Discovering Christian Witchcraft: A Beginner's Guide for Everyday Practice
Discovering Christian Witchcraft: A Beginner's Guide for Everyday Practice
Introduction to Christian Witchcraft
Authors and Dedications
Emyle D. Prata (Mimi) & Sara Raztresen are the authors of "Discovering Christian Witchcraft: A Beginner's Guide for Everyday Practice."
Copyright: © 2024 by Sara Raztresen and Emyle D. Prata. All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission is prohibited, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Print ISBN: 979-8-9864876-4-9
Digital ISBN: 979-8-9864876-5-6
Cover Design and Interior Design: Sara Raztresen
Images: Sourced and licensed from Canva and Shutterstock artists.
Mimi's Dedication:
To those who tried to break her spirit with evangelical ideals and societal roles (family, community, strangers).
Reflects finding peace through "fear, tears, and trembling" in her salvation journey.
To her children, who will grow up believing in a world of mundane and magical things and will always be supported, whatever their faith or path.
A way to teach her children to stand in their beliefs.
To friends Sara, Lina, Hannah, and Melissa, for encouraging her public view.
Sara's Dedication:
To friends and family who support her, even when explaining the "Christian Witchy life."
Grateful for their listening, supporting, challenging, and rooting.
To the entire Christian Witch community: for a faith walk that heals and empowers, not harms and suffocates.
Acknowledges the community as the reason for the book's existence, uniting people in love, hope, and trust.
Specifically to Mimi, Lina, Hannah, and Fr. Kyle for helping her understand community and mentorship.
Contents Overview
Section 1: An Introduction to Christian Witchcraft
Framing the Concept of a Christian Witch
The Word "Witch" Before Jesus
Magic in the Time of Jesus
Superstitions of Witchcraft in Europe
Section 2: The Sociopolitical Nature (and Mission) of the Christian Witch
The Shift in the Perception of the Word "Witch"
Why Call Ourselves Christian Witches?
The Husk (or Shell) of God
The Divine Feminine and You
Section 3: Understanding Ourselves and Our Spiritual Power
The Fundamentals of Magic and Its Traces in Jesus's Life
The Basics of Divination
Preparing to Enter the Unseen Realm
Tools That Can Aid Your Spellwork
The Basics of Spellwork
Incorporating Heritage and Culture Into Your Craft
The (Syncretized) Wheel of the Year
Section 4: Encountering the World Beyond the Veil
The Christian Witch and Angels
The Christian Witch and Demons
Other Spirits a Christian Witch May Encounter
Ancestor Work as a Christian Witch
Section 5: Going Forth with Confidence and Courage
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
References and Suggested Reading
Bonus Material
Chapter One: Framing the Concept of a Christian Witch
Historical Context of Jesus's Message:
Jesus lived 2000 years ago, speaking of love, forgiveness, faith, and freedom for His people under Roman rule, and then for all people.
His message ultimately led to His death by the Roman imperial regime, which was indifferent to those who dared to speak.
Many people, including Jewish folks in occupied Judaea, questioned His role as the Messiah, continuing their ancestral traditions.
Others believed Him but feared Roman rule, staying silent and internalizing despair and rage against the invaders.
The institution that killed Jesus was terrifying, capable of swallowing nations.
Jesus's teachings were seen as strange and subversive; even His disciples doubted and questioned some.
His "miracles" (or magic/sorcery, as accused) did not help His case.
Modern State of Christianity:
The authors question the fruits of Jesus's philosophy today:
Are men and women equal in power, wisdom, and worth?
Can people un-align from strict, binary gender ideas?
Are all people (regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) cherished as friends and neighbors?
Are churches still places of refuge and help?
Are the mysteries, miracles, and magic of religion remembered and respected in churches?
Are these recognized as powers accessible to all children of God?
The authors believe readers already know the negative answers to these questions and have a right to be angry.
They argue that humanity's "birthright" (magic, miracles, wonders) has been stolen.
Direct connection to God has been monopolized by church leaders who harm and divide, telling people to cut off those unlike them.
Church leaders, in the authors' view, disarm believers and use Jesus's teachings as a weapon against those He came to liberate.
Sara's Personal Journey as a Christian Witch:
Has been a Christian Witch since teenage years.
Observes that everything new eventually settles into old, restrictive traditions.
Through exploring miracles, magic, and the unseen realm (spirits, angels, demons, pagan deities), she learned to talk to God and listen to answers.
Understands the power of faith and how to use spiritual energy (magic) like muscles and mind.
Believes modern followers of Jesus do not truly know the man of subversion, magic, mysticism, and radical change, nor did they ever want to.
Jesus's new philosophy, which defied tradition, became a heavy, restrictive, cold tradition by the 4^{th} century.
The institution Jesus spoke against adopted His words as a tool of social power, with emperors and church fathers destroying dissent.
For Sara, being a Christian Witch means acting like the Apostles: carrying divine messages that upset the social order.
This earns ridicule and resentment, but she wears "heresy like a badge of honor" because she trusts God more than institutions or tampered Scripture.
Definition of Christian Witchcraft:
A return to basics, rediscovering God through hidden, erased, redefined, or dismissed practices, philosophies, and Scriptures.
A path that has brought Sara closer to God than any church experience.
A practice of fearless exploration, where peace grows daily through faith in God and in the strength He provides for navigating seen and unseen worlds.
A reminder that humans, like Jesus, are both human and divine, capable of positive world change.
Aims to help readers see what Christian Witches see and tear down barriers between humanity and God.
Emboldens readers to reclaim God-given peace and power, facing accusers with bravery, boldness, and joy.
Emyle (Mimi) D. Prata's Personal Journey:
Distinct childhood memory: witnessing a woman babble "with the Holy Spirit" in church, and her Mamaw speaking rhythmic answers in plain English, a "knowing" from God.
This "knowing," spirit, stories, and superstitions connect to "Granny Witchin'" in the Appalachian mountains.
Granny Witchin' is a way of life, secrets passed down in families; magic died a little with each Granny.
Examples: using the Bible to cure bleeding wounds, powerful protection prayers, studying nature signs as God's will (since God made nature).
Despite limited knowledge (women who could teach her died young), she cherished the "shimmer of magic."
The 1990s and Witchcraft in the Mainstream:
New wave: Satanic Panic, antisemitic New Age shenanigans, witchcraft re-emerged.
Popular culture: The Craft, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy.
Books: often Wiccan-based (e.g., Silver Ravenwolf), appropriating Indigenous practices.
Mimi felt this wasn't her path: it was about power and glory, not healing, living, and weaving mystical with mundane to survive.
Her path: follow Jesus's words, the Holy Spirit's tug, listen to the "small, still voice" while baking bread and making potions with flowers and roots.
Internal Conflict: Strict evangelical upbringing with a mother who abandoned witchy ways led to internal war.
Uncertain if her practices (herbs, stones, praying, moon) were welcomed by God, but reasoned God made them.
Used labels like "crunchy," "hippie," "natural" but none fit.
Couldn't explain praying with Jesus candles, offerings, and rituals (herbal baths) for health without being labeled a witch.
The Revelation of 2020: During the pandemic, she took time to truly talk to God, not as taught in church, but intimately.
Began Bibliomancy with her Bible, as taught by her Papaw.
Asked "Why do we have to do it this way?" and researched beyond the Bible (archives, church libraries, YouTube, TikTok).
Sought others like her to justify her nature: witchy, honoring ancestors for guidance in dreams, and loving Jesus and His teachings.
Found community and family in Christian Witchcraft.
Mimi's Definition of a Christian Witch: Living your truth, carrying on family traditions of healing and divining God's words, and letting love pour from you as it did from Jesus.
The Authors' Goal for You
Simple Aim: To get you started on your way.
No Experts: Acknowledges that no one is truly an expert in witchcraft or has all the answers; it's like any craft or art with continuous learning and new discoveries.
No Single Answer: They cannot promise a single answer, only guidance through research, magic, and experiences to help you create your own answers with God.
Empowerment: Provide introductory tools to help you shape your practice in a way that feels right.
Reconciliation: Help you find peace knowing your craft brings you closer to God, His Son, and His Spirit.
Guidance: Offer tips on where and why to look for cultural connections, magical formulae, and theological understanding.
Book Structure:
Section 1 (The "How"): Explores how Christian witchcraft is possible despite condemnations, and its historical manifestations. Covers arguments against Christian magic and the original meaning of "witch."
Section 2 (The "Why"): Discusses why one would adopt the label/path, how "witch" has changed, sociopolitical concepts, and what it means to be a Christian Witch.
Section 3: Covers basic magical techniques to build a unique personal craft.
Section 4: Introduces the world of spirits (encountered or incorporated) and how to understand them.
Section 5 (The Journey's End): Intended to provide a proper guide and starting point to finding God in unexpected places.
Transformative Path: This path will break and heal your heart, make you angry and jubilant, remind you of your inherent power (which mainstream religion sought to hide).
Illumination: Will help you see, perceive, hear, and understand; once aware, you can never shut your eyes again.
Invitation: Encourages those tired of living with eyes shut to turn the page and open their eyes and soul to the unseen world.
Challenging Biblical Interpretations
Chapter Two: The Word "Witch" Before Jesus
The Common Question: "A Christian Witch? But I thought the Bible forbids witchcraft! How can you be both?"
This is a frequent question from Christians, atheists, and pagans alike due to historical narratives of witch trials.
Historically, "witches" on the pyre were often political minorities (Jewish people), women with herbal knowledge, or scapegoats during mass hysteria (e.g., Salem Witch Trials).
Key Biblical Verses Addressed:
Exodus 22:18
Leviticus 19:26
Leviticus 19:31
Deuteronomy 18:9-12
Honorable Mention: 2 Kings 17:15-19
Honorable Mention: 1 Samuel 28:8-19
Acts 19:19
Galatians 5:19-21
Revelation 18:23
Objective: Reconcile these condemnations by analyzing unifying themes and the Bible's nature.
The Problem of Biblical Literacy
Biblical Changes Over Time: The Bible has been edited and revised for centuries.
Modern Christians often deny this, citing "God isn't the author of confusion" or "God has the power to preserve His word," believing the Bible is infallible and God's direct words.
The idea of a flawed Bible causes grave anxiety for many.
Evidence of Changes:
The Jewish Study Bible (Old Testament) notes multiple sources (priestly, Jahwist, Elohist, Deuteronomistic) which sometimes contradict, repeat, or show different writing styles, indicating different authors.
Complaints from as early as the 3^{rd} century by Christian thinkers (e.g., Origen) about scribes making changes during copying due to negligence or "perverse audacity."
This suggests an immediate cadena of interpretation and alteration from the first copies.
Scribe's Influence: Scribes, often not professional copyists, brought their own viewpoints, biases, and ideas of what should/shouldn't be into the text when translating and copying.
Changes could be accidental (slips of the pen, omissions, additions, misspellings) or intentional "corrections."
James L. Kugel notes that any serious text reveals the inner world of its writer/editor.
Lack of Originals and Authorship:
The original tablets of God's commandments were lost from the Temple of Jerusalem.
Jesus's disciples Peter and John were described as agrammatos (without letters), meaning they couldn't read or write.
This implies either:
The Gospels were dictated to scribes.
The Apostles did not write the four Gospels (an idea with significant backing).
Lost Gospels: The four canonical Gospels are only a fraction; Jesus had twelve Apostles, plus Mary Magdalene, whom He "loved… more than all the disciples." (Gospel of Philip, 63).
Gospels of Mary, Philip, Thomas were discarded for not conforming to a narrow $4^{th}$ century "church father" idea of Christ and condemned for destruction.
Rebellious Coptic priests preserved texts like Mary Magdalene's Gospel, revealing enlightening ideas.
Luke's writer mentions consulting "many predecessors," yet no inspiring predecessors for Luke or Matthew have been found.
2 Timothy 3:16-17's assertion about Scripture is challenged, as not all possible sources are available.
St. Paul's Letters:
Bart Ehrman shows St. Paul often dictated letters, only writing the end himself, as in Galatians 6:11 ("
See with what large letters I am writing you with my own hand.").Questions arise: word-for-word dictation, scribe filling in, accuracy of multiple copies.
Most of the New Testament consists of St. Paul's "advice column" to churches struggling to behave.
Using these specific, time-bound writings to guide all future Christian believers globally is compared to using antique "Dear Abby" columns.
Church fathers discarded "apocryphal Gospels" as untrue while padding the New Testament with seemingly unrelated Pauline writings.
Discrepancies in Gospels:
The four Gospels contain many narrative discrepancies and contradictions.
Examples:
Jesus's words on the cross: Luke 23:34 (forgiveness) vs. Matthew 27:46 (anguished questioning of abandonment).
The resurrection story's original ending in Mark's Gospel didn't include Jesus coming out of the tomb, talking, and ascending; it ended abruptly with fearful women fleeing the tomb. This ending was added by a later scribe, evident in the two oldest manuscripts.
Deliberate Manipulation:
Verses shuffled to put words in people's mouths (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14 possibly merged with a scribe's margin note).
Scribes attributed cruel/callous writings to dead men (e.g., 1 Timothy, written years after St. Paul's death, with 1 Tim 2:12 contradicting Galatians 3:28 on equality).
Conclusion on Biblical Accuracy:
Manuscripts have been written, interpreted, edited, re-interpreted, and altered for centuries.
The Old Testament alone was compiled over millennia, spanning more than 1,000 years between its earliest and latest parts.
There will never be a "perfect Bible," perfectly true to Jesus's or prophets' words.
Each generation has a different idea of God and the stories' meaning (e.g., St. Paul's words on equality later used to justify slavery).
Ehrman's realization: the Bible is a "very human book," written by human authors with their own needs, desires, understandings, and theologies, which "bled into the Scripture."
This knowledge is liberating: it allows moving past problematic texts, avoiding the need to twist oneself to justify the unjustifiable, and the search for evidence for disproven statements.
The Bible is a "beautiful thing," a "treasure trove of insight into the character of God" and its historical context.
It is ultimately a story about perception: how God perceives Man, and Man perceives God and the world through God.
This frees the Bible to be both allegory and myth, as much as history and fact.
Old Testament Verses Incorrectly Applied
General Observation: Searches for "witchcraft" often yield terms like "necromancy," "divination," "omens," all with specific contexts in original languages.
Even seemingly straightforward mentions of astrology have more nuance than a wholesale ban.
Focus will be on the specific words and their actual meanings to disarm common arguments against Christian Witches.
**Exodus 22:18: "Do not allow a sorceress to live."
**Translation Issue: Always translated as "witch" or "sorcerer," but the original Hebrew term is mekhashepah.
Origin of Mekhashepah: Likely from Sumerian kašapu, a sorcerer who brought misfortune and was condemned by the government.
Impact: This verse became historically deadly, used to justify burning women, political enemies, and marginalized communities (like Jewish people).
Feminine Form: The term's feminine form singles out women, despite harmful magic extending to everyone.
Zo Jacobi (Jewish Witch, Jewitches) suggests it's because "witchcraft [was] exceedingly common among women."
Jacobi also highlights historical misogyny: witchcraft by women condemned, by men praised.
Distinction from Official Magic:
Sumerian governments condemned the mekhashepah.
The ashshaph (conjurer in Daniel) was an official, seemingly supported by the state.
Babylon and Rome also had court magicians, distinguishing official magic from common "superstitio" (superstition).
Rome hated popular magic for its direct access to the supernatural, influencing stars and gods, making it a "super religion" beyond state control.
Rev. T. Witton Davies contrasts the common mekhashepah with official Sumerian eššepu or ašipu (recognized magicians).
The "witches" of Exodus were specifically believed to use demons and bring evil, while official court magicians dealt with good deities for state well-being.
Real Difference: Illegitimate magic was practiced by unauthorized people; legitimate magic was by official priests.
This was a struggle between established religious authority (Levite priests) and unrecognized rivals, aiming to destabilize the religious hierarchy (John Dominic Crossan's point: if a magician can bring rain, why need a temple priesthood?).
Example: Ritual to cure leprosy in Leviticus 14 was acceptable magic when performed by Levite priests.
Sara's Reflection: Hierarchy isn't always bad. Father Kyle Mackey explains that while individuals are spiritual leaders of their homes, a priest leads a collection of households. Structure can be helpful, but Jesus also stood against crooked religious authority. Christian Witches retain spiritual agency.
**Leviticus 19:26: "Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it. Do not practice divination or seek omens."
**Ambiguity of "Divination": The terms "divination" and "soothsaying" lack direct, single translations in original Hebrew and can mean many things.
Jewish Scholarly Interpretations (Jacobi, Tractate Sanhedrin, 450-550 CE):
Rabbi Shimon: A soothsayer applies seven types of semen to one's eye to perform sorcery (authors express hope no one does this).
Maimonides (medieval-era Sephardic Jewish philosopher, anti-magic): Believed this verse referred to astrology, specifically foretelling events and declaring days favorable/unfavorable.
Concerned with superstition and useless pursuits that pulled people away from science, reason, or scripture.
Saw astrology as a "stupid distraction from useful and necessary actions."
Maimonides's opinion was contested by Talmudic rabbis who found value in these things.
Rabbi Moshe Isserles (1500s, Krakow): Trust God for the future, but take precautions if an action is contrary to one's mazal (fate determined by stars).
Biblical Magi: The three "wise men" (magi/magicians in original Greek) who found Jesus were likely Persian or Babylonian astrologers and were not spurned in the Gospels.
Origen tried to justify their presence, claiming they used demonic powers and felt their powers waning.
Babylonian Astrology: "Implied a 'fatalistic consciousness of subjection to a rigid necessity as such, and the passivity to which it seemed to condemn man'" (contrary to Israelite idea of fate in human hands and God's ultimate decision).
Christian Witchcraft and Divination: Modern Christian Witches' divination doesn't align with these specific condemned practices.
They don't believe stars have total control, only influence.
They don't use "wacky, zany methods."
Christian Witch divination is like an oracle or priest asking God for guidance (e.g., using random Bible verses, shuffling cards).
**Leviticus 19:31: "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God."
**Specificity of Terms: This verse refers to a specific pagan practice called ov and yide’oni (or yidoni).
Practice Description (Jacobi): Involves getting high on drugs/incense, inserting an animal bone into the mouth, and summoning the animal's spirit to speak through one's tongue.
The medium, a ba’al ob ("master of spirits"), holds a professional title.
Israelites were forbidden to perform this or hire someone who did.
Context: This was part of ancient popular religion, consulting spirits/ghosts for future answers instead of God.
