HARRY POTTER REFERS TO REAL WITCHES AND REAL WITCHCRAFT IN THE MIDST OF ITS FICTION
Perhaps those who still use the "It's just fantasy" excuse will be
convinced with what follows. Just as some modern kids collect cards with
sports players, the witch kids in the book collect cards with pictures of
famous witches and wizards. Is this just innocent fiction? That depends.
Is witchcraft a REAL religion out there? Are there web sites that
present witchcraft as a real alternative to Christianity? If so, then the
Harry Potter books must be seen as Wiccan propaganda. The witches are not
presented as evil creatures (as in fairy tales). The witches are the
HEROES of the book. When a child in earlier days read about Daniel Boone,
he wanted to go explore the woods and fight with a dangerous bear.
Certainly such books had their own dangers. But there were no widespread
Daniel Boone cults that presented themselves as an alternative to
Christianity. When "Evel Knieval" was the big craze, all the young boys in
America began jumping ramps with their bikes, and many indeed broke their
legs, if not their necks. When children read Superman comics, they wanted
to pretend they were Superman. But there was no cult out there
called "the Superman cult" that presented itself as an alternative to
Christianity! What will children who read about Harry Potter want to do?
They will want to pretend they are witches and wizards. But wait one
second: there ARE hundreds of web sites out there that advocate true
witchcraft! And they DO present themselves as an alternative to
fundamental Christianity.
But someone objects by saying that the witches in the Potter books are
fictitious. I do not see how this is any objection. But instead of
worrying about that, it is important to point out that Rowling presents
REAL WITCHES as heroes in the context of fictitious ones!:
"Chocolate Frogs have cards inside them, you know, to collect - famous
witches and wizards. I've got about five hundred....Ron was more
interested in eating the frogs than looking at the famous Witches and
Wizards cards, but Harry couldn't keep his eyes off them. Soon he had not
only Dumbledore and Morgana, but Hengis of Woodcroft, Alberic,
Grunnion, Circe, PARACELSUS, and Merlin. He finally tore his eyes away
from the druidess Cliodna, who was scratching her nose..." (pp.102, 103)
Cliodna was the daughter of a High Druid. Circe was a sorceress in Greek
mythology who turned people into swine. Yet, Paracelsus (1493-1541) is a
REAL hero of modern day witches and wizards! He was an ALCHEMIST (i.e.
sorcerer). Albert Pike (Mason) wrote in his "Morals and Dogma" (1950,
1871):
"The Hermetic Art is, therefore, at the same time a religion, a
philosophy, and a natural science...we must inquire for its processes of
Paracelsus [and] Nicholas Flamel..." (p.774)
Pike attempts to take his initiates into the mysteries of TRUE OCCULTISM.
He lists two heroes who "held the torch" of this mystery religion in the
middle ages. One of these is Paracelsus, who shows up on a trading card as
a model hero for Rowling's young readers! So it's all just fantasy? no
children will go to their library and explore the life and writings
of Paracelsus? But Rowling is not through. Pike also mentions Nicholas
Flamel as a Masonic (occult) hero. Rowling therefore actually brings this
old sorcerer into her story line!:
"Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard
Grindlewald in 1945, for the discovery of the twelve uses of dragon's
blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, NICOLAS
FLAMEL'!...'Nicolas Flamel,' she whispered dramatically, 'is
the only known maker of the Sorcerer's stone!'...She pushed the book
toward them, and Harry and Ron read: The ancient study of alchemy is
concerned with making the Sorcerer's Stone...the only Stone currently in
existence belongs to Mr. Nicolas Flamel, the noted alchemist...Mr. Flamel,
who celebrated his six hundred and sixty-fifth birthday last year, enjoys
a quiet life..." (pp. 219, 220)
This is not exactly fiction! This man was a real sorcerer, showing up in
occult works such as "Morals and Dogma." He is truly known as a man who
made the Philosopher's Stone (to be explained later). In a work attributed
to Flamel, he writes:
"I Nicholas Flamel, a scrivener of Paris, in the year 1414, in the reign
of our gracious Prince Charles the VIth, whom God preserve; and after the
death of my faithful partner PERENELLE, am seized with a desire and a
delight, in remembrance of her, and in your behalf, dear nephew, to write
out the whole magistery of the secret of the Powder of Projection, or the
Philosophical Tincture, which God hath willed to impart to his very
insignificant servant, and which I have found out, as thou also wilt find
out in working as I shall declare unto you." ("Testament of Nicholas
Flamel", London: 1806)
Rowling also mentions Flamel's wife in the book:
"'But that means he and his wife will die, won't they?'...Dumbledore
smiled at the look of amazement on Harry's face. 'To one as young as you,
I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is
like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the
well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure." (p.297)
Occult books and web sites discuss Flamel as the most famous of fourteenth
century "adepts". Around 1361 Flamel found an occult book called "The
Sacred Book of Abraham the Jew, Priest, Levite, Astrologer and Philosopher
to that Tribe of Jews who by the Wrath of God were Dispersed amongst the
Gauls." On a trip to Spain in 1382, Flamel supposedly met a Jew who
explained the "mysteries" of this text to him. He returned to
Paris with the alchemist keys. He did become very wealthy. Occult
encyclopedias state that legend teaches that he and his wife faked their
deaths and are still living.
