
You can buy just about anything on Etsy: handmade candles, vintage jewelry, personalized dog collars… and now, spells. Real spells. For love, for money, for revenge.
Over the past few years, the platform has seen a quiet explosion in sellers offering magical services – everything from custom incantations to “binding rituals” to keep your enemies in check. Some buyers seek blessings. Others want curses. All it takes is a credit card and a leap of faith.
Most recently, these "Etsy Witches" have been implicated in the recent killing of the political podcaster Charlie Kirk after a blogger placed an online order for Kirk to be "cursed".
This growing trend has raised eyebrows and questions alike. Are these spells real? Are they ethical? And perhaps most importantly: what does it say about us that so many people are willing to pay a stranger to change their fate?
Let’s explore.
What Is an Etsy Witch?
On Etsy, listings for spiritual services are often tucked into the "metaphysical" category, with tags like “white magic,” “witchcraft,” or “custom spellwork.”
From these shops, you’ll find everything from “return a lover” spells to hexes designed to sour someone’s luck – alongside detailed descriptions, star ratings, and buyer reviews.
This isn't exactly new. Folk magic, ritual, and spell-casting have existed for centuries across cultures and faith traditions. But Etsy witches have taken those deeply personal, often secretive practices and made them commercial. Spiritual aid is now a transaction – a service you can shop for, read testimonials about, and receive as a digital download.
Some witches on Etsy frame their services as symbolic, for entertainment purposes. Others speak with conviction. Many view their work as a modern extension of long-held traditions that are rooted in intention and ancestral wisdom.
Etsy (and other platforms like it) have tried to regulate this gray area, sometimes banning “supernatural” services altogether… only to reverse course when enforcement proved tricky. As a result, the magical marketplace has continued to grow.
The trend of hiring witches has shown many different uses for the service, including brides paying witches to cast spells for good weather on their wedding day:
But that’s far from the only example.
Witchball for the Win
Earlier this month, MLB’s Seattle Mariners were in a slump. A losing streak had fans demoralized and playoff hopes fading. That is, until someone online had an idea: hire a witch.
A Mariners fan posted a screenshot confirming he had paid $19.99 to an Etsy witch to help the Mariners “get their act together and start winning baseball games again, and hopefully make their way to the World Series and win.”
Within 24 hours, the Mariners were playing some of their best baseball all season. Over the weekend, they won a game with the eye-popping score of 18-2.
Fans soon began paying tribute:
The official team account even gave credit to the “etsy witch” in a post on X:
Coincidence? Maybe. But the story caught on. Sports blogs ran with it. Mariners Twitter exploded. Even the players seemed aware that something… mystical… might be afoot.
However, some folks took issue with witches being celebrated in professional sports:
What Does It Mean to Curse Someone?
But in addition to boosting a positive outcome, magic can instead be used against someone or something.
In recent years, witches have cast targeted spells – also called “curses” or “hexes” – against world leaders, including President Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Such curses are also available for purchase from Etsy practitioners.
That fact led to controversy this week when the news outlet Jezebel disclosed it had hired several Etsy witches to place curses on conservative media figure Charlie Kirk. The spells reportedly included titles like “Make Everyone Hate Him” and “Powerful Hex Spell.”
Then, two days later, Kirk was killed during a speaking event at a Utah college.
The timing was enough to spark outrage. Critics accused Jezebel of inciting harm against their target.
Defenders of the outlet called the piece satire – arguing that it was purely for entertainment and wasn't meant to be taken literally. An editor’s note was later added to the piece:
This story was published on September 8. Jezebel condemns the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. We do not endorse, encourage, or excuse political violence of any kind.
Regardless of intent, the controversy has continued to grow. For some, it raised old questions about spiritual responsibility. Even if you don’t believe in curses – should you pretend to cast one? And if you do believe in magic, does that come with moral weight?
Magic in the Marketplace
In every faith tradition, there are stories about the power of words, rituals, and intentions. Whether it’s a prayer, a blessing, or a hex, people have long believed that what we say – and how we say it – can shape the world.
What’s new is the platform.
