The problem of Witchcraft/Paganism

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I dealt with someone who went to Mass and contributed money in the collection basket and elsewhere, but also did Wicca on the side…by their fruits you shall know them…there are Catholics, especially women, in more traditional Catholic areas who have delved into Wicca, including various American Catholic sisters about 30 years ago, and also abandoned the excellent instruction they had provided, to our children.

I would rather deal with the blatherers who are atleast transparent and up front with who they are than those who double deal.

Any day…
 
Profits are those people who have speacial revelation, a speacial message from God, to his people. You have to try pretty hard to make that into some sort of violation of “you will have no other Gods”. These people got their message from God, God didn’t tell them this information for no reason at all. It was to fortell of something, specifically that God would make the Word, Flesh.
So God doesn’t tell people things anymore? Only in the OT to foretell the coming of the Christ? So the Apostle John, as he wrote Revelation, just made it up?

He decided that he wasn’t going to give any more humans the ability to know his Word concerning modern issues? He wouldn’t allow anyone to “know” his plans since he “inspired” all those folks 2000 years ago and that we should all just read up on what he said back then.

Got it. OK, well, there ya go. Anyone who displays the Stigmata or goes into a trance in the presence of the Mother, or has a vision of a disaster while praying is lying.
 
So God doesn’t tell people things anymore?
The last public revelation was to the Apostles, when they died public revelation died with them. This isn’t to say there hasn’t been private revelation, which has been found to be supported by compelling evidence. So compelling, in fact, that Church teaching has come to embrase it completely. One example is St. Dominic’s private revelation of Mary, giving him the Rosary to pray for the conversion of heritics. He did as instructed by the Holy mother, and then, after trying for years and being wholly rebutted, managed to convert the whole of Southern France from Heresy.

The most recent accepted private revelation was again, God sending the virgin Mary (remember what I explained before, Mary can’t do anything on her own, whatever she does she does because God allows and more over, commands it) to three childeren watching sheep in Fatima, Portugal. You can start learning about Fatima here fatima.org/, associated with this aparition was the “micracle of the sun”. 70,000 people, after being told of the coming mirical came to see what would happen. Among these were a great many Athiests (as Portugal, beleive it or not was becoming secularized) who were hoping to be “dissapointed” by a non-miricle of the sun. All 70,000 walked away having been atounded by the sun becoming a “wheel of fire” in the sky, and “seeming to drop right out of the sky” among many other unusual occurances.

Of course there was the very famous private revelation of Our Lady of Guatalupe, who again appeared to covert a nation. In this case to convert the Myans who were practicing human sacrafice.

Not all apparitions have been Marian, there have been some of Christ. Christ for instance came to St. Francis on his cross, and gave him his wounds. Padres Pio, I beleive also received Christ’s wounds (this I know for a fact) after a private revelation from Christ. Among others. We do not call these people prophits, because Christ was the ultimate and last prophit. These people are Saints, blessed who brought messages, new revelation (again, private) to the world. Unlike Moses, and the other OT prophits they were not, in them selves, able to perform a miricle. The best they could do is report that one would occur, when it would occur, and where it would occur as in the case of Fatima.
Only in the OT to foretell the coming of the Christ? So the Apostle John, as he wrote Revelation, just made it up?
No, though technically the name of the book is “Apocalypse”. Regardless, as I explain above there were no more public revelation since the death of the Apostles. No more profits since Christ.
He decided that he wasn’t going to give any more humans the ability to know his Word concerning modern issues?
He did already, in the living teachings of the Catholic Church which Jesus established before his death. We already know his Word, we already know how it applys to our lives. All private revelation since the Apostles, has not been concerning new teachings, or new messages. It’s to remind us of God’s (Jesus) teaching, to call us back from sin. It a fallocy to believe that the full revelation of Gods word through Christ Jesus is insufficient to serve as a model for our daily lives, and is in any way incapable of instructing us on any modern moral issue. What is needed is not new revelation, but to simply integrate God’s word into our lives.
He wouldn’t allow anyone to “know” his plans since he “inspired” all those folks 2000 years ago and that we should all just read up on what he said back then.
I’m really not sure what you mean here, God told us his plan. He did so when he made the Word Flesh. The plan may be found in the teachings of the living church, part of which was written down into the cannoical sacrad scipture, or bible. Notice, I said some, of it was written. The Bible isn’t the whole story, more over it lacks a proper interpetive frame work in and of it’s self. St. Gerome said “Ignorance of Scripture, is Ignorance of Christ”. This is quite true in a very real sense, even though it’s only part of the story it’s certinaly it does contain a very important part. However today one could add, “Ignorance of History, is ignorance of Scripture”. You need to know the proper historical context in order to understand the bible. With out this, the book becomes a nearly meaningless jumble of information from which you would have a very difficult time pulling out the true teachings. I think this is why Christ left a living church, to teach the faith, rather than a dead book.
Got it. OK, well, there ya go. Anyone who displays the Stigmata or goes into a trance in the presence of the Mother, or has a vision of a disaster while praying is lying.
I think I covered this, thanks.
 
