Do Pagan/ Wiccan "spells" really work?

[JudieK]

I know this will come across as incredibly ignorant. I apologize in advance. My family recently returned from a vacation in Massachusetts, where we stopped in Salem. Of course at this time of year it is full of Halloween revelry, etc. Due to it’s past, Salem is a center for pagan/ Wiccan religious beliefs, with Witch shops and the like all over the place. Now I realize Pagans and Wiccans have a constitutional right to practice their faith… that’s fine. I also know that they claim to be totally benevolent and not at all associated with the Christian notion of the Devil and evil. My question is this: do pagan/Wiccan rituals actually DO anything? Do the spells they cast actually WORK? Has anyone proven this? And if God forbids witchcraft, and the spells do work, WHO would be responsible? Demons? I can’t believe that the “earth” and the elements… creation itself… holds magical powers and should be worshipped. Does anyone have insight into this? Thanks.

 

[RCCDefender]

Well, a long time ago I did a spell to bring me money, and it didn’t do anything.

I think spells could work, but it would be from demons. Satan can easily fool us into thinking that we have all kinds of powers, whether it be through us or through an object or nature.

 

[Scottgun]

Whether they work is irrelevant. Setting a school full of children on fire in order to smoke out one criminal *works, *but it does not mean that it is right to do:

**

2116

All forms of *divination *are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
**

 

[jmcrae]

No, the “spells” etc. will not be able to work.

They are based on false beliefs - ideas that aren’t actually true, which is why they don’t work. Most pagan religions are like that - pagans believe in magic, but there is no such thing as magic.

I suspect that, deep down, most Wiccans know that their magic doesn’t really work.

 

[Milliardo]

The spells do work, but it has more to do with the person willing it to work rather than the spell itself. It has also much to do with the probability of what you want to happen would work; so, for instance, making a spell to rain in summer would be next to impossible, unless you watch the Weather Channel in advance.

 

[JimO]

You know, there have been people over the years who have offerred large sums of money to anyone who could prove paranormal occurances and debunkers who have rooted out false claims of “magic” or paranormal activity. To my knowledge no cases of either were ever confirmed.

Having said that, I do believe that demons have the ability to interact with the material world and if a witch, wicca, etc. “casts a spell” that works, it clearly isn’t God, or human power, so there’s only one other option. All I can say is that I want nothing to do with it. Demons are pure evil and no good can come from dabbling in the occult.

 

[thechrismyster]

You know, there have been people over the years who have offerred large sums of money to anyone who could prove paranormal occurances and debunkers who have rooted out false claims of “magic” or paranormal activity. To my knowledge no cases of either were ever confirmed. .

randi.org/research/faq.html

no one has EVER claimed the money. $1,000,000 to be exact. you’d think if it was real, surely someone would have passed the test.

 

[Saint_Michael]

No the spells don’t work, it’s superstitious nonsense, if the spells actually worked a lot more greedy people out there would be wiccan’s. If a spell for financial gain, or love actually worked, it would be the number one thing going. Practicing witchcraft is forbidden because of your intent, not because the spells work, or witchcraft is even possible, it’s complete nonsense. I dated a wiccan in High School, she didn’t believe a word of it I could tell, it was more about rebellion.

 

[JudieK]

Thanks for everyone’s answers. While in Salem I went into Laurie Cabot’s witch shop… I wanted to see if I got some kind of demonic “vibe” there. (Laurie Cabot is the premiere Wiccan in Salem… she runs the Academy of Witchcraft, is the “official witch of Massachusetts”- cheerleader for Wiccan rights, etc. She feels she had direct connections to the girls that were burned as witches in 1692. She is now threatening to sue anyone who portrays witches as ugly hags, as defamation.) Anyway… the shops are something… filled with herbs and pentagrams and lots of expensive accessories. there are crystals and star charts and viles of “burial ground soil” and many “how to” books. there are dragons and fairies and everything new age. There are antique-looking books (new, but made to look ancient) with silly affirmations in it… praises to the Goddess, etc. Trust me, I am a faithful Catholic… my intention in this shop was just to see if my “anti- devil” senses would be tingling in the midst of such evil. But you know what… It was almost laughable! all I could think was… What a load of ****! (Pardon my language). They just throw merchandise of any kind of magical creature or notion (tarot cards, etc.) in a shop and call it a religion… I mean, do they really believe in dragons and fairies? Wood sprites? It reminded me of children playing dress up. It’s all just a hodge-podge of new age and occult stuff. It seems that the only really magic in it all is the way people are magically separated from their money! I find it ridiculous that grown ups actually believe in all this stuff. And if it had any powers at all, they would not be from God, so demons would HAVE to be at work. The saddest thing to see in Salem is all of the teenagers and young people wearing pentagram t-shirts and jewelry. I always thought that was a demonic symbol. I was told it has something to do with harmony.

