Welcome to the world of the Occult
Wicca
Modern wicca is a Neo-Pagan religion with roots that are both geographically diverse and ancient. wicca is also called "witchcraft," although the terms are not synonymous in every respect. It is also called, simply, "the craft."
While witchcraft is a very old religious system pre-dating Christianity, modern wiccan practices date back to 1939 with the writings of Gerald Gardner and his disciple, Doreen valiente. There are various sects, but in general, most wiccans share these beliefs and practices:
A deep reverence for the earth. For this reason, many wiccans support conservation efforts, animal rights causes, and many are vegetarian.
An emphasis on personal experiences. Practitioners keep a journal of these experiences in their book of shadows.
A form of goddess worship, with a lesser enthusiasm for her consort, a horned entity known as "the god" the devotion to a feminine deity reflects the wiccan dissatisfaction with traditional monotheistic religions, which they consider patriarchal and demeaning to women . Their goddess has many names- mother earth, Gaia, Ashtarte, Isis, and Osiris, to name a few. Many wiccans are Also feminists.
Aelebration of eight festivals ("sabbats") based on the equinoxes and solstices. Each of these festivals feature special rituals, and include samhaim, winter solstice, imbolc, the vernal equinox, beltaine, the summer solstice, lammas, and the autumnal equinox.
While they don't have a "bible" or other "holy" text they respect the book of shadows and a poem called the wiccan rede. The final eight words of the rede summarize wiccan practice: "and ye harm none, do what thou will." This is the basic tenet of the religion- "do all that you want to do as long as no one else is harmed."
The use of certain tools, such as the ritual knife (the "athame"), pentagram symbol, and the chalice. The old idea of witches flying on brooms has some basis in fact-brooms are used in certain wiccan rituals. Wiccans may meet in covens or be "solitaries."
The practice of "magic," sometimes called "magick." (these terms are not synonymous.) to effect "magic," spells are cast. wiccans claim that there is no such thing as "black" or "white" magic.
Some questions about wicca
1. Is wicca compatible with Christianity?
No, the bible forbids the practice of witchcraft:
"there shall not be found among you anyone who...practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures up spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all these things are abomination to the lord... " Deuteronomy 18:10-12
The bible likens witchcraft to rebellion:
"for rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..." 1 Samuel 15:23
2. Do wiccans worship Satan?
Modern wiccans claim that Satan, or the devil is a construct of the monotheistic religions, and not a member of the wiccan "cast of characters." most wiccans would say that they do not even believe in the existence of Satan. However, there are only two sources of supernatural power in the universe: God and his angels or satan and his angels, the demons. Since God has forbidden the practice of witchcraft, he is not the author of wiccan "magic," leaving Satan as the only alternative power source, wiccans may not realize Satan is the source of their magical powers, but he is the father of all lies and even deceives his own disciples"
"you are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do, he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is not truth in him, when he speaks a lie,he speaks from his own resource, for he is a liar and the father of it, " john 8:44
3. Isn't the Wiccan ideal "and ye harm none, do what thou will" a good rule of life?
No, it isn't- it is rebellion against God, and how can we know how our actions will affect others? In Wiccan belief, sexual promiscuity is a matter of personal choice. But if you look at the result of promiscuity- sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, abortion, and broken families, it becomes apparent that people are harmed.
Rebellion against God leads to serious consequences, such as degradation and debasement:
"...because , although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools... Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the Lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever, Amen." Romans 1: 21-25
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality..."Romans 1:28-29
There are more drastic consequences: death and eternal separation from God.
For the wages of sin is death,,, "Romans 6:23
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?" 2 Corinthians 6:9
Conclusion
All rebellion against God, including Wicca, is sin, and the Bible says that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God- every one of us, not just Wiccans. We are all like sheep who have gone astray. Our sinfulness separates us from God, and we are unable to approach Him in our current condition. It does no good to point out the good things we have done, because the Bible says that all our won attempts at righteousness are like filthy rags.
The situation would have been hopeless, except that God loved us enough to send His only Son, Jesus, to take our punishment for us on the cross of Calvary:
"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) will not perish but have everlasting Life." John 3:16
Why not confess your sins of rebellion against God and accept His free gift of salvation? If you have been involved in Wicca or other occultic practices and would like to be reconciled with God, why not pray the following prayer:
"Father God, I confess to you my sin of witchcraft, and my rebellion against You. Lord, it is my desire to turn away from these things and to turn toward You, I ask You to forgive me, and I thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for my rebelliousness, Please come into my life, Lord Jesus, and make me clean to walk in Your ways. In Jesus' name, Amen."
If you prayed that prayer with a sincere heart, then you are no longer a witch, you are a child of God! You are now righteous in God's sight, because He sees you clothed with Jesus' righteousness. Here are some suggestions:
Get rid of all your Wiccan tools and books. Don't give them away to stumble another person; destroy them. This is what a new Christians did in the Bible.
"And many who believed came confessing and telling their deeds, Also, many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all...so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." - Acts 19:18-20
Get a Bible and begin reading the New Testament. If you don't understand all that you are reading, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Find a good Christian church and start attending. Pray regularly. Christian prayer is a conversation with the Living God, and is quite different from occultic meditation.
May God bless you in the name of Jesus Christ.
