Can a Christian Practice Magick?
Can a Christian Practice Magick?
Author: Belenus
For many years, I struggled with a personal conflict. You see, my Christian upbringing didn’t seem to fit in with what I call my “mystic callings, ” that is, my other path of mystery and magick. I kept my magikal pursuits separate from my religious activities. I began my magickal journey more than twenty years ago by studying astrology, because the notion of predicting the future and getting a better handle on my own personality and relationships with others appealed to me. I must admit that my romantic urges were a major driving force in all this investigation and revelation, as were my materialistic ambitions.
So, although I didn’t keep my Astrological studies from my close friends and family, I didn’t advertise it to those in my religious community. When I did divulge to a very select few, it was with a real sense of insecurity and fear that I was being negatively judged. When my Mystic interests branched out into the areas of Magick and Paganism, I did indeed keep it almost exclusively to myself, as I felt that this was even more off the beaten path and frowned upon by society in general and particularly so by my Christian family and community.
Now I am both a mage and a Christian, and I do not feel particularly conflicted about it. Just a fleeting guilt feeling now and again, usually brought about by some external reminder that there are Christians who do indeed condemn such activities. That even sounds funny in the same sentence, you know, Christian and condemning? And although I don’t go shouting my Magickal activities off roof tops, I am comfortable within myself that I am on the right path for me, and have integrated Magick into the other areas of my life, including my religion. I feel actually compelled to follow this duel path and even though I see some inconsistencies, I am confident that this is my calling for now.
I go to Catholic Mass and see many of its rituals and methods to be similar to Magickal rituals and methods. For example, the burning of incense in the Mass parallels Magickal rituals that use incense as a way to carry intentions to higher forces, be they Gods or Goddesses or what ever. The Catholic Mass is full of symbolism and what some would call Magic. Symbols are also a large component in Wicca, Paganism and are used in working Magick. Chanting and singing are other examples of techniques used in both Christian and Pagan rituals and rites.
One major difference I see between Christian prayers and working Magick is that with prayer, a person asks for something and then passively waits and hopes that it is answered in a way that satisfies a need. This is quite different from the Magician who inserts her or his own power and will into the work. Rather than hoping for something to change, the Magician “wills” the change to come about.
I feel that as a Christian Mystic, I have an advantage in many ways. I get to combine both prayer and magick in my rituals. Intuition dictates that with this combination, I should have even better results. I am not too concerned with this for now though. I am just answering the two callings I have in a way that helps me thrive spiritually. I use rituals that incorporate both some standard Wiccan magickal tools, such as a wand and an athame, but also include prayer and a chalice filled with blessed, Holy water from my local parish.
I like to think that I am the kind of person who accepts people from all walks of life and faith, or even no faith. This is not always easy in a world that has people of different faiths and paths, drawing lines and grabbing at power and control, but I think I do it as well as just about anybody. The key has been to nurture an open mind and often examine myself and my motives. Over time, this has lead to a level of self-awareness that allows me to be true to self, and at the same time, let others be as they are.
I remember a small event that took place several years ago, which let me know I was making progress. I realized as I watched a political debate on the television that I wasn’t getting angry with the commentator who was espousing what I felt was the wrong side of the argument. I told my wife that in the past, I would have turned off the T.V. in anger and disgust, unable to handle emotionally my own internal conflict that watching the show produced.
Don’t get me wrong; it wasn’t too long ago that the very sight of a Pentagram made me cringe. In case you don’t know, the sight of a Pentagram can send shivers down the spine of many Christians who don’t know better; that it is not a symbol of evil, but of things that are life affirming and good. I look back on this now, and chuckle at my own built in sense of prejudice, especially now, knowing that much of what the Christians practice, borrow from Pagan traditions.
I personally believe that most religions have it wrong in the sense that they tend to foster a kind of ‘us and them’ attitude among their members. I believe, as did Gandhi and many others, that the idea of being separate from each other and even with the natural world is an illusion. We are all one and need to start acting that way. I look at it such that each being is like an individual cell that is part of a greater living being, and when one of us is deprived, sick or in trouble, we are all effected.
The Catholic Church systematically adopted many of the old ways and gave them a new twist, in order to bring more souls into the Christian fold. I think that after some analysis, one will find more similarities between Paganism and Christianity than differences.
I’ve recently begun investigating Hoodoo traditions and have learned how they are interrelated with the Catholic Church. I am excited to follow that path farther to see where it takes me. It is interesting to me that each Catholic Saint is attributed with special powers to help those who petition them with prayer requests. How is this different from one Wiccan praying to Odin and another praying to Diana?
I subscribe to the tenet that all Gods are one God, and that Love is the highest law. But, while I am here on this good earth, I expect that struggle and conflict, whether from external sources, or from internal issues, will always be a part of life for me, just less so as the years go by.
