A Primer in “Woo-Woo” Christian beliefs
Or… What the hell am I?
I am some conglomeration of beliefs that doesn’t fit in with the American Evangelical Church. I don’t like to just call myself a Christian, because that has become associated with people who I generally think are terrible. I feel like I need a qualifier so people know I’m not like the “Christians” they see on the news. How I identify my spirituality changes pretty regularly, but it’s never “normal.” I get lots of questions. Maybe you have questions, too, about what to call yourself. You don’t need to fit into a box. You can make your own box or get rid of the boxes altogether! But here’s a primer in woo-woo Christian belief systems.
What is a Christian Mystic?
A Christian Mystic’s focus is primarily on the direct experience of God through contemplative practices. There’s a long tradition of this in the Church Universal, and you probably won’t get weird looks if you say you’re a Christian Mystic (probably… no guarantees).
What is a Christopagan?
Christopagans follow Jesus and revere nature. They may use the Wheel of the Year to plan their year or to celebrate the seasons. Often people who are frustrated with how the church universal has treated the Earth lean toward Christopaganism. It’s a good umbrella term for most of what happens here at Chapel and Cauldron. If Christopaganism interests you, you might also check out Christian Druidry. I find that most Christopagan beliefs fit nicely under the umbrella of Celtic Christianity, as well, if you want something more traditional. To me the main difference is that modern people know what a pagan is. If you tell people you are a Celtic Christian they will probably have no idea what that means.
What is a Celtic Christian?
Celtic Christianity is a syncretic belief system that combines indigenous Celtic beliefs with Christianity.
The Northumbria Community lays out 8 pillars of Celtic Christianity: monasticism, the sacredness of everyday moments, contemplation and mission (going inward to seek and outward to serve), hospitality, love for Creation, Spiritual warfare, Trinitarian belief, and a more cyclical understanding of time. I have also found in my research that Celtic Christians greatly valued women and the Divine Feminine (both in the Spirit and in reverence for Mother Mary).
What is a Christian Witch?
A Christian Witch both worships Christ and practices witchcraft. Oxford languages gives one definition of witchcraft:
(in a modern context) religious practice involving magic and affinity with nature, usually within a pagan tradition.
That’s pretty open. What is magic?
the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
or
wonderful; exciting.
Again, pretty open for interpretation.
So what the hell am I?
I don’t cast spells, but I use crystals. Is that magic, or science? Same with herbalism. I choose to think that science is magical, that the world is magical. I don’t have to create it, I just have to look for it. I highly revere nature. I seek to live in tune with the cycles of the Earth and my body as part of my spiritual practice. I believe EVERYTHING is spiritual. I am a panentheist. I am Trinitarian. I see Jesus as my freaking awesome big brother I want to be just like and adore, and I also recognize Big God/dess (what some people call the Father) and the Holy Spirit as Divine. I fall to the left side of the political spectrum.
To me, I’m just a follower of Christ in the best way I know how. I think reverence of nature, the Divine Feminine, and care for others should be standard Christian practices. I would say that I identify most as a Celtic Christian, but that requires a lot of explanation sometimes. People tend to understand what a witch is and stands for, so that’s my fallback identity.
Ultimately, I don’t fit in one box, and I bet you don’t either. It’s helpful to know the boxes exist, so we know we’re not alone, but I really think all of us Christian misfits fit in a big box with Jesus, who was also a misfit, and maybe we can someday forgo the qualifiers.