By Ken Rolheiser
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听听听听听听听听 An old couple was always fighting and screaming at each other. The man said, "When I die I will dig my way up out of the grave and haunt you for the rest of your life!"
听听听听听听听听听 The neighbors believed he practiced black magic and was responsible for missing pets and strange sounds at night. He died strangely and was buried in a closed casket. After the burial, the wife went to the local bar and began partying wildly.
听听听听听听听听听听The neighbors asked, 鈥淎ren鈥檛 you afraid? He was going to dig his way up and haunt you?鈥�
听听听听听听听听听听The wife put down her drink, "Nah. I had him buried upside down!"
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We tend to make light of black magic and the dark arts, especially at Hallowe鈥檈n. But according to Philip Kosloski, wizards, witches and the dark arts are real. Their spells are real. They study potions and practice magic.
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About one million American witches, many of whom keep their magic lives in the 鈥渂room closet鈥�, continue to practice pagan rites and rituals. (Source: 鈥淭he Dark Arts are Real鈥�, Philip Kosloski, Aletia, October 16, 2018)
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According to Kosloski, modern-day wizards study 鈥渂lack magic鈥�;听 associate with Satanism, involving demons and evil spirits; and attempt hexing and cursing people. These activities are gravely contrary to religion and the Catholic Church鈥檚 teachings in particular (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2117).
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Black magic 鈥溾�enies God鈥檚 providential care over all creation. It is harmful to the soul and plunges a person into a great darkness that is hard to overcome. 鈥And] can open a person up to the demonic, who is constantly trying to lead souls away from God,鈥� Kosloski says.
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In 鈥淭he dark Arts are Real and can put a Soul in Danger鈥� Kosloski says that witches, warlocks and wizards exist, and 鈥渢hey听do听cast spells, study potions and practice magic.鈥� This is not fantasy.
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According to Cosmopolitan, around Halloween time, witches celebrate Samhain and 鈥渉old particularly intense rituals, evoking people who have passed away鈥� to receive a message or help from the other side.鈥�
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But do not be fooled! In 鈥淎re Spells Real鈥� (Aletia October 20, 2018) Kosloski warns that even if a successful spell is cast for a good purpose, the result is either coincidence or comes from some demonic power.
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鈥淐atholics believe that demons are real spiritual beings, fallen angels who rebelled against God and were cast from heaven. These spiritual creatures, while invisible to the eye, prowl 鈥榓round like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour鈥� (1 Peter 5:8),鈥� Kosloski says.
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Those who lead a life united to God need not fear. 鈥淧utting on the armour of God鈥� will protect us 鈥渁gainst the principalities, the powers, [and] the world rulers of this present darkness鈥� (Ephesians 6:11-12).
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This Hallowe鈥檈n let us beware of our history. Hallowe鈥檈n came from an ancient Celtic holiday marking the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, the end of light and the beginning of darkness, and the end of mortal life and the beginning of eternal life.
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On the evening before All Saints Day, October 31, the line between the living and the dead is thin. Christians celebrate a closeness to All Saints on November 1 and pray for the departed on All Souls Day, November 2.
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This Hallowe鈥檈n give thanks for the Great mercy of God and give thanks for the plan God has for All the Saints among whom we aspire to be numbered.
