Msgr. Rossetti

Response: I recently heard a converted witch talking about the practices she used as a witch to protect herself from demons. She would "smudge", which is burning sage to cleanse and protect an area from evil spirits, as well as lighting New Age candles dedicated to protecting against demons. She said she thought it worked for a short while but then the problems returned even worse. She then figured she had to double-down and do even more. But she found out it never really worked.

Indeed, these practices are based upon magic and/or pagan rituals, which have no intrinsic spiritual power. Magic is based upon the notion that there is an intrinsic power to these rituals which, when done correctly, have a spiritual impact. In reality, demons are not affected by such pagan practices.

We also know that pagan "gods" are typically demons. Using these demonic practices not only does not work, but it makes the situation worse. Jesus himself referred to the false idea of having "Satan cast out Satan" (Mt 12:26). At times, occult practitioners will experience a short period of relief after these rituals. Demons are manipulating them in order to entice them more deeply into pagan practices and demonic rituals.

There is only one power in the universe that has overcome the "strong man" and bound Satan, and that is Jesus Christ. He alone can protect you from Satan and his grasp. As Ephesians 6 tells us: "Put on the armor of God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil....hold faith as a shield."