Ghosts, giant skeletons, bubbling cauldrons, and tombstones litter front lawns this time of year, transforming quiet suburban neighborhoods into the stuff of nightmares, all playfully done in anticipation of Halloween. But not everything is fun and games. In fact, there is in our culture rapidly growing interest in spiritual practices that tap into dark powers that often conceal themselves in light, and many practitioners of “New Age” spiritualities use Halloween to promote themselves on social media. They will refer to things such as palm readings, tarot, astrology, use of healing crystals, and reiki as either harmless fun or means to gain greater insight into the world and control over one’s life. But according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2110-2117), these kinds of activities are sinful and to be avoided. If one has participated in them, it is very important for the sake of one’s soul to seek out forgiveness and the grace of healing in sacramental confession.
But why is the Church so insistent in its prohibition? In his series The Catechism in a Year, Fr. Mike Schmitz notes how “it’s interesting that the Church doesn’t say, ‘avoid Ouija boards, horoscopes, palm readings, and seances because they’re a waste of your money and time.'” Rather, he continues, “The Church tells us to avoid them because they’re evil.” They are evil because they seek to harness demonic power – which is real and always destructive – to satisfy our desire for control, self-actualization, and special knowledge. Even if done with the best of intentions, seeking recourse to magic to obtain what we want is gravely immoral. These practices are essentially a grasping for divine-like power over time and history and other human beings, revealing a dangerous lack of trust in God. They are, in fact, violations of the First Commandment, in which the Lord states: “You shall have no other gods but me.” While it is true that the Church teaches that God, who knows all things, sometimes shares special insights and knowledge with His prophets and saints, this is always for the sake of calling people to repentance and/or strengthening their faith in Him. And the Catechism reminds us that “a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it” (2115), that would lead us to consult with those who claim to know it.
In a 2025 article by Cecilia Dietzler, “Thirsting for Transcendence: The New Age and the Call Back to Christ,” the author helpfully lays out the psychological and spiritual risks of New Age practices, observing that “what begins as a journey of self-discovery and desire for control [as well as community] can quickly spiral into confusion, isolation, and despair.” Jesus is the only one who can heal “the aches and pains that the New Age claims to fill.” She explains: “Our desire for control can be met with the Lord’s desire to take our worries away and trust in Him. Our pride and authority can be submitted to Christ so that humility can take over, leading to more intentional and authentic relationships. Our [desire for] connection with the divine can be met in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”
posted 10/24/26