Today, spellwork isn’t passed down in secret or performed in candlelit rooms. It’s advertised online, packaged like a product, reviewed like a restaurant. And that raises real questions.
If someone claims to sell “magical justice,” who decides what’s fair? If a curse “backfires,” who is responsible? And if something bad happens after a spell is cast – even unintentionally – who carries the blame?
Those questions are now more relevant than ever. Whether you see spellwork as serious spirituality, or playful performance, it’s hard to deny its growing influence. Even in an age of algorithms and instant delivery, people still find fascination with forces beyond this spiritual realm.
What do you think? Would you consider hiring an Etsy witch? Or does the commodification of witch culture lead down a dark path?
61 comments
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Everything is powered by belief... And real witches DONT harm others... We know better than to mess with karma... "Etsy witches" are just scammers
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Careful. There are many types with many different practices that are very real. Some might harm others if pushed hard enough. Most don't harm would be much more accurate.
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There has never been any evidence that witches or anyone else has any supernatural powers. The only power that hexes and curses or blessings could have is the power of suggestion. And the only way they can be hurtful is emotionally, just like any non-magical curse. Acting purely in a ministerial role, I would advise others to think about the emotional impact of any services they might wish to procure from a witch.
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So what did they give for these spells . the universe must always be on balance . so if you ask for something from a cask spells . in order for it to become reality you have to give something back . i dont believe the price too pay for some one's death would be worth it . you may just be trading one soul for another
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I don’t think spells are any different from prayers. They’re just request of a different kind. I’ve seen some pretty wild Judeo-Christian curses used in excommunication, although I don’t think they’re used anymore.
As for the commercialize, that was a matter of time. Televangelist preachers sell “blessings” for people who send them money; this is no different, except you can buy curses now. I can’t say I find either ethical, but ethics died in this country in 1980, so moralizing about it is screaming into the abyss.
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I agree.
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Prayers are pleas to some entity outside oneself. Spells work by harnessing one’s own strength.
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Upon reading the title of this article I prepared to delete and remove this newsletter. But, I commend the author!
I have never said publicly, and rarely in private circles, I am a practitioner of Spellwork. I have seen much success in my work. I meditate all night every night. I do make oils and bowls.
Reading these comments was not surprising. So many people LOVE to disparage that which they don’t understand.
As to the term “Etsy Witch”, I laughed! Never heard the term but it’s laser accurate. There are so many people scamming others for all the possible reasons you can think of…this is no different. As in all religions, there are scammers and charlatans.
As to Charlie Kirk-he made people hate him all on his own. He was so filled with venom for everyone around him, this was not a surprising outcome. I served in the military as did 95% of my family and ancestors. We always had the intent to “fight for the freedoms and rights of the American nation.” One of those rights is free speech; yes, for ALL not just those with whom you agree.
Some years ago, we had an onslaught of people burning the American flag. The sentiment of your military members was “I agree with your RIGHT to do this but not your CHOICE to. Many of us challenged the individuals who made this choice.
The same theory applies to Mr. Kirk and everyone else: you have the right to say whatever you choose, but, you must accept the consequences of your words. He failed to see that his anti-semetic, racist, and conspiracy theorist self identified left extremist, would carry consequences.
His opinion was that a few deaths were ‘unfortunately necessary’ to keep the second amendment alive in America. But, as always, people who make statements like this seldom include themselves in their generalizations.
This apparent movement to fire people for expressing their opinions about the shooting as celebrants in his death is a slippery slope-I wait with bated breath for the lawsuits for wrongful termination against employers and defamation against those who call employers. You’re going to get exactly what you earn!
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"A few deaths are necessary" tends to be the credo of the US government. Regardless of which side is in power. And do you know what? It's actually true. There are many legitimate reasons why "A few deaths are necessary". The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
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It is ironic to me that Christians are ok with eating bacon, catfish, etc., or wearing clothes of mixed fabrics because they say the Old Testament is voided by the New Testament. Shouldn't that go for witches and homosexuality, too? I've always considered a prayer and a hex the same. I have no problem with pagans/witches. A priest blesses holy water and I bless my moon water. I also light a stick of incense in the morning while I recite my prayer to the Universe and I will say that the prayer is not favorable to the powers that be right now. It seems to be working.
