#earth centered

[These are the random thoughts coming from someone trying to figure stuff out, basically just me trying to organize my own thoughts, so please don't come at me with any kind of anger, this is just me contemplating the instructions of my holy book, thanks.]

Okay, so I'm continuing to reconcile beliefs and practices from my new age/earth-centered era to my return to Christianity. Basically holding up each thing one by one and going "Does it stay, does it go, or do I need to alter the way I use it?" I'm very inspired by the many examples in history and modern day of Christianity enveloping, adopting, or coexisting with indigenous or folk practices and beliefs, especially in cases where it's received a thumbs-up from the Church.

Astrology and Divination

I made a post earlier musing on astrology and tarot cards. Basically, there are places in the bible that say not to trust mediums or use divination, but other times where divination is used with Godly approval. I wondered if this was a matter of intention. Basically, are you doing this in a way that trusts and honors God, or are you trying to work around Him or use something else as an idol? I also read a Jewish Orthodox article about astrology that I found insightful, basically saying that using astrology to predict life trends isn't inherently evil, but you must always remember that we have free will, the future is not set in stone, and we are all in God's hands. Seeing signs in the stars isn't bad, but worshipping them is.

Spells and the Law of Attraction

Now I'm also thinking about Jesus in the desert and the crucifixion, both times where he was taunted and tempted to use miracles to benefit himself (turn stones into bread, save himself) and how that might serve as an important guide. Generally speaking, why are miracles okay sometimes, but not other times? I don't want to compare divine miracles to new-age/pagan practices, but if you choose to believe (idk if I do) that you somehow have an inherent power to alter the world around you (law of attraction, spells, etc) when, if ever, is it okay to do so? Jesus performed plenty of miracles with bread, but he didn't do so in the desert because that went contrary to his divine purpose on earth. He was here to be a human and to suffer as a human. Other people in the bible perform miracles great and small, but this is all God working through them, not because they themselves are almighty. I think anyone who believes they have any ability to alter their reality (who is a christian) should contemplate what God's plan for them is. Use your abilities (if you believe you have them) to glorify God and help others, and realize that anything you can do is because of God working through you, not because you yourself are divine.

I can't say that without adding that I loathe the prosperity gospel and similarly loathe the loa people who spend most of their time talking about attracting wealth and beauty and whatever else. I feel confident that THAT'S wrong. Jesus really hated greed, you guys. He spent his time talking about giving material possessions away, not hoarding wealth or power. He could have been born into any situation, but he chose to live and die as a poor man in an occupied country who would at one point be a refugee and another be a convicted criminal. To constantly try to be as rich and powerful as possible is to walk away from God. However, it's not wrong to seek protection, grace, food, and healing. Especially if you're seeking these things for other people.

In conclusion, affirmations and spells and such might be okay if you go into it with a "only through God and only if it aligns with His will" mentality and only if you're really spending a lot of time considering if what you're so desperate for is actually good. (If what you're trying to make happen could easily be categorized as a deadly sin, you should probably knock that shit off)

Using Objects, Talismans, Charms, etc

I'm talking about your bottles full of herbs, your special crystals and feathers, the silver bell you like to ring, the tea you like to drink, the candles you like to burn, the special water or oil you use to anoint things with, etc. Plenty of these things can already be found in various christian practices. So when is it okay and when is it idolatry? It helps to look at what the Catholic church teaches about sacramentals.

Sacramentals are used to ask for protection and grace. (Holy water, rosary beads, medals, blessings, etc) A lot of protestants see them as superstitions or idolatry, but from what I understand, sacramentals are okay in a similar way that a crucifix is. The objects themselves aren't magical or worthy of being worshipped, but they are a way to focus our prayers and ask for something with the use of a physical object. When that object is also blessed by someone important to us or used by thousands of people, doesn't that help strengthen our faith and sense of community?

Candles seem equally popular in practically every religion. Did you know that Orthodox, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, and Catholics have a festival where everyone can take all their candles to church and get them blessed for the year? Now imagine how powerful that is to burn those candles during prayer or just around the house. It's not because the candles are magic now, it's because they connect you to your faith and remind you of God and prepare you to receive His grace. Mary gardens aren't "magic" either, but tending to them and planting flowers with special meanings brings us closer to her, and through her, to her son.

You can bless any item, and any item that reminds you of God or the saints is a good and worthy thing. Does selenite make you think of angels? That's great! Why not bless it and hold it and pray? Why not put it somewhere and think when you look at it how God has designated an angel to your protection? Why not burn incense? It can be used in blessings and the smell reminds us of the presence of God. The traditional church insence is made of Frankincense and Myrrh, two of the gifts Jesus received from the Magi, so of course it's natural for us to associate those smells with Him now. And if another smell reminds you of the presence of God, go ahead and light that up too!

Non-Christian Holidays

I'm pretty sure almost all christians celebrate non-christian holidays. Like Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States or Bastille Day in France. There's nothing wrong about recognizing the importance of these days or participating in traditions with your community to recognize them. So what about "pagan" holidays? The common neo-pagan wheel of the year includes Yule, Imbolc, Beltaine, and more. Some are connected to gods and others to the change of seasons, a harvest, whatever. Every year we get the tiresome "Christians stole christmas trees/easter eggs/halloween/whatever from the pagans!" discourse. I think it's much better to look at it as people adopting a new religion, but still honoring the worth of their traditions and communities. They let go of the worship of things other than God, but held onto images and talismans and rituals that honored their community, history, family, and the natural world.

If you take the time to look, you will find christians all over the world who have special holidays to celebrate the return of the sun or to thank the Earth for all she does for us. As long as we continue to worship God and nothing else, I don't think this is a problem. It's even better if you can bring God into it, or bring your earth centered traditions to God.

Conclusion

I'm still not confident about anything I've said, but this is where my understanding currently is. Like, maybe it's okay to use oracle cards, read your horoscope, do a little ritual, or honor the earth. The thing is, all of it must be done with the understanding that you aren't worshiping these things, and equally if not more important, you aren't worshiping yourself. If you succeed, then these things go from "definitely not okay" to a gray area. Similarly, if you can take these things from the gray area, wrap them in prayer, and offer them up to God, they can go from the gray area to perfectly fine, even great.

Disclaimer One: Once again, this us my general current impression as a newbie, not a guide from a theologian or wise spirtual master.

Disclaimer Two: I'm not saying that people who do stuff I'm calling "bad" are bad people, I'm just saying that these things are "bad" from a christian/biblical perspective AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

Bad: I'm all powerful and I'm going to use these cards/crystals/bones/whatever to change reality, get what I want, and see the future. These objects hold power and I worship them. I worship other Gods besides my Father in Heaven. I'm constantly checking astrology and believe that the messages I see there are ironclad and all-important to the point where I am worshiping stars and signs as well. I believe in my own power to the point that I worship myself. I'm going to use my power to be a beautiful powerful divine millionaire with my holy money.

Okay: This crystal helps me feel a certain way so I keep it in my pocket, I'm going to celebrate the changing season with harmless old traditions, I'm going to do a little "spell" for my loved one's health and safety. I know my astrological sign and think it influences my personality BUT all these things were created by God, are only possible through God, and the only one I worship is God.