Early in Genesis, pagan Laban uses a form of divination later prohibited (Lev. 19.26, Deut 18.10).
These practices were forbidden to distinguish Israel from neighboring pagans.
Conclusion: This is a clear condemnation of a very specific pagan ritual, not all forms of spirit contact or divination.
Mistranslation Issue (Jacobi): Translations generalize words, erasing specific meanings and detracting from God's guidance.
Analogy: Eve adding words to God's apple prohibition, leading to the wisdom: "he who adds [to God's words] subtracts [from them]."
**Deuteronomy 18:9-12: "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 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; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you."
**Controversial Inspiration/Origins: The practices listed might have been part of Israelite popular religion at the time, rebranded as Canaanite.
Hesitation to Discuss: Suggesting Israelite syncretic practices could be misused by antisemitic individuals to justify prejudices against Jewish people.
Centuries of false accusations against Jewish people (e.g., blood libel, sorcery accusations for normal rituals).
Nazis used blood libel conspiracies (Jewish people using Christian blood for magic).
Deuteronomy's Purpose: The prohibitions likely served to strengthen Israel's distinctiveness against aggressive neighbors (Neo-Assyrians, Babylonians).
Dated around 7^{th} century BCE, backing King Josiah's reforms for Judean cultural, political, and religious autonomy.
Resembles Neo-Assyrian state treaties, acting as a "counter-treaty."
Old popular religious practices (whether syncretic or original) were delegitimized by linking them to Canaanites and banned, centralizing worship in Jerusalem.
Specific Prohibitions in Deuteronomy:
Child Sacrifice: A problematic practice of various pagan groups, cut out by Deuteronomy.
Soothsayers, Diviners, Augurs: The list is comprehensive; scholars disagree on whether each term represented distinct activities or was a "scholastic compilation."
Alternative Interpretation: The issue might not be divination itself, but divination with other gods or spirits.
Isaiah 8:19-20 questions consulting "ghosts and familiar spirits" instead of God.
Divination was commanded by God for Levite priests, done by Joseph, and used by Apostles in Acts.
It is clear that forbidden divination concerns pagan practices, not all divination.
The prophet system is no longer available as it once was, thus returning to personal discernment with God.
Christian Witches' divination (e.g., casting lots, using stones/dice, cards, Bible verses) is considered safe.
"Casting Spells" and "Witchcraft": Refers to the Akkadian word kishpu (or Sumerian kashapu), meaning harmful magic.
Markham J. Geller: "witchcraft' is not magic"; it shares characteristics but aims to cause misfortune (illness, bad dreams, anger of gods).
Witchcraft was by an "other," invisible, and easily attributed to disliked neighbors.
Other nations equally disliked anti-social magic; the Code of Hammurabi specified death for kishpu practitioners.
Babylonians had ashipu (exorcists) who used "good magic" to combat "bad magic" (witchcraft).
Deuteronomy forbids dark forces against neighbors, aligning with the Christian principle of loving one's neighbor.
Consulting the Dead: Prohibitions related to ancestral worship or veneration, seen as popular religious pieces to be cut from Israelite society to focus wholly on God.
Isaiah suggests God provides the best guidance.
The Jewish Study Bible points out that such practices were effective, even if forbidden.
Honorable Mention: 2 Kings 17:15-19: Israel fell out of God's grace by making molten idols, bowing to the host of heaven, worshiping Baal, child sacrifice, unauthorized divination, and having a foreign king.
The core problem was disloyalty and syncretism with pagan customs, not magic itself.
God wanted His people distinct from surrounding nations.
Honorable Mention: 1 Samuel 28:8-19 (The Witch of En Dor):
Necromancy's Reality: Demonstrates that necromancy (contacting human spirits) is quite plausible, not just "raising dead bodies as zombies."
The Witch: Feared for breaking Saul's law against ov and yide’oni. Saul, disguised, asks her to conjure Samuel.
Samuel's Spirit: Described as a "divine being," annoyed about being disturbed from Sheol (a place of rest for the dead).
Efficacy: The Bible never states these forbidden practices don't work, only that one shouldn't turn to ghosts instead of God.
Saul's Disfavor: Saul lost God's favor not for magical work, but because he didn't obey the Lord's command against the Amalekites (1 Samuel 28:17), and consulted a ghost after God had ceased answering him through prophets, Urim & Thummim, or dreams.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14: States Saul died for trespass and consulting a ghost and not seeking God; the authors deem this verse inaccurate due to evidence that Saul did try to seek God.
Saul's Fate: Dies with his sons to be with Samuel in Sheol (not Hell).
The Witch's Portrayal: Gideon Vermes describes her as a "professional miracle worker" specializing in necromancy, on par with other miracle workers and prophets.
She's portrayed compassionately, helping Saul despite the risk.
Author's Takeaway: This moment highlights humanity and nuance in Biblical stories.
Conclusion for Deuteronomy: The biblical condemnations are nuanced and often refer to specific, harmful, or unauthorized practices, not all magic.
Chapter Three: Magic in the Time of Jesus
Old Testament Relevance: Some argue Old Testament prohibitions are moot because Jesus changed everything.
Authors state that these same people quickly change their tune when discussing idolatry, LGBTQ+, or witchcraft.
New Testament Focus: Fewer verses on magic; less complex word choice variation, simplifying the breakdown of cultural/sociopolitical meanings.
View of Magic in Antiquity:
Not just Israel condemned magic; Akkadians, Sumerians, Greeks, Romans also had concepts of "good" vs. "bad" magic.
Roman Empire: Practice of magic was a criminal offense; "magician" was a term of opprobrium and abuse.
Persecutions happened for religious rites even to recognized gods (e.g., Bacchic rites).
Jesus and Apostles' Context: Jesus and His Apostles performed miracles, which were seen as akin to magical spells.
This created a dangerous context, necessitating an "anti-magic" stance in the New Testament for survival in Roman society.
New Testament Verses Incorrectly Applied:
The New Testament is a collection of debated letters.
Important early Christian books (e.g., Acts of Paul and Thecla) were excluded from the Bible.
Aside from the Gospels, Acts and St. Paul's/St. Peter's letters make up most of the New Testament.
Early Christianity was a "rebel religion," considered a superstitious cult by Rome, splintered into many schools of thought.
Reducing it to the current narrative (filtered through barebones Roman and Jewish society understanding) distorts the Savior's message.
**Acts 19:19: "And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver."
**Word for Magic: Periergos, appears only twice in New Testament (here and 1 Timothy 5:13).
1 Timothy 5:13: "Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not."
Interpretation based on Periergos: Father Kyle Mackey suggests these books might have been "tabloids" or collections of ideas snatched from other sorcerers to copy.
The Greek magical papyri describe craft as empeiria (experience-based magic).
Conner suggests periergos refers to "undue or misdirected curiosity" or "interfering in what ought to be left undisturbed, which is to say, practicing magic."
Motivation was often for "simple coin" rather than community help or faith.
Context with Simon the Magos (Acts 8:9):
Simon practiced magic and amazed Samaria, claiming self-importance.
When Apostle Philip demonstrated greater miracles, Simon wanted that power.
Acts 8:17-24: Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit's power from Peter.
Peter condemned Simon's heart, not his wonders; the issue was Simon's intent to buy power for fame, not genuine faith.
St. John Chrysostom's View: His anger focused on trying to use power without believing in Jesus.
Anti-Jewish Propaganda in New Testament:
Early Christians, being Jewish converts, needed to establish identity against existing Jewish communities.
Rome respected Judaism for its antiquity but viewed Christianity as an "apostasy from Judaism."
Christians claimed to be "rightful inheritors of the Jewish tradition," using the destruction of the Temple (70 CE) to declare Judaism obsolete.
Celsus (Roman critic) described Christians as "Deluded by Jesus, [Christians] have left the law of their fathers, and have been quite ludicrously deceived, and have deserted to another name and another life."
Christians fought bitterly for acceptance, often unfairly.
Acts 19:19's "Magicians": These were Jewish exorcists, not pagans or Christians.
Flavius Josephus (Jewish apologist, 1^{st} century CE) wrote about Solomon's skill in expelling demons and Jewish exorcism methods (e.g., Eleazar using Solomon's ring and incantations).
The Jewish exorcists' actions were within the bounds of God's people; the issue in Acts was trying to profit from Christ's name without belief.
Christian Witchcraft's Stance: Christian Witches believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, accessing God's direct connection and power without needing grand shows of might.
**Galatians 5:19-21: "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."
**Central Condemnation: "Idolatry and witchcraft" as seemingly incompatible.
The Word "Witchcraft": Greek pharmakeia, with specific connotations.
Context of St. Paul's Letters: Written to specific churches for specific issues.
Question: If a priest's wise email isn't scripture, why are Paul's letters authoritative?
Saints' writings (e.g., St. Hildegard von Bingen's Physica) are not canonized.
Galatians was written in response to rival Apostles (sent by James) who challenged Paul's apostolic credibility and taught obedience to Torah laws.
Paul's "cat-fight" tone in Galatians 1:8-9 shows theological differences, not infallibility.
His stance on marriage (not to marry), possibly due to belief in Jesus's imminent return, shows he wasn't always right.
Paul's Authority: Is it right for Paul, not Jesus or God, to lay down such rules?
Deuteronomy 4:2: God commands not to add or subtract from His word.
Gospel of Mary Magdalene 4:38 (non-canonical, but early): Jesus cautions against laying down rules beyond what He appointed.
Additions in Galatians: "Idolatry and sorcery" are additions to lists matching Mark 7:21-23 and Matthew 15:19.
Idolatry: Made sense in a monotheistic context, but Paul acknowledged other gods for non-believers (1 Corinthians 5-6).
Misconception: using crystals is idolatry. Correct meaning (Kugel): trying to trap gods into figurines, treating them as living deities.
Unless one believes rose quartz is a trapped deity, no concern.
Sorcery (Pharmakeia): A funny addition because Paul himself was accused of magic and jailed.
Acts of Paul and Thecla: Paul jailed in Iconium for "making virgins averse to marriage"; mob yelled, "He is a magician! Away with him!"
Acts 16: Paul exorcised a fortune-telling spirit, leading to his arrest for disrupting slave owners' profits.
Magic vs. Miracle in Antiquity: Conner states "magic, miracle, and medicine were actually synonymous."
Distinctions were made to elevate "faith" over "superstition."
Schäfer: "the notion of magic as distinct from religion seems to be alien to the Hebrew Bible."
Vermes: Jewish miracle workers abound in ancient literature.
Moses and Aaron performed miracles against Egyptian magicians (Exodus 7-12).
Elijah and Elisha performed miracles, some not God-instigated (e.g., Elijah calling fire on Baal prophets in 1 Kings 18).
Jesus's contemporaries also performed miracles (Honi the Circle Drawer).
Hanan "the hider" prayed for rain, understood as a spell in antiquity.
The only difference between magic/miracle/medicine was the source of power (God, pagan deity, spirit).
Distinctions arose because of the "need to reject the accusations that Christ and his followers were practitioners of magic."
Klauck: Accusations of "black magic" were a "handy instrument" to discredit competitors; one's own group practiced "older, unreservedly positive kind."
Pharmakeia as Baneful Magic: Similar to pharmaka meaning "black magic or poisoning."
Roman law associated magic with murder (venerificium), punishing it with banishment, beasts, or burning.
Celsus was the first to call Jesus a magician and Christians practitioners of maleficus (criminal superstition).
Overlap with medicine: magical feats sometimes involved drugs to induce trances or apparitions.
Paul's condemnation may have been to counter accusations, deter evil-doers, or avoid being mistaken for those practicing harmful magic.
Christian Witchcraft's Response: Understands that the origins of these prohibitions were often political or semantic games, designed to discredit opponents. This does not concern a Christian Witch who believes in God and uses their power responsibly.
**Revelation 18:23: "The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world’s important people. By your sorcery all the nations were led astray."
**Book of Revelation: A "creative combination" of apokalypsis (heavenly secrets disclosure) and prophecy (oral divine intentions).
Written by "John" (an unknown Jewish seer in the Jesus movement).
Details eschatological sufferings of sinners, comforting audiences with enemies' downfall (due to Christian persecution).
Used by Evangelicals to justify anti-Semitic ideas ("synagogues of Satan").
Portrays Jesus as "seven-eyed Lamb," "luminescent old man with flaming eyes," "mounted warrior with a sword emerging from his mouth."
"Sorcery" (Pharmakeia): Same word as in Galatians.
Context: Fall of Babylon: Depicts the fall of Babylon, an ancient enemy of Israel, associated with fatalistic astrology and pagan magic.
Protective rituals were part of state ceremony, some overridden by God (Isaiah 47:9).
Magic here linked to "impure practices that demonic forces introduced to the world through fornication" (reminiscent of Book of Enoch, where Azazel teaches magical arts).
Author's Observation: Only magic is condemned, not other "fornication-related" practices like metalworking or cosmetics.
Roman Societal View: Sorcery was seen as superstitious, ugly, and harmful.
For the writer of Revelation, magic was "bad religion," illegitimate practices.
Conclusion: Revelation's condemnation of sorcery is another instance of smear campaigns, semantics, and divisive tactics, irrelevant to the Christian Witch.
"Holy Spirit" was seen as "spirit" by pagan critics, similar to invoked spirits for spellwork.
Christianity's "miracle" was indistinguishable from others' "magic."
Modern Christian society disguises craft as "gifts of the Spirit" to avoid "witchcraft" label.
Chapter Four: Superstitions of Witchcraft in Europe
The Evolving Meaning of "Witch":
In medieval Europe, "witch" signified something terrible, like murder and poisoning (similar to Roman, Akkadian, Sumerian views).
Folk healers or magicians actively distanced themselves from the term "witch" due to its negative connotations and political danger.
Medieval Perceptions of Witches:
Witches were outcasted, powerful people who caused pain and misfortune.
Stereotypes: shapeshifting, broomstick riding, stealing milk, bewitching cheese, causing plagues, crop failure.
Believed to be jealous, mean-spirited individuals who targeted successful people.
Defense: "Unwitchers" (folk magicians) sold services for counterspells.
Church Oversight (Northern/Western Europe): Witches were viewed as servants of the Devil, gaining power by swearing allegiance to darkness.
Women's "weak" minds made them susceptible to deception; their bodies were seen as impure/unclean.
Speedy trials in Germany often ended in death for women accused of heresy and devil-worship.
The Church institution was highly concerned with this perceived evil.
Contested Power: Even within witch trial regions, it was debated whether witches had actual powers, as demonic powers were often considered mere illusions (e.g., Dutch physician Johann Weyer, 1515-1588).
Eastern Europe (Orthodox Rus empire): The idea of Devil-dedicated witches was less prevalent.
Bishop Serapion of Vladimir (1274) condemned belief in witchcraft, not its practice, questioning if famine was due to witches or God's punishment.
Trials existed for working magic, but focus was on accompanying acts (sexual assault) or consequences (death of a child).
Example: Grand princess Solomonia Saburova (1525) accused of witchcraft to avoid divorce; a nun apparently taught her spells.
Folk Magic's Persistence: Nuns, cunningfolk, and others practiced magic, often invoking God or Saints.
Witchcraft accusations were a political weapon.
The Politics and Social Functions of Witchcraft in Europe
Scapegoating for Misfortune: Witchcraft served as a way to blame inexplicable calamities (poor harvests, hail, child death) during medieval Europe's challenging times.
Religion's primary function: petitioning Divinity for intervention.
Bad fortune was attributed to something evil (a witch).
This thinking continued into the 1970s in certain rural, poor, low-education areas (e.g., northeastern Slovenia).
In tight-knit, resource-scarce communities, neighbors' relative success could breed bitterness, leading to accusations of witchcraft for stealing luck.
Witchcraft was a tool of projection, directing guilt and anger onto a target.
The "evil eye" concept: jealousy coming from accusers, not witches.
Decriminalization and Lynching: In Slovenia, after decriminalization in the mid-18^{th} century, people still accused and even lynched suspected witches for perceived "justice."
People gave witches power by needing an identifiable enemy for their rage.
Misogyny's Role:
The Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches), written by Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger, deeply misogynistic.
Women deemed impure, susceptible to Devil's deceptions, objects of lust.
Example: Woman cursed man to impotence with a Host and toad.
Lack of literacy in Catholic/Protestant areas left women vulnerable; men accused of magic often had material evidence (spells, books) in Eastern Europe due to higher literacy.
Skepticism of religion led to women's torture-induced testimonies of contact with demons being used to justify beliefs.
Double Standard: Kramer gave mild penalties (suspension of honors) for clerics/monks dabbling in magic, while demanding burning for women.
Witchcraft as a Political Tool:
Martin Duffy (Anathema Maranatha): "there is no black or white magic—no good and evil—there is just power."
Clerical curses for Church security were "licit and 'good'"; lay or non-Christian curses were "illicit, evil, and the work of the Devil."
Non-Christians as Targets:
Not large-scale persecution, but effective missionary work and wars by Christian kings spread Christianity.
Church targeted wonder workers and healers who challenged its authority.
Slovenia: vrače (folk healers of old faith) were labeled witches.
Church established itself by demonizing threats to its power and offering Christianized alternatives (e.g., blessing plants at mass instead of Midsummer harvesting).
Jewish People as Targets:
Malleus Judeorum (Hammer of the Jews) inspired Malleus Maleficarum.
Renaissance witchcraft constructions owed much to 15^{th}-century Jewish "heresy" persecution.
Jewish people accused of "cannibalistic infanticide," consuming Christian blood (blood libel).
Stereotypes: laziness, vagrancy, "womanlike," "menstrual pollution."
Belief that Jewish men "suffered a flux of blood every month" (divine punishment) used in love spells by Jewish people and "witches."
Modern witches/pagans often overlook this history of accusations against Jewish people, Rroma, and other minorities.
Reversal of Accusations: Catholicism itself was deemed "devilish" and illegal in 16^{th}-century England after the Reformation.
Latin prayers were incorporated into folk magic and used as evidence of guilt in trials.
Catholic priests were considered "vast mair [more] powerful conjurers" than Church of England priests.
Conclusion: "Witchcraft" has always signified ill intent, jealousy, unnatural power used for harm, pacts with devils, poisoning neighbors.
It targeted women and minorities (Jewish people).
Gave license to powerful men (scholars, clergy) for ridiculous accusations.
Cunningfolk and healers avoided the term due to the threat of death.
This history adds complexity and intrigue to the modern title "Christian Witch."