So, all of the prophets in the bible were breaking the 1st of 10 commandments by foretelling the future and anyone who believes in or seeks out the prophets to learn from them, were also breaking the first commandment? By your reckoning, the Apostle John, when writing the book of Revelation to the 7 churches, was breaking God’s 1st law.

Interesting.
How do you figure that. Are you saying that what was revealed to John did not come directly from God, that John went out and asked a fortune teller to reveal Gods word to him?
 
[SIGN][/SIGN]
[SIGN]So God doesn’t tell people things anymore? Only [/SIGN]in the OT to foretell the coming of the Christ? So the Apostle John, as he wrote Revelation, just made it up?

He decided that he wasn’t going to give any more humans the ability to know his Word concerning modern issues? He wouldn’t allow anyone to “know” his plans since he “inspired” all those folks 2000 years ago and that we should all just read up on what he said back then.

Got it. OK, well, there ya go. Anyone who displays the Stigmata or goes into a trance in the presence of the Mother, or has a vision of a disaster while praying is lying.
Sure he does through divne revelation that flows directly from the Holy SPriit to the Church. Do you deny the presense of the HS?
 
Women are somehow slighted in the Catholic Church? The most awesome honor ever was given to a woman - Mary, the Mother of God. She bore the Son of God in her womb and gave birth to Him.

I suggest reading about the Blessed Mother, perhaps Mystical City of God by St. Maria d’Agreda. It’s pretty long, but there is also an abridged version.
 