6 Comments on “Can a Christian Practice Magick?”
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I do not believe magick is dependent on paganism or even religion. Being a Christian mage myself, I draw my magick from God instead of the Pagan pantheons. Occasionally, I practice secular magick. What the Catholic Church condemns is based on the morality of your magickal actions. There is no sin in magick. It is the morality of our actions that determines their sinfulness. It is as much a sin to hate as it is to use magick to hurt someone, although the latter is more frowned upon. Also, verses in the Bible pertaining to magick are mistranslated in the King James Version.
I’ve always thought that the dieties of different cultures are one and the same. We all just have different ways of viewing them.
I agree with you totally. Magick does not depend solely on Paganism. There are a few Pagans that do not practice magick. But do you see any other Religion offering to teach an individual the proper use of magick? NO! Just think of it this way, Christians have their schools/academies that teach history, math, religion and etc. Well Paganism has it’s own school too. We teach astrology, tarot, Runes, I Ching, Ancient Books that are no longer found to read, Religion and so on. What’s the difference? The difference is that you had never thought about it that way. Young Witches have to be taught somewhere, thus a school!
Being a Christian Magi, I am sure you are not familiar with any of our Laws. The first point I drive home to my students is that the magick is in yourself. No where else! The magick is in all of us, we just need to learn to control it. Since a Witch answers to no one but herself. She would have to have the magick herself, her intuition, her will, her intent, all compose magick. I do agree with you that the Practitioner is the one who determines what kind of magick he/she is casting. Depending upon the Practition and his/her intent it can either be black or white. There are times when Practitioners which to walk the delicate line between black and white and that is gray magick. But my dear sir, the magick is within yourself. All you have to do is look for it!
Why didn’t you just tell us that we are all going to hell? King James’ Bible states, “Do not suffer a witch to live.” How many people/women have been killed in the name of Religion? Yes, there are mentions of magick in the Bible but that doesn’t mean they want witches hanging out at every Bible Study, now does it? I have a Baptist background then I married a Catholic Druid. What a combination, huh? In the meantime of all the mainstream Religions, I was studying and practicing Witchcraft. I really don’t like to bash a religion so I figure you willl know which one I am talking about. I had a terrible distaste in my mouth for one after their molestation of children broke loss. But that only added fuel to the fire, the main figure head back in the 1600 was the one to outlaw Paganism and declare us all Heathrens. Anyone caught practicing and Earth-based Religion would be put to death. There were enough scared people that this one told on that one and so on., the Church couldn’t have been happier. Because the Church got all their property, farms, houses, gold, whatever they owned. If it wasn’t for a few brave people, my Religion would be loss forever.The Bible has no use for Witches.
I am surprised that you would use deities. I figured you would use Saints and Angels especially the Arch Angells. We have some Traditions that use Saints, Angels and Arch Angels in their practices today. That is why I post the Saint of the Day section? It has been requested and I try to answer the request. One more question and I must run, do you consider yourself a Christian WIccan? It doesn’t matter. I was just curious.
All are welcome here, no matter your Religion or your Path! I welcome Christian as well as I welcome Witch. If we do not come together, peaceful and respectful, then how are we going to learn that we aren’t at all like what you have been lead to believe.We have to start to visit each other’s blogs, to see what the other half is like. This way we can finally show the world we are nothing like the old myths. We are people just like you. All I ask is that you take my hand in friendship.
Blessings to all,
Lady A
I use the term Christian to denote my belief in the Holy Trinity and that I adopt some Christian beliefs, not to say that I am downright Christian. Some parts of the Bible are beautiful to me, while others I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. The use of Saints and Angels is something I have studied but I’ve never actually put into practical use. No, I am not a Christian Wiccan. I think the best way to define myself is someone who believes in Christ, and practices magick.
The stupidity of the Church astounds me. I completely understand (to be honest, even sympathize with) your feelings toward Christianity. You’re right. The Church has not only discriminated but murdered those who did not conform to their beliefs. It makes me cringe just thinking about it. The verse “Do not suffer a witch to live” contradicts itself, because killing IS a sin. Also, the word “witch” was originally chasaph(Hebrew for poisoner), but King James had it changed to justify his hatred for practitioners of the Craft. Child molestation is something I absolutely abhor and don’t even want to get started on. I refuse to be a part of an organization that promotes hate and prejudice, but because of my belief in Christ, I don’t know what else to call myself. Christ teaches us to love, and not to hate. I believe that’s what I should go by. In the words of Gandhi, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
I have a feeling you’re under the impression that I was being prejudiced. I’m sorry if that’s how you felt about my comment. I have a deep appreciation for all religions, including Wicca, because of Christianity’s lack of (as you mentioned) a system that teaches magick. When, I first learned magick, I read books by Pagan authors such as Scott Cunningham and Gerald Gardner, although I incorporated my beliefs and also read shall I say more “Christian” books such as Agrippa’s “Three Books Concerning Occult Philosophy” (which by the way was a real bitch to read at such a young age).