The Sociopolitical Nature (and Mission) of the Christian Witch
Chapter Five: The Shift in the Perception of the Word "Witch"
The Core Question: Why call ourselves Christian Witches, given the historical negative connotations and the potential for confusion?
Authors challenge the phrase "God is not the author of confusion" by juxtaposing it with "God works in mysterious ways."
Suggest Christian Witchcraft is one of these mysteries.
Modern Reclaimed Meaning of "Witch":
The term "witch" has radically changed from antiquity.
No longer images of sabbaths, hexes, or calling natural disasters.
Now seen as wise, helpful, connected to inner power and nature, following personal faith not organized religion.
Age-old condemnations from the Bible do not apply to the modern concept.
The word "witch" is reclaimed, embodying spirituality where the feminine is not suppressed, and all people stand in equality and harmony.
Origins of the Modern Shift: Wicca:
Margaret Murray (1863-1963): Early 20^{th}-century Egyptologist. Proposed witches were members of an underground secret society preserving a prehistoric fertility cult in Christian Europe.
Her theory lacked credible historical/anthropological methods, distorted sources, and ignored clear evidence (e.g., etymology of "sabbath" and its Jewish connection).
Her academic background in Egyptology (private instruction) made her methodology unsafe outside her specialty.
Despite flaws, her "engaging prose style" and "impressive academic credentials" made her theories popular, shifting the perception of witches away from hysterical interpretations.
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964): Used Murray's theories as a "blueprint" to create Wicca.
Claimed he discovered and was initiated into a New Forest Coven in England, allowed to reveal its secrets (e.g., that a coven needs 13 people).
Published works like Witchcraft Today (1954) and The Meaning of Witchcraft (1959), providing rituals for contemporary Wicca.
His claims surfaced after Britain repealed witchcraft laws in 1951; brought to America by Raymond and Rosemary Buckland (1960s).
The Question of Corroboration: Vance asks if Gardner's claims need corroboration or if they reveal something about the religion itself.
Connects this to Christianity and Islam claiming roots in Judaism.
Wicca projected an ancient fertility religion suppressed by patriarchal witch hunts, celebrating sex, honoring fertility, and promoting "polarity of the sexes."
Critique: This "polarity of the sexes" sounds heteronormative and similar to Evangelical Christianity's gender complementarianism (men and women created equal but for different purposes).
The "Equal But Distinct" rhetoric is used in various movements (New Age paganism, Evangelical Christianity, second-wave radical feminism) to idolize and oppress women, ignoring individuality.
Feminist Influence on Witchcraft:
1980s: Witchcraft became about feminine empowerment, sexuality, sovereignty, and spiritual freedom.
Organizations like WITCH (Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy From Hell) published manifestos connecting witchcraft to sexual independence and female boldness suppressed by witch hunters.
Marija Gimbutas's archaeological work on goddesses and matriarchal pre-Christian religions solidified notions of millions of "wise women and healers" wrongly targeted by patriarchal structures.
Critique: This revisionist view strips other victims of witch-hysteria (e.g., Jewish people) and ignores male deities in Gimbutas's cultures.
Zsuzsanna Budapest led Dianic Wicca, focusing on female empowerment and separatism.
Influential books (e.g., Silver Ravenwolf's To Ride a Silver Broomstick, 1993) shaped new generations.
Modern Decline of Wicca: Fallen out of fashion due to racist authors, cultural appropriation, dishonest origins, cis- and heteronormativity, and rigid adherence to the Wiccan Rede.
Conclusion: Wicca's inception through feminist activism opened the gates to the socially acceptable understanding of witchcraft today.
Chapter Six: Why Call Ourselves Christian Witches?
Personal Choice: The authors state they cannot tell others why to call themselves Christian Witches; it's a personal decision requiring strength, grace, and endurance.
Many will not entertain explanations of Christian Witchcraft, its historical roots, or Jesus as a mentor.
Authors' Reasons: Rooted in understanding the Church's true nature, its transformation, the forces behind it, and how Christian Witchcraft combats this.
St. Paul's Words from 1 Corinthians 1:25-31:
God uses the foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, and the lowly/despised to nullify what "are" (what is esteemed).
This is so no one may boast before God; all boasting should be in the Lord.
Interpretation: God uses the humble and non-esteemed to challenge the proud.
Application to Christian Witches: God uses the "Witch" to shame the "Priest," the "sinful" to shame the "righteous."
Those who deem themselves righteous often act cruelly in God's name.
"Christian Witch" as a Litmus Test:
The title serves as a test; reactions reveal more about a person's faith than church attendance or prayer.
Some react positively, with curiosity; others recoil, using Bible verses as weapons.
The latter rarely change their minds, but the authors still hope.
Wearing the title is a choice to open eyes/ears of resistant Christians.
Reclamation: Calling themselves Christian Witches reclaims both the term "witch" and "Christian."
The world's disaster stems from people forcing their view of good/evil on complex communities.
Understanding the Church's co-option of Christ's name is critical for healing.
Fear of eternal damnation for not fitting "perfect boxes" doesn't align with God's nature.
The Reasons for the Church's Rotting Foundation
Sara's Journey of Understanding:
Books like Wilken's Christians as the Romans Saw Them and Moltmann's The Crucified God helped her understand Christianity's transformation into a "diseased tool of imperialism and horror."
Kristen Kobes du Mez's Jesus and John Wayne showed her how this monster morphed in America with new life.
Pagan Values Imposed on Christianity: Christianity absorbed many pagan values during its infancy, turning a radical religion into "more of the same."
Human Distortion of Divine Message: People often interpret Divinity's message to align with their own desires.
St. Paul's Misinterpretation on Women:
Paul's letters to Corinthians on wives obeying husbands and husbands being the "head" were not about master/servant roles.
Greek converts, influenced by philosophers like Aristotle who believed women were inferior, misinterpreted Paul's words.
Paul advocated a radical equality: "all persons 'are one in Christ.'"
Bristow's What Paul Really Said About Women argues Paul's specific Greek words demonstrate a team-based, not hierarchical, relationship in marriage.
Jesus's Use of Parables: He spoke in parables so not everyone would understand, ensuring only those "with eyes to see and ears to hear" would grasp the truth.
He knew His words could be distorted.
Matthew 8:11-12: Jesus implies many so-called righteous people will be confused to find themselves outside the kingdom of heaven because of their misinterpretations and spiritual blindness.
Christian Witches as Dangerous to the "Teeth-Gnashing Folks": By bravely connecting with God and using their power responsibly, Christian Witches gain clarity that challenges rigid, unloving interpretations of faith.
Testimonies: Spiritual people told their gifts are demonic; ostracized for noticing what others couldn't, for speaking of abuse by leaders.
This all occurred at the hands of those calling themselves Christian.
Church's Failure: The organized Church (institution, not believers) fails to grasp Christ's message in its treatment of the needy.
It has become what Jesus scorned, "whitewashed tombs."
Moltmann's Analysis (The Crucified God): The Church faces an identity crisis.
True followers of Christ leave the Church for social work, activism, etc.
Church leaders refuse to give up exclusionary, condemning "Christian" identity, failing to meet societal needs.
Organized Christian religion is dying, yet those clinging to its "Christian" identity scream "bloody murder" and gatekeep.
This "pusillanimous faith" is characterized by rigid orthodoxy and fear, trying to "protect its 'most sacred things'" (God, Christ, doctrine, morality).
This fear smothers faith, replacing confidence and freedom with fearfulness and apathy.
Results in boasting of growing meaninglessness and isolation from the world.
Moltmann's Context: A German WWII prisoner, reflecting on his nation's atrocities (Holocaust) and its implications for Christian faith.
The Broader Modern Context of Jesus's Message's Dissolution:
Dissonance: Mainstream Church's God differs from the God found in "the wilderness"; Jesus stood with the less-than-human, while churches prioritize white heteronormative patriarchy.
Misinterpretation of Jesus's Association with Sinners: "He spent time with sinners to get them to repent," ignoring that Jesus befriended lepers, tax collectors, and St. Dismas (the Good Thief) without requiring explicit repentance for their conditions/actions.
Moltmann's Insight: God is revealed in the crucified Christ, abandoned by God. His grace in sinners, righteousness in the unrighteous, election in the damned.
Sinners and unrighteous recognized Him; He revealed His identity among the lost, sick, rejected, despised.
"The principle of fellowship is the fellowship with those who are different"; following Christ means "solidarity with those who have become alien."
Modern Churches: Too often become exclusive, demanding conformity to "white heteronormative patriarchy," equating it with divinity.
They justify prejudice, hate, and violence in God's name.
Howard Thurman's Jesus and the Disinherited: Discusses fear, deception, hate and their antidote: love, which is betrayed by cold churches.
Christianity had been "sterile and of little avail" for the disinherited.
Examples: slave owners using Paul's words; churches stopping service to join lynch mobs.
An "ocean of separation" between God and His claimed servants, filled with delusions of power and callousness.
Jesus's Disappearance into Heaven: The Gospel of Mary Magdalene shows Peter and Andrew's disbelief in Mary Magdalene's revelations, due to her gender.
Mary Magdalene's Gospel (discovered much later) hints at genderless human soul, spiritual authority based on transformation, and overcoming ego ("Seven Powers").
Jesus led Mary to spiritual transformation; Levi defended Mary, saying if Christ deemed her worthy, who were they to disregard her?
The larger Church later ignored this, leading to Mary Magdalene's Gospel disappearing.
Christena Cleveland's God is a Black Woman: Argues the pervasive idea of "fatherskygod" (male, transcendent, detached) prevents imagining a God who is with us in human life, at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
The "whitemalegod": an extension of fatherskygod; uses shame and fear to control.
Teaches concealing needs/imperfections to avoid punishment/rejection.
"To need or not to need, that is how patriarchy determines who is valuable."
This warped concept leaves people to fend for themselves, expecting an impossible status for divine favor.
This leads to shame, self-doubt, and inability to ask for help.
Mary Magdalene's "power to judge" (one of the Seven Powers) keeps people small and from expressing truth, leading to a crumbling sense of community.
Moltmann's Conclusion: One must leave churches and go "into the slums" to find God.
Christian Nationalism: Modern churches promote toxic Christian Nationalism, marrying American nationalism with Christian faith, disregarding Christ's message.
Understanding the Destructive Entity: God's Empty Shell (Sara's Insight):
The "Evangelical Egregore" described by du Mez and Cleveland's "whitemalegod" is not a young egregore but an ancient, insidious creature.
This creature masquerades as God, tricking people into service through fear and shame, growing its following.
Jewish Kabbalah's Sefiroth (Tree of Life) and Qliphoth (Tree of Knowledge/Death):
Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism, a closed practice for non-Jewish people) is useful for concepts, not practice.
Sefirot: Ten spheres of divine emanation through which God performs actions, defining qualities like Hesed (Love) and Tiferet (Beauty).
Before emanated, these qualities were concealed within Ein Sof (God).
God defined Himself and these forces in creation, separating light from darkness.
Qliphoth: The inverse of the Sefirot, the "empty cocoon" or "waste products" of creation, associated with evil and demonic forces.
Created by Geburah (Judgement/Power), a destructive, divisive principle that broke free from balance with Hesed (Love/Mercy).
Geburah, an out-of-balance piece of God, rebelled and emanated parallel "dark anti-worlds" into the shells of the Sefiroth.
These worlds intersect at Malkuth (earth/dayside) and Lilith (earth/nightside), connected like a tree's trunk.
Infernal Divine/demons reside here, sent by God to contain this evil and test humanity.
The Identity of God's Empty Shell: The Gnostic Demiurge, a rebellious piece of Geburah.
Expelled from God's perfect definitions, it fled to the abyss, believing it was cheated.
It tries to mold the material plane to its wishes, locked in a tug-of-war with God.
This entity is not Satan/Lucifer; those are God's angels, testing us against the temptation of corrupting Power.
Manifestations of God's Empty Shell:
Pastors fleecing congregations for wealth (greed, pride, lust for Power).
Politicians using God's name to condemn and disenfranchise.
Dishonest figures distorting Bible verses to maintain power (justifying slavery, silencing women).
Parents abandoning children for gender/sexuality.
Wars in God's name, dividing people for Power, wealth, resources.
The "Evangelical Jesus": sword-slinging, masculine, warlord, white, ignoring the poor/sick/needy.
"Whitemalegod" (Cleveland): a shape-shifter maintaining oppression, infiltrating movements (e.g., alienating Black women from feminist spaces).
The global organization of power: "absolute Power corrupts absolutely." This is the machination of God's shell.
Action Against the Empty Shell:
Christian Witchcraft as a Reform Movement: Aims to help people escape the Evangelical Egregore and find the real God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.
Acts out 1 Corinthians 1:27 (God uses the weak to shame the strong) and Romans 12:20 (blessing, not cursing).
Goal: provide true connection to God and self, unlock ancestral wisdom, reconnect all people across faiths.
Wearing the Title: "Christian Witch" reveals who people truly follow.
Liberation Theology: Understanding how Christ's message is distorted to serve the "Husk" (Moltmann, Cleveland, du Mez, Thurman, Watterson).
Empowerment through Knowledge: Listening to others, wearing the "Witch" title (traditional moniker of "Bad Religion") against "Good Religion" practitioners, pokes holes in systems of abuse.
Limitations of Magic: Magic alone cannot banish racism, heal political suppression, or cure generational shame.
Witchcraft's Purpose: Supports, fortifies, enlightens, and connects with true God to become agents of His work (speaking up, volunteering, helping others).
The Dragon/Shell: An angry, hateful beast (as seen by a "someone" to Lucifer in Thaumiel), seeking souls like war trophies, trying to usurp God's power.
It screams lies, turning them into suggestive whispers.
Warning: Christian Witches will face accusations of sorcery, wickedness, heresy, blasphemy.
Jesus's Advice (Matthew 10:16): "Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."
Spiritual Comfort (Psalm 23): Provides solace and courage, reminding of God's presence and provision.
Chapter Seven: The Husk (or Shell) of God
Russell Moore's Revelation (2023): Ex-president of Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.
Criticized Donald Trump and Southern Baptist Convention's handling of sexual abuse and white nationalism.
Revealed that Evangelical pastors found Jesus's Sermon on the Mount teachings ("turn the other cheek") to be "liberal talking points" and "weak."
Highlights a crisis where Jesus's own teachings are seen as subversive.
How Christianity Reached This Point:
Jesus's teachings were political: valuing compassion, healing, humbling the proud, serving the lowest.
But the spiritual path for the powerless became a tool for the powerful.
Message of peace and love became one of power and control.
God of the oppressed became a symbol of oppressive forces.
Kristin Kobes du Mez's Jesus and John Wayne: Documents how American white Evangelicals corrupted faith.
Explores domestic and international sociopolitical conditions leading to a radical shift in understanding Jesus.
Connects the 2016 presidential election results to this historical shift.
Defining Egregore:
From Greek égrégoros ("wakeful" or "watcher"), describing an angelic being (Book of Enoch).
Can also be a bodiless, supernatural being fed by human beliefs; a "thought form."
Augmented by human belief, ritual, sacrifice; can take on its own life, appearing as an independent divinity with limited power for devotees but unlimited appetite.
"Chicken or Egg" Question: Are gods manifestations of belief, or do they create us?
The Thunder: Perfect Mind (apocryphal): "I was sent from the Power / And I have come to those who think upon me."
Mark Stavish: Fall of Roman Empire partly due to fading offerings/attention to deities.
Also, new religions focused on afterlife, decreasing focus on material world, weakening cults and egregores.
God, Egregore, or Both?
Is God dependent on our energy? The authors suggest God (the Creator) is more than something dependent on us; He rejects offerings of the unrighteous, causes destruction for transgressions.
Distinguishing Gods from Egregores:
Gods are often older than civilization, actively present among devotees.
Egregores can be manifestations of existing deities based on human beliefs/wishes (e.g., different forms of Jesus in American Gods).
Trickster spirits can impersonate deities.
Discernment: Ask niche, highly detailed questions only the true deity would know. Impersonators will be vague or demand offerings.
Egregores are not necessarily evil; they know what wishes created them.
The Evangelical Egregore (du Mez's "whitemalegod"):
Du Mez describes a type of Jesus conflated with American movie star John Wayne.
Masculinization of Christianity:
20^{th}-century shift: Christianity seen as unmanly ("feminization" of Victorian Christianity).
American society shifted masculinity from gentility to "hard work and thrift."
With changes in labor and women challenging traditional roles, men sought new outlets for masculinity, leading to a "militant, warlike" rebranding of Christianity.
White slave owners used this to champion mastery over dependents, ignoring Galatians 3:28.
Rise of "fundamentalist" preachers focusing on literal Bible reading.
Billy Graham became the "All American Evangelical," rebranding Jesus as a "star athlete," "Great Commander," not a paschal lamb.
John Wayne (not an Evangelical) symbolized "mythical 'Christian America,'" traditional gender roles, and white patriarchal authority.
This created the toxic sludge in mainstream Christianity: forced motherhood, harsh child-rearing, disgust for LGBTQIA+, xenophobia.
It's a product of attempts to make Jesus reflect them, rather than reflecting Jesus.
This "Evangelical Jesus" is a sword-slinging, masculine, warlord, white Jesus, prioritizing those who look like "Him," unlike the real Jesus (a brown Jewish man).
Cleveland calls this the "whitemalegod": an extension of the fatherskygod, masculine, transcendent, unbothered.
Requires self-healing to be "presentable" to a detached male god.
Prevents imagining a God who is with us in human life, at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Whips into submission by teaching concealment of needs/imperfections to avoid punishment/rejection.
"To need or not to need" determines value; celebrates the "needless 'self-made man.'"
This creates a warped idea of God, leading to abuse and inadequate care.
Gnostic Demiurge and Kabbalistic Qliphoth:
Gnostic Demiurge: Early heretical Christians believed it was the ignorant, inferior creator of the material world (God of the Jewish people).
Later, called "the great tyrant Ialdabaoth, the Son of Chaos," filled with envy for the divine spark in humans.
Believed to have withheld knowledge of Good and Evil, crucified Jesus.
Authors dismiss this as antisemitic, but recognize the underlying idea of a destructive entity.
Moltmann's view of God's evolving personality: God can change Himself at whim; human perception of God also changes over time.
The Destructive Entity: God's Empty Shell (Sara's Conclusion):
This creature is ancient, as old as God Himself, masquerading as God, tricking people into service through fear and shame.
