Can You be a Christian Witch?

Greetings,

This was a really tough video shoot for so many reasons. I truly believe everyone has their own free will to practice whatever they want. I’m the last person who wants to impede in somebody’s spiritual practice. Still it seems like the concept is gaining some traction. So it deserves some of my time to share my thoughts on this question.

In recent years, the term “Christian witch” has emerged within certain spiritual circles, claiming a harmonious blend of Christian faith and witchcraft practices. However, it is essential to acknowledge the tragic and brutal history of witchcraft persecution fueled by Christian doctrine, particularly throughout England, Europe, and eventually into America. To overlook this dark past while identifying as a witch seems not only disingenuous but also hypocritical.

• Why am I answering this question?
• What do Christian Priests say?
• Spellcasting & Jesus
• Folk Magic/Hoodoo/Santeria & The Bible
• The Hypocrisy of Ignoring History
• Tips

The Hypocrisy of the Modern Christian Witch

The witch hunts of the past represent some of the most harrowing chapters in human history, particularly for women. During the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance, tens of thousands of people, predominantly women, were accused of witchcraft and subjected to horrific trials, torture, and executions. The Bible was often used as a justification for these acts, as verses condemning witchcraft laid the groundwork for the persecution that ensued.

The infamous Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches), published in 1487, provided guidance for the prosecution of witches, essentially labeling women who practiced herbal medicine or held spiritual beliefs outside orthodox Christianity as dangerous. The fear-driven narratives and the cultural belief in witches as agents of evil created a societal frenzy that led to countless lives being ruined or lost.

These oppressive attitudes did not stop with Europe. As settlers arrived in America, they brought with them the same fear and suspicion toward those practicing folk magic and herbalism. The Salem witch trials of the late 17th century epitomize this continued persecution, during which innocent individuals were accused, tried, and executed in a climate of fear and theological dogma.

As a result, the legacy of witchcraft persecution not only affected those directly implicated but also set a tone of distrust towards women and anyone engaged in non-conventional spiritual practices that persists in various forms to this day.

The Hypocrisy of Ignoring History

In light of this history, it is concerning how individuals can embrace the identity of a “Christian witch” without fully confronting the implications of that label. It is not just a matter of blending different spiritual practices; it is a failure to recognize the trauma experienced by those who came before. When modern practitioners claim the title of witch, they must consider the legacy of persecution tied to that identity.

To honour the practices of witchcraft while ignoring its brutal past diminishes the suffering of countless individuals who faced persecution. It is important for contemporary witches, including those who identify as Christian, to approach their spirituality with humility and a commitment to remembering those who suffered in the name of witchcraft.

A Call to Consciousness

As practitioners of witchcraft in its many forms today, we have a responsibility to engage with this history meaningfully. Acknowledging the shadows of our past allows us to forge a more empowered and inclusive future. By honouring the history and the voices of those who were persecuted, we can practice with awareness and integrity.

It is crucial to challenge ourselves: how can we claim a practice if we do not recognize its complex and painful history? True witchcraft involves understanding, healing, and honouring the past while forging paths forward that embrace all aspects of our spiritual identities.

Let us never forget the suffering of those who came before us, ensuring that their stories inform and guide our journey in the present.

Folk Magic & the Bible

Folk magic practices that involve the use of the Bible alongside traditional magical elements are fundamentally different from those who identify as Christian Witches. This distinction arises from the historical context of enslavement and the colonial takeover of indigenous and primitive peoples by the Christian community, which often resulted in the suppression of their traditional spiritual practices.

As colonial powers sought to enforce Christianity, many indigenous practices were deemed heretical, leading to the marginalization and, in some cases, eradication of these rich cultural traditions. In response, those who sought to preserve their ancestral knowledge and magical practices were forced to adapt by concealing their rituals within the framework of the Bible. This blending was not born from a desire to align with Christian doctrine, but out of necessity—to avoid severe repercussions for following their true spiritual calls.

By hiding their spiritual practices within biblical texts, these practitioners sought to keep alive the essence of their traditions while navigating the oppressive environments they faced. This resilience allowed them to maintain a connection to their heritage and ancestors, ensuring that their rich cultural legacy endured despite the pressures to conform to imposed belief systems.

Key takeaways from my chat with the Catholic Priest

A common argument amongst Christian Witches surrounds a concept of the miracles of the Bible, and the witchcraft in the Bible, and the Takeaway that because of this magic it gives permission to perform Magick and witchcraft.

“The the miracles of Jesus are an exercise of His divine power,” says the priest. “you are risking your Christian salvation by participating in witchcraft or divination.”

This is backed up in the Bible in multiple verses including the one below:

John 14:12 (NIV):

• • “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

Interpretation:

• Divine Authority: This passage indicates that while believers may perform miracles through faith, it is fundamentally different from the miracles performed by Jesus, who acted with divine authority and power. Jesus performed miracles as the Son of God, showcasing His divine nature and mission.
• Catholic Teaching: The Catholic Church teaches that Jesus’ miracles were signs of His divinity, meant to reveal the Kingdom of God and His identity as the Messiah. In contrast, human beings who perform miracles do so through the grace of God, not by their own power. This aligns with the understanding that any miraculous acts done by believers are enabled by God’s will and grace.

Another common statement by Christian which is is that the old testament is out of date and not in alignment with modern Christianity. This was strongly contested. “Both old and new testament to be considered sacred teachings,” says the Catholic Priest.

The Bible contains several verses that are commonly referenced in discussions about witchcraft and related practices. Here are some of the key passages that condemn or warn against witchcraft, sorcery, and divination:

Old Testament Verses

1. Exodus 22:18 (NIV):
   • “Do not allow a sorceress to live.”
2. Leviticus 19:26 (NIV):
   • “Do not practice divination or seek omens.”
3. Leviticus 20:6 (NIV):
   • “I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.”
4. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV):
   • “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or engages in witchcraft, who interprets omens, engages in sorcery, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
5. 1 Samuel 15:23 (NIV):
   • “For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

New Testament Verses

1. Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV):
   • “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
2. Revelation 21:8 (NIV):
   • “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

These verses illustrate a clear condemnation of witchcraft, sorcery, and related practices in both the Old and New Testaments. They reflect the theological stance of Christianity that sees these practices as contrary to the worship of God and harmful to individuals and society. Given the historical context, many practitioners of witchcraft today may engage in reinterpretation of these texts, often focusing on personal empowerment and spiritual autonomy.

After our meeting I received an email from the Churc,h,”I and the Magisterium of the Church agree with you that Catholicism and witchcraft cannot coexist; despite the fact that some core/foundational principles within each belief set are more well-founded than modern atheism (eg. the existence of a Creator, the difference between darkness and light, the reality of spiritual beings and powers).”

Link provided by the Catholic Minister:

JESUS CHRIST THE BEARER OF THE WATER OF LIFE, A Christian reflection on the “New Age”

Suggested Books

These are my personal favourite prayer books. These books focus on prayers and devotions within pagan traditions, providing valuable resources for those looking to deepen their spiritual practices. They emphasize connection with the divine and the natural world through focused prayer.

PAGAN

The Book of Pagan Prayer – I really enjoy this book. It’s small enough to put in a handbag and take with you for inspiration at any time.