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It's the hypocrisy of the Christian church. They can't change any rules, that fuel their hate of others. Everything else is up for change.
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This is just more things for people to test God. Have you noticed that free speak constitutes inflicting your point of view and because we all have a point of view, they are all fighting to be heard and to be right. All you need to do is want to know God and He will show you the way. People expect God to come down out the clouds waving a magic way maker but it doesn't work that way. Deep down everyone knows that. If you don't know God you won't know the way. You make your own way and are mad because it doesn't make sense. Now we have the blind leading the blind, with Deaf and Blind leaders of the world. Many people are followers so they huddle with the one rhetoric that suits their fancy. Everything has an expiration, what do you have to lose if I'm right and your wrong.
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Religion only separates, all people have inner power, and as far as spells in the media…who cares! Everyone in the media is an idiot anyway who already lives under someone else’s spell. If we really want to “help” the world, we’re going about it in the wrong way. We need to cut out religious terms and holds and just simply build up more knowledge on nature and natural practices so that we heal from the inside out.
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We all curse........................Not one of living soul in some form or another curse are fellow sister(S) AND brother(s) do we all agree? Peace be with us all. Look into the word of inside the book of psalm and or the words that Paul of Tarsus used before, he gave his life over to Yeshua. And, we do not need to use exclamation words to curse either. Witches, so and for example, every church physical brick and mortar uses candles for prayers! If, so isnt burning candles and prayers considered also apart of being a witch? incenses, intercessoin prayers....etc. So what is the common line between us all, because there is nothing, nothing listen! that does not happen without GOD approval..........................
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Wicken like every other religion is as phony as a wooden watch. Just because you "believe" does not make it so.
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Wiccan
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Yeah.
Put out good currency or "money" or other payment for someone else to deliver your prayer or chant or "spell"?
Don't be a sucker. Go direct.
You don't need a middle man.
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There are delusional people in all walks of life. There are those who recognize this and use it to convince the less aware that curses and evil beings are manipulating them. So many people are suckers. Christian authorities have been controlling people through fear of God, and fear of the devil, for 2000+ years. Witches have been playing with the theatrics of spells and questionable magic forever. If you choose to believe it, you will undoubtedly see outcomes you will try to relate to it. It's very sad that most folks get seriously caught up in their illusions. Reality is unpopular, and mental illness is the result of embracing false stories within one's own mind. If you keep filling the mind with illusions, it will lose the ability to differentiate between fact and fiction.
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As a former evangelical Christian , teacher, youth director and scholar for over 55 years I've never seen any positive or negative outcome from prayers or curses. None. I've witnessed some coincidences, maybe. No concrete evidence. I also don't believe in Satan, demons, angels and spirits. That is all made up. In the minds of people. The only power that exists may be the power of positive thinking or negative thinking. Again, all from the mind of humans.
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In the olden days when we had Shaman and Wise Women, the did produce blessings and curses. The price however, was much more than coin. A piece of the person requesting it was the cost. But even back then, the caster and the person requesting understood it to be, "if it is rhe Gods will, it shall be done." Enter Christianity and any other "main stream religion," and we find "thoughts and prayers," which are essentially the same thing as wishes, blessings, or any other positive affirmation used to hope and ask for good for another person. The caster also understood the Karmic laws. If I wish good or bad on another, I expect it to come back onto me times three, for good or bad. The caster had to be willing to accept the cost.
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Didn't even bother to read the specifics, satan know his time is drawing near to be locked up during our millineum, he's busy and getting busier, a third of Everything will be destroyed , we need to focus on Our earth age coming after the great white judgement, after satan and all demons and evil followers experience the second death
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I'm of the stance that real witchcraft and capitalism do not mix. There's nothing inherently wrong with selling spiritual services, including spells, hexes, etc. An exchange of energy (services for money) is fair. That said, how one goes about it makes all the difference.