Qliphoth (Jewish Kabbalah concept): "Demonic anti-structure" to the Tree of Life (Sefirot), made of "waste products" or "excrements of creation."
God, in creating the Sefirot, defined Himself and emanated qualities. But Geburah (Judgement/Power) broke loose, creating the Qliphoth.
This rebellious piece of God's power, a "scrap, a shell, a shadow, a husk of true Divinity," emanated parallel worlds of demonic things.
These intersect Malkuth (our world's dayside) and Lilith (our world's nightside).
Infernal Divine (demons) reside here, sent by God to contain this evil and test us.
The lust for Power (Geburah gone wild) manifests in megachurches, politicians, dishonest figures, abusive parents, wars in God's name, the distorted "Evangelical Jesus," and even in movements like white feminism (as "whitemalegod is a shape-shifter who will become anything… to maintain his systems of oppression").
"Absolute Power corrupts absolutely" is the machination of God's shell.
Combating the Empty Shell:
Christian Witchcraft as a Reform Movement: Helps people shed the "Evangelical Egregore" and find the real God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.
Employs 1 Corinthians 1:27 (God uses weak to shame strong) and Romans 12:20 (blessing, not cursing).
Aims to foster true connection, ancestral wisdom, and unity across faiths.
Wearing the "Christian Witch" title reveals who people truly follow.
Liberation theology and justice-mindedness help identify and dismantle systems of abuse.
Magic supports, fortifies, enlightens, and connects to God, enabling individuals to be agents of His work through mundane actions (speaking up, volunteering, helping others).
The Dragon: The "Shell" is a great and terrible beast (Dragon in Christian writings), writhing in Thaumiel, screaming lies, seeking souls for power.
Christian Witches will be accused, hissed at, reviled, but must be "shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
Psalm 23 offers comfort against fear.
Chapter Eight: The Divine Feminine and You
Mimi's Perspective:
The biggest disconnect in the Church is the lack of the Mother, the women.
Biblical women (Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mother Mary, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Martha) are often pushed to the background or demonized.
Her practice involves balancing the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, especially as a mother.
Growing up with only a Heavenly Father felt lacking.
Initially sought the Divine Feminine in Wicca, drawn to the moon's mysteries and sexual empowerment, but felt the Goddess overshadowed the Horned God; she wanted both.
Connecting with her ancestry revealed the Morrigan, a persistent image in her dreams and waking life (Badb, Nemain, Macha).
Realized the Divine Feminine was present in Christianity, but stifled by translations.
Asherah, Sophia, and the Holy Spirit
Claudia V. Camp's "Woman Wisdom: Bible" is recommended for further reading.
Mimi's Childhood Question: "If we are made in God's image, where did He get the idea for women?"
Genesis 1:26: "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"
Reprimanded for asking, told it was merely an archaic way of speaking or like the "Royal We."
Mimi realized the "Royal We" implies sovereignty, while "God and I" implies presence.
Wisdom in Proverbs: Chapters 1-9 personify Wisdom as female.
Proverbs 3:18-19: "She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. By Wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place."
The Tree of Life symbolizes connection between Heaven and Earth, harmony of birth, life, death, rebirth.
Wisdom was God's companion, helping Him create reality.
Proverbs 8:22-23: "Adonai made me as the beginning of his way, the first of his ancient works. I was appointed before the world, before the start, before the earth’s beginnings." - Wisdom was present before creation.
Proverbs 8:30-31: "I was with Him as someone he could trust. For me, every day was pure delight, as I played in his presence all the time, playing everywhere on his earth, and delighting to be with humankind."
Conclusion: This Spirit was Mother, Sophia, the helper referenced in John 14; the Holy Spirit is divinely female.
This reconciled the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine for Mimi.
Asherah as the Holy Spirit/Divine Feminine:
Informed by When God Had A Wife by Lynn Picknett and Clive Prince, combined with archaeological evidence.
Asherah's symbolism (trees, poles in ancient traditions) combined with Wisdom as a tree/sturdy posts points to a deeper connection.
Mimi believes Asherah is the Greek Sophia, a translation for an idea compelling separate beliefs.
Personal research and study are encouraged for individual decisions.
Gnostic Tradition of Sophia: Taught to be the human spirit or twin feminine spirit of Jesus (Holy Sophia declared Christ by later church).
Calling on Sophia is calling on the divine Spirit within us.
Early Christian Writings: Some describe Holy Spirit and Wisdom (Sophia in Greek, Sapientia in Latin, both feminine) as distinct, e.g., Irenaeus's Against Heresies.
Holy Spirit as Mother: Early church father Origen discussed the Gospel according to the Hebrews, where Jesus says, "My Mother (mētēr), the Holy Spirit, took me just now…"
This indicates Jewish Christians in the 2^{nd} century CE spoke of the Holy Spirit as Mother.
Jerome attributed this to feminine grammar, but other prophets (Elxai) argued the Holy Spirit is feminine in nature.
These examples show pushback against Divine Feminine even in early Christianity, but increasing historical evidence clarifies the balance.
Asherah in Mimi's Practice
Altar Setup: Asherah placed next to God, candles centered, surrounded by charms, crystals, trinkets.
Intention: balance the Divine Masculine and Feminine, keeping them united.
Daily meditation and divination best with both candles lit, invited into space.
Favorite Tools/Symbols for Asherah:
Tree of Life symbols and jewelry.
Willow (water influence) and Oak (earth influence).
Moonstone and abalone seashells (symbolism and prismatic coloring for all elements).
Lotus flowers.
Doves and snakes.
Moon symbols (drawn on spells/candles).
Besom (symbolizes air and magical influence).
Personal Practice: Strong feminine influence with Asherah.
Tracks personal cycles, rests when needed (moon and night are Her domain).
Autumn and winter are part of Her, reflecting cycles of life.
At least 5 minutes daily meditation with Her, longer if possible.
Has tarot and oracle decks dedicated to Her (she doesn't mind sharing decks).
Hearth and Kitchen witchery lean into Her influence.
Believes She is a spiritual compass for magic, divination, and creation.
Feels Her presence in acts like baking bread, protection spells, home remedies.
Felt Her with midwives and doulas, and during childbirth.
Mary Magdalene in Mimi's Practice: The Beloved (and a Woman Wronged by the Church)
Symbolism: Rose, color red. Exudes infinite understanding and peace.
The Beloved, who saw and shared Jesus's vision and truth.
A beacon of wisdom for Inner Truth, especially in feminist deconstruction of the Church.
Historical Injustice:
Saint (Pope Pius XII, 1950), has her own feast day and gospel.
Smeared by Pope Gregory I (591 AD), falsely conflated with repentant prostitute, anonymous woman washing Jesus's feet, and the Magdalene with seven demons.
Mimi believes she was exorcised, aligning with her gospel's discussion of the Seven Powers of ego.
Mimi's Discovery: Gradually, through songs, The Thunder, Perfect Mind poem, meditation, roses, red thread, and The Da Vinci Code.
Gnostic texts and Karen L. King's The Gospel of Mary Magdala deepened her study.
Mary Magdalene as the Divine Feminine, beloved and lover of Jesus, brought self-awareness and self-love.
Jesus was True Love for the world; Mary Magdalene was True Love for the self without ego.
Helped heal religious trauma and self-deprecation, understanding womanhood outside patriarchy.
Altar Setup: Beside Jesus, red candle (or pink, rose-scented) with Camargue Cross symbol.
Offerings: oil perfumes, rose quartz, amethyst, garnet, wine, honey.
Easter/Ostara tradition: dyeing eggs red, honoring the myth of her declaring Jesus's resurrection to Emperor Tiberius, and the egg turning red.
Symbols: Flower of Life, Hamsa.
Practice: Sings, dances, mediates, follows her to the "seat of my heart" for truth.
Influence for shadow work and overcoming trauma, standing firm as a woman, partner, confidant.
Blends her with Asherah in cycle and body work.
Personal Note: Dialogue is open to existing feminine energy; personal experiences are not meant to exclude others. Language reflects personal experience, moving from close-minded preaching to inclusive love.
The Theotokos: Mary, Mother of God and (Christian) Queen of Heaven
Protestant Misconceptions: Often believe Catholics/Orthodox "worship" Mary.
Protestants often equate talking to anyone but God with idolatry.
Lack understanding of actual idolatry (Chapter 1) or nuances of worship vs. veneration.
Catholic/Orthodox Perspective:
Mary is "spiritual Mama," Mother of the Church (based on John 19:25-29).
Her role is "inseparable from her union with Christ" and shows His power (Catechism 964, 970).
Acknowledged as Queen of Heaven and Mother of God, venerated for her role in salvation.
Veneration differs from adoration given directly to the Trinity (Catechism 971).
Liturgical feasts and Marian prayers (e.g., rosary) express this devotion.
Christian Witch Perspective: Power channeled from God, but Mary helps wield it.
She is seen as the "New Eve," terrifying demons, fiercely protecting the Church (believers), appearing to women and children.
Sociologist Michelle Spencer-Arsenault: Mary's high esteem shows women are highly regarded in the Catholic Church (primarily for motherhood/stewardship).
Offers motherly love, comfort, and support for mothers and those with difficult relationships with biological mothers.
Mary and Holiday Traditions:
May is dedicated to Mary in Catholic liturgy.
May Day (similar to Beltane): girls crown her with mayflowers, recite Hail Mary.
Sardinian processions: traditional clothing, statues of Mary carried through streets with rose petals/herbs, praying for protection.
Working with Mary:
Rosary: holding it is like holding Mary's hand; prayers aid meditation, relieve stress.
Direct prayer: she intercedes with Jesus, offers wisdom.
Seen as scaring demons, bringing heaven with her (similar to angels).
Learning from her to fiercely wield God's power for protection.
Conclusion for Divine Feminine: Options are open for reconnecting; not only okay but encouraged to understand a full spectrum of Divinity.
Not everyone resonates with the Divine Feminine, and that's fine.
For those who feel something missing, it can be found here.
Tools and Techniques of Christian Witchcraft
Chapter Nine: The Fundamentals of Magic and Its Traces in Jesus's Life
Magic and Mysticism in the Bible:
Much magic and mysticism existed in both Old and New Testaments.
Leviticus 14 is one example of God-commanded magic by official priests.
Difficulty Defining Magic:
Rabbis struggled to define sorcery, despite forbidding it.
Difficult to distinguish acceptable miracle from unacceptable spell.
Rabbinic miracle workers sometimes beat magicians at their own game, or were taught spells by them.
Figures like Hanina ben Dosa, Hanan the Hider, Honi the Circle Drawer, prophets, and priests performed miracles (stopping rivers, bringing rain, causing illness/blindness/death) that resembled magic to outside observers.
Defining Magic for Christian Witches:
Magic: The spiritual energy within our bodies, emanating from our souls, given by God's Breath (Spirit).
Other Names for this Force: Ruach (Hebrew), chi/qi (Chinese), ki (Japanese), prana (Ayurvedic/Hindu), anima/pneuma (Roman/Greek for soul/energy current).
Example: Tai Chi: Regulates body/mind through meditative movements, harnesses life force for debilitating strength (Rosemary Ellen Gulley).
Dim Mak ("Death Touch"): Controversial Kung Fu style; striking specific body points at specific times for delayed death, illustrating energy manipulation.
Was Jesus a Witch?
Magic/Miracle/Medicine Synonymous: In antiquity, these were often interchangeable.
Jesus Accused of Magic:
Critics of magic say Jesus's power came from God, while pagans' came from demons (e.g., Eusebius on Apollonius of Tyana).
Pharisees accused Jesus of binding Beelzeboul, prince of demons, to His service, performing miracles through that control (Conner).
People saw Jesus as a charlatan, learning tricks in Egypt.
His miracles resembled methods in Greek magical papyri (e.g., spit, mud, incantation).
Jewish Annotated New Testament: Modern distinction of Jesus's healings from contemporary wonder workers is "theologically motivated."
Authors' View: Calling Jesus a "witch" is an oversimplification, doing the work of His earliest critics (like Lucian of Samosata, who called Him a goēs (sorcerer/trickster)).
Jesus's Self-Description (channeled by Sara): "I am simply Me. I do what I do… I am a Shepherd… To the flock, My very being is magic. But it's my Father's force that guides us all—that I wield in His name."
Magic vs. Miracle Source: "Magic" is what we do with our energy without invoking God (e.g., holding a traffic light green). "Miracles" are desired results impressed upon the world through our magic and God's power, or through complex rituals and focused petitions.
Duffy: "there is no black or white magic—no good or evil—there is just power."
Conclusion: Magic is an inherent force, holy when sourced from God, but still magic.
Understanding the Source of Magic of a Christian Witch
Sara's Revelation (channeled St. Paul): Christian magic is channeling God's power.
Paul, a known exorcist (Acts 16:16-18), was accused of sorcery.
Reconciling Magic and Miracle: Many Christians deny magic in miracles.
Roman critics (Lucian, Celsus) called Jesus a magician.
Early church fathers (Origen) admitted miracles were essential for Christianity's spread.
Magic connects the Seen and Unseen; denying it denies connection to God and spiritual heritage.
St. Paul's Explanation: True magic comes from a Source higher than our souls.
Many ancient spells involved petitioning deities, not just forcing will.
Biblical Examples of Channeling God's Power:
Peter commands a beggar to walk "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 3:6-7).
Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira, who died after lying to God (Acts 5:1-11).
Samaritans receive Holy Spirit through Apostles' hands, discerning true wonder from Simon's fraud (Acts 8:9-25).
Paul's power grew after conversion (Acts 9:1-22).
The Soul as an Adapter: Our souls act like an AC adapter, converting God's massive power into something we can handle.
This requires peaceful temperament and responsibility.
Importance of Learning God's Character: Understand God's character intuitively to use magic aligned with His will.
Commune with God, sit, learn, understand His desires for your growth.
Consequences: God grants free will; making bad decisions or casting unethical spells will lead to consequences, as God does not shield from just deserts.
"You reap what you sow."
How to Build and Conceptualize Your Magic as a Christian Witch
Magic as a Spiritual Muscle: Can be trained to be strong, resilient, effective.
Energy Work: Using raw spiritual energy in your body to effect change.
Feeling Energy: Tingles, warmth, dense ball in core, spiderwebbing sensation.
Heightened emotions (excitement, confidence) naturally raise energy.
Deep breaths center and square inner power.
Awareness of personal energy helps channel God's power (felt as "bright flood of fire" during rituals).
Fluid manipulation of energy: "whatever you can think, you can do—if not physically, then psychically."
Sara's example: imagining a golden spiked bubble for protection; influencing traffic lights.
Belief is Key: Faith the size of a mustard seed moves mountains (Matthew 17:20-21).
Building Magic: Requires self-reflection and personal time.
Mimi's Revelation (2010): Learned an "energy ball" exercise from a user (Lord_Grace) on Spells of Magic.
Magic Building Exercise: The Energy Ball:
Comfortable, undisturbed space.
Hold hands 6 inches apart, palms facing.
Imagine energy pooling in chest/stomach, flowing to palms.
Feel tingles/warmth; imagine energy hovering between hands.
Observe its appearance, color, movement (water, plasma, smoke, fire), feeling.
Spool into a neat ball, condense by pressing hands, expand by moving hands apart (pour more energy).
Repeat; then disperse (suck back into palms or let dissipate).
Reflect on the experience: ease/difficulty, appearance, symbolism.
Sara's Experience: Magic appears as bright, wily golden light; can shape it into swords, shields, bows for spiritual challenges.
Conclusion: This power is a gift from God.
Chapter Ten: The Basics of Divination
Definition of Divination (Rulandus the Younger, 1612): "An uncertain presage or prediction, which is interpreted by reflection after the judgment of a private light, as when it is said, 'My mind or heart foretells this and that to me' or 'This the Angel, my spirit, indicates.'"
Common Question: "How do you know you're talking to God and not Satan?"
Core Question: How can we connect with God if we only pray, but never hear the answer?
Historical Knowledge of Hearing God:
Urim and Thummim: Two stones used by Levite priests for yes/no answers; acted like a modern pendulum.
Dismissing this as "chance" ignores God's direction.
This is cleromancy (casting lots).
Cleromancy Beyond Priests:
Haman cast lots to decide destroy Israelites (Esther 3:7), origin of Purim.
Apostles used lots to choose Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:23-26).
Religion and Magic: "You cannot operate religion without magic. It is not possible." Denying magic denies connection to God, spiritual heritage.
Prophecy:
Briefly touched in 1 Samuel.
Prophets (not always Levite) could be trained (e.g., students of Samuel).
Prophecy: "ability to receive and decode Divine emanations" through "highly-developed imaginative prowess."
Modern standards for prophets: mentally sound, physically healthy, wise, selfless, finely developed intellect.
Judaism's View: Prophecy is thought to have ended, awaiting the Messiah's return (Amos 8:12, Eicha 2:9).
Requires mental health and wellness, rest, reflection.
Nuance (and the Danger of Charlatans) in Divination:
Christianity's View of Messiah: Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah; does this mean prophecy is back?
Lack of official verification makes it safer to contact God directly than trust middlemen.
Bible as Discernment Resource: Learn God's character, values, commandments, Abrahamic lineage.
Self-Reflection: Many Christians fail to question if their church distorts God's message, or if pastors insert their worldview.
Knowing You're Talking to God: Jesus sums up commandments: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:34-40).
Sara's litmus test: if a message actively harms innocent people, encourages division/hostility, is unempathetic, it is not of God.
This helps confirm God's communication and reject cruel philosophies.
Divination Language: A way to reliably, quickly, effectively send and receive ideas from entities.
Addresses modern questions not conceivable in antiquity.
Mental State and Tools: Prophecy requires a sound mental state.
Modern life stress makes achieving this difficult for many.
Divination tools help: act as a "human translation" for divine messages, aid discernment, bolster confidence.
Mimi's Guide on Divination Tools and How to Use Them
Tools as Translators: Not everyone has Metatron or Gabriel speaking directly.
Coincidences can be signs ("Something is trying to tell me something").
Tools help interpret divine messages, distinguish from mundane.
Mimi realized her childhood dreams were God speaking through visions of her Memaw Hazel.
Took years to understand, even with nearly two decades of Tarot/Lenormand.
Discernment: An energy "ping" from deities/guides provides inner discernment.
If dreams make no sense, presence is uneasy, confusion remains, or physical encroachment, step back.
Tools are an extra step to reveal, exercise intuition.
Caution is key (flammable items, boundaries).
Limitations: No tool gives perfect future answers.