 

[Chris_LaRock]

I know this will come across as incredibly ignorant. I apologize in advance. My family recently returned from a vacation in Massachusetts, where we stopped in Salem. Of course at this time of year it is full of Halloween revelry, etc. Due to it’s past, Salem is a center for pagan/ Wiccan religious beliefs, with Witch shops and the like all over the place. Now I realize Pagans and Wiccans have a constitutional right to practice their faith… that’s fine. I also know that they claim to be totally benevolent and not at all associated with the Christian notion of the Devil and evil. My question is this: do pagan/Wiccan rituals actually DO anything? Do the spells they cast actually WORK? Has anyone proven this? And if God forbids witchcraft, and the spells do work, WHO would be responsible? Demons? I can’t believe that the “earth” and the elements… creation itself… holds magical powers and should be worshipped. Does anyone have insight into this? Thanks.

Yes, they do. Satan always has tried to make counterfiets of what God makes. My favorate example of satan imitating God can be found in Exodus, when the magicians use demonic means to duplicate the signs and wonders Moses performs.

 

[bella5110]

I know this will come across as incredibly ignorant. I apologize in advance. My family recently returned from a vacation in Massachusetts, where we stopped in Salem. Of course at this time of year it is full of Halloween revelry, etc. Due to it’s past, Salem is a center for pagan/ Wiccan religious beliefs, with Witch shops and the like all over the place. Now I realize Pagans and Wiccans have a constitutional right to practice their faith… that’s fine. I also know that they claim to be totally benevolent and not at all associated with the Christian notion of the Devil and evil. My question is this: do pagan/Wiccan rituals actually DO anything? Do the spells they cast actually WORK? Has anyone proven this? And if God forbids witchcraft, and the spells do work, WHO would be responsible? Demons? I can’t believe that the “earth” and the elements… creation itself… holds magical powers and should be worshipped. Does anyone have insight into this? Thanks.

Why would anyone ask these questions??

 

[sandmountainsli]

Yes, they do. Satan always has tried to make counterfiets of what God makes. My favorate example of satan imitating God can be found in Exodus, when the magicians use demonic means to duplicate the signs and wonders Moses performs.

They do indeed work sometimes and ARE the work of demons.
Beward of witchcraft and their ways.
Hope I didn’t sound like one of those lunatic Puritans like Cromwell
WP

 

[Sixtus]

They do indeed work sometimes and ARE the work of demons.
Beward of witchcraft and their ways.

Well said Sandsmountainsli.

I have heard of spells working in Africa. Of healthy people dying not long after having spells put on them.

I also have heard of terrible things happening to new converts who retain belief in the power of witch doctors, who ‘spell’ them for their apostacy. I am sure they rest in Christ.

Discerning between spirits I ALWAYS pray for the protection of Christ in what I have perceived as ‘negative’ force. I have also praised God and that I feel is as powerful as it gets. Not that God only protects us when we praise Him but it is very good for us as it strengthens us. It also reminds us when we are praising God that He is right in it with us and next to us, protecting us.

I believe trust in God in the Trinity is always our best guide followed by not consulting or visiting places where dark forces are known to be at work. Leave that task to all but the strongest in spirit. Those called by God to ‘cast out’. That is not for the majority of us. Prevention is far better than cure

 

[hasikelee]

OP, your tone sounds a bit mocking. Maybe the idea of a witch casting spells is funny, but not all who practice the Wiccan lifestyle are funny people.

Just like the occult, pathways that promote arrogance, power and control over other humans, creatures and earth/elements can lead you to some seriously dark, dangerous stuff. It’s not a laughing matter at all.

Most of those people may be innocently curious like you, or naive, or lonely or misled. But there are some who take it to a whole other level.

