Wicca: Just how dangerous is it?

[TheRealJuliane]

Originally Posted by holyghost

I used to practice. Terribly dangerous. I've seen it with my own eyes.
Stay with God...the One True God.

^ This. Same here.

[marlap2]

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. At one time I used to be a Wiccan. A Wiccan is basically a witch. Wicca is an Occult religion although some will disagree with that. Most will agree that it is a Neopagan religion. That said, just how spiritually dangerous is Wicca? Considering that it is at least related to the Occult, isn't there a danger of demonic possession and other problems for practitioners?

In every way, shape and form, this is wrong. I'm assuming you were baptized after renouncing this and became Catholic? If you were Catholic, then strayed into wicca, you have to confess this, absolutely. It is very spiritually dangerous. Your soul is dancing with the devil, so to speak. Your intellect will be darkened to the point of not recognizing your own state. The more your curiosity and interest goes there the more likely curiosity turns to temptation and then temptation into sin. If you have this curiosity, you should start praying for St. Michael's help and avoiding all interest in anything dark, including exorcism or possession. Stay in a state of grace, receive the Holy Eucharist as much as you are able, and spend time with the Blessed Sacrament if you can. If you continue to have this interest, I would talk to a good spiritual director who has understanding in this. This is not a light-hearted matter.

[Reuben J]

Originally Posted by Maryann C

LOL typical re-branding smoke screen - well pointed out Juliane
I have read and listened to plenty of people ( friends and people who share their testimonies to warn people) who have either 'dabbled in' or been fully involved in the to occult , witchcraft etc to know it is anti- Christ and THAT is all I really am concerned about and is the reason any of it is dangerous.

Agreed. Just don't involve in occult or witchcraft, it is dangerous and it's one sin that really displeases God. Once we do it, it is very difficult to get out and to go back to God would take many steps in reconciliation. As Christians, we should be shrewd like a fox and be wise to know what it really is even after the re-branding.

It is dangerous and it is not part of us. Don't ever tinkle with it; we are only opening ourselves to the enslaving oppression of the Evil One as it's practice is the opposite of our God. I don't care what is said about it but I would just run away from it as far as possible and not let it enters my life in any way.

[Merinass]

Originally Posted by Holly3278

Hey everyone. At one time I used to be a Wiccan. A Wiccan is basically a witch. Wicca is an Occult religion although some will disagree with that. Most will agree that it is a Neopagan religion. That said, just how spiritually dangerous is Wicca? Considering that it is at least related to the Occult, isn't there a danger of demonic possession and other problems for practitioners?

Speaking as a former HPS that all depends. No..no demon is coming after you if you stuck to very simple things..in other words earth based practices. Now If you went around trying to summon spirits, conjure, talking to something that represented it's self as a spirit guide etc with no or weak protective boundaries you can get something trailing around you.
I have never ever had a bad experience and have never known anyone who has and at one point it was not unusual for me to hold ritual for around 400 people as a part of public education and awareness.
You're motives are 100% vital to your experiences while in the Craft and I as well as others have found that people who are looking for power generally do what we like to call blowing themselves up. Those folks I always steered clear of simply because they are the ones who want it fast and now and don't want to know that yes indeedy there are things out there that will do some serious damage..sometimes even permanent.
What most people fail to see is that whether you want to call it Karma or use the biblical term of 'as ye sow so shall ye reap'...it doesn't matter. What you put out there you get back in mind, body spirit. Over all, Wicca actually is pretty safe IF it is practiced in the manner that it was originally intended..but then again anyone can take anything and twist it.

[PumpkinSeed]

Originally Posted by Publisher

Do you believe your prayers and desires when addressed to God effect the world you live in?

Those who "cast spells" or "utter curses" have the same idea in their minds....just from a different perspective.

Do you believe you can pray for a new job....to be cured from sickness.....confound an enemy or stop tjhem from harming you?

Same principle. What Christians call "prayer" would fall under the catagory of "spell" for Wiccans...not a 'point by point" equality....but prayer, invocation and evocation is a similar concept....to embrace prayer with a "Christian" mindset one must be "Christian."

But they are not praying, so I don't know how they would be answered.

[Merinass]

Originally Posted by PumpkinSeed

But they are not praying, so I don't know how they would be answered.

You miss the point entirely.Yes they ARE indeed praying. It is very focused and the intentions are very clear. Truth be told the Catholic Mass is VERY similar to what would have gone on in one of my rituals which truth be told is one of the biggest attractions for me personally to Catholisism. Even down the the St.Francis "prayer" or canticle to Brother Son.
Sorry...but it is almost identical except for the names of who you are worshiping and what you call things. Would you believe that we have even been called in to cast out evil? And yes..it does work with never a call back of further issues.
HMMMMMM. Before you start telling others who have actually been a part of the Wiccan religion what it is they are or are not doing you might want to listen to them tell you what they are doing. For those of you who do not know what the letters HPS stand for...It is High Priestess. My seven year roll gives me great respect for the Catholic Priests and if you aren't one you have no idea how tough their job really is.