Divination is better for insight into self/situations, aiding decisions, blockages, self-understanding.
Choose a tool you like, can access, and understand.
Tarot:
Popular for divining good/bad of a situation.
78 cards: Major Arcana and Minor Arcana, consistent format.
Interpretations vary but rely on foundational meanings.
Layers: elements, numerology.
Tip: Playing cards can act as Minor Arcana (suits align with Cups, Swords, Wands, Pentacles).
Oracle:
No set card number or meaning; creators imbue unique inspirations.
Generally more positive but less systematic than tarot; challenging for beginners.
Lenormand:
Lesser-known, based on simple card games.
Madam Marie Anne Lenormand popularized it as a French cartomancer.
If Tarot is the "why," Lenormand is the "how." Straightforward 36 cards with set meanings, read in pairs.
Grand Tableau: thorough but intimidating.
Bibliomancy:
Common in church: opening a meaningful book (especially Bible) to a random page for interpretation.
Challenges discernment (e.g., asking about relationships, opening to a battle).
Song Shuffle:
Random songs on radio/playlist can be insightful/comforting.
Guides know what songs get attention.
Tasseography (tea leaves, coffee grounds, wine sediments):
Drink beverage, leaving leaves/grounds/sediment, interpret shapes at bottom of cup.
Sara's coffee ground experience (Balkan tradition): asks question, drinks, flips cup, interprets shapes when settled.
Cross-referenced with tarot: saw angel, man, dog; pulled Ace of Wands, Fool (also with angel, man, dog).
Cleromancy, or Casting Lots:
Biblical use for God's will.
Modern: bone throws, key throws, rune throws, coins, dowsing rods, pendulum, Ouija Boards.
Using Nature as a Divination Tool:
Interpreting visions/images in living elements.
Examples: cardinal visits (loved one nearby), woolly worm colors (winter prediction).
Groundhog Day: nationwide augury.
Other Examples: Scrying (water), Pyromancy (flame), Capnomancy (smoke), Augury (animal/nature signs), Sciomancy (shadows from a lamp).
Dreams and Meditative Writing:
Dreams: Mimi's childhood sleepwalking/night terrors evolved into receiving messages from loved ones.
Wild card, not always controllable.
Tells for messages vs. subconscious: vivid details (hands, faces, names), not just general feelings.
Keep notepad/app to record on waking.
Meditative Writing: Trance-like state, writing what comes (seen in paranormal investigations, Insidious).
Potential to rattle bones but reveals unexpected concepts.
Reading the Stars (Astrology):
Moon phases: worldwide practice (Appalachian folk, Farmer's Almanac).
Parents/grandparents followed moon for planting, weaning, hair cutting, butchering.
Modern astrology has many layers beyond "what's your sign?"
Numerology:
Angel numbers, spirit numbers.
Pythagoras laid basis; cult reshaped Arithmancy into modern numerology.
Torah's numerology (Kabbalah): a closed practice (Jewish mysticism) unless by conversion.
Conclusion on Tools: Not an exhaustive list, but a starting point for divinatory language.
Intuition (the "gas") is crucial; practice improves accuracy.
Witchcraft is a "practice/craft" of continuous skill improvement.
Chapter Eleven: Preparing to Enter the Unseen Realm
Catholic Priest's Statement: "Heaven is here, all around us, and so are our loved ones; we just can't see them."
Highlights the paradox of mainstream Christianity denying spirit contact while still acknowledging it.
Clair Skills and the Unseen Realm:
Chapter focuses on developing clair skills for meditation and contact with spirits (human and inhuman).
Crucial for Section Four (spirit world).
Becoming comfortable with spirits (curiosity, kindness, alertness) removes fear.
Key Concepts: Meaning of meditation, reliable message skills, backing up experiences with divination tools.
Dangers: Spiritual psychosis (loss of touch with reality, difficulty distinguishing real/imaginary, paranoia, delusions).
Triggering for those with religious trauma.
Requires dedication and courage to explore.
The Clair Skills
Experience of Spirit Communication: Witches describe interactions as clear as physical people, but this is a translation of internal experience.
Not truly seeing/hearing actual people; caution significant mental illness.
Art of translating internal "snaps of phrases," "flickering images," "energy skittering."
Clair (French for "clear"): Attaches to senses; describes subtle signs often ignored or justified (chill, mood, subconscious idea).
Many ignore divine contact, asking God to speak to those without ears/eyes.
Jesus: "those who have ears to hear should hear."
Clairaudience | Clear Hearing:
Hearing other voices or sounds related to a spirit (birdsong, train, out-of-place sounds).
Authors clarify: not clear, everyday speech; fragments, pieces, "echoes," muffled conversations.
Sara's experience: word/phrase in her own voice, but viscerally not her own thought; or sudden, external "Hey!" or "Sara!" between sleep and waking.
Others report hearing warnings (Run! Get out!) before dangerous events.
Dominant sense: hear foreign snatches, new information, or sounds without source.
Development: Alone in quiet space, deep listening, asking guides to speak, grasping unique voice qualities.
Clairvoyance | Clear Sight:
Seeing things others can't, in daily life or meditation/visions.
Not seeing tangible people in home (caution for mental illness).
Useful for meditation: random flashes of imagery are important.
Dreams, meditations, visions reveal information; safe landscape for guides/God.
Creates a comforting mental retreat.
Sara's experience: cornerstone of work with entities; seeing places they want to meet.
Seen Lake of Fire (Saints Cyprian, Francis), Infernal Realms studies (Princes/Kings of Hell), bustling lost cities, battlefields, personal Paradise, ocean depths.
Crisp, detailed, like entering a painting or movie.
Discernment: Knowing it's a spirit showing you, not just your imagination.
Seeing things never seen before, or unwanted things (wounds, fears).
Images stay with you, changing you.
Dominant skill: easily holding vivid images, flashes of pictures, real dreams.
Easier to meditate, enter Unseen Realm.
Development: Study object closely, close eyes, recall image, open eyes to add details.
Clairtangency | Clear Touch:
Visceral feelings of things not physically there (dog's fur, rain on cheeks).
Works with other skills to create immersive meditation.
Entities may use it to test.
Sara's experience: dive into Infernal Realms with Lucifer; tight, warm, damp canal, blood rushing, slick walls, then ground feeling like flesh.
Genuinely awful, as she fears being stuck with pinned arms.
Not exciting to develop, but hints at spirits' experiences or meditation places.
Makes experiences viscerally real, requiring grounding.
Development: Commit feelings of fabrics, plants, machinery to memory; recall in meditation. Touch seen objects as if real.
Clairgustance | Clear Taste:
Suddenly tasting something new, or bile from a spirit's emotion (different from feeling emotion).
Taste of sentimental things (parents' cooking) may signal checking in with them.
Sara has no connection to this clair.
Development: In meditation, fully grasp flavor of imagined food; recall real food's taste. Draw on memory clues.
Caveat: Only do with trusted entities/spaces. Do not eat food of Fae or dead; can trap or harm.
Clairempathy | Clear Feeling (Emotional):
Shortened to empathy; picking up emotional energy of others.
Mundane: relating well to others' feelings. Magical: emotions graft onto one.
Helpful for seeing through hidden emotions (sadness behind a smile).
Danger: Overwhelm, ungrounding, inability to separate emotions.
Shielding Exercise:
Imagine magic flowing from core, up shoulders, down arms, into palms.
Flow out like water, enveloping in a bubble.
Close eyes, visualize color, see outside world through it.
See incoming emotions (e.g., anger as red flash) bouncing off bubble.
Maintain neutrality, calm, peaceful within bubble. Regulate breathing, heart rate, thoughts.
Practice during emotional movies (Sara's method) to re-center.
Claircognizance | Clear Knowing:
"Clear knowing": just knowing something without explanation (gut twist, idea pop).
Sara's dominant sense, along with clairaudience/clairvoyance.
Happens during tarot readings: God's meaning "whapping her in the back of the head."
Works best with other senses.
Sara's example: calling President Camio "President Marbas" repeatedly until realizing President Marbas was disguised.
Dominant skill: top-tier intuition, knowing what's happening before others, connecting fragments, discerning meaning.
Development: Train curiosity; don't discredit sudden ideas or "gut feelings." Pause and inspect.
Clairalience | Clear Smell (Clairessence):
Suddenly noticing specific smells where they shouldn't be.
Can be heavy/offensive or light/pleasant.
Can be from passed loved ones (Mimi smelling mother's perfume/ash, father's pine/sweat/Old Spice, and sensing their presence) or living people with connection.
Current home experience: smell of musk, amber, roses (previous occupant) where it shouldn't be, also turpentine/Stetson cologne. Acknowledges them as "Grandma and Grandpa."
Dominant sense: noticing specific unwanted smells, tug towards origins, smells of past events.
Helps detect presence, pay attention to relatives.
Development: Be curious about unexpected scents, note regular smells to discern changes.
Getting Into the Meditation Space
Purpose: Meet spirits (angels, demons, pagan deities, Jesus, Mary), explore self, soul, mind.
Importance of God First: As Christian Witches, put God first, allowing Him to decide who to talk to.
Damaging to human relationships if friends run to strangers.
God will surprise you with other entities, but ask first.
Perceiving God: Appears differently to everyone (Sara: fiery, bright, speaks through Seraphim, brutal/thunderous, gentle/hugging; Mimi: familiar forms, animals).
Personal: not male, no one race/ethnicity.
Negative theology: God is too infinite for human boxes.
Discernment and Courage: Test the spirits (1 John 4:1); ask relevant questions.
Sara grapples with entities, but trusts God for safety.
Starting with Jesus: If God is intimidating, start with Jesus (John 14:6-7). He is the "way and the truth and the life."
Metaphorical: through Truth, one gets to God.
Divine Middle Man: fully human, fully divine; speaks to human condition, can be an aspect of God (Trinity).
Exercise One: Making Room in the Mind (Observational Meditation):
Find comfortable, undisturbed space (15 min).
(Optional) Headphones with instrumental music.
Observe surroundings, physical sensations in reality. Feel secure and safe.
Deep breath, close eyes. Focus on darkness, let flashes/images fade.
Let mind wander; observe images, shapes, colors, new/random thoughts. Let go of worries.
Pick one image (e.g., a tree); hone in, fill in landscape, vivid details.
Hear sounds (wind, birds).
Feel surroundings (dirt, stones, breeze, bark).
Walk, explore space, note words/phrases, smells, colors, animals.
Continue for no more than 15 minutes.
Warnings: Feeling watched is normal; nothing in your mind can hurt you unless you let it. Keep grounded, open eyes if needed. World in head is your creation.
Exercise Two: Meeting an Entity (Advanced Meditation):
When comfortable with meditation, use it to speak to entities.
Preparation: Enhance connection with plants/crystals/moon phases.
Sara used rosemary (cleanse) and mugwort (enhance signal); mugwort is dangerous if ingested (neurotoxin, miscarriage risk) – use with extreme caution and in tiny amounts for smoke/incense only.
Safe Psychic Enhancing Herbs/Spices (Scott Cunningham): Lavender, Bay, Borage, Celery, Cinnamon, Cherry, Dandelion, Fig, Hazel, Hibiscus, Juniper, Lemongrass, Lettuce, Mace, Mugwort (carefully), Orange, Peppermint, Pomegranate, Rose, Star Anise, Thyme.
Easy concealment: teas, orange as snack.
Kitchen Witchery: Make incense, simmer pots, eat pomegranate seeds, cook blessed meals with spices.
Psychic Enhancing Crystals (Robert Simmons): Amethyst, Blue Agate, Blue Calcite, Purple Chalcedony, Blue Sapphire, Purple Jade, Blue Topaz, Quartz, Celestite (for angels), Lapis Lazuli.
Arrangement: Space setup is personal. Tarot/oracle cards nearby for confirmation.
Meditation Steps for Contact:
Lord's Prayer; imagine golden bubble (magical space/protection).
Ask God to keep tricksters/harmful energies out, allow only desired entity.
Repeat steps 1-5 of Exercise One (empty space).
Call into darkness; ask entity to come forward. Note what you see, feel, hear.
(If trouble) Use pendulum/divination tool to confirm presence. Ask entity to show appearance, feel, etc.
Note surroundings (where they meet you).
Ask questions; use divination tool for confirmation. Converse, get to know them (not just for answers).
No longer than 1-1.5 hours. Thank them, ask about offerings, close space with physical action (e.g., clap).
Unverified Personal Gnosis (UPG): Meditative encounters provide UPG, filling gaps in mainstream religion.
Caution: Use discernment; discern plausible from desired. Grounding and awareness of biases are crucial.
Warning: If losing control of meditation space (being pushed), it means entities are present and teaching something. If trusted, let them lead. If unsafe, assert boundaries and exit.
Sara's experience with Lucifer: pushed towards a specific path, then allowed to explore a small room that was empty except for an empty chest, which felt like a gag on Lucifer's end.
Relationship with Entities: Angels, Saints, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit are always there.
Go to them in all states (tired, sad, happy, missing them).
Build bonds, enjoy.
Chapter Twelve: Tools That Can Aid Your Spellwork
Mimi's Perspective (Granny Witchin'):
Ingrained in living, not always big rituals or specialty tools.
"Make do" path: using garden herbs, clean jars for tinctures, oral encyclopedia of knowledge (spooks to thrush).
Granny Witches were faith healers, herbalists, doctors; used household/garden items.
Her tools are generally cheap and accessible.
Sara's Perspective:
Accessibility is Key: Transition from basic magic (raw power) to spellwork (tools).
Temptation to buy fancy tools/crystals/herbs for aesthetic.
Witchcraft as a Craft: Artistic expression.
Core Principle: No tool, crystal, herb, or spice is needed; only mind and energy.
Finding Tools: Depends on astrological profile, interests, environment, openness about practice, ancestry, cultural traditions, material access, crafting skills, financial stability.
Reflection on these helps curate witchy style.
Avoid disconnect between aesthetic (e.g., Tolkien-esque woodscapes) and reality (city environment).
Purpose of Magical Tools:
Mainstream dismissal: "Only God has power; crystals are demonic, idolatrous."
Authors argue against this: not idolatry (not worshipping objects, not trapping gods in rocks).
Miracles from God: Channeled through us via our energy.
Magic: uses our energy without invoking God.
Miracles: desired results through our magic and God's power, or through focused petitions.
Tools as Focus/Direction: Help focus, direct energy. Can lend their own energy/"talents" (e.g., crystals, fresh herbs).
Co-creation: Witch, tools (God's creation), and God work together for tangible changes (e.g., prosperity spell with green items, bay, basil, nuts, honey).
Tools are friendly assistants, not gods or demonic portals. Can be teachers (animism, Chapter 18).
Divination Tools: Training wheels for psychics; useful for grounding and confirming messages.
Tools in Christian Witchcraft and Their Functions
Principle: "Use what you have access to."
Old days: local plants, rocks, waters.
Modern: inconspicuous items, hiding in plain sight.
Pot/Crockpot:
Analogous to cauldron. Combines energy and ingredients.
Crockpot: Granny Witch cauldron; for simmer pots, magical mood, budget-friendly kitchen magic.
Broom:
Literal and figurative. Hanging over doorway: brushes off negative energy.
Outside broom (Mimi): rightside up invites good energy/guests; upside down for cleansing/making company leave.
Wand:
Tool (wood or crystal) to point and direct energy. Extension of finger.
Wooden spoon: Kitchen Witch's "wand." Aligns with Wands in tarot.
Cup:
Containment/holding magic. Scrying, loose spell ingredients.
Chalice/goblet in liturgical services. Aligns with Cups in tarot.
Knives:
Athame: ritual knife. Any blessed knife is solid for protection, offensive magic, cutting off non-serving things.
Aligns with Swords in tarot.
Jars:
Versatile containers: herbs, trinkets, physical spell symbols (e.g., for protection, for "magical prison").
Source of outward energy or tool to keep energy inside.
Crystals:
St. Hildegard von Bingen (Physica): Devil abhors precious stones (remembers their beauty before his fall), some engendered from fire (his punishment). God willed them for honor, blessing, and medicine.
Caution: Not for curing physical problems; some are toxic in water (malachite, selenite).
Spiritual Properties: Onyx (absorbs negative energy), amethyst (peace, wisdom, spiritual growth).
Uses: Lending talents to workings, crystal grids, charging water (without contact), protective jewelry, meditation, antennae for spirits.
Herbs and Spices:
St. Hildegard: Beneficial herbs (spiritual powers), harmful herbs (diabolic behaviors).
No need for expensive metaphysical store items; grocery store spices work.
Pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, clove, allspice, ginger, nutmeg): fiery, protective, energy-raising.
Sara uses her spice rack for magical ingredients.
Coffee and Tea:
Quick, easy, concealable. Herbal teas for medicinal/magical reasons.
Mimi's mother used tea for remedies: peppermint for upset stomach, chamomile for nerves.
Caution: research common household ingredients, don't replace doctor's advice.
Coffee: inviting house, good energy. Both for divination (coffee grounds, tea leaves).
Bones:
Osteomancy (divination).
Spell items: tag lock (person's tooth, fingernails, hair).
Symbols: chicken, pork, dog bones for attributes in family/culture.
Incense:
Cleanses, imbues with magical attributes (cinnamon for success/protection), offerings for entities.
God's specific recipe in Exodus 30:7-8.
Catholic church scent: frankincense, myrrh (gifts to Jesus).
Frankincense: offering to God/Jesus. Dragon's blood: Infernal Divine.
Makes space smell nice for meditation/ritual.
Candles:
Mimi: Seven-day candles (easy to anoint, decorate, less risky fire).
Sara: Catholic influence (remembrance, honor for dead, votive candles for prayers).
Essentially candle magic: focusing intent, offerings to spirits.
Represents connection to entities, color-coded for spell intentions.
Rosary:
Prayer beads in many religions, Catholic tool for culture/ancestry, deep spiritual work.
Each bead: one prayer. Aids meditation. Incredible protection (Hail Mary calls Mama Mary, angels, Jesus, God).
Bible:
"Spell book" for those who know how to read it.
Mimi uses Psalms for spells, wards.
Inspiration: herbs/crystals mentioned, ritual formats (Leviticus 14 for exorcism), spells based on Bible stories (Jesus's actions).
Prayer Books:
Psalms, Proverbs as "cantrips": quick spoken spells, no materials but spoken Word.
Holy Water (& Oil, Salt):
Can be made with blessing or obtained from Catholic priest.
Holy water uses: sprinkling for luck, wiping ritual spaces, anointing, dissolving bad luck.
