Reading your stars, going to a fortune-teller, watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, reading Harry Potter...the occult is big business! But is it a bit of harmless fun and entertainment or something more dangerous and sinister? This page briefly explores different aspects of the occult: what it is, and what the Church says about it.

What do we actually mean by ‘The Occult?’
The definition of the word in the dictionary refers to ‘something secret, hidden except from those with more than ordinary knowledge’ or ‘involving the supernatural.’

Some aspects of the Occult
So, let’s look at some of the elements that make up the ‘Occult’, from the most ‘popular,’ well known and ‘fun’ - to the stuff that scares us and is perhaps more dangerous!

Fortune Telling (or ‘Divination’)
Divination' means trying to predict the future, using such things as astrology (horoscopes), going to a palm reader or fortune teller, reading tea leaves, crystal gazing, using tarot cards or a ouija board.

Most people know their star sign, and many of us read our Horoscopes in newspapers and magazines – some believe them word for word, others read them for a laugh! Palm Reading is where someone claims to predict our future by examining the lines on the palm of our hands. Again, some people take this very seriously and may even consult a fortune-teller on a regular basis. Others may slip into a fortune-teller's tent for a laugh with friends!

Some fortune-tellers also use crystal balls and Tarot cards. Tarot Cards is a form of trying to predict the future using a special pack of cards, each with different symbols that the ‘fortune teller’ interprets. The Ouija board is a four sided board with the words ‘Yes,’ ‘No,’ ‘Goodbye,’ the letters of the alphabet and numbers from 0 – to 9. The ‘players’ ask questions with their hands on a marker which can move to produce answers. There are different opinions about what causes the movement: some say the board is deliberately manipulated by one or more players, others believe it is done subconsciously by the players, others worry that darker forces are involved.

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Spiritualism
This is the belief that the spirits of the dead can communicate with the living through people who are sensitive to the spirit world, called ‘mediums.’ This kind of activity has even become a form of entertainment and the basis of TV programmes, such as ‘Crossing Over’ and Reality TV programmes that go ghost hunting! Many people often turn to Spiritualism when someone they love has died. They genuinely want to know if that person is ok. They are missing them and need some kind of contact. Maybe there are unanswered questions or unresolved business between them and the person who has died, or perhaps they want reassurance or need ‘proof' that there is life after death.

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Magic
In the ‘Occult’ sense of the word, ‘Magic’ is the art that claims to control and forecast natural events by calling on the supernatural through charms, spells, and rituals. This kind of thing is the stuff of entertainment: from Buffy to Harry Potter – and it has featured in children’s books for decades – for those of us old enough to remember Enid Blyton’s ‘The Magic wishing Chair’ and ‘The Magic Faraway Tree!’ However, now it is being sold as a valid belief system – and there are even books and packs aimed at children and teenagers – inviting them to learn spells and be involved in Magic. (Please note: this kind of Magic is obviously very different from Magician Entertainers who are Illusionists!) However, it is also used more seriously by people such as Wiccans.

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Wicca
Wicca has been described as a Neopagan religion. What’s a Neopagan, though?! Neopagan’s have been described as ‘faith groups, which are based on attempted reconstruction of ancient, extinct religions.' They are a very earth based religion. However, not all Neopagans are Wiccans. There are many different kinds of Wiccans. Some believe in one god, some in two, some in many. Most wiccans practice magic or witchcraft. They do not claim to be Satanists and do not claim to believe in an all powerful, evil entity, such as Satan, although there are common features, such as some of the symbolism that is used.

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Satanism
This is the darkest side of the occult and involves submitting oneself to Satan’s will. Religious Satanists believe that Satan exists and they either worship him as a god or use him as a symbol of their opposition to a Christian God. Satanists have been described as a very small religious group that is unrelated to any other faith, and whose members feel free to satisfy their urges, exhibit kindness to their friends, and attack their enemies.

Some popular music bands have used elements of Satanism as an image, and the words of their songs may even express satanic themes. Lots of the time these are used simply as an image or gimmick. Unfortunately, it can be one way in which young people can be introduced to this side of the Occult, even though they never intend or indeed never get involved in Satanic rituals or practices.

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Phew!

Well, that was obviously a very quick and brief look at some elements of the Occult! We could have looked at things at a much deeper level. And lots of what we have looked at crosses over into other areas – such as New Age religions, Paganism, folk religion, popular belief, etc. But hopefully that quick dash through aspects of the Occult has given you some insight in to things.

Why is the Occult so popular?

The entertainment industry is a major factor in the poularity of the Occult. There are so many examples of films, books and TV programmes such as Harry Potter, Buffy, Charmed, Angel, and so on – that make magic and witchcraft attractive and fun.

In many of these, the portrayal of witches, for example, has changed from one of villain to a wise, honourable hero or heroine – making them quite attractive to people. We are often influenced by fiction in so many ways – but it’s a bit like a child wanting to be Batman!

People’s religious experience has changed. We now live in a multi cultural society where there are many different religions and faiths. We have learned to be more tolerant and understanding of people of other faiths, and so we are aware of all the so-called ‘alternatives’ to Christianity.

We live in a bit of a Pick n Mix culture – where we often pick and choose what bits of different faiths and beliefs we like! It’s amazing how many Christians don’t actually ‘think’ their way through their faith. Some people, for example, manage to be regular ‘church attenders’ and still hold to a non-Christian belief like re-incarnation!

Some people are disenchanted by the church – and so elements of the Occult appeal to people who are looking for meaning in their life. Perhaps the church should take some responsibility in this for not, in some way, connecting with people.

