Pagan cults
Pagan cults are on the rise in America
Paganism, including Wicca and various nature-based spiritualities, is experiencing a significant rise in the United States, with estimates suggesting over 1.5 million to 2 million adherents. This is a substantial increase over the past two decades. Driven by a shift away from Churchs but wanting spirituality, this growth is fueled by interest in environmentalism, feminist spirituality, and digital-age community, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram have normalized witchcraft and modern paganism. This trend represents a broader, more diverse, and less centralized, rather than a single unified "cult," encompassing a variety of practices from neo-paganism to esoteric, earth-centered traditions. Yet with many of the dangers of both cults and the occult. Dangerous pagan cults, like other coercive groups, pose risks of psychological manipulation, financial exploitation, and physical harm, often led by individuals with narcissistic or antisocial traits. Dangers include the erosion of personal autonomy, isolation from support systems, extreme demands for loyalty, and potential violence or severe neglect. Pagan-oriented cults, like other high-control groups, pose significant emotional dangers, including the loss of free will, severe psychological distress (trauma, anxiety, depression), and the destruction of external relationships . They often exploit vulnerabilities through "love bombing" and manipulate members to sever ties with family, resulting in an "in-between" state of confusion, fear, and sometimes normalized violence after leaving. This is also from the National Library of Medicine at the National library in Bethesda, Maryland. Former members frequently suffer from trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to the abusive environment. Cults aim to destroy the "old self," forcing members to abandon past relationships, hobbies, and identities to adopt a new, artificial persona. Members are often encouraged to sever ties with family and friends outside the group, causing severe isolation. Fear, shame, and guilt are used to maintain control. The decentralized nature of some pagan communities can lead to a lack of accountability, leaving members lost without proper spiritual guidance, which can sometimes lead to political extremism. There are many types: agan paths, or modern Neopaganism, comprise diverse nature-based, polytheistic, and reconstructionist traditions, including Wicca, Druidry, and Heathenry. These movements often focus on honoring nature cycles, honoring multiple deities, and, in some cases, reconstructing ancient pre-Christian European, Egyptian, or folkloric rituals.
Pagan Cult focus on Polytheism (many gods), Animism and pantheism (everything is god) and Nature veneration.
Wicca: Wicca is a modern, decentralized nature-based religion focusing on harmony with the environment, veneration of a Goddess and Horned God, and the Wiccan Rede ("Harm none"). Founded in England in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner, it emphasizes ritual, magic, and the Wheel of the Year. It includes varied traditions (e.g., Gardnerian, Alexandrian) and is often practiced solitary or in covens.
Druidism: Druidism, or Druidry, is a modern spiritual movement and nature-based religion focused on reverence for the earth, trees, and the divine in nature. Rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, it is often non-dogmatic, fostering a connection with the environment, ancestral wisdom, and personal creativity. Modern Druids frequently follow a "Wheel of the Year" with eight festivals, often gathering in "Groves" to celebrate, meditate, and practice ritual. Druid Fellowship: A large, structured Neodruid organization
Feminist witchcraft: Feminist witchcraft is a spiritual and political practice that reclaims the "witch" as a symbol of female empowerment, independence, and resistance against patriarchy. It blends magical practice with social justice, focusing on bodily autonomy, eco-feminism, and reclaiming marginalized wisdom, often featuring goddess-centered worship and women-only circles.
Covenant of the Goddess (CoG): One of the largest and oldest non-denominational Pagan organizations in North America. Covenant of the Goddess (CoG), founded in 1975, is one of the oldest and largest cross-traditional Wiccan organizations in North America, representing Witches, covens, and solitary practitioners. It serves as an advocacy organization aimed at securing legal protections, fostering interfaith dialogue, providing education, and promoting cooperation among diverse Wiccan traditions. Circle Sanctuary: Wiccan organization.
Germanic Neopaganism (Heathenry/Asatru): Focused on pre-Christian European traditions, arising in the 1970s.
CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans): A subgroup within the Unitarian Universalist Association, promoting paganism in a mainstream church setting.
Rowan Tree Church: A church founded in 1979 rooted in pagan traditions.
See New Age
See New Age 2
See What is a Cult?
Occult
Occult (from Latin occultus, meaning "hidden" or "secret") refers to knowledge of the paranormal, supernatural, or arcane, rather than the rational or scientific. It involves practices like magic, alchemy, and divination, generally aimed at achieving personal power or spiritual insight. Key themes include initiation, secret traditions, and esoteric, hidden knowledge. Many Pagan activities are based on the Occult. Some Religions have occult activities.
Occult activities are on the rise in America and the world.