Oil: anointing candles, objects, people (Psalms 23:5, Mark 6:13). "Healing and protection from harm." (Abbot Andrew Miles).
Blessed salt: traditionally sprinkled in new houses, baptism, black salt (with incense ash). Fantastic against negative energy.
Bells:
Sound cleansing: silver/iron bells scare unclean spirits, dissipate energy.
Used in Christian Saints'/priests'/bishops' curse work (Martin Duffy).
Draws attention to spoken formulae, underscores blessings/curses.
Relics of Saints (St. Patrick's Bell Shrive).
Medals:
Catholic amulets/medals remind of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mary.
Miraculous Medal (St. Catherine Laboure, 1830): vision of Mary, medal for graces.
Saint Benedict Medal (against evil): acrostic on cross ("Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux" - "May the Holy Cross be my Light," "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux" - "Let not the Dragon be my Guide").
Abbot Dom Prosper Gueranger (1880): efficacious against Satan, evil practices.
Powerful connection point to Jesus, protection.
Thread:
Red string for binding spells, knot magic (Leviticus 14).
Slavic folk magic: red embroidery for protection (vyshyvanka), empowering hands, holding head high, love/courage.
Attracts good, dispels bad.
Pen and Paper:
The Word alone is powerful. Writing Psalms/Gospels creates ritual tools.
Numbers 5:11-31: ritual test for infidelity, involves cursed ink in water.
Folk magic: writing Lord's Prayer on paper, soaking in water, drinking (not recommended due to ink ingestion).
Sara: writes Psalm on paper under cutting board (radiates power), or verse numbers in lockets.
Sigils, casting magic on others (writing name/birth date).
Farmer's Almanac:
Divination from nature/sky signs (Mimi: foggy days, woolly worm, persimmon seeds).
Moon phases and astrological signs for planting, weaving, potty training, butchering.
"Signs of God's creation" as tools to tune into world's rhythm.
Playing Cards:
Regular deck works for spells/charms.
Mimi's Little Mamaw gave her a Nine of Hearts for luck.
Caution: some Appalachian charms overlap with hoodoo (a closed practice).
The Body as a Tool of Christian Witchcraft (Appalachian Folk Magic)
Foundational Tools: Head, hands, gut instinct.
Head:
"Knowing" (claircognizance): understanding signs, grounding.
Intention-setting: passion, reasoning behind workings.
Spiritual gifts: knowledge, teaching, prophecy.
Hands:
Symbolize love, wisdom from caring for family/community.
Faith healers lay hands for energy work, healing, protection (Holy Spirit).
Spiritual gifts: healing, giving, shepherding.
Gut:
"Sense that God and your Granny gave you"; trusting intuition.
Pouring heart and soul into a gut feeling.
"Knowing" combined with life experience.
Spiritual gifts: discernment, wisdom, faith.
Conclusion: No need to spend money. You and God are the source of magic/miracle.
Chapter Thirteen: The Basics of Spellwork
Combining Magic and Tools: From raw power to structured spellwork.
Simple prayer with body, voice, energy, God can create blessings or curses.
Damien Echols: a magician should work powerfully even naked in a jungle.
Analogy: skilled artist using sticks/mud is still an artist, buying paints doesn't diminish them.
Chapter Focus: Types of spells, organizing spells, ethics of baneful spellwork.
Spellwork as Cooking: Intuitive fluidity comes with practice (ingredients, process, adaptations).
What Does it Mean to Cast a Circle?
Old School Magical Resources: Wicca, recommending casting a circle.
Christian Witch Adaptation: Calling on four archangels of cardinal directions (Chapter 16) and God.
Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram (LBRP): From Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (outlined in Damien Echols' High Magic).
Benefits: cleansing energy, mental focus, purifying environment, protection, subconscious activation, evocation practice.
Simpler Evocation: Asking four angels to guard, asking God to watch over.
Jewish Bedtime Prayer Example: "In the name of God, the God of Israel, on my right is Michael, on my left is Gabriel, in front of me is Uriel, behind Raphael, and all around, surrounding me, Shekhinat-El." (Shekhinat-El = Divine Presence of God, feminine force).
To avoid appropriation, replace Shekhinat-El with "God" or "Holy Spirit."
Clavicula Salomonis (Key of Solomon): Instructions to make a carpet, circle, call Michael (east), Raphael (north), Gabriel (west), Muriel (south) for operations.
Sara uses the Lord's Prayer for purification and to signal intent to God.
Purpose of Protection: Protect from spirits seeking energy.
Magic activity sends a "giant signal" (Batman signal for a burger).
These entities are not typically harmful unless you let them. They leave if you're not an easy target.
Analogy: ants in the house; sweep them out (banish and purify).
Types of Spells
Three Categories: Spoken, Ritual, Craftable (with overlaps).
Examples:
Ritual: Church (Mass, sermon), Ceremonial magic (Solomonic magic, tool-heavy), Moon rituals, Exorcisms.
Spoken (Cantrips): Narrative spells, Rhymes (nursery rhymes), Comparative spells, Songs/Psalms, Mantras.
Craft: Potions (tea, broth, coffee, herbal infusions), Foods, Holy oils/salt/water, Jar spells, Amulets, Charms, Sachets, Wards.
Explanation of Narrative/Comparative Spells (Sara):
Common in Catholic folk magic, drawing on Biblical stories or made-up ones to create charms.
Slovenian Charm Against Tooth Pain: (12^{th} century Latin, Cistercian monk Bernard).
Story of St. Peter, sad from toothache, Jesus charms a crawling worm away.
Not a Biblical story, but used.
Slovenian Folk Magic Specifics (Saša Babič):
Charms passed generationally, with specific rules for casting (loudness, pathos, slowness).
Context of spell: weather, bad luck, requested from a believing person.
Gendered healing: women healed people, men livestock and harder diseases (due to "masculine, stronger word").
Slovenian Curse to Heal: Against snakebite, invoking St. Šempas and the Holy Mother (simple narrative prayer).
Italian Folk Charm (Mary Grace-Fahrun): "Our Father of Saints… Beautiful Mary was sleeping, and her son appeared in her dream…" recited for protection against illness/weather.
Ancestry Research: Recommended through ethnographers to find ancestral folk magic.
Caution: Not all folk magic is open practice; be vigilant about cultural appropriation (closed practices need conversion or belong to specific ethnic groups/traditions).
Other Spoken Charms:
Psalms or Proverbs as cantrips (e.g., Psalm 91 for protection).
Deuteronomy 28:16-20 or Mark 11:12-21 (Jesus cursing fig tree) for curses.
Psalm 109 (Imprecatory Psalm): calls for active destruction/misfortune of enemies in response to injustice.
Resembles Mesopotamian namburbi (undoing magic).
Focuses on evil words of enemies, suggesting they were magicians.
Not just a curse, but a counter curse.
Is Cursing Allowed in Christian Witchcraft?
Sara's Evolution: Initially, a hard "no" (Wiccan Rede: "An ye harm none, do what ye will").
Jesus's command to love neighbors and enemies seemed to contradict Old Testament vengeance.
Christian Endorsement of Cursing: Many priests, bishops, Saints, Popes used imprecatory arts.
Infancy Gospel of Thomas: Jesus curses children to death for minor offenses.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-21: Jesus curses a fig tree to wither.
Duffy (Anathema Maranatha): "Whilst many modern Christians consider it antithetical… the practice of using prayer and holy items to evoke curses was once quite acceptable."
Justice in earlier times had an Old Testament feel.
Saints' imprecatory powers (making land barren, withering limbs) are similar to witchcraft.
Holy men of God performed powerful baneful magic, presumed to work by God's grace.
Used to dissuade crime against clergy/church, protect flocks.
Forms of Clergy Curses: Imprecatory prayer, liturgical prayer, clamours (appeals to God/retinue), excommunications ("by bell, book, and candle").
Ordinary People's Curses: "Black fasts" (sending negative energy through fasting to kill), counter curses (e.g., against witches), finding thieves (charmed cheese).
Rabbis struggled to fight witch magic (Vermes, Bohak) - counter curses were common.
Conclusion: Cursing is not against God unless there is "discord between the curse's motivation and God's law" (Duffy).
Sara performs baneful workings when directed by God, always focusing on justice, not vengeance.
Ego unchecked can lead to cursing for petty transgressions; God does not prevent this but allows consequences (where hard learning happens).
God is a God of justice, does not tolerate whining for cosmic repercussions.
Writing Your Own Spells (and Knowing When to Use Them)
Spellwork as Last Resort: Exhaust all sensible, mundane options first.
Talk through issues, get outside perspectives, compromise, set boundaries.
Organically build relationships (before love spells).
Check for Mundane Causes: Hexed vs. bad day? Spirit vs. shadow? Signs vs. confirmation bias? Spiritual attack vs. cold?
Responsible Witchcraft: Default to probability, logic, reason before supernatural conclusions.
Prevents spiritual psychosis (delusions, paranoia, unstable mental state).
Not everyone can safely have these experiences.
Spell Options: Ritual (organized, sacred space), Cantrip (quick, spoken), Enchantment (item/sigil infused with magic), Tangible item (jar spells, blessed food, potions).
Tips for Spell Creation:
Tip 1: Deciding Your Intention (Do Divination First):
Sara always consults God via tarot on whether to spell and what type.
Respects God's guidance, gets outside perspective.
God has guided her to different spell types or to be patient.
God/angels have a "bird's eye view," predicting consequences.
Tip 2: Finding Inspiration from the Bible:
Leviticus 14 (exorcism format): not literal animal sacrifice, but understanding the why.
Symbolism of Two Birds (Leviticus 14): One killed (impurity removed), other (live bird) dipped in blood, then released to carry impurity away. Similar to sin offering (Leviticus 16) with two goats (one sacrificed, one scapegoated to Azazel, "fierce god"/demon in wilderness).
God commanding this is not idolatry (like a king giving a portion to a servant).
Application: Replace birds with two coffee filters of banishing/protection herbs (onion/garlic skin, cloves). Tie satchels, burn one, dip other in ashes, apply ash to skin (replacing blood), release "living" satchel into wilderness.
Drawing out Raw Concepts: Understand the why of a ritual to adapt it.
Thematic Verses: Psalm 107:14-16 (road opener: out of darkness, broken chains, bronze gates, iron bars) for freedom, removing barriers.
Look in Gospels, Paul's letters, prophets (Isaiah, Ezekiel).
Tip 3: Choosing Your Ingredients and Tools:
Avoid overwhelming yourself; unnecessary, expensive, hard on low-energy days.
Rule of Threes: God appears as Trinity, so three is a good starting number (or multiples: 6, 9, 12).
Three herbs, crystals, angels for intention. Three ingredients for a meal (spaghetti for protection: onion, garlic, bell pepper; or love: oregano, thyme, tomato). Versatile magic.
Tip 4: Deciding Which Energies You’d Like to Call Upon:
Invoke specific spirits for specific effects (e.g., Archangel Gabriel for clear communication, Raphael for healing, Mama Mary for family).
Not mandatory; focusing on God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit is fine.
Use prayers (Lord's Prayer, Glory Be) to include them.
Tip 5: Incorporating the Flow of Nature Into Your Spellwork:
Moon Cycles: Waxing moon (increase/growth, prosperity spell), Waning moon (decreasing, banishing, road opener), New moon (planting seeds, fresh starts), Full moon (harvest, psychic powers).
Sun Cycles: Dawn (waxing moon), Dusk (waning moon), Midnight (new moon), Noon (full moon).
Season Changes: Three months of specific energies (autumn for banishment, exorcism, shedding).
Astrological Symbols & Days of the Week: Align spells with specific signs/days (e.g., New Moon in Virgo for organization; Fridays for love spells; Sunday for Sun's energy, abundance).
Find correspondences in magic books/blogs, record in grimoire.
Conclusion: Spellwork is self-expression, incorporating perspective, history, style, folk beliefs, unique energy.
Encouragement to dream up, test, tweak spells.
Bonus material (QR code) for spell sheets.
Chapter Fourteen: Incorporating Heritage and Culture Into Your Craft
Rejecting "No Culture" Identity: Sara argues that Americans always have a culture, and deconstructing this belief helps combat Christian Nationalism.
Rejecting national pride for individual/ancestral identity fights against forced conformity.
Schopenhauer: National pride is the "cheapest sort of pride," used by those lacking personal qualities.
Acknowledging diverse family lines, communities, and old ways enriches self-sense, brings justice, and preserves diversity.
Personalizing Witchcraft: Transforms common witchcraft into meaningful, powerful personal practice.
Example: For Slovenian descent, Scott Cunningham's info (walnuts for fire/sun/fertility/power) is useful, but seeing potica (walnut pastry) at holidays gives deeper appreciation, personal value, memory, nostalgia, familial connection.
The Magic of the Mountains with an Appalachian Granny Witch
Mimi's Perspective (Appalachia):
Mountains hold secrets; magic woven in forests/hollers resonates due to ancestral ties (Appalachian mountains share origin with British Isles).
Settlers: Scots-Irish, British immigrants with Christian overlay, but practicing old ways (horseshoe, salt over shoulder, wary of toadstool circles).
Pockets of German/Dutch immigrants (charms, red threads).
Indentured servants, freed slaves, Indigenous tribes contributed.
Reliance on each other, shared Bible as spell book, seasons as lessons.
Hillsfolk magic/Granny magic/Granny Witchin': No specific name, orally passed down, born of survival (magic as medicine).
Modern generation continues and evolves tradition.
Magic was deemed "bad" but workings were seen as serving God, using "gifts He gave" (psychic abilities, green thumbs, dreaming).
Often unpaid or bartered for community good.
Northern Appalachia: Catholic & German folk magic also honorable for God's work, using props like candles/incense.
Examples of Mimi's Folk Magic:
Superstition to Lore: Dogwood Tree cursed with weak structure/stigmata, supposedly used for Christ's crucifixion.
Midwifery: Axe head under laboring woman's bed to "cut" pain.
Spitting on babies for luck.
Sewing prayers into quilts (patterns had meanings).
Broom upside down: company leaving, bad spirits unwelcome; fallen broom: company coming.
Farmer's Almanac: Moon phases, astrological signs, seasonal patterns for planting, weaning children, butchering, harvesting. Seen as "witchy" now, but was daily life.
"Using the signs of God's creation was the best way to live in God's creation." Now a tool for rhythm/mindfulness.
Bible in Granny Witchin':
Psalm 91: most well-known Biblical magical text; recited for "hedge of protection" (before surgery, against nefariousness).
Psalm 101: written out, kept in locket/purse for protection.
Prayed over paper/item, anointed with oil/holy water, wailing words lifted intention.
Appalachian Syncretism with Hoodoo:
Overlap with hoodoo (not an open practice) through protection/healing.
Root workers/hoodoo practitioners used Christian facade for safety.
Holy oil/water, altars, seven-day candles: not uniquely hoodoo, but show Christianity's convenience.
Acknowledges Melungeon descendants' blended lineage and healing generational traumas through cultural practices specific to their heritage (e.g., avoiding white sage/honey jars).
Ozark Folk Magic:
Mountain range in Midwest (Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma).
Appalachian families settled there, developing unique folk magic.
Water witching, native plants, weather/season watching.
Healers/folk magic: hag stones, berry uses, settling fevers/STDs.
Wispers of magic cling to modernized life.
The Culture of an Immigrant’s Child with One Foot in Each World
Finding Personal Cultural Connection (Sara):
Many Americans believe they lack culture.
DNA tests reveal diverse ancestries; not required to honor all aspects.
Sara (half Slovenian DNA) focuses on Slovenian culture due to strong connection (mother born there, music, food, language, visits, dual citizenship).
Other ancestries (Scottish, French, Italian) don't resonate in the same way (e.g., Italian Folk Magic felt distant).
It's okay for certain things to make more sense than others; not betrayal of ancestors.
Local Roots are Valid:
For those in immigrant-heavy countries (Canada, US, Australia), roots aren't only from ancestral origin countries.
Sara's fondness for Rhode Island: its charm, treasures, and blend of cultures.
Acknowledging place as diaspora and history of colonization is important, but also recognize distinct local cultural differences impacting lifestyle.
Ancestry is about family origin and connection to current land (native plants, spirits of forests/marshes/cities).
Incorporating Background: Get sentimental, use what you know.
Atlantic coast: rocks, shells.
Appalachian mountains: memories of Memaw's cooking/tips.
Distant roots: research, honor the feeling.
Mundane as Magical: Even everyday traditions (Christmas music) become meditative/magical with intention of connection, grounding, tying old to new.
Incorporating into new holiday traditions.
Christian Witches have more than just Easter/Christmas for inspiration.
Chapter Fifteen: The (Syncretized) Wheel of the Year
Making Traditions: Important for feeling part of something bigger, battling isolated/corporate world.
Holiday magic (Christmas lights, cookies, decor) connects humanity across ages and seasons.
Christianity and Paganism:
Common witchy idea: Christianity "stole" pagan holidays (e.g., Christmas tree).
Historical reality: Roman influence combined solar practices with Christian days (syncretism).
Bonfires, prayers, feasts were part of both.
Christianity forced conversion often led to pagan converts syncretizing holidays by "slapping Jesus's face onto old traditions" to keep them safe.
Syncretism: Sharing concepts between cultures until boundaries blend (e.g., Halloween masks, harvest celebrations).
Example: Krampus in Alpine Christmas (not original Christian faith) or eggs/bunnies in Easter (pagan fertility).
Christian holidays follow narrative patterns of Gospels, but mix with pagan seasonal rhythms.
Rome, Syncretism, and Cultural Preservation:
Natural Consequence: Syncretism is natural when cultures interact.
Reasons for Christian Syncretism:
Desire to continue known traditions.
Act of resistance against missionary/foreign king pressure.
Ruth Mazo Karras: Conversion of Saxony involved "clothing the new religion in terms of the old."
Missionaries put Christianity in pagan terms to relate.
"Poorly Instructed Converts": Reconciled "superstitious" ideas (magic, divination, nature spirits) into Christianity by viewing them within God's ecosystem.
Saints Replacing Deities: Monotheistic Christianity adapted to polytheism through veneration of Saints, replacing native gods in festivals.
Slovenia's Green George: Spring god Vesnik replaced/syncretized with St. George (April 23^{rd}) to defeat winter, celebrate fertility. Young man dressed in greenery, paraded for food/wine, costume bits hung for protection. Still observed.
Roman Imperial Syncretism: Romans purposely combined native deities with Greek versions (e.g., Mercury-Rosmerta) to unify conquered cultures.