It used to be that someone who wanted a witch to cast a spell for them had to go through the journey of seeking out the witch, giving their reasons and consent for the spell, and confirming they really want it after hearing all the potential risks. Just the act of having to seek out a witch alone was enough to turn away those who were acting simply out of emotional reactions. Others would change their mind, having discussed their situation with a non-judgmental person outside of their social circle found that talking through it alone was better than moving forward with adverse risks. And the curious dabbler who managed to get this far could simply be turned away or offered something more appropriate.
Capitalism, as we know it today, feeds off the perceived need for instant gratification. Witchcraft requires critical thinking and intentional planning. The spell to use, the intent behind it, the potential consequences--intended and unintended--and the Will of the practitioner. If someone can go to a "witch" who has not thought at all about any of this, purchases a spell package on a platform like Etsy, and the "witch" just does it without a care, then that lack of ethics is undeserving of continued business. If you want to go to a witch for a service, then you should look for one who makes a consultation a required part of the buying process.
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Witchcraft is just another form of religion. Praying for induldancies in the catholic church is directly comparable with casting spells. In my quest to better understand the concept of spirituality in human beings, which I interpret as finding meaning and purpose, I signed up to a course of learning 'The Craft'. There were about dozen people on the course. My main impression was that these people were looking for fellowship with other believers, community, friendship and explanations for the daily trials and tribulations of their lives. Not a lot different to the motivations of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc etc etc.
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When someone prays for harm to come to someone else, they are cursing them. People have been doing this in one form or another for millenia, without pause. It doesn't take a witch to hex someone. All in all it's down to semantics. Baneful magick is baneful magick whether it comes from the lips of an evangelical or an Etsy witch. It is commonplace.
I think an issue that needs to be addressed is how certain people make themselves such a thorn in the side of thousands that people feel that their only resort is to turn to violence, whether it's physical or spiritual. When someone goes out of their way to persecute others, it's inevitable that eventually they will threaten someone who feels so desperate, for whatever reason, that they will lash out. With mental health care so neglected by the government and viciousness taking advantage of free speech, this is an environment that breeds desperation, and thus violence.
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Read Illusions and Delusions of the Supernatural and the Occult for a reality check in this world!
Today's people seem so lost that they will grab anything that's throw out online! Duh!
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Well, Blessed Be!!
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Just a few phrases come to mind:
The power of suggestion.
Be careful what you pray for, you just might get it.
There's a reason it's called faith.
Every religion believes in supernatural powers. Just read about the miracles in The Bible: Jesus turning the water into wine, healing the paralytic and the lepers, and raising Lazarus from the dead to name a few. Christian prayers are viewed by other religions the same way Wiccan incantations are by Christians. It's a matter of personal belief as to which ones work and which ones are blasphemous.
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I've collected a whole bunch (on my computer) of old Curio Catalogs from King Novelty Company. They're a gas! Look 'em up.Spells, charms, good luck potions, black cat bones, money drawing magnets - you name it. 1940's to '50's I believe, the way to get your magical goodies way before Etsy. The Old Farmers Almanac has had similar stuff in its back page "personals" for many years, too. Even up to the current 2025 issue. "Win back your lost love! Write Sister Monica today!" Nothing is new under the sun, especially "a fool and his money are soon parted". But how many of us have a lucky penny, a horseshoe over the door or a rabbit's foot? I love the beautiful variety of Pennsylvania Dutch Hex signs. Go to a bingo game and see all the good luck tokens spread about What's your lucky lottery number?. Your go to might be prayer. I love my bloodstone birthstones. Supposedly protects me from all kinds of bad vibes! Is their great harm in any of these things? Whatever your thoughts, these things are not going away.
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Do Christians sell: prayer candles, incense, healing oils, or holy water? Same thing. I'm tired of all these hate filled Christians. We have freedom of religion here in America
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When witches are doing witchery to "Make everyone Hate Charlie Kirk" and the man gets assassinated by a guy that Hates Charlie Kirk we don't need to be very smart or observant to KNOW who is actually doing the hating around here.
It's interesting the leftist witches cast spells on fellow leftists to make them murder an innocent man. Not shocking though. The left wants people to feel the same level of hate they do. Its consuming them. They're blinded by it. It causes bloodlust and evil thoughts that they think are good just as a starving man thinks rancid meat is good.
