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.
Witches Of The Craft® 
I am studying Christian magick dating as far back as King Solomon cause he was a huge figure in the magick world. it’s just that when doing research about it you find so many different things but if you look closely you can connect them to see the are one and the same just confused or called different names but sometimes they are polar opposites and it gets really confusing . I respect all peoples different religions but I’m Christian and believe in one true holy god and if you look at the different gods of somethings like Hermes the God of messages in Greek gods he is one and the same withe the angel Hermes so the Greeks won’t far back a lot of their gods can be found as Angels . I want to start practicing magick ( but under angelic magick ) it’s just so hard to find books that start somewhere beginner ish especially since it’s hard to follow the Lina like rules or cleansing given our time . But do you know anywhere it’s possible to start from or a place to get more information .
LikeLike
Good Morning Sinai,
I would truly love to be able to tell you, yes. But, unfortunately I can’t. Keep in mind that each witch has their own set of beliefs and practices. Mine are, you cannot be a Christian and a Wiccan or Witch at the same time. Everyone here knows my story. I grew up in a half and half house, my father was Baptist, my mother was Witch. I grew up learning about Christianity and also the Craft. I had the opportunity to decide which Path I wanted to follow and I followed the Goddess and Her Religion. Knowing Christianity as I do, there are too many conflicts between that religion and Witchcraft. You mentioned King Solomon, I am very familiar with his works. I believe he was an underground Pagan. I seriously doubt that while he was alive, he was open about his practices.
There are a few similarities between Christianity and Witchcraft. There are the three God heads in Christianity and the three God/dess heads in Witchcraft. The Christians stole many of our holidays and made them their own. They even went as far as to steal some of our ceremonies and adapt them to their usage. There are too many conflicts between the two. They could never co-exist as an individual’s practice. Think of the Ten Commandments, “no other Gods before me.” Then there are several references to a witch having no business even being alive. There are numerous others but I don’t want to preach.
If a person does not make that decision as to which Path or Religion to truly follow, then they do not get the full benefits and experiences that come with that Religion. Trying to practice both, you would not be true to yourself or your religions. I will ask you like I ask some of the individuals I have mentored…if you are drawn to the Craft, what is stopping you from committing to it totally? The ones I ask have this reply, “I am scared of going to Hell.” Wiccans and Witches do not believe in Hell. Then I get, “but what if there is a Hell, then what?” My reply, if the Divine is truly merciful and you have led a moral and upstanding life, why wouldn’t you be accepted into the Divine’s presence? Contrary to popular belief, we have codes and laws we live by and I would dare say our standards are higher than most mainstream Religions these days.
It is up to you to decide which one you would want to follow. Whether it be the Craft or Christianity is up to you. But whatever you do, commit fully to that religion, don’t short change yourself. I will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have or any assistance, just let me know.
Have a very blessed day,
Lady A
LikeLike
This is a great explanation of the true history and progress of the nature religion. As a Quaker, I seek truth, and I go far afield to find it. I feel a need to pray for my garden as I plant and tend it, to the people I care for at work, and family, friends and people I meet. And many of these prayers are to a mother goddess, because I feel in my heart that this is who is present at that moment.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this article, I myself get caught up in the same conflict I was raised a Southern Baptist, I started studying many different forms of magick a few years ago, and looked into many religions with an open mind, and I found that many religions have more similarities than they do differences, bringing me to the same conclusion on God, or Gods, I believe they are all one in the same, viewed as they are best interpreted in that culture, although i study a lot of magick, I have yet to really start practicing, because all my life its been viewed as this bad evil thing, I don’t see it to be evil any more, but i haven’t summoned the courage to actually start practicing it, but maybe soon. It was really nice to read this article and know I’m not the only one who feels this way, thank you.
LikeLike
My dear sweet Brandon,
There is nothing evil or bad about Witchcraft. Your fear lies in the old myths you have heard about us. I know Witchcraft and Wicca both fall under the umbrella of Paganism. But I do not agree with that. There are too many different traditions that fall under Paganism. Witchcraft & Wicca should not be considered under that topic at all. We are totally different, we are a religion. We have a Divine being we believe in (or at least I do). We have Laws and Redes that we live by. We absolutely believe in Karma. What we send out comes back to us three-fold. Most people think we are a Godless religion, which is furthest from the truth. It has always been preached you practice The Craft you will go to hell. Funny, we don’t even have the words, “devil” or “hell” in our vocabulary.
I know you are just considering to start to study. I would advise you to do one thing, go back to the very start of mankind (as far back as you can go). You will find at the beginning, we all worshipped as one people. We worshipped as Pagans. It wasn’t until a Pope decided that we were a bunch of heathens and our religion needed to be outlawed. It wasn’t our religion was bad, it was because of a very greedy Pope and a church that wanted to obtain all the wealth, power and influence it could get. If it wasn’t for some of our brave ancestors going underground, nothing would be left of our religion. They were out to exterminate us, wipe us from this world. I am very glad to say they didn’t. Ever since that time, we have been labeled as everything in the book.
I would advise you to put all those old myths and what scares you about The Craft, behind you. Find out the truth for yourself. We are trying to spread the truth about our religion and our Divine Mother. First, people have to willing to at least listen to us. The next step, consider what we say and find out the truth for yourself. There is nothing to be afraid of. Do a little research, see if what I am telling you is true. I will help you in anyway I can all you have to do is just holler, my dear brother.
May the Goddess Bless You & Guide You,
Lady of the Abyss
LikeLike
Merry Meet Brandon,
If you research Christian holy days you will find all of them fall within a few days of Pagan Sabbats This was done to make it easier for Pagans to be converted to Christianity. Just a couple of examples are Ostara/Spring Equinox and Easter or Yule/Winter Solstice and Christmas.
While I personally do not believe a man, Jesus, died so I can sin and be forgiven by or through him I do believe the man was a major prophet and healer. I believe I am responsible for asking people I may have done or said something wrong to for their forgiveness and forgiving myself for wrongs I do. I also believe many of Jesus’s words were meant for people of any faith to follow especially when it comes to the Bible’s passages about love and caring for your fellow men and women.
I agree with Lady A most people who are not Pagan (sorry but to me Wicca and Witchcraft are under this umbrella term) are afraid of people who practice it or to learn more about our ways because of the stereotyping done for centuries by other religious dogmas, which include not just Christians but Jewish, Muslims, etc.
I hope find a way to learn more about our ways and no longer be afraid of them. I am happy to answer any questions you may have to the best of my ability either through here or by private email if you are more comfortable with that.
LikeLike
Unfortunately, Witchcraft and Wicca do fall under the umbrella of Paganism. I don’t believe they should because both of these religions now have the strength and power to stand on their own. Besides Paganism was a term that grouped a certain religious sect together that no one understood at that time. I believe The Craft & Wicca are now becoming well known, more accepted and growing like wildfire. Neither is a misunderstood religion now, they should be removed from under the umbrella of Paganism. Just my two cents!
LikeLike