Many get trapped in the occult by starting with "fun" ideas of spells and magic power that involve the manipulation of supernatural, hidden, or esoteric forces to effect change in the material world. These practices, ranging from ancient Pagan rituals to modern witchcraft, often emphasize personal intention, specific timing, and the use of symbolic tools and symbols. Modern media has popularized the ideas and use of spells and magical power. . While often portrayed in media as harmless, fun, or a path to personal empowerment. Experts warn that it frequently leads to deception, dependency, and severe mental distress. The risks are generally categorized as spiritual, psychological, and practical. The trap part is that there is real dark powers that one can be involved with. These dark powers are never positive and beneficial in the long run for anyone involved. There are both cult groups and unrelated activities, but both have the same outcome of significant emotional dangers, including the loss of free will, severe psychological distress (trauma, anxiety, depression), and the destruction of external relationships. These can include nightmares, depression, or losing touch with reality, and worse.
The Demonic Deception: Many ex-practitioners and experts report that spirits or entities encountered are not helpful, but rather lying, deceptive, and malevolent, aiming to cause harm, fear, and misery.
False Promises: The occult often promises personal power or forbidden knowledge, but critics contend it actually leads to spiritual slavery and dependency.
Addiction: Individuals can become reliant on seances, tarot cards, or horoscopes for everyday decisions, losing their own judgment and decision-making capabilities.
Occult activities are not new; they have been around for a long time. The Bible lists occult activities going back 3,500 years.
Deuteronomy 18:10-11 " Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead."
Divination is the art or practice of attempting to foretell future events, discover hidden knowledge, or interpret omens through supernatural, occult, or intuitive means. It is used to seek guidance, answer questions, or interpret signs using techniques like tarot cards, astrology, and casting lots.
Sorcery is the use of supernatural powers, spells, or magic, often, though not exclusively, associated with malevolent intent (black magic) and the summoning of evil spirits to influence the physical world. It is defined as a form of witchcraft or enchantment used to control forces or gain power, often described as a more, intense, skillful, or, sinister form of magic.
An omen is a phenomenon, event, or sign believed to portend or warn of a future occurrence, acting as a prophetic warning of good or evil. Often rooted in superstition, they are interpreted as divine or supernatural signals
Witchcraft is the practice of magic, spells, and rituals aimed at influencing people or events, often involving a connection to nature or spiritual forces. Historically, it was associated with malicious harm, but modern definitions include Neopagan religions like Wicca.
Cast spells means to use spoken words, rituals, or symbolic actions believed to have magic, aiming to influence, transform, or enchant someone or something. It frequently refers to creating a magical effect, such as cursing, or metaphorically, to fascinate and completely capture someone's attention or affection.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.
Idolatry is the worship of a physical idol or image as a god, or the excessive, often irrational devotion to a person, object, or concept. It represents elevating something created above the Creator, frequently appearing as greed, material obsession, or celebrity worship. Synonyms include adoration, reverence, veneration, and cultism
Revelation 9:21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Magic arts are defined as practices, techniques, or rituals aimed at manipulating natural forces, engaging with supernatural powers, or producing illusory effects. These arts span from historical occult practices, sorcery, and divination
Other 0pen doors to the Occult: (Curiosity: Engaging in "harmless" games or quizzes)
Ouija Boards: Frequently highlighted as a dangerous entry point for, or invitation to, malicious spirits.
Mediums - spiritist and Séances: The act of trying to contact spirits or the dead is believed to invite malevolent entities that disguise themselves as loved ones.
Divination: Tools like Tarot cards, astrology, and casting spells, even when done for entertainment, are seen as opening a person to negative spiritual influence
See Astrology
Hypnosis Heightened suggestibility, and reduced peripheral awareness. Highly Dangerous!
Reincarnation - Links to the dead See Reincarnation
UFO and extraterrestrial - goals in communication with them. See UFO cults
Charms is a form of enchantment that uses spoken words, rituals, or objects to influence, protect, or compel people, objects, or events. It involves casting a "spell" to create a desired outcome, such as affection, protection, or fascination, often by adding specific properties to an object or enchanting a person to be more amiable
Amulets is a small object—natural or man-made—worn or carried to protect against evil, disease, harm, or bad luck. Often referred to as protective charms, they function as passive guardians, with power attributed to their material, symbol, or shape. Amulets are used to ward off negative energy.
Magic crystals are believed to hold specific energetic vibrations that aid in emotional healing, spiritual growth, protection, and manifestation. These tools are used in rituals.
Horoscopes - tarot or fortune-telling
Taking Part in a False Religion. Most Mormons want to talk to the dead. New Age and Eastern Religion. Use Magic crystals and Amulets.
Scientology / Dianetics has many open doors to the Occult.
Drug abuse
Bringing Demonic Objects Into Your Life
Sex is not just a physical act, it has spiritual repercussions. Because it is spiritual in nature, it affects the soul, the mind, and the emotions.
Ungodly Entertainment, Horror movies and alike.
Traumatic Experiences that change one's thinking.
Unforgiveness over a long time.
How to Close the Doors
Repentance & Renunciation: Verbally renouncing any involvement in the occult and confessing it as sin.
Destruction of Items: Removing and destroying objects related to the occult (e.g., books, jewelry, games).
Spiritual Authority: Utilizing prayer to break the influence of the enemy and commanding spirits to leave in the name of Jesus