Flamel is seen by occultists as a hero who knew how to "handle" the secret
wisdom without greed and lust. Rowling closes the first Potter book with
this lesson. Harry learns from the master wizard that finding the "stone"
is not simply about money and immortality. This sounds good to many
Christians. They think it is a wonderful moral story. But this is PURE
occultism. It is fantasy and fiction only as much as true occultism
is fantasy! But the Devil is real. His lies are therefore nothing to play
around with.
Notice that Rowling states that Flamel was 665 years old LAST YEAR. He
later graciously submits to death when the Sorcerer's Stone is destroyed.
Therefore, Rowling has presented true occultists with much meat to chew on
in the midst of her fiction. She has Flamel die when he is 666 years old!
[His death is a little too close to suicide to be harmless for children.
Rowling presents death as just the "next great adventure" - p.297]
Rowling presents true New Age heroes in other, more subtle ways. The
powerful, famous "good" wizard of the story is Dumbledore. His loyal pet
is named FAWKES. Guy Fawkes (1570-1606) was the Roman Catholic that is
famous for the Gunpowder Plot. On the night of November 4-5, 1605, he was
caught in the cellar underneath the House of Lords. He was arrested and
hanged for conspiracy to blow up the English Parliament. This was
really Satan's attempt to stop the Authorized Version from finding its way
into the hands of the common people. To this day, every book on
witchcraft, astrology, new age religion, etc. hates that one Book more
than any other. The reason is that it is blunt in denouncing astrology,
etc. Witches and astrologers find it easier to justify themselves with new
versions (according to their own admissions - see "The Four Horsemen" by
Elizabeth Clare Prophet, etc.). "Fawkes" becomes a name for a LOYAL pet in
Harry Potter. Rowling's point is ominous. Perhaps this is one of many
reasons that Catholics love the Harry Potter:
"Harry Potter is great, says Catholic group - Harry Potter, the young
wizard-in-training whose adventures top best-seller lists but have been
denounced by conservative religious groups, has won a vote of approval
from the Roman Catholic Opus Dei association...The three books published
so far have sold 30 million copies worldwide, and the next book in
the series, due in July, is expected to be just as popular. But
conservative religious groups in the United States and England have
attacked the books for glorifying the occult powers that Harry Potter and
his friends are learning to use at a school for wizards. Opus Dei is
an association mainly of Catholic laity who take strict vows to promote
holiness and exercise a personal apostolate in their daily lives." (May
16, 2000, Seattle Post-Intelligencer News Services)
Another fictional book mentioned by Rowling in one of the Potter books is
"Unfogging the Future". This was the "divination text" at the Hogwarts
school. It is said to be authored by "Cassandra Vablatsky". It is obvious
where this name comes from. In "The Magical World of Harry Potter" by
David Colbert, Colbert reveals that it stands for "Blavatsky". Colbert
writes:
"Rowling stuffs an entire classical education into each of her books..."