Conclusion: Allows understanding how non-Christian elements (Krampus, Easter eggs/bunnies) were incorporated.
The Christian Witch's Wheel of the Year:
Calendar of 6-week intervals, celebrating solstices, equinoxes, cross-quarter holidays.
Solidified in Wicca (1960s), but astrological/lunar cycles were pre-existing.
Holidays correlate with Christian liturgical calendar, assisting conversion and syncretizing.
Mostly Catholic holidays, but accessible to non-Catholics; days for blessings/items (holy water).
Can be a way to stay broom closeted (though both "witch" and "Catholic" can be viewed suspiciously).
Start with equinoxes/solstices for basic practices.
Syncretized Seasonal Festivities: The Eight Holidays of the Year
Yule / Christmas: (December 25^{th} / Winter Solstice)
Theme: Light in darkness (rebirth of Sun, birth of Jesus).
Pagan/Christian crossover: laurels, wreaths, evergreens, candles.
Intention makes them special.
Imbolc / Candlemas: (February 1^{st}-2^{nd})
Midpoint between winter and spring; Light returns.
Irish goddess Brigid (patron of midwives, birth, dairymaids) syncretized into St. Brigid of Kildare.
Candlemas: liturgical focus on fire/Light. Take candles to church for blessing.
Feast of Presentation: Jesus's dedication to Temple, Mary's reintroduction to society (40 days post-birth). Celebrates rebirth/reintroduction.
Ostara / Easter: (Spring Equinox / Follows Moon Calculations)
Deeply doused in misinformation about pagan-holiday-theft.
Rabbits: Symbol of miraculous fertility (super-conceivers) conflated with Virgin Mary's miraculous pregnancy. Ancient Christian artwork depicts Mary with white hares.
Eggs: Pagan reasons for coloring (Ukrainian pysanky dedicated to Dazhbog, Slavic sun god).
Christian Myth: Mary Magdalene told Emperor Tiberius of Christ's resurrection. He mocked, saying an egg on table would turn red before he believed; it did.
Both eggs and bunnies have Christian lore.
Beltane / May Day: (May 1^{st})
Midway between spring and summer. Night before: bonfires to welcome summer, encourage crops, protect herds.
May Day: fertility, good harvest prayers.
Christianization: May dedicated to Mother Mary; rosary prayers, intercession, connecting to Mary as Holy Mother and fertility of land.
Litha / St. John's Day: (June 24^{th} / Summer Solstice)
Roaring fires, land's peak fertility, first fruits.
St. John the Baptist: herald of Christ. Oak King's waning power, Holly King's ascent parallels St. John's birth waning for Jesus's birth.
Lammas/Lughnasadh / Assumption: (August 1^{st}/15^{th})
Midway between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox.
Lammas (Loaf Mass): August 1^{st}, first wheat crop cut, first loaves blessed for abundance.
Pagan: feast for Celtic god Lugh (common custom across cultures).
Assumption: August 15^{th}, Mary ascended to heaven. Similar function to Lammas, popular for Southern/Eastern European Catholics.
Mabon / Michaelmas: (Autumn Equinox / September 29^{th})
Harvest season, thankful celebration.
Themes: defeating inner dragons, baking bread for good wishes/prosperity.
Michaelmas: Christian counterpart, aligns with feast days for St. Michael the Archangel, also deals with balance and justice.
Witchy: Sabbat of thankful harvest. Farming communities: blessings over harvests.
Mimi: Celebrates Sabbat entire week, weaving in Michaelmas themes.
Samhain / All Hallow's Eve: (October 31^{st})
Witch's New Year, Devil's Night, Spooks Night. Veneration of ancestors.
Fall into darkness of winter, cycle of death and decay.
Pope Gregory I encouraged converting Celts, not destroying traditions. Irish immigrants brought remnants to America.
Modern commercialized but retains whispers of ancestors' traditions (spooky masks, Jack-o-lanterns).
Specialty Holidays in the Church and Across Cultures
Shrovetide (Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/Pust/Fasching/Maslenitsa):
Last hurrah before Ash Wednesday and Lent.
Slovenian Kurenti: way to say goodbye to winter, prepare for spring.
Eating, drinking, carnival spirit before 40 days of solemn reflection.
Lent:
40-day liturgical season from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
Ash Wednesday: blessed with ashes (dust to dust).
Tradition: give up something, or pick up a spiritual practice.
Custom: no red meat on Fridays and Ash Wednesday (honor Jesus's sacrifice).
Good Friday: day before Easter. Lighting a candle, moment of silence for Christ's story.
3 o'clock PM: recognized hour of His death.
Other Notable Saint Feast Days:
St. Martin's Day (November 13): grapes into wine, goose roast. "Autumn Pust" in Slovenia.
St. Valentine's Day (February 14): absorbed Roman Lupercalia, associated with love/fertility.
National Saint Days (St. Joseph's Day-March 19 for Italy, St. Patrick's Day-March 17 for Ireland): good for ancestral connection.
Lazarus Day: day before Palm Sunday, celebrating raising of Lazarus.
Celebrate any lesser-known Saint that resonates personally or culturally.
Celebrating the Monthly Rhythms of the Moon
Popular Rhythm: Monthly moon cycle, astrological seasons.
Appalachian folk practice highly revolves around moon cycles.
Full and New Moon as starting points. Printable templates available.
Full Moon Magic: Harvesting efforts, psychic power, love, money, releasing unnecessary things, supercharging intent.
New Moon Magic: Planting seeds for new goals, resetting, reflection, planning, starting fresh, manifesting desires.
Celebrate Even the Little Things
Deconstruction Challenges: Hard to continue/start traditions amid doubts/worries.
Flexibility: It's okay to start where you are, using simple/elaborate means as needed (neurodivergent/spoonie friendly).
Starting Points: Birthdays, cultural holidays, New Year's Eve/Day.
Simple Celebrations: Lighting a candle, saying a prayer, extra tarot spread, meditating on day's meaning.
No Exact Way: Ask: what days/ideas/anniversaries are important to you?
Goal: Create grounding, centering, cozy traditions; calendar brimming with gratitude, grief, love, loss, excitement, peace. Sink into life in its purest, most honest form, flourish within it.
Encountering the World Beyond the Veil
Chapter Sixteen: The Christian Witch and Angels
Comfort vs. Dread: Some spiritual concepts comfort, others fill with dread.
Hallmark angels, statues of Michael, Gabriel, Raphael bring comfort.
Authors argue these are agents of God, here to teach, help, protect.
Other witches (distanced from Christianity) might find angels difficult.
Horror movie demons (Ars Goetia) instill dread.
Left Hand Path (LHP) occultists work with demons; Right Hand Path (RHP) (most Christian Witches) find it a step too far.
Sara's Experience with Demons:
Initially feared demons, thought looking at sigils/names would cause torment.
Research revealed demons don't care about causing trouble for fun.
Identifies as an All Hands/Both Hands Path occultist.
Provides overview of Celestial Divine (God, angels) and Infernal Divine (Lucifer, demons).
Notes this is not a deep dive but a foundation.
Includes self-protection from truly shadowy entities (not like horror stories).
Demonolatry's Development: Discussed for context.
The Function and Power of Angels in Christian Witchery
Worst Thing to Happen to Angel Perception: Not Hallmark depictions, but New Age interpretation.
Doreen Virtue: New Age guru with books/decks on angels. Recanted everything after becoming a "Born Again Christian™," claiming the Bible is "inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient Word."
Authors note the Bible is not these things.
Her work pushed harmful ideas (incarnated angels, Indigo Children/Star Seeds, "Gods of Aquarius"), leading to spiritual psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, inflated self-importance).
Example (Routledge): patients' visions of Jesus, needing to kill the devil, believing they are the next messiah.
Fine line between spiritual experience and mental health crisis.
Mainstream Christian Misconceptions: Angels are pure, comforting, loving, light-filled.
Forgets Ha-Shatan (Satan) is an angel and agent of God (Book of Job).
Angels don't work for us, but solely for God (e.g., Balaam and the donkey).
Angel's "love and light" is tough and unyielding; light is bright and agonizing.
New Age websites are often inaccurate; can attract trickster spirits.
Trickster spirits demand offerings, give vague answers, impersonate angels.
Angels Beyond Abrahamic Religions:
Angels are not exclusive to Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).
Zoroastrianism (pre-Islamic Iranian faith): Ahura Mazda (supreme god) leads archangels and other angels who help mankind against evil spirits.
Dualism between benevolent God and wicked Devil.
Scholars (N.F. Gier) believe Zoroastrianism influenced Jewish/Christian angelology and afterlife concepts (heaven/fiery hell).
Three major archangels (Mithra, Sraosha, Rashnu) judge mankind; others help escape evil, clarify God's responsibility for evil.
Yezidism (ethno-religion): Syncretic elements from Jewish/Islamic traditions.
Seven great angels, four govern elements.
Concept from Biblical-Muslim tradition, also Gnostic tradition (Seven Creator Angels).
Holy Triad includes Malak-Tāwūs (Peacock-Angel), syncretized with Islamic Azrail (messenger of death).
Unfortunately, Malak-Tāwūs seen as "lord of darkness" by others, leading to persecution of Yezidis.
Yezidis believe one God created world, handed to seven angels to govern.
Angel names similar: Mikail (Michael), Jabrail (Gabriel). Adam/Eve parallels where Malak-Tāwūs has Adam eat apple, Jabrail makes Eve.
Conclusion: Most culture/religion doesn't develop in a vacuum; angelology widely shared.
Angels in Christian Occult History and Philosophy
Medieval Philosophers: Dr. John Dee and Henry Cornelius Agrippa von Netterheim (Agrippa).
Agrippa (Three Books of Occult Philosophy): Describes magic, use, and angels' aid.
Ars Notoria (Latin text of angel names, compiled by Agrippa): translated by Robert Turner (1656).
Angels are fiery (Seraphim), earthy (Cherubum), watery (Thrones, Archangels), airy (Dominions, Principalities).
Light: diffused from God's Mind, shining intelligence. Received by intelligences in diverse degrees.
Angels exist in Intellectual world, with Triplicities of Tribes of Israel, Apostles, ruling angels (Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel).
Acquainted with St. Thomas Aquinas's hierarchies.
Dr. John Dee: Court mathematician, astrologer, magician for Queen Elizabeth I.
Studied Agrippa's work at Louvain. Accused of treason/heresy for fortune-telling.
Elizabeth later made him court astrologer/magus/philosopher.
Enochian Alphabet/Language: Channeled with Edward Kelley, allegedly language of angels.
Hermetic Philosophers: stars/planets as channels for God's power.
Kelley claimed angel Madimi encouraged sharing wives (dubious, likely Kelley's manipulation).
Enochian magic (from prophet Enoch): emphasizes Dee/Kelley's language, "calls" or "keys" to bring forth beings.
Influenced Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, then Wicca.
Christian Cabala:
Lesser Key of Solomon (Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis): Five books; Ars Goetia, Ars Notoria are key.
Ars Notoria extrapolates Kabbalistic elements.
Closed Practice: Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism, off-limits to Christians.
Christian Cabala ("C" Cabala): Developed to convert Jewish people. Later evolved to Hermetic Qabalah (Jacobi: "Frankenstein-like tradition," blending mysticism without context).
72 Angels of Shem HaMephorash (Explicit Name of God): From Kabbalah, outlined for Christians by Johann Reuchlin in De Arte Cabalistica (1517).
Angels are "products of the will of God," based on Tetragrammaton.
Angel names often end in -El or -Ah (Michael: "He Who is Like God"; Hakamiah: "The Raising God").
Shaky Gray Area: Angels exist in Christianity due to Jesus's Jewish heritage, making some Kabbalistic concepts bleed into Christianity unavoidably.
Archangel Gabriel's role in Jesus's birth. Archangel Michael's impact on Catholic culture (Michaelmas, prayer to St. Michael by Pope Leo XIII).
Sara's Understanding of Angels:
"Products of the will of God," genderless beings.
Appear in forms humans can best appreciate (Echols: gender is a visualization tool).
"Do not be afraid" (Luke 2:10) is a common angel phrase due to their terrifying, "Other" appearance.
Travis McHenry (Angel Tarot): Grand Pentacle of Solomon can help manage fear, making angels appear in non-frightening forms.
Sara doesn't use occult tools for angels, recommends working through fear with God first.
Angel Tarot as a tool for invoking/evoking.
Invocation vs. Evocation:
Invocation: Calling an entity close, into your space, affecting mind/life (e.g., putting on mask, speaking face-to-face).
Evocation: Calling an entity in a limited, separated fashion (e.g., magic circle, vessel, thick glass); questioning/demanding safely.
Angel Nature: Sentient intelligence, defined by the facet of God they wear.
Raphael ("God Heals"): for emotional healing, creative writing, intuition, or physical healing (Echols: meditation, mental clarity, exam success).
Michael (patron of law enforcement/soldiers): for protection, ambition, motivation, ferocity in competition.
Hierarchy of Angels (St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae; McHenry): Nine categories.
Seraphim: Highest rank, six-winged, fly around God's throne (Isaiah 6:1-3).
Cherubim: Guard Garden of Eden, escort God's throne (Ezekiel 1:5-6).
Ophanim (Thrones): Wheels covered in eyes, deliver divine justice, hold up God, remain in His presence (Daniel 7:9).
Dominions: Perfect beauty, regulate lower angels' duties (Colossians 1:16).
Virtues: Make miracles on earth, unshakeable energy (Colossians 1:16).
Powers: Ensure cosmos order, warrior angels (Colossians 1:16).
Principalities: Guard/protect nations, races, institutions. Educators/guardians of mortals (Colossians 1:16).
Archangels: Chief leaders who appear to mortals, great power, serve God directly (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
Angels: Regular messengers, diverse powers/roles, specific tasks (e.g., earthquake in Matthew 28).
Aquinas: Higher rank angels have more universal knowledge, closer to God. Complete knowledge of good and evil.
Worker with Angels: Brutal due to angels' lack of human empathy/understanding; but generally have best interests at heart, incredible allies.
The Angels of the Four Cardinal Directions:
Michael: Fire, South, Summer. Protection, ambition, physical tasks, ferocity, fire spells. Visualize with red, swords, summer.
Gabriel: Water, West, Autumn. Emotional growth/healing, creative writing, intuition, inner healing. Visualize with blue, chalices, autumn, writing tools.
Raphael: Air, East, Spring. Mental tasks, exam success, safe travels, healing, philosophical secrets. Visualize with yellow/green robes, caduceus, herbal medicine, springtime.
Uriel: Earth, North, Winter. Divination, money/financial matters, material wealth/fortune, wisdom. Visualize with ruby red/deep green robes, pentacle, winter, wizard staff.
Finding Your Guardian Angel (Sara):
Agrippa: three guardian angels (divine, astrological, physical).
Sara's method: asked for name; received 'Z' (Times New Roman font).
Years later, connected 'Z' to Sagittarius (her rising sign) and archangel Zadkiel (mercy).
Used Echols' Angels and Archangels to find Sagittarius-associated angels, discerned Omemiah (Imamiah) as her guardian.
Omemiah: "God Hidden in Darkness." Helps gain patience/strength in adversity, weakens victimizers (Echols).
Destroys enemies, humbles them, governs voyages, protects prisoners, gives freedom means (McHenry).
Rules demon Alloces; collective gifts: bind enemy, gain energy from attacks, research perception/efficiency, understand difficult choices, cause foolish decisions, know hidden emotions (Archer).
Conclusion: Angels are energetically intense but rewarding allies, working first for God, not us. They can test you. Be prepared.
Chapter Seventeen: The Christian Witch and Demons
Duality: Angels and demons are intertwined, symbolizing light and shadow.
Understanding both creates a strong foundation.
Sara's Overview: Personal experience and collected knowledge informs this chapter.
Transparent Approach: Acknowledges demons are complex entities.
Provides demonolatry history for context in Christian workings.
Offers protection from genuinely troubling shadowy entities (not exaggerated horror).
Demonolatry’s Development Throughout the Ages
King Solomon and Demons:
Testament of Solomon: Solomon actively harnessed demons (Asmodeus, Ornias, Beelzeboul) to build God's temple.
Bound and commanded them; invoked angels to pressure them.
Asmodeus: one of the Nephilim. Ornias: associated with Aquarius.
Babylonian Talmud: Solomon loses magical ring to Asmodeus, exiled, then gets ring back.
Solomonic Magic: Binding, controlling, commanding demons.
Root of many anonymous grimoires attributed to Solomon (e.g., Lesser Key of Solomon).
Jewish Kabbalists and Christian occultists developed complex systems to contain demons in vessels (precious metals) and magic circles.
Modern View: Out of fashion due to appropriation of Hebrew letters/Kabbalah, and coercive/aggressive nature toward entities.
Ars Goetia and Demon Cataloging:
72 spirits traced to earlier Christian Cabalists.
*Johann Weyer (Pseudomonarchia Daemonum*, *De Praestigiis Daemonum*, 1500s-1600s):
Wrote sarcastically during witch burnings, arguing accused women needed mental treatment or were victims of demonic illusions, while men doing similar things as "philosophers" were ignored.
His mocking works inspired Ars Goetia and Dictionaire Infernale (Jacques Collin de Plancy, 1818).
S. Connolly: Demons are embodied emotions, elements, ideas; "Divine Intelligences Replete with Wisdom."
Famous Demons: Ba'al, Beelzebub, Astaroth are bastardizations of pagan gods. Azazel, Prince Vassago, Prince Stolas were once angels.
King Belial: means "worthless/lawless" (2 Corinthians 6:15).
Belphegor: Moabite god absorbed into Hebrew lore/Christianity.
Lucifer: a title ("light bringer"), name of Roman god of morning star. Sara equates with angel Samael.
What Exactly Are Demons?
Demonolatress S. Connolly: Each demon is embodiment of emotion, element, or idea. They are "Divine Intelligences Replete with Wisdom."
Authors' Clarification: The 72 named entities (Ba'al, Asmodeus, Alloces, etc.) are not the actual demons.
They are the leaders of demons (Kings, Princes, Dukes, Presidents).
They command legions of demons (one legion = 3,000-6,000 beings).
Guiley: 6,666 demons per legion. Weyer cataloged 72 princes commanding 7,405,926 underlings, who infest, oppress, possess victims.
Satan's Role: Satan (Ha-Shatan, the Adversary) is an angel of the Lord, sent to test (Book of Job).