Stay away from the dark side, young padawan!

 

[thechrismyster]

They do indeed work sometimes and ARE the work of demons.
Beward of witchcraft and their ways.
Hope I didn’t sound like one of those lunatic Puritans like Cromwell
WP

on a complete non sequiter…
do we ever think how our words effect other people in the smallest ways.

you posted that about cromwell.

i read it.

i just spent an hour walking around the supermarket getting groceries singing 'Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England -Born in 1599 and died in 1658…And with Lambert’s consent
Wrote the Instrument of Government
Under which Oliver was Protector at last " by monty python.

now it’s stuck in my head.

argh.

now it’ll be an earworm for the next 2 or 3 days… sigh.

 

[sandmountainsli]

on a complete non sequiter…
do we ever think how our words effect other people in the smallest ways.

you posted that about cromwell.

i read it.

i just spent an hour walking around the supermarket getting groceries singing 'Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England -Born in 1599 and died in 1658…And with Lambert’s consent
Wrote the Instrument of Government
Under which Oliver was Protector at last " by monty python.

now it’s stuck in my head.

argh.

now it’ll be an earworm for the next 2 or 3 days… sigh.

I should apologize for that.
To post anything which sticks a ditty about Cromwell in someones head is a GRAVE sin indeed
WP

 

[thechrismyster]

I should apologize for that.
To post anything which sticks a ditty about Cromwell in someones head is a GRAVE sin indeed
WP

Oh, and to the original poster…
my wife and i are quite the experts on Salem, MA. we vacation there every October for the whole haunted happenings vibe. and it’s true there are two camps… the campy haunted houses and fun hallowe’en entertainment that is just a ton of fun and the witches and wiccans that take things and turn them a bit dark.
But there are some lovely Catholic churches in Salem and twice i’ve had wiccans stop me on essex street and ask me about the St. Benedict medal around my neck, and i’ve told them quite in detail about his life and works… so theres always the chance to teach. The well have no need for a doctor.
(my wife and i usually stay at a bed and breakfast right near the post office… we actually got engaged at Nathaniel Hawthornes house of the 7 gables…)

 

[JudieK]

“Why would anyone ask these questions?? ”

Well, why does anyone ask ANY questions? To find out stuff! To learn what one doesn’t know.

I am NOT interested in the occult… I do not wish to be a wiccan… my visit to Salem piqued my curiosity about such things. My hope was to attend Mass in Salem, but we didn’t arrive until late afternoon on a weekday. It was so insanely busy that we couldn’t find a parking space for at least 45 minutes… in the ENTIRE town! We hit the main tourist things (house of 7 Gables, etc.) and had to go. I think I will visit again at another time of year!

 

[cheddarsox]

Just to clarify. Not all pagans are Wiccans, not all pagans practice magic or cast spells.

While Wicca is the most visible pagan faith in the USA at this time, and be default, is often used as a representative of all pagan religions and practices. There are other pagan faiths that do not share the beliefs and practices of Wicca.

Also, a lot of what is labeled “magic” by outsiders, is not understood or practiced as such by the insiders. This is akin to people saying novenas to saints or leaving offerings of flowers or lit candles in front of statues. To the uninitiated, these may seem like superstitious acts or magic, but to those who understand the “theology” behind them, they are understood in their true light.

I don’t create or walk labyrinths because they have any magical powers or symbolic meaning. I walk them because following their paths, allows me to move without thinking about where I am going, and is condusive to meditation and prayer.

Most of what pagans do in the practice of their many faiths is to done to change themselves,honore the Divine, and further their own spirituality, not to bend the world around them to their will.

cheddar

 

[juno24]

Thanks for everyone’s answers. While in Salem I went into Laurie Cabot’s witch shop… I wanted to see if I got some kind of demonic “vibe” there. (Laurie Cabot is the premiere Wiccan in Salem… she runs the Academy of Witchcraft, is the “official witch of Massachusetts”- cheerleader for Wiccan rights, etc. She feels she had direct connections to the girls that were burned as witches in 1692.

If she claims she’s got a direct connection to those “girls burned as witches in 1692” in Salem, then she better check her connection-- there have never been any witch burnings here. The method of execution was hanging, not burning. It has been my experience that the Wiccans with a victim mentality absolutely LOVE to dwell on the so-called burning times, without knowing anything about it.