Don’t call it a comeback, it’s been here for thousands of years.
No, I’m not talking about LL Cool J’s music. We’re talking about witchcraft.
Of course, it may not be magic, but tarot cards, palmistry, and other “alternative spirituality” practices have been around for centuries, some even pre-Christian. Despite this, it is becoming increasingly popular.
So why are these practices making a comeback? And what exactly are they?
magic
Let’s start with witchcraft, which includes paganism and Wicca. It is one of the fastest growing spiritual paths in America, increasing from about 8,000 practitioners in 1990 to about 1.5 million in 2018. That number is now expected to be even higher, but it’s hard to tell because many believers aren’t always open about it. I admit that.
A 2014 Pew Research Center study predicted that the number of Americans who practice “other religions” (faiths other than Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) is expected to triple.
So what is the main reason for this increase? Different studies cite different reasons, but the biggest one is the complete rejection of mainstream religion.
Halloween fun:Halloween 2023: When and where to trick-or-treat, see York County’s parades
Former journalist Lissa Miller said, “As a society, we have lived through hardships that…well, tested our faith in faith. Our humanity has been challenged by pandemics, political and economic upheavals, and… “It has been tested by an impending environmental catastrophe.” She is a local paranormal expert from York. “Many people feel isolated and even lost, and the objects and spaces that once provided comfort now bring further questions and, for some, even criticism of their lifestyle. Nature-based belief systems can present an alternative path that you can walk.”After all, some practices reject you simply because of who you are.” In some cases, divinity is present, and in other cases, it is not. ”
Miller added that he doesn’t believe that “as much as these practices are becoming more well-known, they’re also becoming more popular. And in many people’s circles, they’re not regaining the acceptance that they once had.” .
But what exactly is magic? It is not so easy to define as it is an individualistic spiritual belief and is subject to the interpretation of the practitioner. Some say there are certain elements, others say there are no rules, but it’s just what people like.
Essentially, if someone says they’re a witch, they’re a witch. Witchcraft does not necessarily have to do with spell-casting, magic, or even “evil” intentions. It is simply a belief system rooted in nature.
One example of how witchcraft is practiced in a variety of ways and can intersect with mainstream religion is “powwowing.”
Powwowing is a traditional healing ritual in Pennsylvania, also known as “white magic” or “braukerei” in Pennsylvania Dutch, according to Glencairn Museum News.
It “fuses elements of religion and faith with health and healing. Combining a variety of Christian prayers, gestures, and the use of everyday objects, these rituals heal the body, protect it from physical and spiritual harm, and It is used to ensure positive outcomes in daily life,” says Glencairn.
More about Halloween:Why is York a big Halloween town? Hex Murders, Seven Gates of Hell, Powwows…
astrology
Although there are many people who believe in astrology and do not consider themselves witches, many people associate witchcraft with astrology. Astrology is the ancient belief that celestial bodies such as planets and stars can be used to predict events. Astrology is everywhere these days, and even people who don’t fully believe in it are known to dabble in it.
Have you ever looked up your zodiac sign? That is astrology. I’m a Pisces and my sister is also a Pisces, but we were born two years apart. If you look at the characteristics of a typical Pisces, you’ll find that my personality is very clear. However, my sister is the exact opposite of me, so I don’t know how accurate astrology is.
But astrology goes beyond zodiac signs and horoscopes, and also includes planetary retrogrades like Mercury retrograde, which some believers believe can affect the way we communicate and the way our electronic devices work. thinking about.
numerology
Similar to astrology is numerology, the belief that numbers can predict events or describe a person’s personality.
Based on numerology, I’m a 5 (yes, this matches my personality) and my sister is a 7. Does that explain the differences in our personalities?
In any case, the origins of numerology go back more than 2,500 years to the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras. While many modern mathematicians and scientists ridicule this technique, its popularity is growing. In fact, she’s been linked to celebrities like Prince and Winona Ryder.
More spooky news:Albatwitches, squonks, and chupacabra: A fun field guide to Central Pennsylvania’s cryptid animals.
Palmistry
As a child, I was obsessed with palmistry. Because I was convinced that my future was in my hands, or rather, in the palm of my hand. I learned about palmistry and how the different lines on the palm and fingers can tell us about our future.
According to my palm reading, I’ve been married once and twice, so maybe it’s not for me.
Palmistry is found all over the world and comes in many variations. Palmistry is becoming increasingly mainstream, making palmistry businesses a popular destination for art lovers looking for entertainment and answer seekers looking for solutions.
tarot
I’ll admit that I have had tarot readings, but I’m not sure I fully believe in tarot readings, but I’ve gotten some great advice from card readers. Tarot is often used as a tool for self-reflection, self-care, and guidance during uncertain times in life.
The way tarot works is that the person seeking an answer thinks about the question they want answered and draws a card, or has a reader draw a card. Depending on the card and its position, the person has an answer to the question. However, the cards are highly dependent on interpretation and there is no scientific evidence that they work.
Illegal spirituality?
Unfortunately, reading tarot cards, finding answers from palm readings, and looking to the stars for guidance are all considered fortune telling and are illegal in Pennsylvania. Serpents Key Shop and Sanctuary, located at 10 Baltimore Street in Hanover, was recently visited by police because it offered tarot readings.
The visit was to notify Pennsylvania Statutes 18 Section 7104, “Fortune Telling,” which states that someone “acts to tell fortunes or predict future events under the guise of profit or wealth.” ” is a third-degree misdemeanor if convicted. Examining cards, tokens, a person’s head or hands, determining age, determining the movement of celestial bodies, or otherwise testing. ”
background:Witch hunt over tarot readings in Hannover?No, said the police chief, just a friendly warning.
Despite the existence of this law, these (and many other) “alternative” spiritual practices are gaining more attention and more adherents, and many people believe that they are the perfect spiritual practice. They are combined, combined, and even added to mainstream religious beliefs to find the. As Christianity.
“As long as we have questions, as long as we have options, as long as there is a future, there will be a place for fortune-telling. The bigger question is: Will it be closed or outdoors?” said Miller.
Angel Albring is a business reporter for the York Daily Record.