[PumpkinSeed]

Originally Posted by Merinass

You miss the point entirely.Yes they ARE indeed praying. It is very focused and the intentions are very clear. Truth be told the Catholic Mass is VERY similar to what would have gone on in one of my rituals which truth be told is one of the biggest attractions for me personally to Catholisism. Even down the the St.Francis "prayer" or canticle to Brother Son.
Sorry...but it is almost identical except for the names of who you are worshiping and what you call things. Would you believe that we have even been called in to cast out evil? And yes..it does work with never a call back of further issues.
HMMMMMM. Before you start telling others who have actually been a part of the Wiccan religion what it is they are or are not doing you might want to listen to them tell you what they are doing. For those of you who do not know what the letters HPS stand for...It is High Priestess. My seven year roll gives me great respect for the Catholic Priests and if you aren't one you have no idea how tough their job really is.

It said its not praying, because you're not asking anyone for anything. Or are you? From what I understand, you are simply wishing for magic. That's not really praying... and if it is, then I guess I just don't understand it.

By casting spells, you are wishing, correct? But who or what are you wishing to?

Also, you say you perform rituals. What kind of rituals?

By the way, I'm not the one you should be after. Many people in this thread said it was evil. I never said it was evil. In fact, I said I don't believe it even works. I don't see how its possible. Which also means I don't believe its possible for poltergeists or demon possession to occur from which. I know many people in this thread said it can happen. Ive even heard people saying you can get possessed by a demon from the Ouija board. I don't believe that at all. Ive never seen any evidence or real cases of demon possession.
Of course people say its in the bible, in which case it is, but I myself have never seen any documented cases or proof of it. I never hear of that kind of thing. Demon possession sounds more like a mental illness than anything paranormal.

[Lost Wanderer]

Originally Posted by PumpkinSeed

By casting spells, you are wishing, correct? But who or what are you wishing to?

It is my understanding that Wiccans are no different from other neopagans in their practice of beseeching nature spirits. :P

On a side note, modern fantasy actually depicts magic to not require any form of worship or religious affiliation (hence the general distinction between cleric and mage archetypes).

[GaryTaylor]

Here's a quick info sheet.


http://www.google.com/url?q=http://w...-9AzUgHKGwZYoA

[Merinass]

Originally Posted by PumpkinSeed

It said its not praying, because you're not asking anyone for anything. Or are you? From what I understand, you are simply wishing for magic. That's not really praying... and if it is, then I guess I just don't understand it.

By casting spells, you are wishing, correct? But who or what are you wishing to?

Also, you say you perform rituals. What kind of rituals?

By the way, I'm not the one you should be after. Many people in this thread said it was evil. I never said it was evil. In fact, I said I don't believe it even works. I don't see how its possible. Which also means I don't believe its possible for poltergeists or demon possession to occur from which. I know many people in this thread said it can happen. Ive even heard people saying you can get possessed by a demon from the Ouija board. I don't believe that at all. Ive never seen any evidence or real cases of demon possession.
Of course people say its in the bible, in which case it is, but I myself have never seen any documented cases or proof of it. I never hear of that kind of thing. Demon possession sounds more like a mental illness than anything paranormal.

I am not after you. Let's be clear on that point. Let's start at the basics which is simply this; everyone does things in the craft differently. In my own coven yes, we did consider what we were doing as prayer. Think about praying the rosary. In the church next door I have attended where not only are they focusing on the mysteries but they state whom they intend to help..be it a person who is ill or maybe having a hard time with finances, perhaps they are grieving or lost a loved one..etc. You get the basic idea. So what happens? Well as I have seen it we (yes I pray the rosary and have found it to be extremely helpful) are not only focusing on the life and trials of Christ, but we have in mind particular people we would like to see benefit from those prayers (rosaries)being said. At the core of it all it is identical to this. What is different is perhaps the Divine that is being petitioned and items that are used in the circle.
Does it work? Yes of course it does or people would not waist their time and money doing it. Too, remember it depends on each individual and whether or not they have what it takes to make it work. Same is true with prayer. I know a LOT people people who do not believe prayer works. They try and get nothing. Why?? Well when you think that there really isn't anything out there or no one is listening (or you are being egotistical and asking for things that are pure wants and most likely will do you far more harm than good) then you are really asking for your prayer to not be answered. I had a friend of mine that used to say God works and speaks through people. Most people think a voice from heaven is going to come thundering down upon them. It isn't like that. God can answer in almost limitless ways..someone saying something to you out of the blue that leads you to your answer..a cover of a magazine that has a message on it pertaining to whatever the issue is. I have even had random strangers come up to me and give me some very powerful messages. I never saw them again and it has always been when I needed it. I didn't know these people..never saw them before and actually was in the Dollar Store getting toilet paper on one occasion . What one woman had to say was SO right with what I was going through and how I am it was amazing. Also what she said indeed came true.
As far as demonic possession..never have seen an actual case myself. I have seen bad spirits and I have seen loads of residual energies built up in a place and had to clean them out. BUT possession..it does happen but it is extremely rare. You are correct about most of it being mental illness. There is what we call psychological possession where a person believes strongly they are possessed..you do an exorcism anyway. Reason being if their belief is so strong it alters their personalities then an exorcism would "cure" them and it does work due to the fact you are dealing with their beliefs.

