Ouija boards, crystals, tarot cards, astrology and the practice of “manifesting” — these are a few examples of occult practices often seen in secular and pop culture. But why shouldn’t Catholics use them, even casually?
The Catholic Church makes it clear that engaging in such practices may open one up to the demonic.
“Demons are real; they are fallen angels and they really do seek to influence us in different ways,” said Father Paul D. Scalia, diocesan episcopal vicar for clergy and pastor of St. James Church in Falls Church. “Occult practices are basically opening yourself up to spiritual influences that are not of Christ.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church forbids “all practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others” (CCC 2117), as well as wearing charms and “all forms of divination” (CCC 2116). Such occult practices “contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone” (CCC 2116).
Dabbling with the occult is a clear violation of the First Commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me.” Fascination with the occult often stems from a desire for “hidden knowledge” not granted by God, Father Scalia said. Either out of desperation or out of curiosity, some are tempted to change their current circumstances or predict the future through occult practices, instead of turning to God. “The occult is tempting because of our curiosity,” he said. “We want shortcuts to knowledge and to capability and to influence.”
The temptation to seek “hidden knowledge” goes back to Adam and Eve, when Eve was tempted by Satan to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Other Biblical excerpts warn against the use of magic or occult practices. The book of Deuteronomy instructs the Israelites, “Let there not be found among you anyone who causes their son or daughter to pass through the fire, or practices divination, or is a soothsayer, augur, or sorcerer, or who casts spells, consults ghosts and spirits, or seeks oracles from the dead” (Dt 18:10-11). In 1 Samuel, King Saul consults with the medium of Endor to conjure up the spirit of Samuel, who rebukes him for doing so and informs Saul that he will die the following day (1 Sm 28:7-25).
Some occult practices — such as consulting mediums or “psychics” — have persisted over millennia. But in the digital age, other occult practices have gone viral, including witchcraft. One example popular on social media sites is “manifesting,” or focusing one’s thoughts intensely on a certain goal or outcome, believing that the more you desire the goal, the more likely the outcome will come to pass. Similar to manifesting, astrology — not to be confused with astronomy, the study of planets and the universe — seeks to predict future outcomes by ascribing power to the movements of planets or the constellations.
No matter the type, all occult practices make promises that are never fulfilled, according to Father Scalia. “They’re always sort of mimicking what Christ really brings,” he said. “Christ brings true enlightenment. The demonic always promises knowledge but never delivers.”
Engaging with these practices, even casually, makes the user vulnerable to demonic influence, according to Father Scalia. In this vulnerable state, demons seek to weaken a person’s will and turn them away from God, toward malice and sin. Those aware of having participated in any occult practices in the past should confess those acts in the sacrament of confession, if they have not done so already, Father Scalia said.
“Any participation in occult practices — Ouija board, palm readers, tarot cards, anything like that — those need to be confessed,” he said. “Confession is the most important thing and the most powerful thing.” Following confession, formally renouncing the action by saying, “In the name of Jesus, I renounce my participation in this,” will help close the door to demonic influence, he added. If a person still has any occult materials, such materials must be disposed of and never donated or sold, according to the apologetics website Catholic Answers.
When it comes to movies involving depictions of magic, and especially horror movies, Catholics should approach with caution, Father Scalia said. “The most important thing is that we have a Catholic framework to filter out things,” he said. “But just in general, how about we not watch things or listen to things that put evil images or thoughts in our minds?”
Some may ask why God would allow demonic harm to befall a person. “We won’t know this side of heaven why God permits certain evils to happen,” Father Scalia said. “We do know that God never permits an evil except because a greater good could come out of the situation.”
While people should not dismiss the real dangers of the demonic, it’s also important to not become overly superstitious or fearful, Father Scalia said. “You don’t get possessed by bumping into evil,” he said. “We should be more afraid of our own weakness than of the demons.”
Fostering a devotion to the angels — especially to your guardian angel — is powerful, he said. “This is one reason why devotion to the angels is so important,” he added. “Praying to our guardian angels, praying to St. Michael the Archangel — those are good practices.”
But the most powerful thing a person can do is to stay close to Christ, pursue virtue and frequent the sacraments, Father Scalia said: “A soul in a state of grace is a frightening thing to a demon, because a soul in a state of grace is carrying Christ.”
Donofrio can be reached at anna.donofrio@catholicherald.com.
