Contending For The Faith---Part 54

In St. Jude 1:3, we read, "Dearly beloved, taking all care to write unto you concerning your common salvation, I was under a necessity to write unto you: to beseech you to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints." [Emphasis mine]. Contending For The Faith is a series of posts dedicated to apologetics (i.e.,  the intellectual defense of the truth of the Traditional Catholic Faith) to be published the first Monday of each month.  This is the next installment.

Sadly, in this time of Great Apostasy, the faith is under attack like never before, and many Traditionalists don't know their faith well enough to defend it. Remember the words of our first pope, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." (1Peter 3:16). There are five (5) categories of attacks that will be dealt with in these posts. Attacks against:

• The existence and attributes of God
• The truth of the One True Church established by Christ for the salvation of all 
• The truth of a particular dogma or doctrine of the Church
• The truth of Catholic moral teaching
• The truth of the sedevacantist position as the only Catholic solution to what has happened since Vatican II 

In addition, controversial topics touching on the Faith will sometimes be featured, so that the problem and possible solutions may be better understood. If anyone had suggestions for topics that would fall into any of these categories, you may post them in the comments. I cannot guarantee a post on each one, but each will be carefully considered.

Some Common Arguments Against the Existence of God Refuted

In this week's post, I will respond to some commonly used arguments by atheists against the existence of God. These are the short, snappy "arguments" (more akin to quips than anything serious) that unbelievers often use to stump Traditionalists and other theists. I will give a terse response to each, so that you may have a ready comeback and see the "argument" for what it really is--a fallacy. On one point--"the universe had no beginning"--I discuss it more so the science can be comprehended along with the philosophical application. I take no credit for the answers. All I did was make the answers given by great thinkers (Aquinas and others) into a terse, readable post.

God bless you all, my dear readers.---Introibo

 

Atheist Objection: “Can God create a rock so heavy he can’t lift it?”

Reply: This question seems to have only two possible responses. Either He cannot create it, in which case He is not omnipotent; or He can create the rock, but cannot lift it, in which case again He is not omnipotent. In both cases, God is not omnipotent. However, God has to be omnipotent; therefore, He does not exist. This is wrong as it is based on a false premise. God's omnipotence does not mean the ability to do anything, but rather the ability to do anything that does not contradict His essence/attributes.

God cannot lie because He is Truth itself. In the instant case, God is the greatest possible Being. Therefore, there can be nothing that, in any aspect, is greater than God, because then He would not be the greatest possible Being. Such a rock is a contradiction incapable of being realized--just as there can never be a "married bachelor." 

Atheist Objection: “A perfect God could not have created an imperfect world. Since the world is obviously imperfect, God does not exist.”

Reply: Two responses: (1) God did create a perfect world and it was made imperfect by Original Sin. (2) God can create imperfect things in order to lead them over time to a state of perfection. In this view, man (who is not a “thing” but a being) is not born complete. He can study, educate himself, grow, achieve things, and in so doing determine what he will be later on in eternity through what he freely decides to do with his life on Earth. Only machines, which are tools, are expected to be perfect and complete at the moment of their creation. Man, by contrast, is a free being, and this means that he has the privilege of evolving and perfecting himself over time.

As to the material aspect of the Universe, a perfect Universe is either deterministic or has already reached its end. However, ours is neither, for the moment.

Atheist Objection: “If God is omniscient and knows the future, man is not free; if, on the other hand, God does not know everything, He is not all-knowing and therefore does not exist.”

Reply: Knowing the future is not the same as causing the future. For example, you may be standing up on a large hill. You see two cars speeding towards each other coming from opposite sides of the hill, where neither driver can see the other car. Given their speed and direction, you know they will crash a few seconds before it happens. Yet it was the free will of the drivers to go past the speed limit which caused the accident, not your knowledge of what would happen as a result.

Atheist Objection: “The Universe is self-sufficient. It does not need a cause.”

Reply: Atheists cannot escape the scientific fact that the Universe did have a beginning. It is expained by the Big Bang Theory. (BBT).

 I find it sad that, here in America, there are many people who do not understand the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law. The common (and incorrect) notion is that a theory is a "hunch" or an "idea." A law is something true. Scientific theories can become scientific laws with enough facts proving them true. All of this is wrong.

Just as theology has words with specific meanings within the discipline, so does science. A scientific theory is a description of the natural world that scientists have arrived at by means of rigorous testing. It tries to explain the "why" about something. Scientific laws explain the "what" that has always been observed and tested. So, for example, gravity is both a theory and a law. The law of gravity explains what happens between objects depending on mass and distance. Laws also usually describe what happens in the terms of a mathematical formula. 

