Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

TABLE, RING AND DISC

Devices of medieval origin which equate approximately to a modern ouija board. A gold ring is suspended on a silk thread and allowed to gyrate freely over a disc inscribed with the alphabet. It is claimed to spell out answers to questions posed during its use by a practitioner of Magick.

A Biblical Perspective:

For the answer to this problem I feel we must turn to the world's greatest authority - the Word of God. Paul, writing in Ephesians 6:12 says "For we wrestle not against Flesh and Blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

One of the major doctrines denounced by the Bible is Demonology, and that is just what Paul refers to in Ephesians 6:12. Many scriptures refer to these unseen intelligences. As one who has been a practicing Neo-Pagan, I appreciate what Paul meant and I know this to be a fact. Within these many scriptures the Bible discusses Necromancy. 'When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices Divination or Sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead" (Deuteronomy 18:10,11).

Therefore, although I myself used Ouija boards on occassion while a practicing Neo-Pagan, as a Christian I now believe that Ouija Boards and all kinds of Spiritualism can be nothing but communion with demons, against scripture, and we must remember that God passed the Death sentence on all mediums that had familiar spirits and also upon people consulting with them. It is sternly forbidden by God as defiling.

Scripture also calls each of us to place our faith in Jesus Christ rather than the created universe. The book of Colossians reminds the individual to "see to it that no one takes you captive through vain philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of man, according to the elemental principles of the universe, rather than according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8)

see also: PLANCHETTE; OUIJA

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc