Magick & Christianity v. 1.2
by Iain Mac an tSaoir

    If you are Wiccan or Pagan then you have no doubt noticed that Christianity has an entirely different take on magick than does the path you all walk on. This article is to touch on those differences and why they occur. I will start with the Wiccan and Neo-Pagan view, include some of my experiences, and then follow those up with the Christian ideas.

    Brevity... wow. Okay, again the call for you to remember that you and I are both sitting here in our own private places. Its okay to disagree with me. However, I have no interest in getting into semantical arguments. We'll call it that because it couldn't be a witch war since I'm not one any more. Though, I have to tell you something. Baptist bickering and squabbles are legendary. But where venom and angst is concerned, they don't hold a candle to a witch war. You know I'm right don't you? *grin*

    I certainly don't want to make this a treatise on magick. And so I will keep things as abbreviated as I can. Please forgive me if some aspect of your path seems to not be thorough enough. I simply have to keep all sides brief. Wicca and several Neo-Pagan paths are highly influenced by the practices found in the lodges of High Magick. At the same time both are also highly influenced by less complex methods of magick. For the sakes of those who don't know, that spelling of magic(k) exists to distinguish the practices of the magickal arts from what one finds amongst illusionists and circus side shows.

    For the sake of simplicity lets use the most basic definitions. High Magick tends to be called that because of its complexity and organization. Low magick tends to be called that because there is less formality and less structure. There may be some shared methods, but even those will demonstrate those distinct differences. For example, both a full blown High Magick ritual, a Wiccan circle, and "kitchen witchery" may be constructed with, or somehow using poetic liturgy. The High Magick ritual, which tends to be very heavy with formularies (mathematic and other equations), will likely utilize defined meters with some numerical basis. "Kitchen witchery", may be pretty, and picturesque, but requires no such formulary. A Wiccan circle can come in any where in between, depending on where the participants wish to take it. For those of you studying the real, historical practices of Celtic peoples, it is rather like the differences between an Old Irish Ollamh and a Bard of the same era, but without the caste system.

   I purposely left out a whole segment of the Neo-Pagan community which doesn't use magick. Those would be the more traditional polytheists who will pray to their particular patrons, and then pour libations and/or leave votive offerings to either placate or seal the deal so to speak. Because they are directly supplicating to some spirit or divinity, with the gift left to secure the promise, it isn't a form of magical method as defined above. Though, some of you may disagree. If so, then you are likely also amongst the contingent who claim that even Christian prayer is a form of magick. In later sections I believe you'll see why prayer is not magick.

   Amongst the practitioners of magic there is a tendency to squabble about the most inane of things. That is truly a human failing! I remember the witch wars of the late 80's and the hubbub over whether to consecrate or bless the salt. Amongst the High Magic practitioners, it may have been at what angle the ritual blade (whatever the name) should sit on the alter in relation to the pentacle. Arggg... and the argument de jour, do you bless the land or is it sacred in its own right. Regardless of the argument, or the path from whence that argument sprang, the object of the magickal exercise is to bend reality to conform to ones personal will.

   Did you catch that? Bending reality to conform to ones personal will (noun). That is the essence of magick. It seems to have always been so. The accepted etymology of the word 'witch' is that it hails from the Saxon word 'wicce' (pronounced widt-cha). That last one goes back to the days of the old Saxon cunning men, or wizards. The root of the word seems to imply bending. Rather like bending reality as one would a willows branch, to effect a change that is in line with ones personal will. Early in the 20th century Alister Crowley defined magick as an exercise of ones will to effect a desired change.

   The window dressings of magick, that is, the particulars of the formats, formularies, and facades, depends on the path or lodge. To become a magician, one learns some form of magick. Again, the particulars tend to be specific to the path or lodge in which they are trained. Also to, is how their personal will (noun), will (verb) be directed. Will they be trying to supplicate some spirit? Will they be commanding some spirit? Or will they, to their own mind at least, be trying to effect change by direct application of their mind (intent) to some task? No matter what the window dressing, the task of the magician is to change reality so that it is in conformity with their personal desire. Does the phrase, "and as I wilt so mote it be" sound familiar?

   Does it work? That cannot be broad brushed. I've seen it work, and I've seen it not work. As an objective observer, most people I've witnessed have not been, or are not successful with magick. By and large any success is only in their own minds. Otherwise, what one witnesses is their hope for something that never appears. Often one can see financial indebtedness increase in their lives as they keep buying more books and trinkets. Surely an $80.00 "Atlantean" crystal has more efficacy than a $5.00 chuck of Arkansas quartz, right? Other times one can see their physical health dissipate. Disputing my position is fine. Look at your bank account, look at your health, look at your kids. Are they and their family better off now than they were before? Are things better? Are things static (indicative of spinning wheels)? Are things worse (indicative of a much higher investment than you may realize)? In some few instances one can see a real and tangible effect. Most often those occur with the commanding of spirits. But what about what one does not see?

   For examples I'll only give places and incidents where there were hundreds of people in attendance. Hundreds of witnesses. Here are three out of a continuously mounting body of examples.

   We humans cannot see very far down the road. We may see an immediate need or desire, but can we always predict the consequences of our actions? Here is an example, I remember back in the early 90s, at one particular Pagan Spirit Gathering. Draught had been taking a toll, and it was horribly hot. It was awful and people were falling out all over the place. The sun was scorching the earth and everyone on it. So, a bunch of the witches and neo-druids decided to do something about it. They put together and did a "weather working". And thus, the best and brightest, did their work. Then came the tornado. And this serves as an immediate example of people trying to control what is not theirs to control.

   That was the immediate effect. But their magickal working had begun a set of cosmological dynamics that went far beyond their ability to control. The long term effects was the continued rains and floods that dominated in that area. That, while the draught itself moved south and west, into the farming areas that feed so many people. Effects they could not foresee. Effects with real, nasty, consequences. People cannot see the future, or all of the effects of such things.

   Then there is the question of, "what are you really dealing with"? At the Highland Spirit Gathering in 1993, a circle was done. Things were summoned, things which weren't banished. Things they just couldn't seem to get banished. And all weekend long there were people trying to dispel the whatevertheyweres that were constantly stomping through the woods, trying to get into camp. Things that everyone with any experience knew were trying to get into camp to cause harm. Harm, such as the type that has found the occasional worker of high magick. You in the know, know the names I mean. Those fellows who have gone into a room and instead of controlling the spirit became controlled, or worse, were torn limb from limb by *them*.

   Its pretty exciting, and also very frightening, when a drake emerges from a fire. The flames begin to swirl, and suddenly a dragon shaped body of flame appears where a simple bonfire had been. Sometimes you might hear a roar, sometimes not. It isn't quite so enthralling when it espies someone and then lunges for that person. It lunges because there is an appetite. While a drake didn't appear, here is what happened to me at Fairy Glenn Farms at Mid-Summer 1004.

   Alan, AKA Tuan, had been asked to conduct the Mid-Summer ritual. He asked me to help. Things Celtic were in full on love for me and so I said yes. He with his flowing main of bright blond hair was to portray the Holly King. I, with my not quite so long chocolate brown hair was to take the part of the Oak King. It was to be a reversal of the obvious for stage effect. We were going to do a passion play, reenacting the transition of power from one king to the other; from the light half of the year to the dark. It was all based upon extensive research. Then came the evening of the ritual. And exactly sunset the summoning went out. People came, were admitted to circle after answering the question. They were blessed. Then Will Serphant went around and allowed people to draw acorns from a basket. I, of course, drew the one that had been covered in aluminum foil to mark it as separate.

   As people were gathering there appeared in the sky somewhat to the east, a single band of billowy clouds. Occasional flashes of lightening within the clouds emitted a low rumble of thunder. As the people were admitted to circle the clouds approached and finally settled directly overhead. And with these hundreds of people there, oh so many were commenting on what sounded like low voices chattering in those clouds. And so the ritual began in earnest with those clouds. At a certain point Alan and I locked very real, live steel, swords in a well rehearsed battle. At a given time in that battle he gave a sign, a mark, and I went down. I was ultimately the recipient of a symbolic triple death. Just like they used to so things in the old days. But not really as he didn't really bludgeon me, or cut my throat.... At that point I was gone.

   Here is the deal. Psych-evals before, and Psych-evals after attest that I am perfectly sane. And obviously my knowledge is somewhat more than just Cunningham's, "Guide for the Solitary Practitioner", or, Uncle Buckies, "Big Blue Book". So, as I mentioned, a mass of people heard the voices in the clouds. I was gone I say. I was with *them*. *They* had come as summoned, but expecting what wasn't theirs to have. Then I awoke to my wife saying, "honey, we need you here, please come back", as Will Serphant was helping me back. It was the OBE no one wants, and though Will and I ended up with differences later on, I am thankful for his work in bringing me back.

   There are unintended consequences of having almost been an unintentional human sacrifice. Though, I would caution you that *they* don't make a distinction between play and real. The other consequences were that even though I had already been working on the old traditions in my spare time, but that kicked into high gear. For the next several years I could do nothing but work my real job and then come home to research and writing. I could no longer deal with any "fluffiness". I could not stop writing. Eventually I lost my family and friends. I was driven by horrible medieval slave masters. That was what had allowed me to come home at all.

   There are immediate consequences. There are long term consequences. And folks, while some know, most just have no idea who *they* are on other side of the ritual. I held the line against sacrifice. I constantly argued for the burning of effigies as opposed to any real blood letting. It was a long slide on the slope from my symbolic almost real sacrifice to even an animal sacrifice. But I am telling you, there has for ten years been a move to bring back animal sacrifice. I remember John M. of Inisglass saying to me about sacrifice, "just do it!" But it is a slippery slope indeed, *they* don't thirst for animals, and people are just egotistical enough to think they will stop with animals. *They* thirst for humans. And you have all the information, and sources for witnesses to all these events, to know who *they* are.

"And when the people [instead of putting their trust in God] shall say to you, Consult for direction mediums and wizards who chirp and mutter, should not a people seek and consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?" ~ Isaiah 819 (Amplified Bible)

   And that pretty much sums up the Christian view. Why go anywhere but straight to G-d? While we are no longer under the law, but under grace, we are still compelled from within to live in a way that is pleasing to G-d. Thus, we don't do things that are an abomination to G-d. Yes, we have what are called "works of the Spirit". I'll cover those in the second part of this section. But first I need to address the injunctions against Christians having anything to do with the Occult, and some whys. The following verses should establishes how G-d views Occult practices. There are many reasons why G-d would view these the way He does. First the verses.

Leviticus 1926-28 (Amplified Bible
26 You shall not eat anything with the blood; neither shall you use magic, omens, or witchcraft [or predict events by horoscope or signs and lucky days].

Leviticus 1931 (Amplified Bible
31Turn not to those [mediums] who have familiar spirits or to wizards; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God.

Leviticus 206 (Amplified Bible)
6The person who turns to those who have familiar spirits and to wizards, [being unfaithful to Israel's Maker Who is her Husband, and thus] playing the harlot after them, I will set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people [that he may not be included in the atonement made for them].

Deuteronomy 189-14 (Amplified Bible)
10 There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or daughter pass through the fire, or who uses divination, or is a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer,

11 Or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and it is because of these abominable practices that the Lord your God is driving them out before you.

1 Samuel 1523 (Amplified Bible)
23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim (household good luck images). Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.

Revelation 21:8 (Amplified Bible)
8 But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.

   There are several distinct reasons why we are not to engage in Occult practices. Some are really obvious, and maybe for some, the rest won't be so obvious. The very first is that G-d wants us to rely on Him. Should we truly not seek G-d? Inquire of Him? Let our father provide?

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 57

   Secondly He wants us to be thankful for what He does for us.

1 Thessalonians 516-18

16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

   Third, some Christians interpret Scripture to say that the dead are asleep, and will remain so until the resurrection. Others, probably the most, believe that upon death humans immediately go to their eternal destinations and have no more interaction in this world. Thus, the spirits practitioners of the Occult interact with are not human. The Bible more than implies that these are fallen angels and demons. In fact, if you read the wittings of people like Crowley, Regardie, De Laurence, and other old school practitioners of High Magick, they confirm this. Lets look to your own experience. Like you may have done, I too have done some ghost hunting, digital camera in hand. How many times have you found something, perhaps even "harmless" orbs, and not also have come to take pictures of red plasma and/or felt some evil presence? To be sure these spirits are the enemy of G-d. If any who goes into their camp will you be considered as such as well, and will share their fate.

   Fourth, these acts are focused on the immediate desires of the flesh. They not only do not see the long term consequences, but indeed they focus ones attention on the carnal and not the spiritual.

Galatians 519-21 (Amplified Bible)

   Fifth, a Christian wants G-d's will to be done. G-d, who has seen from eternity past to eternity future. He knows every consequence of every action. And as He only wants to return the cosmos to a state of perfection, He knows the best way. For that reason we are content to be subject to His will. For us it is, "Thy will be done", not as we find in the Occult and Neo-Paganism, "my will be done". Even if we have a need we take it to Him. We do that with prayer. Our prayers are not ritualized. Our prayers are a matter of a son or daughter just talking to and listening to G-d. Most of the listening is a matter of studying His word. Sometimes when we are talking with the Father, there will be requests for help, at other times we will be giving thanks. We don't have to make libations, or offerings, our Father is pleased that we have relied on Him and are thankful.

   Sometimes a prayer may not be answered in a way we hoped it would at the time. Its kind of like that old Garth Brooks song, sometimes the best answers to prayer is no answer at all. He does have the whole view and knows what will bring us harm. Its a matter of trusting that G-d knows more than we do. And His decisions are fine with us. We are not so determined to get our own way that we again start putting our will before His. To us, that is what got all of us in trouble to begin with.

   Lastly, though there is likely more, an increase in Occult practices are a sign of the end times. We were warned long ago, that in these exact times people performing Occult acts would show up to try and deceive us. The Occult, which places human will before G-d's will, will provide a mechanism by which many believers will be deceived. Thus, as Occult practices will only confuse and deceive, we can neither follow those who do them, or do them ourselves. Our Dad, whose very name is holy, will take care of us.