(BTW)
Yes. Too bad it is an education (or better yet "initiation") into true
OCCULTISM! Harry Potter's initials are "H.P." These are the same initials
of Blavatsky's name as it is normally written. H. P. Blavatsky (1831-1891)
was the founder of an occult society and movement called Theosophy. She
was a spiritist and founder of the New Age movement. She also
"bobbed" hair two generations before any other women dared to do so (1
Cor.11). She was known by her closest associates for lying in order to
spread the occult "truth". Therefore, one must realize that true
occultists cannot be trusted. What are we to think of Rowling if these
types of people are the heroes of her story? These people (such as
Blavatsky) are real and dangerous. At the end of the book, the "good"
wizard tells Harry that the stone is not really important. Blavatsky (in
real life) explains why when she writes: "Man is the philosopher's stone
spiritually."
Other characters in Rowling's books borrow names from Celtic goddesses,
etc. Her books are indeed an "education" in New Age occultism!
HARRY POTTER GLORIFIES SERPENTS AND DRAGONS LIKE TRUE OCCULTISTS
"After lunch they went to the reptile house...Dudley quickly found the
largest snake in the place...Harry moved in front of the tank and looked
intently at the snake...The snake suddenly opened its beady eyes. Slowly,
very slowly, it raised its head until its eyes were on a level with
Harry's. It winked...'Where do you come from, anyway' Harry asked."
(p.27)
"...I'd like a dragon...Wanted one ever since I was a kid..." (p.65)
On the front cover of the book (HPSS), serpents are entwined around the
two pillars at the entrance of the "HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY."
In the occult religions, serpents are seen as wise. Pike writes:
"Of Hermes, the Mercury of the Greeks, the Thoth of the Egyptians, and the
Taaut of the Phoenicians, we have heretofore spoken sufficiently at
length. He was the inventor of letters and Oratory, the winged messenger
of the Gods, bearing the Caduceus wreathed with serpents..." ("Morals and
Dogma", p. 586)
Thus, the Masonic, occult god of secret wisdom carries a wand entwined
with serpents. In his index, Pike writes:
"[Serpents are]...an emblem of eternity and immortality...Serpents and
Dragons have something divine in their nature" (p.168, Digest)
Genesis 3 reveals Satan in the form of a serpent to deceive mankind. The
Book of Revelation calls the Devil a Dragon and a Serpent:
Revelation 12:9 And the great DRAGON was cast out, that old SERPENT,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast
out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
The only people that can logically see Harry Potter books as harmless
fiction are the same people that believe the DEVIL HIMSELF is only
harmless fiction.
The password to the school is "the head of the serpent":
"'Password?' She said. 'Caput Draconis,' said Percy..." (p.129)
HARRY POTTER ENTICES CHILDREN TO
STUDY REAL OCCULT BOOKS
Throughout this book, references are made to courses at the school that
are REAL subjects of study among true witches. One review on the opening
page of the book is truer than it probably realizes:
"After reading this entrancing fantasy, readers will be convinced that
they, too, could take the train to Hogwarts School..." (School Library
Journal)
The book lists the course books that Harry and the other wizards will need
for school:
"First year student will require...Three sets of plain work robes
(black)... All students should have a copy of each of the following: 'The
Standard Book of Spells' (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk, 'A History of
Magic' by Bathilda Bagshot, 'Magical Theory' by Adalbert Waffling, 'A
Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration' by Emeric Switch, 'One
Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi' by Phyllida Spore, 'Magical Drafts and
Potions' by Arsenius Jigger, 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' by
Newt Scamander, 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection' by Quentin
Trimble." (pp.66, 67)
While the authors of these books are not real people, the book names are
right out of occult bookstores (and new age sections in popular bookstore
chains)! Similar titles can now be found in school libraries across the
world. Notice the true titles of some random occult books that any 12 year
old can find, purchase, or check out with ease:
"Basic Magic Spells"
"A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics and Pagans"
"The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews"
"Book of Spells"
"True Magick: A Beginner's Guide"
"The Complete Book of Spells, Ceremonies and Magic"
Therefore, how can people say this is all "harmless" fantasy when these
REAL books are readily available to children? Rowling makes sure she
comforts the children who are mostly unfamiliar with true witchcraft:
"There's loads of people who come from Muggle families and they learn
quickly enough." (p.100)
The main character, Harry is told to relax. Children will glean that just
because their parents are Christians it is no bar to exploring witchcraft!
Someone objects by saying that wands and spells are not TRUE witchcraft.