The last public revelation was to the Apostles, when they died public revelation died with them. This isn’t to say there hasn’t been private revelation, which has been found to be supported by compelling evidence. So compelling, in fact, that Church teaching has come to embrase it completely. One example is St. Dominic’s private revelation of Mary, giving him the Rosary to pray for the conversion of heritics. He did as instructed by the Holy mother, and then, after trying for years and being wholly rebutted, managed to convert the whole of Southern France from Heresy.
If a revelation is private, then by definition, it was revealed to only one person. That one person could say whatever they wish. If they are trusted or in a position of power, then they will be believed. This is not to say that I do not think that God gives people messages. I do believe that. I also think that He continues to do so even now. I do not think that God is stingy with his blessings in this matter. You just have to open your heart as well as your soul be to able to hear Him.
The most recent accepted private revelation was again, God sending the virgin Mary … to three childeren watching sheep in Fatima, Portugal. You can start learning about Fatima here fatima.org/, associated with this aparition was the “micracle of the sun”.
I have read up on Fatima and believe that it was indeed a visit from Mary to those three children. And since it was an admonishment, it should have been taken seriously. But at the time, the Church tried to prove it wrong until they just couldn’t get away from the fact that there was no explanation for it beyond the Divine. This is my point. Every time there is a miraculous occurrence, the RCC goes out of it’s way to disprove it first and if they can’t, it is grudgingly admitted that it might be true
We do not call these people prophits, because Christ was the ultimate and last prophit. These people are Saints, blessed who brought messages, new revelation (again, private) to the world. Unlike Moses, and the other OT prophits they were not, in them selves, able to perform a miricle. The best they could do is report that one would occur, when it would occur, and where it would occur as in the case of Fatima.
So if it was OT, they are prophets, if it is after the time of Christ, they are saints?
No, though technically the name of the book is “Apocalypse”.
I have 3 different versions of the bible in front of me, and all of them call the last book of the Bible, Revelation. But again, that isn’t actually relevant to the discussion.
I’m really not sure what you mean here, God told us his plan. He did so when he made the Word Flesh. The plan may be found in the teachings of the living church, part of which was written down into the cannoical sacrad scipture, or bible. Notice, I said some, of it was written. The Bible isn’t the whole story, more over it lacks a proper interpetive frame work in and of it’s self. St. Gerome said “Ignorance of Scripture, is Ignorance of Christ”. This is quite true in a very real sense, even though it’s only part of the story it’s certinaly it does contain a very important part. However today one could add, “Ignorance of History, is ignorance of Scripture”. You need to know the proper historical context in order to understand the bible. With out this, the book becomes a nearly meaningless jumble of information from which you would have a very difficult time pulling out the true teachings. I think this is why Christ left a living church, to teach the faith, rather than a dead book.
You can look at the Sanhedrin to see how easily men of God can be mistaken about the will of God. While they did, in fact, do God’s will to complete the crucifixion of Jesus and were therefore used by God for a purpose, they also attempted to prevent the knowledge of Christ’s Resurrection from becoming public knowledge as stated in Acts 4: 13-21.

All that I am saying is that anything that man has touched, can be corrupted. I do believe that the Bible has meaning, and that others have written meaningful texts, but I also think that only through a personal act of will can we truly know the Divine. And all of the ritual in the world cannot change that.
 
How do you figure that. Are you saying that what was revealed to John did not come directly from God, that John went out and asked a fortune teller to reveal Gods word to him?
No, this was in response to a comment that no one can know the future.
 
Really, how interesting. can you point out some of these “paralllels”?
Some of these are my personal opinions and some of these are obvious.

