Romanian Government Recognizes Witchcraft as Legal Profession

[Tom Goldman]

Romanian Government Recognizes Witchcraft as Legal Profession

Double double, toil and trouble, if you want to be a witch... move to Romania.

The Romanian government now officially recognizes witchcraft as a legal profession. The recognition is part of a new tax law designed to bring in more funds and reduce tax evasion by citizens that make their living combining eye of newt with toe of frog.

Belief in superstition and magic is apparently common in Romanian culture. This means that fortune tellers, witches, and astrologers aren't widely considered to be lunatics or scammers like they are in other regions of the world.

The Romanian government's listing of witches in the country's labor code forces them to pay 16% self-employment tax and contribute to health and pension programs like every other self-employed citizen. They'll have to pay in actual money too, not enchantments or creepy animal parts embalmed in jars.

Some witches are happy about it, while others are not. One bad witch, who may or may not be wicked, told the Associated Press: "What is there to tax, when we hardly earn anything?" On the other hand, some noble members of the witching community were seen throwing corn into a river to celebrate official government recognition, which is coincidentally what Escapist staff does when we're happy too. One of the good witches was also seen chanting a spell for a good harvest, using a jar of charmed river water, a sprig of mistletoe, and a candle.

Romanian government officials should watch their backs, because certain unhappy witches are planning to retaliate against the law. "Queen witch" Bratara Buzea told the AP she'll be cursing those that passed it with a curse concocted using cat feces and a dead dog. I like the good witch's ingredients much better. "My curses always work!" she said. Something tells me it would probably be more effective to just put the feces in a brown paper bag and leave in on a Romanian official's doorstep.

Source: AP [http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jBtOF_pwiNU8mbn3tsG5ju6JbSNg?docId=6a383c2ae5bd49a6a40f6aeb6c26835f]

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[Chezzz]

Screw the bag! Put it in his tea!

OK, i just read that back and am now officially english...

 

[Compatriot Block]

On the other hand, some noble members of the witching community were seen throwing corn into a river to celebrate official government recognition, which is coincidentally what Escapist staff does when we're happy too.

So it's not just me? Good, glad to see fellow corn-chuckers. In fact, this put me in a good mood, so I'm gonna go throw corn in a river right now. It's like a witchy corn chain.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Ah, so could I officially list my employment as "Warlock?" 'cuz that be sweet yo.

 

[A Pious Cultist]

Witchcraft and sorcery arn't real, true story.

 

[WanderingFool]

Damn, I wish America recognised Warlocks, that would give my proffesion a much needed boost in respect.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

So, even the government believes in magic?

And I thought US politicians were stupid!

Edit:

Oh yeah, tax money!

 

[Captain Pirate]

Well, finally, it's about time.

*Puts on pointy hat, gets on broomstick and rides into the night sky*

OT: Ahahahahahaa. Haha. Haaa. Cheered me up no end, Romania.

 

[CezarIgnat]

I love my country...but this was one of the funniest articles I read around these parts xD.

Spoiler: Boring view on the situation...

The new law is important in Romania because many of the witches make a good sum of money out of the superstitious people that live here. Some actually scammed...or cursed or whatever...people into giving them their house.

There are witches with profits bigger than a good paying job (500-600 euro here). With the new law, the witches can continue doing their fortune telling and spirit summoning, now paying their taxes on the earned money like all the citizens (well...most of the citizens) in Romania.

 

[Woodsey]

"Belief in superstition and magic is apparently common in Romanian culture."

And what percentage of the planet is religious, I wonder?

OT: I hope warlocks are included, as I'd hate to see gender-discrimination in this day and age.

 

[AmayaOnnaOtaku]

Now the coven needs to unionize and offer benefits

 

[Owlslayer]

Well, this is kinda crazy.
But i do see some logic behind this, especially if a country has some economic troubles.
To the leaders these people seem like leeches, i guess.Only normal leeches don't make potions and put curses on people.
All countries want money, yes? So i guess if they need it so badly, it's not that bad of a move to do.

 

[Aidinthel]

So, even the government believes in magic?

And I thought US politicians were stupid!

You don't have to believe in their magic to want some of the money they're apparently raking in.

 

[ShadowKatt]

Heh, I think this is just awesome. Dididn't know you could make a living doing this.

 

[Popido]

Its called religion. People have been doing it since the time they forgot how to read astronomical searches.

...
Maybe I should start studing shamanism lil' more.

 

[nekoali]

Woohoo! Look at all that ignorant, self righteous bias depicted not only in the news article by also by many of the commenters! Why surely they must know 100% exactly what witchcraft really is and isn't, despite getting well, absolutely no facts on the subject.

For the record, Wicca and various other pagan religions that often fall under the heading of witchcraft are just as valid and a lot older than all those monotheistic religions that tried to supplant and absorb them in their power grabs for more followers, demonizing those that would not convert as evil or satanists or what have you.

Warlock is not the term for a male witch. The term for a male witch is... witch. Warlock means 'traitor' and was coined by the Catholic church to use against men who didn't follow their views.

Magic is just as real as you believe it is. At least as real as praying for something. In fact, it's exactly the same thing, using a person's willpower to hopefully influence external events. Whether the trappings are an athame or a rosary, whether you do it in a church or a magic circle, you are still trying to use ritual and willpower to bring about a favorable change in your life.