Yet these things ARE present in true witchcraft! Furthermore, Rowling goes
far to teach children that witchcraft is serious and much larger than
FANTASY:
"There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving
your wand and saying a few funny words. They had to study the night skies
through their telescopes...Three times a week they went out to the
greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology..." (p.133)
"As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly
believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the
beauty of the softly simmering cauldron..." (p.137)
HARRY POTTER HAS HELPED MAINSTREAM
THE OCCULT REVIVAL
A true, practicing witch writes:
"Thanks in part to the popularity of the Harry Potter books and to
television shows such as 'Charmed' and 'Sabrina, The Teenage Witch';
everyone in America knows what a spell is." (Wren Walker, "Hidden hatred
Haunts Pagans" from "The Witches Voice". March 12, 2000)
Another real witch writes:
"Alas, these days it seems like there are far more earnestly curious teens
than there are old witches in cottages...In the past ten years, I have
been witnessing a rise in structured "Wicca 101" classes at alternative
schools and through magick shops all over my region. While a one-on-one
relationship is ideal, there simply aren't enough heroic Wiccan
pioneers out there willing or qualified to do it. That's why I believe
having a Sunday School for Witches type of thing might be the best way for
us to teach our curious teens about our religion. Now that I am older, my
fantasy about the witch in the cottage has changed to a fantasy about a
college for Witches. I dream of being able to afford an old convent in the
woods somewhere that I could use to set up my UOW (University of
Wicca). There would be dorms and scholarships and varying degrees bestowed
on its students. There would be all levels of study, from basic to very
deep. I have even written curriculum, course schedules, and a list of my
ideal professors from all over the world. My fantasy is a utopia of
metaphysical and historical education more varied and in depth
than anyone would get from one teacher. I've had this fantasy since before
the Harry Potter books came out, so you can imagine my delight when I read
of "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" which is basically an
over-the-top, whimsical fiction of my dream. Imagination is the first step
to actualization, so it thrills me that children are reading these books.
Someday, perhaps there'll be a "Henbane's School of Witchcraft and
Magick." (Henbane, a California witch, Witchvox.com)
Notice that she says that "imagination is the first step to actualization"
and that she is "thrilled" that children are reading these books! She is
saddened that there are not enough trained witches to handle the interest!
This new interest among children is relatively recent. Linda P. Harvey in
"Heresy in the Hood" writes:
"'Witchcraft is the fastest-growing religion in America today,' said a
proponent recently on the teen-popular 'E'-cable channel, and interest is
high among adolescent girls, since wiccans are 'strong, self-directed
women.' The fascination with witchcraft among the young is a new twist. As
recently as 1993, Cynthia Eller noted in her admiring book on
feminist spirituality (witchcraft), '...how few women [in feminist
spirituality] there are below thirty....There are women in their teens and
twenties, but not many.' That has changed...there are the top-selling
Harry Potter books by J.K Rowling, which adults as well as kids are
gobbling up...Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is not simply a
children's book, but number 2 in sales at amazon.com. So, teens come to
the throne of adolescent self-indulgence and rebellion ready to pick up
the sorcerer's wand to satisfy morbid curiosity and possibly wave away
their troubles."
The following news report does not deal specifically with Harry Potter,
but it does show that books such as Harry Potter are part of a very
SERIOUS revival of occultism:
"Wicca Casts Spell on Teen-Age Girls - In their universal quest for
self-actualization, a devilish number of teen-age girls have become
enchanted by the female-friendly but retrograde culture of Witchcraft.
'Teen Witch: Wicca for a New Generation', a recent book by Silver
Ravenwolf, has sold more copies for occult publisher Llewellyn than any
other in its 95-year history, according to publicist Jamie Schumacher. And
it's not just media hype, either. Danny Aguirre runs a Christian hot line at the
Berkeley, Calif.-based Spiritual Counterfeits Project. He says, 'In the
last six months, I have received more inquiries about Wicca than any other
religion in the 10 years I have worked here.' The demographics of the
callers? 'All teen-age girls,' says Aguirre...Demographics of Wiccans
in the United States are difficult to find. There is much to-do about
secrecy, and groups do not release membership rolls...According to Goddess
Unmasked author Davis, 'The problem is that this younger generation has
grown up with magic and the occult. Their cartoons feature ghosts and
monsters, they have the Internet Websites and prime-time TV
is Buffy and Sabrina. All this stuff makes Wicca seem natural to them.'
