Checklist of the Occult and Esoteric: A Catholic Perspective on Spiritual Protection

Introduction

The Catholic Church has long maintained teachings about spiritual protection and discernment regarding practices that may open doorways to extraordinary spiritual influences. The Catholic Handbook of Deliverance Prayers (Revised Edition, Manila 2006), compiled by Fr. Jose Francisco C. Syquia for the Office of Exorcism of the Archdiocese of Manila, provides comprehensive guidance for Filipino Catholics navigating the intersection of folk religiosity and faith.

This article presents the "Checklist of the Occult and Esoteric" from this handbook, offering insights into practices the Church considers contrary to the First Commandment and potentially harmful to one's spiritual well-being.

Understanding the Context

According to the handbook, while the list does not exhaust all occult practices in both Philippine folk religiosity and the New Age Movement, it presents many of the more common doorways by which the world of spirits (fallen angels) may enter in an extraordinary manner into the life of a Filipino Catholic.

The fundamental principle is clear: As Catholics, we should never seek benefits from spiritual powers outside of God or open doorways by which evil spirits may attack us extraordinarily.

The First Commandment and Spiritual Practice

The practices and beliefs outlined go against, directly or indirectly, the First Commandment: "I am the Lord your God: you shall have no other gods before me." Purifying our Catholic faith not only pleases God but allows the fullness of God's graces, blessings, gifts, and protection to enter into our lives.

The Comprehensive Checklist

Alternative Belief Systems

• Alternative religions - Belief systems that deviate from Catholic teaching
• Animism and paganism - Attribution of souls to natural phenomena and polytheistic worship
• Cults - Groups with unorthodox or spurious religious beliefs
• Gnosticism - Ancient heretical belief system claiming secret spiritual knowledge
• Freemasonry and other secret societies - Organizations with esoteric rituals and oaths
• Reincarnation and past life readings - Belief in rebirth contrary to Catholic teaching of eternal life

Divination and Fortune-Telling

• Astrology - Using celestial positions to predict earthly events
• Horoscopes - Astrological forecasts based on zodiac signs
• Fortune-telling - Predicting the future through various methods
• Palm reading - Interpreting lines on the hand
• Tarot card reading - Using cards for divination
• Crystal gazing and using a crystal ball - Scrying for divination
• Numerology - Mystical significance attributed to numbers
• Reading of omens, tea leaf reading, and reading of animal body parts - Various forms of augury
• Geomancy - Divination by earth patterns
• Oracles - Seeking prophecies from spiritual entities

Occult Practices and Magic

• Magick - Ritual practices to influence supernatural forces
• Sorcery - Use of supernatural power through evil spirits
• Witchcraft - Practice of magical skills and abilities
• Wicca - Modern pagan witchcraft religion
• Spellcasting and casting curses (e.g., the evil eye) - Intentional harmful magic
• Satanism - Worship or veneration of Satan
• Voodoo - Syncretic religion with occult practices
• Santeria - Afro-Caribbean religion with occult elements
• Cabala - Jewish mystical tradition, often misused in occult contexts
• Use of wands - Tools for directing magical energy

Filipino Folk Practices

• Consulting an albularyo, mangkukulam, mangbabarang, mangtatawas, manghihilot, and/or espiritista - Traditional Filipino healers and spirit mediums
• Oracion (magical incantations) - Magical prayers and chants in Filipino tradition
• Offerings to idols and other similar rituals - Food offerings, animal sacrifice, and blood offerings

Spiritism and Mediumship

• Spiritism - Communication with spirits of the dead
• Mediumship - Acting as intermediary for spirits
• Séances - Gatherings to communicate with the dead
• Necromancy - Communication with the dead for divination
• Consulting spirit guides, familiar spirits, guardian spirits, and ancestral spirits - Seeking guidance from non-divine entities
• Spirit of the glass and spirit of the coin - Filipino séance practices
• Automatic handwriting or spirit writing - Writing controlled by spirits
• Trance channeling - Allowing spirits to speak through one's body
• Spirit questing - Seeking spirit guides or visions

New Age Practices

• Feng shui - Chinese geomantic practice
• Astral travel/projection - Out-of-body experiences
• Opening the "third eye" - Awakening alleged sixth sense
• Transcendental meditation - Meditation technique with spiritual elements
• Pyramid power - Belief in mystical properties of pyramid shapes
• Crystal healing - Using crystals for healing
• Reiki - Japanese energy healing technique
• Pranic healing - Energy healing based on prana
• Psychic healing, faith healing, energy healing, magnetic healing - Various alternative healing methods
• Power of the mind - Belief in mind over matter abilities
• Science of the mind - New Thought spiritual movement

Controversial Movements and Teachings

• Edgar Cayce's teachings and readings - American mystic's prophecies and readings
• Rosicrucians - Esoteric spiritual movement
• Scientology - Controversial religious movement
• Shamanism - Ancient spiritual practice involving altered states
• New Age books - Including the Gnostic Gospels, Bible Codes, and The Celestine Prophecy
• Mind control programs - Such as Silva Mind Control Program

Other Practices

• Amulets and talismans - Objects believed to have protective or magical properties
• Pacts with Satan or other deities/pagan gods - Agreements with spiritual entities
• Animal magnetism or mesmerism - Franz Mesmer's theory of invisible force
• Psychic readings - Receiving information through extrasensory perception
• Divination using rod and pendulum - For finding water, treasure, etc.
• Heavy metal music and death metal music - Genres sometimes associated with occult themes

The Call to Discernment

The handbook emphasizes that defining each of these practices and beliefs goes beyond its scope. Readers who desire to know more about particular practices are encouraged to do necessary research to attain not only a more complete picture of each but also discover for themselves their esoteric and occult connections, sources, and origins.

Spiritual Protection Through Faith

The Catholic Church teaches that the best protection against spiritual harm comes through:

1. Regular reception of the Sacraments - Especially Confession and Holy Eucharist
2. Prayer - Personal and communal prayer life
3. Sacred Scripture - Reading and meditating on God's Word
4. Devotions - Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and other approved devotions
5. Living according to Church teaching - Following the moral and doctrinal guidance of the Church
6. Seeking God alone - Trusting in God's providence rather than spiritual powers outside His authority

Conclusion

This comprehensive checklist serves as a tool for examining one's practices and beliefs in light of Catholic teaching. Rather than inducing fear, it aims to foster awareness and encourage Filipino Catholics to purify their faith, eliminate syncretistic practices, and trust more fully in God's grace and protection.

By avoiding practices that seek benefits from spiritual powers outside of God, Catholics open themselves more fully to authentic spiritual growth and the true peace that comes from relationship with Christ through His Church.

---

Reference

Syquia, Fr. Jose Francisco C. (2006). Catholic Handbook of Deliverance Prayers: Revised Edition with 12 New Prayers. Manila: Office of Exorcism, Archdiocese of Manila / St. Pauls. (Section: "Checklist of the Occult and Esoteric," pp. 251–255)

---

Note: This article is for educational purposes and reflects the teachings found in the referenced handbook. Catholics with questions or concerns about specific practices should consult with their parish priest or spiritual director.