Aspects of the Occult, such as the Ouija Board are often surrounded by a great deal of mystique. For many young people, it can be considered a ‘forbidden’ thing that we are told to stay away from – which often makes it all the more attractive! It’s a bit like venturing onto ground that says, ‘Keep Out!’ or touching a park bench that says ‘Wet Paint!’

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What does the Church say about it?

What the Future holds!

We can read our stars, get our palm read, take a tarot reading or even be tempted to use a Ouija Board but the fact is that we just don’t know what the future holds! We can influence the future only by the way we have lived in the past and continue to live in the present. In looking forward, we are asked to trust in God, and believe that his future for us is positive and hopeful.

Yes, there are some things that happen that are out of our control – but the way we respond to them is important. And sometimes, bad things that happen to us can turn out to be good. Some people would say that ‘Every cloud has a silver lining!’ Maybe it’s better for us to say that the resurrection of Christ from the dead has shown us that death is not the end, and that even in the midst of death there is hope. ‘Always be joyful; pray continually; give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God wills for you in Christ Jesus,’ said St Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

Divine Plan

God has a plan for our lives but he does not make us do things. He asks for our response to his plans, for our co-operation. For example, when Mary is greeted by the angel, she eventually responds by agreeing to do whatever the Lord wants. ‘I am the servant of the Lord,' she said. ‘Let it be to me as you have said.’ (Luke 1:37)

Tempting Fate?

When we talk about ‘Fate’ we mean that we cannot avoid something that will happen - that everything is pre planned and mapped out for us. This ignores the freedom that God has given us to be able to make decisions and act responsibly.

A Kind of Magic?

‘Magic’ and ‘spells’ often means trying to change or influence things and people around us. However, there are many ways in which things can be changed for the good. God has a plan for the world and, as Christians, we should try to discover what God wants. We do this through prayer, worship, reading the Bible, talking to others and trying to put it into action by the way we live, the things we say, the decisions we make, and the way we treat others. Lots of Christians wear WWJD wrist bands – to remind us to ask ourselves in certain situations ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ Perhaps even more useful to ask is ‘What does Jesus want us to do!’ Not a bad way of living!

The Meaning of Life?

Some people dabble in different elements of the Occult to look for meaning in their life, or as an answer to questions. But sometimes, by doing this, we may avoid facing up to what we really need to look at. If we have problems then we can talk things through with others, get advice, confront the issue, change the way we act, and so on. Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.’ (John 14:6) We believe that it is God who gives meaning to life.

Dead or Alive?

When someone dies it can be a really difficult and painful time and our life can be turned upside down. However, at some stage, we have to learn to ‘let go.’ This doesn’t mean forgetting about the person that has died – but it does mean getting on with life as best we can. The Church teaches that everyone, whether living or dead, is united in Christ. We are all part of one family.

There are lots of things we can do: we can commend the person who has died to God. We can pray for them, we can remember them and talk about them with affection.

Sometimes, people get in touch with a medium because there is some ‘unfinished business’ between them and the person who has died. Sometimes talking about our feelings with someone (such as a priest, friend or counsellor) can be a great help - it can help to put things in perspective and resolve what’s worrying us.

Bad Company

Experimenting with darker sides of the Occult means that we can get involved with people who are motivated by malice, evil or who wish to destroy - and these can be a bad influence on us.

Not so Bad!

Some people may turn to elements of the Occult or Satanism because they have a low self-esteem. This means that they may not like themselves very much, and that they think that others couldn’t possibly love or even like them. Since they find it difficult to accept anyone’s love, they fail to see that they are of any value – and they may feel this way towards God, too. Yet, no one is outside of God’s love. We are all valued by God, all treasured, and all loved. His love is constant. ‘Love one another,’ said Jesus, ‘as I have loved you.’ (John 15:12)

Some people may feel like this because of the way they have been treated by others in the past. They may have suffered unfair treatment, been neglected by their parents, been constantly put down and told they are no good. Or perhaps things that have happened to them in their life will make them think that they deserve all the bad things they have experienced.

Unknown Territory

If we get involved in some aspect of the Occult, even if it is just for fun, then we may get ourselves into unknown territory. Our imagination can be fired up and we can make ourselves worry or get ill. We may think about what we have done, and it will play on our mind. What may start out as harmeless fun can lead to great spiritual and emotional difficulties.

Ghosts in the Attic?

Lots of the time when we think there is something ‘supernatural going on’ it is often because of inner turmoil in our own lives or emotions that lie hidden away. It could be due to bereavement, some guilt that we are carrying with us, or there could be need for some medical or psychological treatment, etc.

Holy Baptism

In our baptism, we promise to renounce the devil and fight against evil, and put our whole trust in Christ and that we will obey God’s holy will and commandments and serve him faithfully all the days of our life. To stray away from following God and giving him glory is contrary to the teaching of Jesus and the way of life he showed us.

The Trouble with Satan!

There are many different opinions about Satan, even among Christians. C. S. Lewis in his book Screwtape Letters, says this about Satan: ‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and to feel an unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.’

So, there is a danger in denying any existence of Satan- and also a danger in giving too much attention to him! The Scriptures ceratinly refer to him as being a real entity, who is an enemy of all that is good and someone who should be resisted.

And finally...

Although some people's reasons for exploring different apsects of the Occult is born from genuine human needs, they are contrary to the Christian Gospel. Some things can get us into deep water and we can be left scared and worrying about lots of different things. So, let's end on this note! Words from St Paul:

‘For I am convinced that there is nothing in death or life, in the realms of spirit or superhuman powers, in the world as it is, or the world as it shall be, in the forces of the universe, in heights or depths – nothing in all creation that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8: 38-39)

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