An accepted theory is the one that has the most evidence in its favor from multiple sources. Both theories and laws can change when/if new evidence is found which causes the theory or law to be undermined or in need of revision due to the newly discovered evidence. The BBT is not some "hunch" that isn't true because it's not a law. It is the best scientific theory backed up by multiple lines of evidence as to the origin of the universe. Over 98% of cosmologists, and over 95% of all scientists subscribe to it because of the evidence.

Of course, the usual objection to follow is the disparaging of science by declaring that the scientific establishment gave us COVID vaccines and climate change nonsense. While science can be abused and misused, two points must be made: (1) most scientific advances have been genuine and wonderful. Think of neurosurgery that routinely saves lives and wasn't available a mere 40 years ago. (2) the establishment has every reason to be against the BBT because it was discovered and promoted by Catholics, and it points to God. 

The Catholic Origin of the Big Bang

Father Georges Lemaitre (1894-1966), a Roman Catholic priest and physicist from Belgium, was the scientist who proposed the BBT. The notion that the universe had a beginning did not sit well with many at that time. Some were even disgusted by it. Renowned English astronomer and physicist Arthur Eddington said that “philosophically, the notion of a beginning to the present order of Nature is repugnant.” (See Arthur S. Eddington, “The End of the World: From the Standpoint of Mathematical Physics,” Nature 127 (March 21, 1931): 447–53).Notice that Eddington didn’t claim the science was bad or that these new scientific discoveries were repugnant. Rather, he was bothered by the philosophical implications of the discovery.

The prevailing scientific theory in cosmology prior to Fr. Lemaitre, was The Steady State Theory (SST), which claimed the universe always existed from eternity. The Communists and other atheists loved the SST because if someone asked, "What created the universe?" the answer was straightforward---"The universe was always there. It didn't need or have a creator." Fr. Lemaitre's theory was met with derision and horror by Communists/atheists. A beginning of the universe clearly implied a Creator. The question of how the universe was created was back on the table. 

Schools in Communist countries banned the teaching of the BBT so young Communists wouldn't doubt atheism. In fact, it was an opponent of the theory, Sir Fred Hoyle, who coined the name for Lemaitre’s theory, referring to it mockingly as “this big bang idea” during a radio broadcast. Over the years, many theories were proposed to get rid of this “definite beginning” of the universe, and a war of theories was waged until, finally, in the 1960s, the BBT displaced the SST as the accepted cosmological theory. (N.B. Although the formal SST was developed by Hoyle in response to the BBT that he so hated, it was held that the universe was "always there" --a form of the SST--a long time prior. Einstein himself subscribed to it until Fr. Lemaitre's work changed his mind). 

Note well why Hoyle rejected the BBT; he was an atheist and anti-Catholic.

Hoyle did not want to believe that the universe was created from a big bang, because that would imply that there was a creator, and to him, that idea wasn’t a possibility because he was an atheist. He believed that, “religion is but a desperate attempt to find an escape from the truly dreadful situation in which we find ourselves…No wonder then that many people feel the need for some belief that gives them a sense of security, and no wonder that they become very angry with people like me who say that this is illusory” (positiveatheism.org). His belief, in his own words, was that “‘every cluster of galaxies, every star, every atom...had a beginning, but the universe, itself, did not’” (Willick 2003). This is why he proposed that the universe has been around forever, and that we were not created from some all powerful deity, but from the right combinations of heavy elements that were fused through the nuclear reactions that take place in the center of stars, a process that he named “nucleosynthesis."

(See csueastbay.edu/philosophy/reflections/2004/contents/jon-brix.html; Emphasis mine). 

This puts the lie to the contention that the BBT was "used by atheists to deny God" as some assert. It is actually the opposite---it was opposed by atheists in academic circles until the manifest weight of the credible evidence was too great to hold the BBT back from acceptance. An assertion by those who oppose the BBT on religious grounds is an ad hominem attack on Fr. Lemaitre as a "Modernist." This is rank calumny. Father was never under suspicion of Modernism or any heresy by the Holy Office. He was praised by Popes Pius XI and Pius XII.

In 1951, Pius XII gave an address to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences entitled “The Proofs for the Existence of God in the Light of Modern Natural Science,” offering an enthusiastic endorsement of the theory with Fr. Lemaitre present in a place of honor.