One must look at what attracts people to paganism (using this as a very broad term). I’ll take Wicca since it’s the most well-known and the most marketable.
  • Wicca bases itself on the Wheel of the Year, which states that nature goes through cycles, dying and being reborn. Christianity goes through cycles during the Year, leading up the Resurrection of Christ, which consists of Him being killed and being ‘reborn’. Resurrected, to be specific.
  • Wicca establishes that there is a Goddess who gives birth to the God, who watches him grow, begins courtship with him, and mourns his death as she’s carrying him in her womb. Christianity states that a lowly female was impregnated with God by God and is now sitting at the Right Hand of Her Son, crowned with stars. Mary may not be a goddess in essence, but she most certainly is in function. When God calls you mother… I don’t know how she couldn’t be, so to speak.
  • Every Wiccan holiday has a Christian parallel that still follows the theme of the previous holiday. Imbolc becomes Candlemass, Maysummer becomes St John’s Day, Samhain becomes All Saints Day, Yule becomes Christmas, Ostara becomes Pascha, etc.
  • Christianity parallels several old myths, then takes them one step further. In one myth, Ereshkigal descends to the underworld. In Christianity, Jesus Himself goes down to the underworld, throws the gates open, and marches out like He owns the place (which he does).
  • Wicca (at least, part of it), states that magic is a natural force of the universe and that with a force of will, one can manipulate this. Christianity states that God can suspend the normal rules of the universe since He is the Architect of said rules with a request from the petitioner.
  • Wicca (at least, part of it) states that one may ally oneself with certain lesser spirit beings, with respect, and they will assist one in various tasks (such as the Guardians of the Watchtowers). In Christianity, there is a horde of dead saints and spirit beings (angelic) that one can petition that have certain specific pull within their respective disciplines. Hence, people bury statues of Saint Joseph in their yard and call upon Joseph of Cupertino when boarding an airplane.
  • Wicca states that there are certain items, whether man-made or naturally forming, that either contain specific energy or are receptive to certain energy that can assist one in various things, such as amulets, crystals, candles, rings, and sigils. Christianity states that there are certain objects that assist one in strengthening their faith and may produce noticeable results when used, such as saint medallions, three-leaf clovers, cross necklaces, and the Sign of the Cross.
  • Wicca states that the Goddess is a tri-being that goes through phases or has certain aspects (Maiden, Mother Crone) and gives birth to a son. Christianity states that the Supreme Being is a trinity of persons sharing one ousia (essence), one of which Incarnated as God’s Son.
  • Wicca states that with magic, one can enhance one’s abilities and unlock portions of influence through supernatural/supernormal means with spells. Christian history is replete with figures who have covered practically every single magical example, such as saints who have bilocated, been indestructible to harm, moved mountains, split oceans, awakened the dead, multiplied food, healed wounds, and surrounded themselves with living fire among other things.
  • One of Wicca’s well-known parts is the use of the home altar, upon which sits various objects of reverence such as bells, cups, daggers, candles, magical symbols, and god/goddess statues. Christianity also makes use of bells, incense, candles, crosses and sacred icons and statuary in both home settings and in official services.
I can keep going, but you get the point.
 
No, this was in response to a comment that no one can know the future.
Hold on there. God know’s the future. And he can reveal things to us. Do not get me wrong, I do believe that things can be revealed to us. Look at the bible. Many things were revealed in dreams, ets. But what I am saying God can use others to reveal things to us, dreams, etc. But we can’t go looking for it, God will come to us.

God has his ways of communicating with us. We get feelings, whatever you want to call them. Like something tells us in our mind to do this, or that. But there is a difference between praying and asking God for guidance, and going to a fortune teller.

And I know God has angels to watch over us, and guide us. God works through people in this world also. But he knows when and where to send them. We must just rely on his mercy love and grace totally.
 
😃
No, this was in response to a comment that no one can know the future.
And also if I may add so do we. We know that Jesus Christ will come again in Glory. We do not know the day or time or hour because Jesus told us only God knows, but we know its comming. That is knowing the future. Back to my point if God wants us to know he will tell us. We do not need a fortune teller to tell us what GOd wants us to know. He will take care of it.😃
 
Hold on there. God know’s the future. And he can reveal things to us. Do not get me wrong, I do believe that things can be revealed to us. Look at the bible. Many things were revealed in dreams, ets. But what I am saying God can use others to reveal things to us, dreams, etc. But we can’t go looking for it, God will come to us.

God has his ways of communicating with us. We get feelings, whatever you want to call them. Like something tells us in our mind to do this, or that. But there is a difference between praying and asking God for guidance, and going to a fortune teller.

And I know God has angels to watch over us, and guide us. God works through people in this world also. But he knows when and where to send them. We must just rely on his mercy love and grace totally.
“Fortune telling” is a business and has nothing at all to do with religion or spirituality. That is a HUGE difference from being guided by feelings or intuition (a true psychic) which was what I was talking about. A true psychic has been gifted by the Divine for a purpose which we may not know. It could be a one time thing to help someone in need or it could be a lifelong gift. But regardless, it isn’t our place to judge what gifts the Divine bestows or to shame those with the gift.

Those who are gifted who seek to profit from it will soon be denied anyway.
 
Doctrine is not reveal through phenomena. It is revealed through the intellect. God never used supernatural phenomena, He spoke through his Apostles through Natural means. HE spoke through eyes and ears.
 
