DG writes: “Help! I found a strange bundle of sticks in my daughter’s room. They were tied together with a twine string and had a crystal attached. I found them hidden in a shoebox under her bed. I’m afraid they might be associated with witchcraft. Do you know what they are?”
Category Archives: Neopaganism
Does the Use of Holly Come From the Druids?
While it’s true that the Druids once believed holly had magical powers, the use of this ancient evergreen on special occasions does not derive from any group in particular.
Are Christmas Trees Condemned in the Bible?
Believe it or not, the idea that Christmas trees were condemned in the Bible is a very common criticism of this beloved tradition. But is there any merit to this claim?
Does the Advent Wreath Have Pre-Christian Roots?
Although it’s true that the use of a wreath decorated with lit candles dates back to pre-Christian Germanic people, it has been used by Christians since the Middle Ages as part of their spiritual preparation for Christmas.
Was Christmas Ever a Pagan Feast?
Christmas is supposed to be a time of “peace on earth” and, thankfully, it still is, but this joyful season has its detractors – such as those who promulgate the idea that Christmas was founded on a pagan feast. Is this true?
Is Dumbed Down Christianity To Blame for Success of New Age?
A hard-hitting commentary recently published in The Catholic Gentleman asks some serious questions about how the New Age has become so fascinating, particularly to millennials, and if dumbed-down Christianity may be at least part of the blame.
Pixar’s “Coco” Promotes Pagan Beliefs
JB writes: “There is a new Disney movie for which I have seen a short preview. It is apparently based on the Mexican Day of the Dead. Is this the same as All Souls Day? Or does this movie have something to do with “Saint Death”, which clearly isn’t good or of God. . . . Catholic and Christian symbols are often mixed with new age items, so I am confused. Would you please clarify the meaning of this movie for me?”
The Link Between Environmentalism & New Age
SP asks: “What is the link between environmentalism and the New Age?”
School Sued Over “Cleansing Ritual”
Port Alberni, BC
Parents are suing a school in British Columbia after it forced their children to take part in a religious “cleansing ritual” that was based on the beliefs of the tribes of the Pacific Northwest known as Nuu-chah-nulth.
Rock Whispering in Sedona
In the wake of the election of a Republican to the highest office in the land, some of the liberal elite are looking for guidance among the rocks and canyons of Arizona.