So how is it the same..the names may change but the song is the same.

[Jesusismyfriend]

Originally Posted by TheRealJuliane

If you have not already done this, get rid of EVERY object you used in your witchcraft. Take them outside and SMASH them into bits with a hammer. Destroy all of it, burn the books/papers, etc. Make sure NONE of it can be used by anyone else in any way.

Then either get a priest to come and bless your home, or put blessed salt and holy water in every room. Get a crucifix for each room in your home, have them blessed, and hang them. Keep using holy water from now going forward.

Well, I've been wondering about this. Does everything that might be associated with the cult have to be destroyed? I have a blanket my grandma left me with a sun and moon pattern. For years, I thought it was just a pretty pattern, but one day I realized it was similar to the Druid symbols from years ago. It is about the four seasons, and the moon phases. Is this wrong to keep?

[Merinass]

You know I think In am going to go back to my Craft after all. I am sorry but after a chat in a chat room I see that this whole Christianity thing is not for me. Bottom line Christians seem to live in too much fear and cannot open their minds to other people who are different..or maybe have had a hell of a life and make certain choices. I do not believe any religion has the right to tell a woman who has been brutalized and raped..and then conceives that she has to bear the child. I do not believe that all life is sacred. I don't even believe everything in a human body is actually a human spirit..but those things I believe in paganism..well they are simply accepted..and here they are probably considered heresy. Thats sad.
So yes, back to my Wiccan/Pagan ways I go..to the Gods and Goddesses that love me and the people who drive me crazy but at the same time I love.
You see we Pagans (yes I just made this choice) understand one thing; your journey is yours alone and no one can do it for you. How much you grow and learn is solely up to you. Your relationship with the Divine again..is 100% up to you and not to some poor fella wearing a black shirt with a while collar.Through prayer and meditation, casting your circle and invoking (inviting) your Gods etc is how you get to know them on a personal level...and you guys say that's a bad thing. We understand we don't have to live your life and therefor cannot tell you what to do...only what we would do but acknowledging where we are completely different beings.
We too understand that the most important things as a true Wicca is to Do No Harm! Not to yourself or to another living creature. We understand the earth is sacred. She is our home, a creation that is a gift.
I am sorry, but once you see a thing, once you know a thing, you cannot backtrack and slide down a scale.
I must be true to myself and not buy into paranoia and fear..which got thousands of innocent beings murdered during the Inquisitions.
Blessed Be and take care.

[Patavium]

Merinass,

There is also an important difference. Christians pray for GOD'S WILL in their lives even ABOVE their very own will. We TRUST God. When you cast spells do you want this entity's will on your life? Do you wish for these entities to guide you in your life? or is it just asking favors out of these entities? That is a key difference. We talk to God, We let Him know what He already knows, and We ask for His help. Above all, we ask to follow His wishes, not ours.

[Patavium]

Originally Posted by Merinass

You know I think In am going to go back to my Craft after all. I am sorry but after a chat in a chat room I see that this whole Christianity thing is not for me. Bottom line Christians seem to live in too much fear and cannot open their minds to other people who are different..or maybe have had a hell of a life and make certain choices. I do not believe any religion has the right to tell a woman who has been brutalized and raped..and then conceives that she has to bear the child. I do not believe that all life is sacred. I don't even believe everything in a human body is actually a human spirit..but those things I believe in paganism..well they are simply accepted..and here they are probably considered heresy. Thats sad.
So yes, back to my Wiccan/Pagan ways I go..to the Gods and Goddesses that love me and the people who drive me crazy but at the same time I love.
You see we Pagans (yes I just made this choice) understand one thing; your journey is yours alone and no one can do it for you. How much you grow and learn is solely up to you. Your relationship with the Divine again..is 100% up to you and not to some poor fella wearing a black shirt with a while collar.Through prayer and meditation, casting your circle and invoking (inviting) your Gods etc is how you get to know them on a personal level...and you guys say that's a bad thing. We understand we don't have to live your life and therefor cannot tell you what to do...only what we would do but acknowledging where we are completely different beings.
We too understand that the most important things as a true Wicca is to Do No Harm! Not to yourself or to another living creature. We understand the earth is sacred. She is our home, a creation that is a gift.
I am sorry, but once you see a thing, once you know a thing, you cannot backtrack and slide down a scale.
I must be true to myself and not buy into paranoia and fear..which got thousands of innocent beings murdered during the Inquisitions.
Blessed Be and take care.