Wicca bases itself on the Wheel of the Year, which states that nature goes through cycles, dying and being reborn. Christianity goes through cycles during the Year, leading up the Resurrection of Christ, which consists of Him being killed and being ‘reborn’. Resurrected, to be specific.
Ok so the wicca “base” seasons of the year. Autum, spring etc. And christianity does so as well> But we look at the life christ… Such as his death then his resurection (easter) then his birth (christmas) One is the seasons of the year. and one are events in someones life? But in the events in christian year goes. death. resurection, then birth. hardly a wheel of liniar events. A bit of a woobly wheel. Maybe you didn’t explain the connection throughly. Because i don’t see any there.
  • Wicca establishes that there is a Goddess who gives birth to the God, who watches him grow, begins courtship with him, and mourns his death as she’s carrying him in her womb. Christianity states that a lowly female was impregnated with God by God and is now sitting at the Right Hand of Her Son, crowned with stars. Mary may not be a goddess in essence, but she most certainly is in function. When God calls you mother… I don’t know how she couldn’t be, so to speak…
So a “goddess” mourns a lost child in her womb. is compatable to a human who was chosen to bare Gods son? I never heard of Jesus refering to his mother as a goddess. Nor have i’ve taught that she is anything other than human. A very long bow drawn by you indeed.
Every Wiccan holiday has a Christian parallel that still follows the theme of the previous holiday. Imbolc becomes Candlemass, Maysummer becomes St John’s Day, Samhain becomes All Saints Day, Yule becomes Christmas, Ostara becomes Pascha, etc…
What is candlemass And what does it have to do with Jesus? Is it part of the christian faith?
How does maysummer have anything to do with the st john? St johns day is about the death of st john. Samhain is about the seasons isn’t. And only slightly about the returning of the dead. But that was only because of seasonal conditions? while all saints day is about remembering the family members who have died.
Isn’t yule a winter religous (pagan) festival? And isn’t Christmas about the birth of christ? where are the parallels? People say its yule time meaning christmas ( a term i’ve never used). Probably because Christmas is the main religious festival in the religous world at that time. Its taking a word that used for something else and giving it a new meaning. Sort of like the word gay. Isn’t ostara a festival of fertility and growth celebrated on the Spring Equinox? While pascha is a transliteration a Greek word, which is itself a transliteration of the Hebrew pesach, both words meaning passover (A minority of English-speaking Orthodox prefer the English word ‘Pasch.’)?
 
  • Christianity parallels several old myths, then takes them one step further. In one myth, Ereshkigal descends to the underworld. In Christianity, Jesus Himself goes down to the underworld, throws the gates open, and marches out like He owns the place (which he does)…
I think Ereshkigal didn’t so much as descend into hades. But was thrown in hades by her sister. And she was unable to leave. Where as Jesus went into hell, Did show them who was boss and left.
Wicca (at least, part of it), states that magic is a natural force of the universe and that with a force of will, one can manipulate this. Christianity states that God can suspend the normal rules of the universe since He is the Architect of said rules with a request from the petitioner…
Wicca says that magic and those who control it, can control the universe. Christianity says That God controls the universe and noone on earth can control it. The only parallel there is that both say the universe can be controled.
  • Wicca (at least, part of it) states that one may ally oneself with certain lesser spirit beings, with respect, and they will assist one in various tasks (such as the Guardians of the Watchtowers). In Christianity, there is a horde of dead saints and spirit beings (angelic) that one can petition that have certain specific pull within their respective disciplines. Hence, people bury statues of Saint Joseph in their yard and call upon Joseph of Cupertino when boarding an airplane…
Well if you learned a bit about Catholisim you would know that we believe the saints aren’t dead. What good is a dead saint? .
The big huge difference between saints and your lesser spirits is that saints are human. while your lesser spirits are well… like you said.
  • Wicca states that there are certain items, whether man-made or naturally forming, that either contain specific energy or are receptive to certain energy that can assist one in various things, such as amulets, crystals, candles, rings, and sigils. Christianity states that there are certain objects that assist one in strengthening their faith and may produce noticeable results when used, such as saint medallions, three-leaf clovers, cross necklaces, and the Sign of the Cross…
There is a little difference. The items you "stated in wicca have powers.( or so they say) And yes you’re right christianity does state that things can strengthen our faith. But they themselves have no power. No power at all. Massive difference. ANd whats with the three leaf clover? since when is that christian? Sort of saying “Omg! they wear symbols and so do we they copied us” A bit desperate there dont you think?
  • Wicca states that the Goddess is a tri-being that goes through phases or has certain aspects (Maiden, Mother Crone) and gives birth to a son. Christianity states that the Supreme Being is a trinity of persons sharing one ousia (essence), one of which Incarnated as God’s Son…
Well Some say maiden, mother, represents the three stages of womanhood. Or that its the three stages that this “goddess” goes through which is tied into the phases of the moon. Not The same as God which is one but three different spirits at the same time.
 
