I’ve been there…and while modern religion has a ton of flaws and the way it came into existence is riddled with tragedy and deception, we still carry SO MUCH baggage from the indoctrination even though we can clearly see the issues (and have walked away or are in the process of doing so). So, let’s unpack some of it...
Religion taught me:
- Crystals are evil
- Magick is evil
- Witches are evil
- Demons are evil
- Tarot is evil
- Incense is evil
- Spells are evil
- Nature worship is evil
- Polytheism is evil
- Energy work is evil
Let’s break down the flaws, unwind what we’ve been taught that’s false, and replace it with a more open-minded perspective. In many examples, I may reference Christianity specifically, since that is my personal background, but this information isn’t intended to be limited only to people deconstructing from that particular modern religion.
Crystals
Crystals are naturally occurring mineral formations from the earth. To say crystals are inherently evil would be to say all crystalline formations are evil and that would include salt and all kinds of fundamental elements that are necessary to sustain life and the planet. We rely on minerals to survive and literally use them all throughout the day, often without even realizing it. For example, almost every clock, phone, computer, etc. that you use has quartz in it. Most modern kitchens have quartz countertops. Most hair dryers and flat irons have tourmaline. And the list could go on and on.
Magick
Magick is simply the ability to utilize your will or intentions to direct energy for a particular outcome. To say magick is inherently evil requires saying working toward any type of goal or with any type of energy is evil. And energy is necessary for how we fuel our bodies with food, get around via transportation, and so on. We work with energy and our intentions every time we drink a cup of coffee to help us wake up, make a cup of tea to ease a sore throat, or take a walk outdoors to clear our minds.
From a biblical perspective, Jesus taught his disciples about preaching, teaching, and healing, all of which require an intention to help others by transferring our own energy to another by directing our will. So, why would it be evil to work with energy or “magick” to heal ourselves and others when that’s what Jesus did and taught his followers to do? He may not have used the word “magick” in any of his parables, but when we’re talking about using our own intentions, faith, and energy to heal—is that not conceptually the same thing in different terminology?
Witches
Witches are simply “wise women” or “wise people” who work with or are devoted to Wisdom (or the pursuit of it). To say witches are evil, requires us to say anyone who pursues greater depths of wisdom or knowledge is evil, including philosophers (philo=lover, sophia=wisdom, philosopher=lover of wisdom), scientists, pastors, shamans, healers, doctors, researchers, and so on.
From a biblical perspective, Wisdom is a figure recognized throughout the Old Testament in Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Isaiah, and is discreetly revealed in aspects of the New Testament in Matthew and Revelation. So why would it be “evil” to pursue this great Wisdom figure (who is a woman by the way—goddess alert, anyone?) when Solomon himself was recognized as the greatest king for asking for Wisdom above all else?
Tarot
Tarot is simply a teaching/learning method for understanding hidden wisdom in a pictorial form. The same wisdom mysteries that are hidden in the esoteric aspects of the biblical book of Matthew (and Isaiah) can be found in the major arcana of tarot and used to give insight into an individual’s spiritual journey, areas that need transformation through wisdom, and so on. To say tarot cards are evil is to say all forms of pictures, playing cards, or forms of communication with the divine (which is prayer in its simplest form) is wrong.
From a biblical perspective, tarot isn’t directly mentioned anywhere in the canon, but the same types of imagery of priests, priestesses, judges, chariots, and so on that occur in the ancient temple traditions of the time (and throughout most older religions, spiritual paths and cultures), are reflected in the imagery of the cards and can be utilized in the same two-part parable teaching method that was native to rabbis and their students.
Incense
Incense is simply a fragrant material that is burned either for its aroma, to honor the divine, to set intentions for prayer or meditation, or for other spiritual purposes. There are endless ways to use incense and a wide variety of available scents. To say incense is evil is to say that anything utilizing herbs, smoke, candles, etc. is evil, and we literally use and eat herbs on a daily basis, create smoke when we light a candle or cook food, and so on.
From a religious perspective, incense is found throughout many sacred texts, the Christian bible included, as a way to honor the divine in the temple, for a ceremony or ritual, or as part of a prayer or meditation. Frankincense (notice the second part of the word: incense) was even gifted to Jesus at his birth, so it’s no surprise that burning incense is a lovely way to honor divinity, regardless of what spiritual path you are following.
Spells
Spells are simply language taking a directed form by having intentions put into them. Spells can bring life and healing energy, or they can bring death and destruction based on the intentions of the person speaking. A spell cannot be inherently evil until the intentions put into it are to cause harm to someone or something without cause. We cast “spells” every time we say affirmations, verbally remind ourselves that we are brave or capable of doing something, wish that something would happen, pray, and so on.
From a religious perspective, the creation story in the Christian bible demonstrates a divine being speaking things into existence. This same bible also reminds its readers that life and death are in the power of the tongue, meaning people have creative power through their speech. Scientifically speaking, multiple studies have been done that show the difference between plants that are spoken to positively versus negatively and how the words and energy directed at the respective plant shape its ability to thrive.
Polytheism
Polytheism is more complex than many realize because polytheists often recognize that there is one “Source” of life and energy, but that it comes to life through many different personified beings who together make up the grand puzzle piece of divinity. Most (and I say most because I tread lightly with speaking in absolutes since there are always those who diverge from the majority) view there being a Source (also referred to as God, Universe, EL, etc.), and then there being many, many, many gods and goddesses who are the extensions of that original Source of energy and life, not all that different from how someone in Christianity might understand angelic beings, but for polytheists they recognize many different divine beings of god- or goddess-like status who rule over or are different energies in personified forms, including lesser beings that are not gods or goddesses but have more finite roles in the universe, such as angels, fae, elementals, etc.
If polytheism isn’t for you, that’s perfectly fine. Many may choose to only recognize there being a singular God figure or no god figure at all. However you choose to view and connect with your spiritual path is entirely your own.
Energy work
Energy work is any form of healing, meditation, reiki, or prayer that utilizes the energetic field surrounding the body and the energy centers within the body. We are naturally energetic beings and understanding what our body needs on an energetic level can help us in the physical, emotional, and spiritual spheres of our lives. To say energy work is evil would be to say that any form of healing using energy, whether it be through plants, herbs, medicine, sound, frequencies, light therapy, color therapy, etc. is evil.
From a religious perspective, the use of prayer, spoken words, playing instruments, eating or abstaining from certain foods, and so on are all linked to methods of healing and drawing closer to the divine. Energy work methods are vast and vary across belief systems and cultures, so find what you’re drawn to, what is effective for you, and what resonates.
Have other things you're working to deconstruct?
If there are other topics you are struggling with or would like more insight on, let me know in the comments below. Blessed be on your healing wisdom journey!