It takes great discipline to practice effective magic, witchcraft, and sorcery. A lot of young kids these days run around trying to cast wardings and fire missiles and to concoct love potions, not realizing that the strength of one's will and mental tenacity has just as much bearing on the outcome as the specific ingredients and incantations involved in one's spells.

Then there is the issue of second-hand robes and casting rods. I recently saw a guy working at a video shop garbed in a total knock-off Harry Potter gown. He was trying to give me the Evil Eye. And he failed damn miserably. Probably he did not sew his own garments from consecrated white linen in the hours of Saturn during the moon's increase after sacrificing a virgin goat. Most of these amateurs couldn't draw a magic circle with a crayon and a battery-operated compass.

According to the Grand Grimoire, a magical casting rod or wand is best cut from a hazel tree, and must be exactly 19 ½ inches in length. Furthermore, this tree (which cannot have ever borne fruit) must be felled in a single blow, at the moment of sunrise. If this sounds like a royal pain, it's because these young whippersnappers have no clue about real work, and what it takes to be a bona fide witch. It is probably fair to say that the practice of pagan witchcraft in the U.S. has hit rock bottom.

On the other hand, Christian witchcraft is on the up and up. What do I mean by Christian witchcraft? To be fair, modern Protestant and Catholic sects have in many ways distanced themselves from the superstitions and occult practices of ancient and Middle Ages. To attempt a direct comparison between the modern, evolved concept of “Christ like” living and the primitive practices that include ceremonial kissing of the hindquarters of the Great Lord Satan would be misleading, inaccurate at points and wholly blasphemous. So let's continue.

For the magic of primitive man, there are two major principles: homeopathy or imitation – that like produces like; and contagion – things which have once been in contact continue to be magically related. In other words, one who pricks a wax doll will produce a similar injury in the intended victim. If he incorporates some of the victim's hair, clothing, or nails into the image, he is using the principles of contagion, strengthening the work by adding some of the victim's vital force. Nearly all magic seems to be at least partly homeopathic. Contagious magic, on the other hand, must be combined with some other element, such as incantation, magic words or homeopathic actions (See James Frazer, the Golden Bough, Vol. I, London, 1890).

For the sophisticated modern man, the sacrament of communion represents a symbolic, rather than direct, form of contagious magic. Nevertheless, the form of contagious magic holds true in that the sacrament is today combined with the magic incantation of the Christ:

“And he took the bread and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.” (St. Luke 22:19)

Whether or not these words, which invariably accompany the modern ceremony, have any actual effect on the scientific process of transubstantiation – well, that's something for another day. In the meantime, let's move on to today's “Christian” version of the magic circle.

The traditional magic circle is generally drawn with a diameter of exactly nine feet, with perhaps a smaller circle within and a larger one without. Between the two (or three) circles are inscribed symbols and characters, perhaps names of God. The initial step of the ancient magical ceremony itself is the drawing of this circle. Not only will this circle help concentrate the magician's power, but it will protect him from attack by evil spirits. Once the magic circle has been described, the conjuration or spell proceeds in a form similar to our familiar “prayers.” Today, believers join hands and create a circle of Christian witchcraft, concentrating their powers and causing evil spirits to flee from their righteousness. You're not convinced that modern-day Christians mimic the “magic circles” of ancient pagan rituals in order to focus their so-called powers? It's not so much of a stretch when we recall the words of the Holy Jesus:

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father, Which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (St. Matthew 18:19-20)

Pretty nifty, eh? Sounds kinda like “Magic: The Gathering” if you ask me, though. Well, we've made it to the most important aspect of Christian witchcraft, the aspect that one must understand in order to properly view the Christian magician and his or her capabilities. The Magical Immunity!

Spell casting is often misconstrued as a uni-directional release of energy, from caster to target. This is not correct, however. According to Cornelius Agrippa (Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chicago, 1913) and K. Paulsen (Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft), most spells require a strong dedication and will on the part of the caster in order to “absorb” magical consequences.

It might be said that the real object of the magician's art is himself. The harm or help he works to others is incidental. If he casts a spell to make a rival in love unsuccessful, the failure is also his own. The magician absorbs all possible consequences of his action; whether or not his spell will work depends upon whether he is powerful enough to absorb these consequences, the failures or injuries, without succumbing to them. He must possess a magical immunity. (Paulsen, p.15)

In Christian witchcraft, especially the proselytizing varieties, this so-called magical immunity involves absorbing all consequences that may be connected with spreading one's faith to others. Perhaps one must emotionally support the bombing of an infidel nation in order to ultimately bring about freedom and the true Christian religion. So be it. Absorb those consequences! This kind of magical immunity is neatly summed up by Paul the Apostle when he encourages Christian witches to put on the “full armour of god.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)

Not happy about casualties overseas? The breastplate of righteousness might make you feel more righteous about it, I'm sure. Did you support the electric chair for Johnny No-good Schwarkowski? No regrets, kid, unless you forgot your Helmet of Salvation. See? You can deal with anything when you're a Christian witch, confident, or perhaps arrogant in your beliefs, and immune to any pangs of conscience that fall beyond your realm of acceptable magical thoughts.

In the end, the capacity for inhumane behavior, for true infliction of harm, is dependent on a magical “immunity” that can only be achieved through total devotion to a cult, a devotion that removes personal responsibility for actions and provides an ever-present sense of self-righteousness.

The cult of Mao in communist China allowed the Red Guard to beat, plunder, and rape their fellow citizens, burn precious scrolls and artwork, and demolish ancient buildings.
The German Fascist cult of Adolf Hitler allowed the torture, starvation, gassing, and extermination of untold millions.

Christian witchcraft still lumbers on with all the telltale signs of leaving its own legacy. After all, its members are immune to all spells and incantations.