Tricky question about occult object; need advice

[erine]

Up front I will say I am extremely picky about anything that coud remotely be occult. Had some bad past experiences and don’t like to take any risks.

I have a candle my friend made, which was blessed by a priest. It has the trinity on it. However, these images came from a new age deck of cards intended for divination. Other cards had false idols as far as I remember. The Christ image is very modern and I know the author of the cards is heretical in her opinion of him and Mary. (oh yes, the friend and I had a huge argument about her having these cards and I was called paranoid…she has since disposes of them! Thank God.)

I accepted the candle originally, because I thought it was ok bc its the trinity, and had it blessed. Now I am thinking I want to get rid of it. I’ve since learned a lot more about the spiritual world. I even talked with a former satanist, now a catholic, and I don’t even want any potentially creepy object in my house.

Only ithe candle has been blessed too. How does that work in terms of the spiritual state of it? Also I know the blessing means I can’t just toss the thing in the trash.

I may take it to a priest; one who won’t look at me sideways. My spiritual director handls lots of spiritual warfare but I won’t see him for a while.

Any thoughts?

 

[CatholicLife]

I think that a simple blessing is enough but I wouldn’t risk it . Leave it outside in the sun to melt and later bury it.

 

[erine]

I forgot to say it is in a glass case. So it can’t melt. Thanks for your reply. I think I’ll take it to a priest ASAP. Wish I could go right now but it’s midnight!

 

[ThatOrthodoxGuy]

Up front I will say I am extremely picky about anything that coud remotely be occult. Had some bad past experiences and don’t like to take any risks.

I have a candle my friend made, which was blessed by a priest. It has the trinity on it. However, these images came from a new age deck of cards intended for divination. Other cards had false idols as far as I remember. The Christ image is very modern and I know the author of the cards is heretical in her opinion of him and Mary. (oh yes, the friend and I had a huge argument about her having these cards and I was called paranoid…she has since disposes of them! Thank God.)

I accepted the candle originally, because I thought it was ok bc its the trinity, and had it blessed. Now I am thinking I want to get rid of it. I’ve since learned a lot more about the spiritual world. I even talked with a former satanist, now a catholic, and I don’t even want any potentially creepy object in my house.

Only ithe candle has been blessed too. How does that work in terms of the spiritual state of it? Also I know the blessing means I can’t just toss the thing in the trash.

I may take it to a priest; one who won’t look at me sideways. My spiritual director handls lots of spiritual warfare but I won’t see him for a while.

Any thoughts?

I would give it to the priest to get rid of it

 

[ChibiViolet]

It’s been blessed so don’t worry. I asked an exorcist priest about this kind of thing once.

 

[Nom_the_Wise]

It’s our job as Christians to bring the pagans to God. Like Thomas Aquinas who “baptized” Aristotle, like the former pagan holidays that the church took over (Halloween, Christmas, et. al.). The priest’s blessing counts, because all blessings have their source in God.

 

[agnes_therese]

I don’t see how a candle with the Trinity, blessed by a priest, could be “creepy.” At least, no to a Catholic.

 

[louisak]

Only ithe candle has been blessed too. How does that work in terms of the spiritual state of it? Also I know the blessing means I can’t just toss the thing in the trash.

I’m not sure that’s true. The question has been asked on these forums, whether a blessed object such as a sacramental can be thrown away - such as a scapular which has worn out from long wearing. The answer was that although these objects should always be treated with respect, there is no rule about how they can be disposed of. A sacramental can be thrown in the trash if there is no other way to dispose of it, or in our judgment it seems to be the most feasible way. So, just because the candle is blessed doesn’t mean you can’t throw it out.

 

[R_C]

Are you talking about the triquetra symbol?! While it is used in some context of occult, for us it is a symbol of the Holy Trinity.

Furthermore, a priest blessed the object, and your intention was to give praise to God through it. Therefore it is now a sacramental.

I believe it is superstition to assign “powers” to objects. If you do not like it, get rid of it.

Since it has been blessed, however, you should not simply throw it in the trash. It must be disposed of respectfully. My understanding is that you can burn it or bury it, but you can also kindly ask someone at the Parrish to properly dispose of it on your behalf.

 

[erine]

Well thank you all for your replies. I prayed about it and ended up dropping it off with my spiritual director with a note explaining things. I know that some of you said it is superstitious to believe the objects have powers, but I don’t take any risks. I had some discussions with a former satanist who converted, and he was adamant that even the objects themselves can be dangerous to have around. Every time I read about or speak with someone who has a lot of direct experience with these things, they err in that same direction. I know some will call me silly but I am not one to take risks. It’s not that objects themselves have power but by keeping something around that was intended for use in a superstitious way, or a way that goes against the law of God, I may be “allowing” certain bad entities “permission” to bother me. Not a chance I want to take at all.

Next time I meet with my spiritual director I will see what he says. He does a lot of spiritual deliverance prayers, but is very matter of fact, stable and down to earth about them. He neither treats these things lightly, nor is dramatic about it.

Thanks everyone, God bless