   Okay, okay, I know. You're probably saying, "yeah but I know that there is a magickal side to Christianity, I've heard about the 'Gifts of the Spirit'". Yes there are the gifts of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:1-14 defines those gifts as the power to speak a message of wisdom, the power to express a word of knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), discerning of spirits (human, angelic, and demonic), speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

   Having wisdom and knowledge and faith comes from the Spirit. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, gained his wisdom as a gift from G-d. These aren't really magickal, simply gifts. Faith itself comes into our hearts and we *believe*. Again, a gift from G-d. The last six though, are of a different order. There has at various times been controversies about what these gifts really are, and how applicable they are in todays church. The reason why is actually quite simple. The whole reason the Apostles were given those gifts were so that they could perform acts that were signs. They existed at all to be signs. The purpose of signs is given to us in 1 Cor.1:22-23. There, we are told that, "the Jews require a "sign", and the Greek (or Gentiles) seek after "philosophy and wisdom"; But we (the Church) preach Christ crucified."

   With that understanding you can easily see why G-d dealt with the two peoples in different ways. That was completely fitting since G-d had a different purpose for each body of people. But then the miracles stopped after Acts 28:28. The miracles ceased after that because G-d was finished working with Israel, as very soon she would not exist again until this present age. From then until now God’s Word is sufficient for we of faith.

   Does that mean that G-d cannot give these gifts today? No, G-d can do whatever He wants - He is G-d. *soft smile* In fact in the last days two of the gifts at least will show back up. Joel 2:28 and Acts 2:17 both say that in the end times dreams and visions will occur by the Spirit. In addition we see the two witnesses in Revelations 11 testifying of G-d, in the sense of a Old Testament prophet, to all nations. The hearers are recorded as not liking what they hear and rejoicing at the death of the prophets. The implication is that each person hears the prophets in that person's own native language. That is in fact what happened on the Day of Pentecost, when the Apostles preached in their native Aramaic, but with the Roman hearing Latin, the Greek hearing Greek. Each person there heard in their own language and dialect, and they understood. Thats the miracle! It will be the same way when that gift again comes. So to will the gift of prophecy be still in accordance with biblical standards.

"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself" ~Jeremiah 31:3

   Our Father loves us. He loves me, and He loves you. He loves all of us. Because He loves us, even more than the best of earthly dads, He wants to keep us from harm. You, like I, have probably heard the joke, "Jesus saves, but K'thulu saves for dinner". You see, I keep telling you I was once one of you. At one time I too found that funny. That is really some cheesy redo of Lovecraft fiction but the underlying truth holds. The powers of the Occult world are saving practicioners for dinner. And our Heavenly Dad wants to spare us from that terrible fate.

   When one looks at the rebellion of Satan and the angels, and the subsequent human rebellion, we see a cosmic civil war in action. All wars are terrible, and civil wars tend to be the bloodiest. They are also the most emotionally horrific. Even the very human American Civil War attests to why the latter is true. It is because father fought against son, and brother against brother. It is the same in this cosmic civil war. And in this cosmic civil war, the use of any sort of magickal art puts the user on a very acute slippery slope. This is because the arts, the workings, and especially the real powers behind them, are so subtle, so ingratiating, and so seductive. So much so that any use of occult arts is seen by G-d as chosing the side of the adverary. There is no such thing as a Christian witch. The Bible is clear, one cannot be a Christian and also a user of any of the magickal arts.

   So what do we do when something needs to be done? We have a wee chat with our Heavenly Dad who loves us. We don't use mantras, and most don't use by rote prayers. We speak aloud what is on our hearts to our Father. We know that He will hear those who reestablish and maintain a relationship with Him. And we know, and we trust, that He will do what is best.

   This article has explored magickal arts quite a bit. There is another side to things though. Many practicioners of the arts, and Pagans in general, love the old tales. If you love the old sagas then we have something in common. Did you know that the Bible also has such tales about heroes of old? Now granted, some translations of the Bible, such as the Amplified Bible which I use to gain every nuance from the original languages into English, can be tedious. But others, like the New Living Translation, using modern English, reads like a novel. There are tales of intense, but often tragic love. One of the most beautiful love songs of all time has its lyrics recorded in the Song of Solomon. There are tales about warrior-kings and warrior-poets. There are tales about the kings in whom the 'kings truth' is not found, and how a king in whom the truth is found supplants him. As an example, King David was both a warrior-king and warrior-poet. He was very much like CuChullain as a child, and Conchobar or even Beowulf as an adult. His nemesis, King Saul, did not have the kings truth in him. And there is the life of Jesus, who even though He had the power to nuke all of His foes, instead showed the ultimate in valor by enduring torture and a cruel death for the sake of those He loves. I think that you would probably enjoy reading about these heroes.

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