Not surprisingly, the teen magazines have jumped on the Wiccan bandwagon
as well. A recent issue of Young and Modern magazine features two pages on
Witchcraft with the banner headline, 'Witchy Ways!'..."(Catherine Edwards,
Insight Magazine)
A recent report in WND reads:
"Potter books: Wicked witchcraft? New documentary claims tales lead kids
to the occult - ...an occult expert has released a documentary video
claiming the Harry Potter phenomenon is incompatibility with
Christianity...with the first of several feature-film adaptations of the
children's story set to open on Nov. 16, Harry Potter fever has started
heating up again...critics object to the use of witchcraft and wizardry in
fighting evil, not to mention the book's graphic depictions of evil. Even
the good wizards in Harry's world cause eyebrows to be raised in many
circles... 'Through Harry Potter books and audios, children as young as
kindergarten age are being introduced to human sacrifice, the
sucking of blood from dead animals and possession by spirit beings,' the
video states...Many parents, regardless of their faith, may not wish to
have their children read about evil non-physical beings who drink the
blood of animals to gain power. But the books are marketed to children
ages 9-12. For Christians in particular, the acclamation given Harry
Potter's world is seen as unbiblical...The video documentary details
numerous similarities between the spells and magic used by Harry Potter
and those used in the witchcraft of the Wiccan religion. Such striking
similarity, said Matrisciana, is evidence that the author has meticulously
researched Wicca and included its tenets in her children's books. 'My
greatest concern is that godly fear that protects mankind from
dabbling in the spirit world is being taken away from children who read
these Harry Potter books. The terrors and horrors of black magic and
occult practice, rituals, ceremonies and demon possession are being
normalized,' she said. 'Alarmingly, the Potter books are engaging in pagan
discipleship, disciplining our children to spiritual alternatives and also
turning them away from the biblical principles and God's protection.'
The books' publisher, Scholastic, encourages teachers to read the books
aloud in class and provides discussion guides for teachers and parents...
Matrisciana thinks introduction of the Harry Potter books into the
classroom as a springboard for curriculum is unacceptable..."(Julie
Foster, 2001, WND)
Perhaps the next news reports will wake up some Christians:
"On 27 April Scotland Yard announced that it would use the services of a
professional magician to train chief superintendents in the skills of
communication and networking...Outside the workplace, the Harry Potter
series of adult-read children's books has helped fuel a revival of British
interest in the occult. The British Satanist Aleister Crowley and his
growing band of disciples were recently featured in a television
documentary on witchcraft as a kind of lifestyle choice. But inside the
workplace, too, the acquisition of magical powers is now taken
seriously..." (May 9, 2001, James Woudhuysen, Spiked-Online)
"Teenage witches: Bell, books and candle -Three hundred years ago, witches
were hanged or burned at the stake. Today, witchcraft is celebrated as a
hot teen trend in movies and television shows such as 'The Craft,'
'Charmed' and 'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.' Now, book publishers are
hoping to cash in on this fascination, fanned by the record sales of the
series featuring a boy wizard named Harry Potter. In recent months, four
publishers have launched new paperback fiction series centered on teenage
girls' involvement in witchcraft. Three series are written for teenagers:
the 'Sweep' series by Cate Tiernan, published by Penguin Putnam; 'Circle
of Three' by Isobel Bird, published by Avon; and
'Daughters of the Moon' by Lynne Ewing, published by Volo, an imprint of
Hyperion Publishers. The fourth series, called 'T*witches,' is written by
H.B. Gilmour and Randi Reisfeld and is aimed at preteens. 'T*witches' is
published by Scholastic, regarded as the key player in series books, given
its success with 'Goosebumps,' 'The Baby-sitters Club,' 'Animorphs,' 'Dear
America' and, of course, 'Harry Potter.'...Scholastic publisher and
editor in chief Jean Feiwel said the new series have merely tapped into an
increased teen interest in witches. 'It's almost gotten - dare I say it -
acceptable,' Feiwel said. There's no doubt that fantasy and wizards have
become more popular because of Harry Potter. Practicing witches are amused
by this trend in teen books. 'It's nice to see that we are not
always the bad guys anymore,' laughed Wren Walker, co-founder of 'The
Witches Voice,'an umbrella Web site for witchcraft groups..." (Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, August 08, 2001)
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. |
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