Wicca Witchcraft Goes Mainstream

By Steve Wohlberg, Author of Hour of the Witch (used with kind permission)

y wife Kristin and I noticed her immediately. We were sitting quietly in the lobby of a medical center in Templeton, California, waiting to see the doctor who was monitoring the progress of Kristin’s pregnancy. Suddenly a mysterious looking young lady—probably in her twenties—entered and sat directly in front of us. She had long dark hair, was dressed in black (which seemed unusual for a spring day in May), and began reading a book with a full moon on the cover. When the nurse called out, “Kristin Wohlberg,” and we rose to leave the room, I glanced again and noticed she was wearing a necklace with a five-pointed star, or pentagram. Was she a practicing witch? I can’t say for sure, but on the surface, the signs certainly fit.

n case you haven’t noticed, kids, teenagers and adults around the world are becoming fascinated by mysterious energies flowing through witches. In rapidly increasing numbers, young and old are visiting popular Wicca witchcraft web sites, buying spell books, joining covens, mixing potions, and practicing magic. If you doubt the trend, just visit http://www.walmart.com and type “Wicca.” This isn’t fiction or fantasy, but reality.

n the United States, so many teenagers are embracing the Wiccan Way that National Public Radio’s All Things Considered aired a story called, “Teens and Wicca,” alerting the American public. The report testified that growing numbers of teenagers are secretly setting up witchcraft altars in their bedrooms, offering prayers to the Goddess, and invoking the aid of spirits (1). A similar trend is sweeping Canada, England, Europe, Australia, Russia, and other countries. The book, Rocking the Goddess: Campus Wicca for the Student Practitioner by Anthony Paige (Citadel Press, 2002), documents Wicca’s explosive growth on college campuses across the US. Wal-Mart’s web site declares:

ritten by a student for students, Rocking the Goddess is the first book of its kind for the budding Wiccan. Included here are interviews with students, faculty, and college administrators across the country, as well as profiles of Wiccan role models such as Enya, Stevie Nicks, and Tori Amos. (2)

icca is growing so fast that Wiccan visionaries are rushing to establish their own schools. “The growth has been so explosive that what structure there is cannot accommodate it,” says Chas Clifton, editor of Pomegranate: The International Journal of Pagan Studies. “We are like a third world country that can’t put up enough elementary schools fast enough...” (3).

ne Wiccan bestseller is Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation (Llewellyn Publications, 1997), by Silver Ravenwolf. Like similar works targeting teenage interest in spells and potions, Ravenwolf makes her case that Witchcraft isn’t evil at all, but safe and friendly, “the art of science of white magick, a gentle, loving practice” (4). This is the viewpoint of all Wiccan authors, including Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, Raven Grimassi, Patricia Telesco, Phyllis Curott, and countless others. They all say Wicca witchcraft is simply wholesome, nature-based “white magic.”

ater we will examine why so many young people are exploring Wicca, what Wiccans believe, what the Bible says about Witchcraft, how Christians should treat Witches, the influence of popular Hollywood TV programs and movies (such as Harry Potter) on Wiccan growth, and eventually, how the phenomenal rise in witchie interest connects with Bible prophecy.

ne of Wicca’s core tenets is that nature has power we can tap into – and that this power is neutral, meaning it’s neither good nor bad. Wiccan Scott Cunningham clarifies,

he power at work within folk magic is just that – power. It is neither positive nor negative, neither good nor evil. It is the intention and goal of the magician working with it that determines whether this power is used for helpful or harmful ends. (5)

n other words, if we tap into and channel nature’s power for “good” purposes, we’re “white witches.” Significantly, the Bible says something quite different. It teaches that our universe isn’t permeated with only one neutral power, but is really inhabited by two highly personal forces. One is infinitely creative, warm, and loving, while the other is cold, diabolically wicked, and deceptive. Notice carefully: Jesus Christ sent Paul to mixed-up humans,

o open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18).

ere two powers are described–Satan and God. That’s the Bible view. The Bible also presents God as so personal that He even sacrificed His Son to save sinners from sin. Jesus Christ said:

or God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

ot just Power; but a Person motivated by love. And this short phrase, “God so loved the world” includes you, me, and every witch. It is the goal of this document not only to help you find that love, but to help you avoid the end-time tricks of the master seducer who may appear like “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14) but whose goal is to trap and destroy every naive human being who unsuspectingly wanders into his snare.

