Various essays leading up to Halloween 2022.
My Witch Story | Children’s Books about Witches | Powerful | Ouija Board, Tarot, Séances, Oh, My! | We Attended a Wicca Wedding
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Tomorrow is Halloween. In this last post in my October series, I thought it would be fun to end with a wedding story. Jesus attended weddings during His time on Earth. He’s the Bridegroom awaiting His reunion with His Bride, the church. So, I’m guessing Jesus likes weddings. One thing I know for certain: He came with my husband Mark and me to a witchy wedding in Southern California during Reformation weekend, a day before Halloween.
We attended a handfasting ceremony officiated by a Wicca high priestess.
The groom was one of Mark’s close friends. After we read the invitation, we had a few questions. He told Mark his fiancée was a witch, which explained the handfasting. The night-time outdoor ceremony would take place on a grassy field in a local city park.
At night.
In the dark.
Because of my experiences with the occult in my youth, I had misgivings and chatted with Mark about my feelings. I wasn’t sure I wanted to attend. The friendship meant a lot to Mark, and we agreed to go. The ceremony took place on a Saturday, conveniently scheduled after our church’s Saturday evening service. I figured we’d go to church, get prayed up, filled with God’s word, and with time in worship and praise. The service early that evening exceeded my expectations, and I felt confident about going to the handfasting, with Jesus at the wheel (so to speak) as we drove to the park.
We walked across the park’s grassy field toward a circle of objects set up in a large, flat area. The groom greeted us with much emotion; he was thrilled to see us. The high priestess instructed the guests to form a circle around the ceremony’s objects. The area was lit by what I’d describe as five tiki torches, one for each of the five elements: air, water, earth, fire, and spirit. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I scanned the objects.
“Oh my gosh, Mark!” I had leaned over and whispered in Mark’s ear. “That large book has a pentagram on it!” I took in a breath and prayed, focused on God’s power and might as the high priestess began the ceremony with her spells. After a short time, the bride and groom completed the handfasting rituals.
I thought I would psychically sense something, like evil spirits. I didn’t. The ceremony felt very empty. Nothing. Nada. No substance. The torches, the pentagram, the huge book of spells. It was a big “nothing burger” for us. In my thoughts, I thanked the Lord for His presence.
After the ceremony, I chatted with the high priestess as I helped her carry a heavy table to her car. She was in her late 60s and mentioned that she had some health issues. She was kind, humble, and friendly. I felt drawn to her, wanting to talk about our different beliefs, but she had to rush home. I wished I could have invited her to a coffee chat, but she lived over an hour north of the park, and we lived almost an hour south of the park. When the high priestess and I said goodbye, I felt sad.
Since Jesus rescued and redeemed me, all of my interactions with witches have been positive. They are some of the most delightful women I’ve met. I want to share my heart with my fellow Christ followers so God may use you in the life of a witch.
Listen.
Listen to them describe their beliefs. With your gospel heart, discern why they don’t yet know the Creator of the creation they call to when they perform their magick.
Pray.
Pray for them. Their participation in their rituals will lead them into greater darkness and deeper into the dark realm of the occult.
Love them.
Many have been treated badly by Christians who didn’t listen and pray, which blocks the pagans from exploring faith in Christ.
Tomorrow night is Sanhain (pronounced sow-when). There will be people who are initiated into a Wiccan coven. On the Satanic side of the occult, tomorrow night there will be animals and humans who are murdered as sacrifices during Satanic rituals. What’s a true Christ follower to do tomorrow?
Pray for them in the power of Jesus’ name.
Surf the internet for Catherine Edwards Sanders’ (out of print) book “Wicca’s Charm”, buy it, and read it more than once. And, of course, read verses in your Bible related to loving the lost and what to say to share Jesus’ good news.
Pray and then pray some more.
What else can you do? I stay away from the occult as best as I can in a culture that embraces the occult, and I encourage you to do the same. How? Don’t observe Halloween in any way, to begin. Instead of going to parties, even at your church, hold prayer sessions in either small or large groups.
To save souls, let’s seek one-on-one conversations with pagan practitioners. When witches talk with a loving Christian, barriers come down and they ask heartfelt questions. They are hurting, and they need Jesus’ love. Be patient with them. Lovingly commit to your pagan friends for years.
Dear witches and pagans, I love you in Jesus’ name. It hurts me how so many of you have been hurt in the past, and you seek peace through your rituals and the spells you cast.
You’ll only find the peace you seek in Jesus alone.
Dear readers, thank you for reading this series! What’s next?
In November, I’ll gab about gratitude as we approach Thanksgiving in the USA.
Then, in December, I may get a bit “Advent-y” on these pages as we count down to the Nativity of Christ Jesus.
Stay tuned!
#Halloween #Wicca #Wiccans #witches #witchcraft
Soli Deo Gloria!
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Wow, that was excellent. I tend to agree with your strategy. People are all over the map with their beliefs. I never really faulted atheists, because they were willing to test why they believe what they believe. We reach differing conclusions but I always appreciate people willing to understand things. You know in Paul's day, people were no different. They questioned and were on a dozen different roads. But he engaged with them. Appreciate your blog!👍