I applaud Mr. Kirk's pure and absolute bravery rivaled only by his kindness and politeness. His name and mantra is spreading across the globe now. Even my own 17 year old daughter has been researching the great man and found herself in full agreement with Kirk's spoken words.
I have to be very careful because I'm held to a different standard as you by the members and management here. If you need any help figuring out what to do with your hate, I've got one great idea for ya. You don't even have to walk anywhere, you can stow it where you stand.
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Please show evidence of " witches are doing witchery to "Make everyone Hate Charlie Kirk" and "leftist witches cast spells on fellow leftists to make them murder an innocent man." We witches don't normally don't engage in mind control or murder. We prefer defense, namely reflecting back what is sent at us. We leave the stuff you mention, to Christians, who have that tradition (ie: The Crusades, The Inquisition, The Burning Times, The Witch Trials, Slavery in America The Holocaust (Hitler was a Catholic)) Thank you for your belief in our magickal might. May you have the day that you deserve.
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SOJ just loves to rant. Kinda like a two-year-old.
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Charlie Kirk reaped what he sowed. The man's tongue was like a serpent's, spreading lies, deceit and hate. And about those curses, you have to BELIEVE, that's why they call it MAKE BELIEVE! Christians are so superstitious, like paranoid little children believing in a supernatural Daddy God watching them. Let's have the Jefferson Bible please! Might make for a mature and sane and non-violent society.
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Charlie Kirk was not innocent. He reaped what he sowed. He lived by the sword and died by the sword. That's all in your Bible. I call it Karma.
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SOJ, the man accused of killing Kirk comes from a very conservative family but as of this posting has not shared any political leaning, left or right. My guess, if they have the right suspect, he is just a seriously troubled young man, and for what reason we may never know.
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Let's see. The shooter walked away from a full academic scholarship and dropped out of school. He has a pre-surgical trans "girlfriend" (that is fully cooperating with investigators). He has blatantly shown his leanings on social media. His claims for shooting Kirk included Kirk's opposition to trans lifestyle and Kirk's own conservative values and Christianity. I personally don't care about which side you fall on. I have no dog in the hunt. I do recognize that left wing and right wing are on the same foul bird and are both actively engaged in destroying individual liberty. There are people involved, on both sides, that greatly desire another civil war and are determined to have it. Those of us that are unaffiliated with either wing get to suffer for it. The only hope is that those of us in the middle are able to defeat both of the sides. The right is busy getting our major cities occupied by soldiers. How much longer until martial law is declared? The left are busy with assassinating the right's major proponents. Let's hurry up and get this nonsense over with so we can get back to our lives.
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All that is speculation or outright propaganda about Kirk as investigation is still under way. Be careful what you decide to proclaim or you end up falling right in with both sides. Otherwise I agree with getting past the nonsense and getting on with straightening this junk out once and for all.
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ServantofJudgment is a paid plant. How much were you paid to post? Kirk's kindness and politeness, (clearly never saw his Satanic tounge wagging spewing hate and division.) Posting the assailant was a leftist who did the shooting. All Trump propaganda talking points by his paid minions. We see through this charade. We went to school.
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Public school? If so, that's not a brag. That's a confession that you have been indoctrinated by the government. Social engineering has no place in education.
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lwhile I believe thoughts have power when it comes to self esteem building, etc., I would not ever give curses any power other than what the victim might perceive if they believe it. So, since they have no connection to faith or God. While I also believe there are genuinely gifted psychics, I still am aware there are way more fakes just after your money so would always advise to be very careful who you trusted. If curses were real I would have cursed trump out of the white house long ago!p
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Pause. No power
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I'm not too worried about mumbo jumbo as its been around in all forms since time began. If you believe, fine. If you don't, fine. But there are far more important things needing our concern.
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...sounds like a good side-hustle opportunity...
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Back when I used to control the weather like this lady claims I would tell people specific details months in advance to prove myself. Id make it snow way early in October, I liked to make it snow a little every day in January for my wife. She always wanted a blizzard but I'd feel bad when people would get hurt from car crashes so i put a stop to those. Gave Europe a real nasty winter once cause they were being mean to each other. Feel bad about that one.