  • One of Wicca’s well-known parts is the use of the home altar, upon which sits various objects of reverence such as bells, cups, daggers, candles, magical symbols, and god/goddess statues. Christianity also makes use of bells, incense, candles, crosses and sacred icons and statuary in both home settings and in official services…
Omg. wicca have temples too? That must mean the buddhist, mayans etc all stole from wicca? . Well that does it for me. (nah just joking)
Differences…We have no magic symbols Our stautes aren’t nothing but paster or marble (depending of what its made out of ) I’m sorry but apart from the temple (alters) and candles. Where is the similarities? I think we got out idea of temples and alters from the jews… .
  • Wicca states that with magic, one can enhance one’s abilities and unlock portions of influence through supernatural/supernormal means with spells. Christian history is replete with figures who have covered practically every single magical example, such as saints who have bilocated, been indestructible to harm, moved mountains, split oceans, awakened the dead, multiplied food, healed wounds, and surrounded themselves with living fire among other things…
Christianity miracles come from select few who have been blessed by God. Some by Jesus (God) and you even put in a few jewish miracles as well. They didn’t use magic. It isn’t something just anyone can do. No matter how enhanced we feel we are in the faith of God.
Maybe you could go on with your points and this time try and be more specific. Not one thing you have stated shows that christianity is based on any wiccan religion/s Its like the old saying goes"same, same but different" ANd thats bein generous on my part. But you are right in one thing though. christianity did borrow a lot from one religion. And thats judaisim. And that my friend is where our roots truly lie. I think the whole Christianity borrowed from Paganism come from “pagans” and “wiccans” trying to add credence to their own religion by trying to tie onto another one. Maybe if pagansim (european) wasn’t almost totaly lost then they wouldn’t need to do this. Don’t forget a lot of what we now of european paganism comes from christian writers. who would have used christian terms to describe things.
 
A fair guess is they won’t.
Yawn boring…Another mindless lacklustre attempt at a insult by an atheist.Atheist are the last group of people to talk about missing the point. You can’t even grasp the meaning of the word faith. You know you can say we are stupid or ignorant or what ever you the word you want to use about christians beleiving in God. And that we waste our time with our faith. But at least we’re wasting our time on something that makes us feel good. and it’s something we believe in. Tell me how you justify the many hours you spend on here talking about something you don’t believe in? Is it to inform of us of some pearl of wisdom. That you think that every other atheist have yet to inform us about? I’ve yet to see anything that would indicate that you proccess the wisdom or wit needed to perform such a feat.
P.S to anyone who reads my previous 3 post. Please ignore the typing as it was late and i was tired. And i wasn’t really in the mood to proof read it.
 
Latin Rite,

You obviously didn’t even read my previous posts. I said there’s no reason to be pagan because there isn’t anything in paganism that isn’t already in Christianity. That’s me arguing in Catholicism’s favor.

