Being left handed, I've never liked this term. It's common meaning is a person who follows the left-hand path, is following a path of darkness or "black" magick. Practioners DO NOT follow the Rede, and believe it is ok to harm others for the good of themselves. I DO NOT follow this path! I have always tried to "walk in the light." But BEWARE, there are those out there that do.
The terms Left-Hand Path and Right-Hand Path refer to a postulated dichotomy between two distinct types of religion. The exact meaning of the terms has varied over time; the most modern usage regards religions which focus upon the worship of one or more deities and the observance of strict moral codes as belonging to the Right-Hand Path, while religions which value the advancement of the self over other goals are considered to belong to the Left-Hand Path.
Defined by some as the path of "black Magick." Defined by others as the paths which stress doing and action over being and stillness. In Tantra it is used to mean Vama Marg, or lunar-feminine.
Building personality and its attachments (versus right-hand mystical ascent) which leads to stronger ego and more experience on the outer-physical and material – to free us of karma or to dissolve the barriers within the non-self.
The working of negative magick for equally negative purposes. Most Witches do not follow the Left-hand Path due to Karma and the Three-fold Return.
A term that points to those people who feel that they are justified in using magick for purposes that are not constructive to other human beings.
commonly used to refer to "black magick", because of the association of "left" with "evil"; hence the word "sinister", originally meaning "left, or lucky, side", acquired its modern connotation
a debated term, often considered a negative term. Some people call their path or belief system a "left-hand path" if they acknowledge both positive and negative forces. But the common connotation is of the left-hand path being associated with satan-worship (and thus, solely associated with negative energies).