What Is Christian Mysticism And Why Is It Important? Sacred Structures Jim Baker Christian Mysticism is a complex spiritual topic and defies easy definition. Historically, mysticism is defined as hidden, unspeakable, can’t be put into words, an awareness and experience of the reality of God beyond ritual, doctrine, and dogma. Alan Watts (1915–1973), a British philosopher, put it this way: “The truth that religion, to be of any use, must be mystical has always been denied by the seemingly large number of people, including theologians, who do not know what mysticism is. . . . Its essence is the consciousness of union with God.” Carl McColman, author of, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism-The Essential Guide To Contemplative Spirituality, offers perhaps the most precise definition: “Christian Mysticism is the spiritual encounter with a sacred mystery that cannot be put into words, but may be embodied through feelings, conscious awareness, experience, or intuition – or even through

While Christianity is often thought of as hostile to any form of magical practice, history reveals that magic has been practiced through all of Christian history. In this episode of Esoterica we explore the earliest Christian magic preserved in Greek and Coptic sources from late-classical Egypt. Here we find a wide range of magical practices from protection, exorcisms, love magic, curses - even a spell for a good singing voice. Studying early Christian magic gives us an important glimpse into a wider range of Christianity than just the world of theologians, monks, and priests.

If someone told you astrology is evil, remember these guys! The Christmas carol is called We Three Kings, but they weren’t kings, and there probably weren’t three. At the same time, Matthew’s account fits well with what we know of Herod’s paranoia and ruthless cruelty. The irony of the magi’s visit is that while even pagan astrologers come to worship the Jewish Messiah, the illegitimate king of the Jews seeks to destroy him. Where did the magi come from? The magi were probably Persian or Arabian astrologers who charted the stars and attached religious significance to their movements. They were not kings, as is sometimes supposed. While some have doubted the historicity of this visit, it bears the marks of credibility. Many people in the ancient world believe that stars announced the birth of great people. The Roman historians Suetonius and Tacitus even speak of an expectation that a world ruler would come from Judea. It is not surprising that Eastern astrologers would see in a p

Talk about outcasts hitting the news! First, we have Baba Yaga from the BBC. The Greek Reporter has Circe. The New York Times has "brujas" helping Argentina win the World Cup, and last but not least, Marvel Comics The Scarlet Witch. Baba Yaga BBC Baba Yaga has been an inspiration for animation legend Hayao Miyazaki, including with the character of the bathhouse proprietor in Spirited Away (Credit: Alamy) Into the Forest is edited by Lindy Ryan, a writer and full-time professor of data science and visual analytics at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey who is also the founder of Into the Forest's publisher Black Spot Books, a small press dedicated to female horror writers. So how did an American end up fascinated by this Slavic myth? "My Russian stepmother emigrated to the United States shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union," says Ryan, "and along with my stepsister and step-babushka, she brought borscht, matryoshka dolls, and Baba Yaga.

Kathie Costos January 1, 2023 The truth is often more frightening than fiction. A lesson I'm taking away from watching A Haunting In Salem. It is passed off as "based on" events and history, but the real story is far more frightening than this. I was fascinated reading reviews with the words "spin tingling" along that line as if they are trying to sell it more than review it. I did find some honest reviews, and so can you, but for now, I am just letting you know the basis for today's post. I'm researching the next book for The Ministers Of The Mystery. I've watched many documentaries that are factual. Right now they scare the crap out of me knowing that people can cause so much damage to others because of hatred and are greedy for revenge. Those first accused of witchcraft in Salem Village were outcasts, poor and a lot of them were lonely. It wasn't until the people of the village discovered how easy it was to do all of it that they went aft

I don't know how many others out there are like me, but I have a feeling others are feeling as if you just don't fit in. For years, I tried to be like everyone else, but then I realized, I didn't like myself very much. Worse, I didn't recognize myself. I am just me. I am the only one that lived my life, experienced what I did, tried what I did, and yes, failed more times than I succeeded. The thing is, while I am not perfect, I spent my life trying to do what I can to help others because it was the right thing to do. So, here is what I believe. I don't fit in with "church people" because none of them fit in with others not among those that attend the same church. Each denomination has its own rules and beliefs. To fit in with them would mean picking sides, and I would end up hurting someone by choosing someone else. From what I've seen about how some people claim to be Christian yet spew hate and contempt, find nothing repulsive about lying and cheatin