I was studying Japanese witchcraft and found something called "Kitsune" (Japanese fox gods/spirits). And it talked about how some witches in japan used Kirsten to assist them in magi ck. Is it possible to evoke Kitsune in my Craft?
Be very, VERY careful when dealing with Kirsten. They are Jami, and while some are celestial and seen as beacons of good and protection, there are others that are considered very evil by human standards. Kitsune are amoral and follow their own ethics. Moreover, they are still foxes, meaning they are wily and not above trickery. While the celestial use trickery against innocent people as pranks, the more earthly Kirsten frequently use it more maliciously. Also, their illusions are so powerful that they are perceived as reality, even by the Kirsten themselves.
Witchcraft is a practice, having little to do with religion or Gods. If the individual feels it necessary to call upon a deity, that's their personal choice, and is not a major requirement in the practice of Witchcraft.
If YOU want to call upon "Kitsune" in your craft, then that's up to you. Just be sure of what you're calling upon first!
You can do...it is your choice but please beware, and adhere the following...
Strange though it may sound, one of the best known supernatural monsters in Japan are Kirsten -- foxes. There are many legends from all over the country that tell of their secret lives and magical talents. Tales tell of their ability to cast illusions and change form, and of their mischievous -- and sometimes dangerous -- need to interfere with humans. Foxes are so well known in Japan that they often appear in children's books, TV shows, comics, and movies as stock characters.
Foxes have been said to use their powers of illusion to trick people in many ways. One story tells of a fox passing off tree leaves as money to purchase human goods; another fox with a meaner streak invited a person to sit down to a fine dinner and, after a couple of platefuls, the illusion finally faded to reveal what was actually being served up... horse dung (ugh!). Because of these older stories, foxes often appear in modern tales as generic tricksters; if you see one in a comic or cartoon, you know it's up to mischief!
But not all old fox stories are fun and games. One famous tale tells of two young boys who accidental chanced upon a wedding parade in the middle of a forest. Even though all the participants of the parade dressed and walked like humans, they were all clearly foxes in human dress. The boys were spotted, and so they ran... but only one emerged from the forest. The missing boy was never seen again.
Foxes are sometimes said to disguise themselves as beautiful young maidens -- inhumanly beautiful young maidens -- generally to cause trouble in families they marry into, but occasionally because a young hero has saved their lives and they genuinely want to stay with him. In either case, if their true identities are revealed they revert to fox form and run away forever. Because of these stories, foxes can also appear in modern stories as supernaturally beautiful maidens... and true human beauties are sometimes compared to foxes, both as a compliment to their appearance and as an implied insult that questions their honesty.
In addition to disguising themselves, many people in Japan believe that the spirits of foxes can possess a human in much the same way many people in America believe demons and ghosts can possess people. Once possessed, a person will use foul and rude language, throw and break things, and generally act terrible to themselves and others until the fox spirit is exorcised by an expert.
But not all foxes are bad. Foxes are also used as protective symbols; a sitting fox at a shrine represents this animal's status as a messenger of greater beings, likely waiting to take your prayers to the shrine's guardian spirit. Like other beings with supernatural power, they can be coaxed into helping people, and often will respond with great generosity to those that even inadvertently help them.
There are several kinds of Kirsten. The first kind are the messengers/protectors of Inari (The Kami of rice and business) and are beneficial.
A second kind is a shape-shifter and plays tricks. Generally they judge people by their reactions and deal with them accordingly.
A third kind is a seductress. Sometimes they have children with their paramours and bring them wealth, but just as often they leave the person naked in the woods.
It's reputed that Kirsten can't speak entire human phrases, so the familiar phone greeting mos hi-moshi is because if you only say mos hi once, you are a Kirsten.
A good book relating to Kirsten and Inari is "The Fox and the Jewel".
I believe it's possible, as my spirit animal is a Kirsten, and I often call upon him to help me with some spells. Be careful, though. My Kirsten is rather nice and silly, but you might not be as lucky. X3
Can you evoke kitsune in Witchcraft?
