressa was convicted last year of libel and sentenced to up to six years in prison in a decision media watchdogs called a major blow to press freedom in an Asian bastion of democracy.
The Manila court found Ressa and a former Rappler reporter, Reynaldo Santos Jr., guilty of libeling a wealthy businessman, who was linked to a murder, drug dealing, human trafficking and smuggling in a story that cited an intelligence report. The businessman denied the allegations and complained that Rappler did not publish his side of the story. The news site’s lawyers disputed any malice and said the statute of limitations for filing the libel complaint had passed.
Ressa and Santos appealed the convictions.
Ressa, the first Filipino to clinch a Nobel, said she could not have caught the attention of the prestigious awards “without the kind of oppression, without the kind of push that we had.”
“So you know, sometimes, I joke and I say I should really thank President Duterte for a lot of things,” she told The Associated Press. “He’s forced me to define my lines, he’s forced me to stick to the idea of my values, he’s forced Rappler to be more idealistic, better, faster, more mission-driven and I hope, you know, we come out of it stronger.”
Duterte and other Philippine officials have said the criminal complaints against Ressa and Rappler were not a press freedom issue but a part of normal judicial procedures arising from their alleged violations of the law.
Duterte has openly lambasted journalists and news sites who report critically about him, including the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading daily, and ABS-CBN, which was shut down by the government’s telecommunications regulator after its 25-year license expired.
The shutdown has been criticized as it cut off a major source of information on the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Philippines has remained one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists even after the 1986 downfall of dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who had muzzled the media, imprisoned journalists and opponents and tortured activists.
In 2009, 58 people were gunned down in the country’s volatile south in a brazen assault sparked by an electoral rivalry between two powerful political clans that horrified the world. Thirty-two of those gunned down were local reporters and media workers in the world’s single worst recorded attack on journalists.
Many practitioners believe in the balance of light and dark forces and use these spells with good intentions. However, there are also individuals who misuse the power of occult spells for personal gain or to cause harm. The effectiveness of occult spells is a topic of great debate and skepticism. Many people believe in the power of these spells and claim to have witnessed their effects, while others view them as mere superstition or psychological manipulation. Regardless of one's beliefs, occult spells have a significant role in various cultures and subcultures around the world. They continue to be practiced and studied by individuals seeking to tap into the hidden forces of the universe, explore their spiritual path, or experiment with the mysteries of the occult..
Reviews for "Casting Spells: Rituals and Practices of the Occult"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Occult spells pftde". The spells were not effective at all and seemed like a waste of my time. I followed the instructions exactly, but nothing happened. I had higher expectations for this book, but it just didn't deliver. I won't be recommending it to anyone.
- John - 2 stars - I found "Occult spells pftde" to be quite confusing and poorly organized. The book jumped from one topic to another without much explanation, making it difficult to follow along. The spells themselves were also not well-explained, leaving me uncertain about how to properly execute them. Overall, I didn't find this book useful and it left me feeling frustrated.
- Emily - 1 star - "Occult spells pftde" was a complete waste of money. The spells described in this book were overly simplistic and lacked any real substance. It felt like the author just compiled a list of random spells without any real knowledge or understanding of occult practices. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about occult spells.
- James - 2 stars - I was really excited to get "Occult spells pftde" as I have always been interested in this subject. However, I was disappointed with the lack of depth and substance in this book. The spells described were very basic and lacked the intricacy that I was expecting. The book also lacked any real guidance or explanations, leaving me feeling confused. Overall, I think there are much better resources out there for anyone interested in occult spells.