Also, there is another problem you underline.

Inviting gods? Who are these entities? How do you know they have good will towards you? How do you know you are not being deceived? Getting to know gods in a personal level?

I would caution about this. There is one reason christians stay away from such practices. It is dangerous.

Be Blessed.

[Contarini]

Originally Posted by Merinass

You know I think In am going to go back to my Craft after all. I am sorry but after a chat in a chat room I see that this whole Christianity thing is not for me. Bottom line Christians seem to live in too much fear and cannot open their minds to other people who are different.

You're making huge generalizations about Christians, which I don't think you would appreciate if done about Wicca.

.or maybe have had a hell of a life and make certain choices. I do not believe any religion has the right to tell a woman who has been brutalized and raped..and then conceives that she has to bear the child. I do not believe that all life is sacred. I don't even believe everything in a human body is actually a human spirit

Well, that's a problem. I urge you to think through why you hold this literally dehumanizing belief. On what basis does one distinguish? What is your moral basis for telling extreme racists that they are wrong in saying that Jews or black people don't have "human spirits"? You are taking a position in order to come up with what seems to you like a compassionate position in certain extreme cases, but you're giving up a pretty important moral principle. Do you really want to give up that principle? Do you have something better?

..but those things I believe in paganism..well they are simply accepted..and here they are probably considered heresy. Thats sad.

Well, if you are looking for a religion that will not challenge your individual beliefs, then you certainly are not looking for Catholicism. Other forms of Christianity vary. You would probably be quite comfortable in the Episcopal Church, for instance. I don't think that is a particularly good thing, but I offer it both in the interests of giving you fair information and in the interests of not seeing you turn away from Christianity altogether!

I myself am saddened by the idea of a religion simply rubber-stamping cultural values, which it seems to me both the Episcopal Church and Wicca do. (For that matter, most religions do, including many forms of Catholicism to a great extent--but Catholic Christianity seems to me to have something else going on, struggling to survive.)

You see we Pagans (yes I just made this choice) understand one thing; your journey is yours alone and no one can do it for you

Yes, nice American individualism at work. Goes along great with capitalism and all that other good American stuff--a kind of religious consumerism. . . .

We Christians--orthodox Christians--understand that your journey is not yours alone, but is undertaken in community. I think that's one of the major differences between orthodox Christianity and neopaganism, a difference obscured by the extent to which many versions of Christianity have sold out to American values.

How much you grow and learn is solely up to you.

Sure, you can decide how much you grow and learn. But you can decide rightly or wrongly what growing and learning are going to look like. And you need a community to decide rightly.

Your relationship with the Divine again..is 100% up to you and not to some poor fella wearing a black shirt with a while collar.

The shirt and collar are simply conventional cultural symbols of the fact that this particular person speaks with the authority of the community, an authority that Catholics believe comes from God Himself. I have problems with how this functions in Catholicism myself.

Through prayer and meditation, casting your circle and invoking (inviting) your Gods etc is how you get to know them on a personal level...and you guys say that's a bad thing.

Well, the question is: how do you avoid simply worshiping a projection of your own desires and/or cultural values? That, from my perspective, is how Wicca may truly be harmful spiritually, or in the language of the OP, how it is "dangerous" (not a word I would choose myself, since I don't think danger is bad--authentic holiness is very dangerous indeed).

We too understand that the most important things as a true Wicca is to Do No Harm! Not to yourself or to another living creature.

Abortion doesn't do harm to a living creature? This doesn't make sense. You give abortion as your major reason for backing away from Christianity (and again, there are many Christians who unfortunately agree with your view of abortion, so you should not be so hasty), and then you give your big moral principle as not doing harm to a living creature Even if an unborn child doesn't have a "human spirit" (I still wonder on what basis you determine this), it is certainly a living creature!

[QUOTE
I am sorry, but once you see a thing, once you know a thing, you cannot backtrack and slide down a scale.
I must be true to myself and not buy into paranoia and fear..which got thousands of innocent beings murdered during the Inquisitions.
[/quote]

I'm not sure your historical understanding of the inquisitions is correct, but that's probably a side issue, and certainly the death toll was in the thousands (if possibly the low thousands--it's hard to be sure).

Edwin