God and Satan work together: prosecutor/defense in a court system for justice.
Authors' Interpretation: The Infernal Divine (the 72 named entities) corral demons, rather than commanding them for malicious purposes.
This is aggravating work for these "scholars with expensive tastes."
True Demons: Minor fairies, tiny spirits that cause mayhem and drama for sport.
Not powerful alone; power comes from victims' fear.
Sent by Infernal Divine (per God's will) to teach lessons: master fears, contain dark forces, overcome bad luck, use chaos.
Authors prefer dealing with minor demons over angels (e.g., Balaam's donkey).
Angel/Demon Connection: 72 demons and 72 angels (Shem HaMephorash) come in pairs.
A magician invokes the corresponding angel to force a demon into submission (Solomon invoked Uriel for Ornias).
Why Work With Demons at All?
Varied Reasons: As many as practitioners.
Thomas Karlsson (Qabalah, Qliphoth, and Goetic Magic): Demons awaken love, destroy enemies, grant power/honor, but above all are good teachers/tutors.
Communicate past, present, future.
Provide familiars (lesser spirits for assistance).
Dispense knowledge and science (Socrates: Daimon associated with reason/higher self).
Authors' View: Working with demons helps break free from mainstream Christianity's understanding.
Reveals God's balanced creation: an angel or demon for every problem.
God's message to Sara's father in a dream: "You see two sides; I see one coin." No God without Devil, Light without Dark; they work together as a test.
But What About Evil Spirits? Possession? How Do We Explain This?
Dangerous Spirits Exist: Not all spirits are benevolent.
Fairy-like creatures (demon legions) are born of us, from love and fear.
Jewish stories: spirits of Nephilim (children of humans and angels) became evil spirits after death.
Ancient amulets against 'scorpion demons' show fear manifested entities.
God's Control Over Evil: One consequence of true monotheism is God's responsibility for all (Isaiah 45:7: "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.").
God allows evil spirits to do His work (Book of Job).
Christian view: Devil needs God's permission.
The Infernal Divine and God's angels work together to keep things in check (Judge, Prosecutor, Defense).
Demons (the leaders) find managing wild, chaotic little spirits troublesome.
Demonic Possession Re-examined:
Typically mental illness or stress response, blamed on external spirits to absolve responsibility.
Mark Crooks's anecdotal data on demonology is not scientifically rigorous.
Scientific method requires replicated studies for proof.
Ward and Beaubrun (The Psychodynamics of Demon Possession): Case studies in Trinidad show stress factors (sexual/domestic violence, familial discord) precede claims of possession.
Possession offers "escape from unpleasant reality, and diminution of guilt by projecting blame onto an intruding agent."
Conclusion: Named demons from Ars Goetia don't possess people. Smaller demons lack power, but can cause ruckus (ill fortune, lies, distorted self-perception).
Their purpose is to test if we can conquer lies/tricks, recognize our power.
Actual Possession: Metaphorical demons (depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, schizophrenia).
Calling these "demons" can be poetic but has led to abuse and inadequate care.
Troublesome Non-Demonic Spirits:
Not all spirits are friendly; human spirits (ghosts) can be angry, hold grudges, cause trouble.
They gain advantage by being able to float through walls to make problems yours.
Banishment/Exorcism:
Christian exorcism: many forms. Jesus's name is a powerful tool (Mark 16:17, Acts 16:18).
Witchcraft/Mystic Forms:
Smells: Garlic, onions, rosemary are protective and exorcistic (Scott Cunningham).
Book of Tobit: Archangel Raphael recommends burning fish guts to ward off Asmodeus.
Rosemary smoke vs. white sage (sacred to Native American tribes, endangered).
Sara's Tools: Holy water, dried rosemary, prayer.
Psalms/Gospels for inspiration; God's spirit chases spirits out; Christ's name commands.
Confidence is key; connect to God, channel His might.
For negative energy: rosemary smoke/circles, holy water.
Silver bell for sound cleansing (irritates spirits, dissipates energy).
Important Tip: Keep a window open during cleansing to allow spirits/energy to escape.
Otherwise, they'll bounce around, making things worse.
Don't Be Afraid of Demons (Whether You Work With Them or Not)
Understanding Demons: Old gods, fallen angels are here to show a way forward.
Growth through Challenge: Harsh, uncomfortable experiences lead to great change; necessary for healing.
Balance of Creation: Working with demons reveals God's balanced creation; an angel/demon for every problem.
Helpers adapted to learning style, personality, specific goals.
Confronting Darkness: Curiosity, not judgment; grace, not scorn.
Fosters compassion, mercy, empathy for others.
Develops courage to face hidden parts, accept self.
Self-Mastery: Mastering territory, magic, and darkness sets boundaries for light to shine brighter.
God's Resources: God creates light and darkness, uses all resources to teach us strength and faith.
Call to Action: Use all available resources, be fearless and ironclad.
Chapter Eighteen: Other Spirits a Christian Witch May Encounter
Beyond Angels and Demons: Other spirits exist (nature spirits, house spirits).
Binaries don't exist in the spirit world; neutrality is an option.
Can be unpredictable, fickle, dangerous.
Discernment: Which spirits to approach, which to leave alone.
Not Demonic: Nature spirits and house spirits are not demonic, even if not Christian-affiliated (e.g., fairies).
Mainstream Christianity's claims are inaccurate; offending these spirits by calling them demonic would be unwise.
Chapter Focus: Nature spirits and house spirits.
Sara's Chapter: Shares knowledge on these spirits.
Nature Spirits in a Christian Witch’s Path
Definition: Spirits of waters, trees, animals, winds, mountains.
Animism: All things are alive and can be engaged with as conscious entities.
Compatibility with Christianity: Supported by Bible passages (1 Kings, Psalms, Job).
Joseph Michael – Christian Druid Experience:
Sara encountered Christian animism at Wild Goose Festival.
Joseph Michael (ordained minister, Druid Ovate, Master in Divinity, PhD sociology): spoke about the spirit of the Raven.
1 Kings 17:1-6 (Elijah and the Ravens): God directed ravens to feed Elijah.
Meditation on Raven helps understand/connect with God's creation spiritually.
Church as Folk: Joseph Michael's Christ-centered ministry integrating Druidry for healing, justice, liberation.
Psalms 66:4: "All the earth worships you and sings praises to You; they sing praises to Your name." (Can be metaphorical or literal).
Job 12:7-10: "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?"
Animals, plants, non-moving things teach about God's works.
In mystic view, metaphors conceal truths.
These creatures have spirits, which can be meditated with.
Communication: Connect with and communicate questions/requests to nature spirits.
Nature Spirits' Interests: Not human issues (work, dating, money).
Care about living, rhythm of life, cycles of death/rebirth.
Seek wisdom on their topics; ask for things that make sense for them.
Examples:
Houseplants as Wards: Cactus for home protection; spiky, resilient, easy care. Ask to be guides, promise care.
Caution: mindful of pets getting hurt if spiky.
Outdoor Plants as Guardians: Tree or bush (e.g., rosemary bush) on property as house guardian.
Sara's pine tree: house guardian, receives kitchen scraps as gifts.
Gifts for Nature Spirits: Motivated by gifts, like kitchen scraps (biodegradable organic matter).
Do not litter; acts of service (picking up litter) are better offerings.
Warning: Nature spirits are not automatically benevolent or malevolent.
Can be defensive if they don't know you.
Disposition can be gleaned from energy (e.g., fear in dark forest).
Powerful ones (fairies, Slavic Leshy) can be dangerous, lethal.
Do not be cocky: Christian Witches are not automatically protected from ALL harm. Do not put God to the test (Deuteronomy 6:16, Luke 4:12).
Respect forests, oceans, rivers, rocks, mountains, valleys, fields, cities, and their spirits.
Be cautious, smart. Even housecats can do damage; benign spirits too.
Plants you grow know you as you care for them.
House Spirits in a Christian Witch’s Path
House Spirits Comparison: Not cuddly pets; can be dangerous if offended.
They have a place in your magical ecosystem, cultural connections.
Animism of the House: The house itself is alive (made of materials, carries spiritual energy).
Can be an "artificial creature" from mixed energies.
Interact with it: pour love, attention; ask for safety/warmth/protection.
Care for it: decorate, keep clean, maintain structures.
Types of House Spirits (Arin Murphy-Hiscock's The House Witch):
Brownie (English/Scottish folklore): Fairy, protects house, cleans. Appears as tattered little person. Does not like direct thanks; offer honey-slathered bread/cream anonymously.
Tomte (Swedish): Gnome-like, male house spirit. Likes porridge with butter on Christmas morning. Brings prosperity, efficiency, sometimes at neighbors' expense (analogous to Finnish tonttu, Norwegian/Danish nisse).
Lares (Roman): House spirits, celebrated on Jan 4^{th} (Compitalia).
Penates (Roman): Pantry-habitating spirits, keep storerooms full.
Kobolds (German): Protect home, finish uneaten food, drive off pests, bring abundance.
Common function: protect family, bring fortune, tidy.
Domovik (Slavic): Mimi's house spirit.
Dom (home) vik (creature). "House creature."
Winternight Trilogy: fiery, stout character living in house oven, eating scraps, keeping evil out.
Rules and Protocols: Requires respect. Madame Pamita's Baba Yaga's Book of Slavic Witchcraft for inviting one.
Resides in out-of-the-way places (fireplace, attic, cellar).
Can appear as frogs, snakes, rats, birds, mini male ancestral figures.
Expect "bumps in the night" (running about, cracks of sound, shadows).
Angering a Domovik: Hides items, spills salt, slams doors, howls, knocks over furniture. Will leave, taking benefits.
Care: Keep house tidy, keep peace, give offerings.
Mimi's dedek (grandpa) likes savory things (fresh bread, small glass of water). Dishes returned to cabinet as sign of belonging.
Example phrases: "Evo, dedek, zate: mal' sveži kruh in tud' pa mal' svežo vodo. Uživaj."
Dziadek / Domowik (Polish/Western Ukrainian/Belarusian, Zuza Zak): Protects, brings fortune, mischief.
Christianization: Smaller deities demonized, protective role filled by Angel Gabriel.
Pictures of Gabriel looking after children near beds.
Protective prayer to Angel Gabriel taught by Babcias.
God and Angels: Belief not required for them to act. God doesn't play favorites, blesses all (Matthew 5:45).
Conclusion: If longing for roots, house spirits can teach traditions/customs.
Mindful and attentive, take responsibility for house spirit.
Always options for home protections/domestic assistance (angels).
Explore cultural background with love, enjoy the process.
Chapter Nineteen: Ancestor Work as a Christian Witch
Not a Prerequisite: Ancestor work is not required for witchcraft.
Mainstream Christian View: "Can't speak to the dead," "dead can't hear us."
Contrasted by Dia de los Muertos celebrations (Catholic families honoring ancestors).
Benefits: Knowing family's origin reveals old magic, deeper connection to roots, culture, history.
Mimi's Focus: Works more with ancestors.
Venerating (and Working With) Your Ancestors
Veneration is Common: Making family recipes, sharing stories, remembering loved ones is veneration.
Making traditional dishes, looking at favorite books/shows of passed loved ones.
Acknowledging their presence when their image/voice flickers, or something reminds you of them.
Cultural Traditions:
Coco, The Book of Life depict Latin/Spanish ancestor veneration.
Dia de los Muertos, All Soul's Day: feasts, altars, celebrations.
Samhain: Dumb Supper (place for departed).
Totensonntag (Germany): remembrance, silence.
Eastern European Day of the Dead (Nov. 2nd).
Common Practices: Jewelry, clothing, items used by ancestors, pictures, candles in sacred space.
Discernment of Visits:
Clair-ability helps. Old wives' tales/notions.
Cardinals: Messengers of divine, reminding of loved ones passed, visit shortly after death, lost soul found you.
Pennies/Dimes: Mimi's Papa Harold sending dimes after passing. Finding coins.
Other Notions: White feathers, hearing name when alone/almost asleep, dreams, specific numbers.
Acknowledge feelings, watch for patterns. Use divination to glean messages.
Decolonizing and Cycle-Breaking
Problematic Ancestors: Not all ancestors were good people (e.g., muddy backgrounds in the South).
Healing Process:
Acknowledgement: Accept spiritual baggage.
Language: Examine racial slurs (e.g., g*psy), white/black magic (racial undertones).
BIPOC Creators: Listen to practitioners from BIPOC communities (e.g., cultural appropriation of spirit animals, chakras).
Not all practices are a "free-for-all."
Part of healing is acknowledging, moving forward, letting go of appropriative practices.
Emotional Grueling: Ancestor work can be heavy, especially with family trauma.
Can heal wounds, bring blessings.
Protection: If worried about "nastier ancestors," set protections (SATOR square, sigil, candle, crystal).
Dismiss ancestors whose hearts/minds don't align with yours.
Sara’s Tip: Saint Work as Ancestor Work
Alternative for Human Touch: If not working with own ancestors, Saints provide human connection.
Saints were human (unlike angels, except Metatron/Sandalphon).
Patrons of many different things (love, marriage, vengeance, animals).
St. Cyprian of Antioch: Patron of sorcerers/magicians (pagan magician before conversion).
Chaplet prayer to him (Order of St. Cyprian) acknowledges his past, asks for preservation from evil, wisdom, power, intervention, protection.
Many prayers are "homebrewed," encouraging personal prayers for deeper connection.
Other Saints: St. Francis of Assisi (animals), St. Anthony of Padua (lost things, jingle: "Tony, Tony look around…").
Catholic Logic for Praying to Saints: Not praying to the Saint for a miracle, but for the Saint to pray to God for a miracle.
No different than asking living friends/family to pray for you.
Can the Dead Hear Us?
Misinformation about Witch of En Dor (1 Samuel):
Jewish Study Bible: Witch's magic was real and effective. Samuel was upset at being disturbed from Sheol (resting place pre-Resurrection).
Christus Victor Theory: Jesus's death/resurrection was victory over "powers of evil, including sin, death, and the devil."
Evil not debts, but enemies to overcome.
St. Paul: dead have "fallen asleep."
Catholic Proof: Jesus talks to Moses/Elijah in Matthew 17. Revelation 5:8: Saints (elders) hold "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people," offering them to God.
Saints are active in Heaven.
Why Pray to Saints Instead of Just Jesus?
Asking Saints to pray for you is like asking living friends.
Scripture: God gives righteous prayers "serious firepower" (James 5:16-18).
Christians in Heaven are in "city of the living God" (Heb. 12:22-23), righteous enough to earn privilege.
Analogy: Job application - cold application vs. networking/reference.
Saints are extra "goodwill," vouch for you. They carry concerns to God/Jesus (e.g., Mary to Jesus).
Christian Witch Beyond Catholic Doctrine:
Catholicism separates bans on necromancy from praying to Saints.
Authors argue: bans were pre-Messianic, referred to specific pagan practices, and focused on future predictions.
Christus Victor, and Saints being alive, means it's not a seance.
St. Maria Faustina Kowalska's posthumous miracles, inner voice from tomb: Saints can hear and respond.
Conclusion: Saints offer knowledge, guidance, and can interact in meditation.
Options for human connection: missed grandmother, house spirit, tree spirit, Saint.
Asking Saints for good word, angels/demons for help, involves God's creation, orchestrating elements to look up to God.
Parting Words and Works Involved in Creating This Book
Sara's Parting Words:
Witchcraft is not for everyone; some thrive in organized religion.
Christian Witch path: full of sorrows and joys, requires need for more than organized spirituality, determination to forge unique path.
Prerequisite: needing more than organized religion, determination in a complex spiritual world.
No right or wrong way to encounter Divinity, outside of hurting/abusing others.
Sister Karol: "There are as many paths to God as people who walk this earth, and not all of them lead to church."
Hopes readers find peace, wisdom, love, acceptance of mysteries.
Go forth unafraid, unburdened, undaunted.
May the soul God gave you shine bright through darkness.
Mimi's Parting Words:
Folk magic often about reconnecting to family's past, land, lost ancestors.
Grandparents/great-grandparents held hope, practiced faith (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit in everything).
Dream: to share respectfully with indigenous and immigrant cultures.
Remember reasons for Christian Witchcraft; deconstruction is imperative.
Church is not always right, especially on treating the world and people.
Called to be stewards of nature, keepers of neighbors, care with love (everything imbued with Holy Spirit/God's life).
Disregard Stereotypes: "Hillbillies, rednecks, peasant and rural folk" conceal true meaning.
Jet Owens (Practical Magic): "You can’t practice magic while looking down your nose at it."
Granny magic needs people to learn and share its wonder.
Encouragement: continue prayers, studying, read often, ask scholars/God, pour love/honor into daily work.
"May you be blessed in all ways."
Acknowledgements:
Greatest supporters: family, friends, mentors.
Christian Witch leadership: Lina (@linathejesuswitch), Hannah (@spirituali.tea) for cheering, knowledge.
Reverend Kyle Mackey: for resources, theological answers, examples of liberation theology/justice-minded Jesus-lovers.
Thanks to all Christian Witches (or soon-to-be) who believe in the mission of love, justice, hope through Christianity.
Inspiration and dedication to finish book came from them.
Expresses gratitude for sharing the journey of faith and magic.
About the Authors
Sara Raztresen:
Twelve years a Christian Witch.
Online educator, faith leader, ordained minister (Universal Life Church).
Slovene-American; strong grasp of Catholic folk tradition, Slavic lore (mother's stories/tips).
Lived experience and extensive Biblical scholarship, community with progressive Christian leaders provide practical/academic lens.
Part of vibrant online Christian Witch community (Tiktok), other social media for education.
Social Media: @srazzie97 (Tiktok, Twitter), @sararaztresen (Instagram), www.sararaztresen.com
Emyle (Mimi) D. Prata:
Hereditary witch (over 20 years).
Work maintains familial practice, leans into apologetics and gnostic theology.
Immigrant grandparents/great-grands settled in Appalachia/Ozarks, creating blended tapestry of nature magic.
Studied at WISE Academy under Belladonna LaVeau (2006), sharpened nature skills.
A.S. in Applied Health Studies; lifelong love of herbs/magic led to naturopathic world.
Blossoming content creator (TikTok), blog writer, blending magic and motherhood.
Social Media: @feralsouthernhousewife (Tiktok, Instagram), www.feralsouthernhousewife.wordpress.com
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Bonus Material
Scan QR code (or visit https://www.sararaztresen.com/christian-witch-bonus-content) for printable spell sheet templates and moon ritual templates.