Wicca Witchcraft and Wiccans – Part 2

t’s hard to know the exact numbers, but Wicca witchcraft is believed to be one of the fastest growing religions among high school and college students. This form of witchcraft, with its reverence for the earth and nature, appeals to young environmentalists, and Wicca’s emphasis on a goddess, as well as a god, draws young girls.” So reported National Public Radio in a May 2004 story entitled, “New Religion in America : Teens and Wicca.” (6)

reviously we described the fact of Wicca’s explosive growth among American youth. Now we shall ponder: Why is Wicca growing so rapidly? There are many reasons – such as Wicca’s appreciation for nature, support of women’s rights, ‘non-judgmental’ attitude, and its enticing offer of spiritual growth and self-empowerment through magick (‘magick’ with a ‘k’ refers to real occult magic instead of mere ‘sleight of hand’). But the biggest reason is the positive portrayal of Witchcraft in the media.

rom the 1950s through the 1980s, Witchcraft was practiced in North America and around the world, but the number of adherents was relatively small. When the ‘90s’ hit, everything changed, believe it or not, largely because of Hollywood. Those ‘in the know’ recognize that the following shows have had their impact:

• The Craft (Movie, 1996): Enticingly depicts the adventures of “a coven of witches who are still in high school.” (7)
• Practical Magic (Movie, 1998): Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as two witches. “Raised by their aunts after their parents’ death, the sisters grew up in a household that was anything but typical. The little girls ate chocolate cake for breakfast, stayed up late and studied spell books, practicing the ancient arts of white magic that had been handed down through their family from generation to generation.” (8)
• Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series): About a “girl with supernatural powers” who learns “to use her witchcraft wisely.” (9)
• Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV series): Starring a blonde teenager who battles vampires and other creatures of the night. Buffy’s friend Willow, nicknamed “The Willow Witch,” reveals positive “interest and involvement in Wicca and Witchcraft.” (10)
• Charmed (TV series): Features three sexy sorceress sisters who “use their individual powers as good witches to battle the forces of evil.” (11)

his writer has a reputable Christian friend who used to be High Priest of the Circle of the Mystic Moon witchcraft coven in Australia. He is now a believer in Jesus Christ. This man recently shared with me some inside information not readily known. He said that from the 1950s through the 1980s, all the High Priests and Priestesses of the major witchcraft covens in the British Isles, North America, and Australia knew each other. It was a tight network. When the ‘90s’ came, they began to discuss the ‘flood of inquiries’ they were all receiving from young people, especially young girls, who wanted to learn how to ‘be like Sabrina’ or the ‘Charmed’ sisters. This showed these occult leaders that Hollywood productions, while not entirely accurate in their portrayals of what real witches do, were definitely creating an interest in magick among young people.

ost of those kids in the 1990s were turned away. Then something significant happened. Take note: Major occult publishers (like Llewellyn Publications in St. Paul Minnesota) awoke and realized, “Hey, there’s a growing market out there filled with young people who want to learn about Witchcraft! Let’s target them and teach them the real thing.” Soon Silver Ravenwolf’s Teen Witch: Wicca For a New Generation(Llewellyn, 1998) hit the streets and quickly became a bestseller. This was just the beginning of scores of books that would soon flood the market written by real Witches designed to teach real Witchcraft to real kids.

he Bible reveals the deep truth that by “beholding” we become “changed” (2 Corinthians 3:18). In other words, what we watch affects us. In the last ten years, Hollywood has produced a sizable array of Witchcraft shows that often portray Witches as cool, savvy, sexy, adventurous and exciting. Sceptics counter, “So what? It’s just Hollywood fun and fiction. It’s not real.” While it is true that most of what is portrayed isn’t true to life, the fact is, this doesn’t make any difference. Impressions are being made on young minds, the idea of becoming a ‘witch’ or ‘wizard’ has entered many hearts, the thought of having ‘magickal powers’ has become inviting to millions of young people, and real Witchcraft is growing rapidly around the world. Don’t be fooled. Hollywood is fuelling Wiccan growth today, whether we believe it or not.

he last book of the Bible warns,

ut the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 21:8, italics added)

otice the word “sorcerers.” According to Scripture, real sorcerers will exist at the end of time whose dismal fate will be the lake of fire. Solemn thought.

uly 16, 2005, was the release date of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, book six in J.K. Rowling’s fantasy series about the adventures of a teenager sorcerer. 10.8 million copies were printed, which was the largest initial print run for any hardcover book in U.S. history. Harry Potter books have sold over 270 million copies, have been translated in 62 languages, and are being read (‘devoured’ fits better) by kids all over Planet Earth. Maybe even yours.....

Visit this website for a full study...This man will open your mind to the truth....bless!!!

Steve Wohlberg is Speaker/Director of White Horse Media and hosts the national radio show, World News and the Bible. He is the author of ten books and has been guest on over 400 radio and TV shows.
His web site is www.whitehorsemedia.com. 1-800-78-BIBLE