Anyway, thank you for welcoming me and for taking the time to reply to my comment! And I apologize for the misunderstanding caused.
No dear sir, you misunderstood me. I did not think you were prejudice at all. I came across like a evil, old witch because at first I thought you were a bible thumper. Then after reading your statement further, I realized I needed to cool it. In fact today, you won me over with your comment about “wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole,” terminology from my part of the woods, lol!
What happened to our ancestors does make me angry. But the past is in the past. It is a past that I choose not to forget. It is a past that all new witches entering the Craft must learn. They have to know how much was given up for our Religion just for it to survive all these centuries. But today is a new day for the Craft, I think our ancestors would be proud how far it has come. And also that we are not as hated as we use to be or feared. I do not preach hate dear sir, I preach understanding of our Religion and other Religions. Without understanding of each, we will never become accepted or understood. For Witchcraft to take it’s rightful place in mainstream Religion this has to be accomplished. I hope you understand me now.
Scott Cunningham, though some witches strongly disagree with me, is one of my favorite authors. I recommend him highly to the new ones because he does not add fluff to his books. He tells it like it is. Gerald Gardner, the father of Wicca, I have read his work also. But I am not a Wiccan, I am a Witch. There is a difference. Right now that is beside the point, a bunch of my Witchy friends all agree that Gardner was out to seduce as many women as possible with his sexual magick. As you may have guessed I do not approve of sexual magick but each to his own. The energy that can be raised from sexual magick can be raised much more effectively from a good chant or drumming. In fact, I believe this because you have to stop and redirect the energy to the original intent which you have to agree kills some of the momentum. But there are hundreds of good Occult authors and Witchcraft authors available today. I often go to Books A Million to look but I never manage to get to that section. The owners know I am a Witch and they stop me to give an impromptu class on the subject. There are also older books that are worth checking out. Have you visited Sacred Text? They have a wonderful selection of all sorts of books.
But I must apologize if I offended you in our first conversation. I now have a better understanding of you and I also you of me. I would love to continue to have conversations with you. You seem like a very intellectual person and I highly enjoy those conversations. Also I hope we can become friends.
Till our next correspondence……
Blessings to you and yours,
Lady A
Blessings be with you Lady A
and Merry meet perradoriel
It has been a few days since I last dropped by and I must say this particular convo caught my eye right away.
Up front I will simply say that I have seen many people walking many different paths and after following these many people I have noticed one thing that ties them all together.
Sooner or later each and every one of them has arrived at “The Truth” of themselves. The other thing I have noticed is that facing “The Truth of Themselves” was probably the hardest thing any one of them ever had to do.
But that said and after the tears of self understanding and self forgiveness fell, most accepted the “Truth of Themselves” and “some” actually claimed the responsibility of that self truth.
It is my studied opinion that a very special magik is within everyone and further within everything we can percieve.
The only question I can see beyond acceptance of my prior statement as fact is whether or not we will take the responsibility for our own part in this great cosmic adventure and become the care takers of this marvelous garden we all share.
I do hope this convo will continue as I do enjoy these little fishing expeditions.
Peace
No. no. You didn’t offend me at all lol! In fact, I felt bad because I thought I had offended you. I know Christianity and Wicca in the same context is a very touchy subject, and I felt as a Christian magician, it was a subject I felt I had very little right to delve into. You were very understanding and insightful.
You’re right about Gerald Gardner. And an excellent point on sexual magick and how you have to divert your energies back to the original intent. I’ve never really thought about that. The Gardnerian Book of Shadows was the first book on magick I could lay my hands on. It was one of those books that hadn’t been touched for ages on my uncle’s bookshelf. Although conspicuously age-inappropriate(at the age I was reading it), it taught me a lot about magickal theory and the structure of rituals. I steered quite clear of his works after that lol.
Scott Cunningham, on the other hand, is also one of my favorite authors. My absolute favorite of his would have to be “Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magick”. There’s something very enthralling about primal, Earthy magick, which is a stark contrast to the ritualistic magick I had grown so accustomed to.
Thank you for telling me about Sacred Texts! They have a great archive of books, and all free, which is always a good thing. Also, I’ve been so invested with this conversation that I haven’t really checked out your blog up until now. You’re very informative and I like your section on Lunar positions. You also seem very involved within your community as a witch. This is something I truly appreciate, being a closeted mage in an ever-increasing Christian community.
Finally, thank you for your insight. It’s been a great conversation.
Ferumbras