Nobody really believed me even though I told them months in advance so I just gave it up. It's too much effort and concentration anyway.
Hmmm, all this talk about weather control has me in the mood again.... maybe it's time to make it funky.
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I’m going to rename you King Canute. 🤭
Please can you work your magic and send us some rain to Southern California? ☔️
🦁❤️
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Lol, I would lionheart but I learned my lesson. Last time I ended a drought out your way I inadvertently summoned a tornado whilst on the airliner. Cost me a very fine dinner and a bit of pride.
No more weather control!
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My hidden talent was being able to talk to dead people. That is until I got a call from a friend who'd died a few years earlier. Yammered on-and-on-and-on about how boring it is being dead. So I told him to get a life..... (sound of wind blowing and a coyote howling in the distance).
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Would you consider sending a blizzard to the western most part of Ukraine? Maybe freeze a few of those murdering, child-stealing bastards Putin has invading Ukraine there.
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Did you mean the eastern part? Personally, id prefer the western.
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So, all of this disastrous weather is YOUR fault! Shame upon you! Shame!
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there are no words
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When you open the door to this, it does not just affect the person you are sending "magic and curses" to. I've seen many people dabble and end up with serious mental and spiritual illness. We have to understand there is power to it from the God of this world, but there is always a hefty price. When we turn to the true God, the price is love, forgiveness, charity, faith, hope, and more. When we turn to the dark arts, from what I've personally seen you get mental illness, physical illness, post traumatic disorder, and in some cases death. Could it be coincidence, maybe. Do I want to find out? No way!
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Robin, do NOT bear a false witness against your neighbor. You haven't seen anyone end up with serious mental and spiritual illness, much less many. Nobody likes a proselytizer, especially one who lies.
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Matthew, how do you know she is lying? She is only sharing her personal observations and interpretations of them. She even states that it may all be coincidence. When someone gets this desparate, there are usually a lot of other things going on.
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How do I know ... because that's the exact rhetoric used during the Satanic Panic of the '80s. It's nonsensical. How many people 'dabble' in lighting a candle in church or in prayers to Jesus, and end up with serious mental and spiritual illnesses?
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You asked, "How many people 'dabble' in lighting a candle in church or in prayers to Jesus, and end up with serious mental and spiritual illnesses?"
My answer: I've known a lot more of them than I have Pagans or Wiccans, but then again, I know a lot more Catholics and other Christians than any other religion, and just like Robin says, it may all be a coincidence, or there may be a connection. It could also be the power of suggestion. In my days as a hospital chaplain I have watched people completely fall apart because of unanswered prayers, lamenting that they have done something wrong. Of special note, a woman whose son was hooked up to a ventilator after a serious traumatic accident (not her fault, and she wasn't even involved), and not expected to live. Even if the child lived he was not expected to ever walk again, despite her prayers and the prayers of her entire church.
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Patricia, It wasn't the prayer itself, that caused madness. It was the trauma of their loved one in the hospital and because of their feeling of failure from unanswered prayers. Robin isn't talking about falling apart due to unsuccessful magic, she's talking about the magic itself causing the madness.
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Michael, It's called the power of suggestion. My story may not have lined up perfectly, but the essence is still there. You asked if prayer and lighting candles ever drove anyone to madness, and I answered that I have witnessed it multiple times. That it was a positive or negative response to the prayer is irrelevant. I have also seen people falling apart by wishing bad things happen to people that come true. Not necessarily prayer, but people often think they have more power than they actually do.
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The occult is kinda like aliens. Even people who claim to have seen aliens have a tough time believing other people's claims of seeing aliens.
I do have little doubt the occult gives results. As you said Robin, best to stay clear of it all.
I believe people enough to not test their claims.
Very good perspective you have there.
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Talk about mental illness, have you heard what malarkey the Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo is spewing? His wife, Brianna, talks like a schizophrenic, jibber jabbering on about demons and angels, dark forces and possession. The woman should be careful or she will be Baker Acted becuase she is a danger ot her self and society.
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If magic work, the current administration would’ve Weaponized it against everyone in the country. Trump is a demon leading other demons and claiming to be Christians.