If you can’t see the obvious parallels, then there’s nothing else for me to say.
 
You know what? I have time, so I’ll just go ahead and post responses to your drivel.
Ok so the wicca “base” seasons of the year. Autum, spring etc. And christianity does so as well> But we look at the life christ… Such as his death then his resurection (easter) then his birth (christmas) One is the seasons of the year. and one are events in someones life? But in the events in christian year goes. death. resurection, then birth. hardly a wheel of liniar events. A bit of a woobly wheel. Maybe you didn’t explain the connection throughly. Because i don’t see any there.
The older pagan holidays were reinterpreted with Christian meanings. The Church readily admits this because it’s generally easier to evangelize when you show cultures that Christianity can do it one better.
So a “goddess” mourns a lost child in her womb. is compatable to a human who was chosen to bare Gods son? I never heard of Jesus refering to his mother as a goddess. Nor have i’ve taught that she is anything other than human. A very long bow drawn by you indeed.
No, the goddess mourns her dead son/lover while he is growing in her womb. The parallel is that the Goddess is impregnated by the God and gives birth to the God who then watches him die. Mary was impregnated by God with God, and watches him die.

Where did I say that she was anything other than human? I said she is not a goddess in essence but certainly is in function. She is crowned Queen of Heaven and God Himself calls her ‘Mother’. If that doesn’t make one a goddess practically, I don’t know what would.
What is candlemass And what does it have to do with Jesus? Is it part of the christian faith?
How does maysummer have anything to do with the st john? St johns day is about the death of st john. Samhain is about the seasons isn’t. And only slightly about the returning of the dead. But that was only because of seasonal conditions? while all saints day is about remembering the family members who have died.
Isn’t yule a winter religous (pagan) festival? And isn’t Christmas about the birth of christ? where are the parallels? People say its yule time meaning christmas ( a term i’ve never used). Probably because Christmas is the main religious festival in the religous world at that time. Its taking a word that used for something else and giving it a new meaning. Sort of like the word gay. Isn’t ostara a festival of fertility and growth celebrated on the Spring Equinox? While pascha is a transliteration a Greek word, which is itself a transliteration of the Hebrew pesach, both words meaning passover (A minority of English-speaking Orthodox prefer the English word ‘Pasch.’)?
Good grief…

Candlemas is indeed a Christian holiday. You just know it by another name.

Yule coincides with the winter solstice which is the day of the shortest light of the year. In Wicca, this means that God (represented by the Sun) has re-entered the world. Thus, the days get longer after this night. Jesus, being the Light of the World, is also celebrated as being born at this time. It was an easy to day to appropriate. You can view it as fulfillment.

Ostara is indeed a day of fertility and growth. It’s celebrated in the Spring when everything is blossoming. Easter comes from this word. Ostara - Eostre - Easter. The holiday is celebrated by painting eggs, which are symbols of balance and fertility. Jesus is resurrected and thus brings new life to the world, celebrated on this day. There’s even a Christian egg parallel with the tale of Mary Magdalene turning an egg red in front of Tiberius Caesar.

Samhain is the celebration of the harvest and was believed to be the day where the veil between the spirit world and the world of the living was the thinnest. Thus, it was a great time to honor your ancestors and pay homage to spirits. This was appropriated into All Saints and All Souls Day, respectively. Call it fulfillment if you wish.
I think Ereshkigal didn’t so much as descend into hades. But was thrown in hades by her sister. And she was unable to leave. Where as Jesus went into hell, Did show them who was boss and left.
That’s my mistake. It was Ishtar her sister who went into the underworld to rescue her lover, Tammuz. She was able to leave, but only by bargain.
Wicca says that magic and those who control it, can control the universe. Christianity says That God controls the universe and noone on earth can control it. The only parallel there is that both say the universe can be controled.
You can call upon a greater source outside of yourself that can bring change in supernatural ways. That is most certainly a parallel.
 
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