With the same clear and critical look with which it examines and passes judgment on facts, it perceives and recognizes the work of creative omnipotence, whose power, set in motion by the mighty “Fiat” pronounced billions of years ago by the Creating Spirit, spread out over the universe, calling into existence with a gesture of generous love matter busting with energy. It would seem that present-day science, with one sweep back across the centuries, has succeeded in bearing witness to the august instant of the primordial Fiat Lux [Let there be Light], when along with matter, there burst forth from nothing a sea of light and radiation, and the elements split and churned and formed into millions of galaxies.

The Supreme Pontiff asserted that the BBT proved the existence of God.

Thus, with that concreteness which is characteristic of physical proofs, science has confirmed the contingency of the universe and also the well-founded deduction as to the epoch when the world came forth from the hands of the Creator.  Hence, creation took place.  We say: therefore, there is a Creator.  Therefore, God exists! (See ucatholic.com).

Evidence for the BBT

I strongly suggest reading the four page summary of evidence which I now condense. It comes from the University of Western Australia.

Two major scientific discoveries provide strong support for the Big Bang theory:

• Hubble’s discovery in the 1920s of a relationship between a galaxy’s distance from Earth and its speed; and

• the discovery in the 1960s of cosmic microwave background radiation

1. Early in the 20th century the Universe was thought to be static: always the same size, neither expanding nor contracting. But in 1924 astronomer Edwin Hubble used a technique pioneered by Henrietta Leavitt to measure distances to remote objects in the sky. Hubble used spectroscopic red-shift data to measure the speeds these objects were travelling then graphed their distance from Earth against their speed. He discovered that the speed at which astronomical objects move apart is proportional to their distance from each other. In other words, the farther away objects are from Earth, the faster they are moving away from us. This became known as Hubble’s law

2. According to the Big Bang theory, the Universe was initially very hot and dense. As it expanded, it cooled (your refrigerator works on the same idea, expanding a liquid into a gas to cool the inside). Cosmologists were able to calculate the theoretical temperature of today’s Universe and began to search for evidence of it.

It was eventually discovered by accident in 1964 by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson as ‘noise’ in an antenna they had built to research how radio signals could be reflected off orbiting satellites. They first thought it was radio interference from nearby New York City, but eventually recognized it as radiation from beyond the Milky Way. The cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) that Penzias and Wilson observed is leftover heat radiation from the Big Bang. Today, CMBR is very cold due to expansion and cooling of the Universe. It’s only 2.725 Kelvin (-270.4 °C), which is only 2.725 °C above absolute zero. Cosmic microwave background radiation fills the entire Universe and can be detected day and night in every part of the sky.

(Condensed from "Evidence for The Big Bang;" uwa.edu.au/study/-/media/Faculties/Science/Docs/Evidence-for-the-Big-Bang.pdf).

Philosophical Argument for God from the BBT

The BBT shows that all which exists in the universe--all matter, energy, and even space and time itself--started from nothing in an amazing singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago. The Kalam Cosmological Argument runs thus:

Premise 1: Everything which begins to exist must have a cause.

This is common sense and proven from all experience. No scientist (or anyone else) believes things pop into existence out of nothing. Atheists Lawrence Krauss and Stephen Hawking have redefined "nothing" to mean "space" and "gravity" respectively. This is disingenuous to say the least. If I say, "I had nothing for breakfast today." It means I didn't have anything. It doesn't mean I ate something and that something I call "nothing." Krauss and Hawking do NOT believe something comes from "not anything;" they just want to escape the beginning of the universe and its theistic implications.

Premise 2: The universe began to exist. 

This we know from the BBT. 

Conclusion: The universe has a cause.

It follows logically from the two premises. The First Cause must be space-less (because there was no space), timeless (because there was no time), immaterial (because there was no matter--or even energy), and a Mind of great Power (because if all the necessary and sufficient conditions for the universe to exist were present, then it would have existed from eternity--therefore, it must have been willed into existence at a certain point). You just described God. Welcome to theism.  

Objection: Then who created God? Answer: God wasn't created. Notice that the first premise is whatever begins to exist must have a cause. God, unlike the universe, is eternal. Moreover, the question is irrelevant. Once, I had a very bad gastrointestinal issue that couldn't be resolved. My doctors were stumped. One very intelligent gastroenterologist thought it was a rare bacteria that's hard to diagnose even with extensive tests.  The cure, if that was the cause, was to take a powerful medication for ten days, along with some other protocols. Desperate for a cure, I agreed. After the ten days, I was cured. When I asked him, "Where could I have gotten this bacterium?" he replied, "Who knows? The fact that the cure worked means we found the cause." Analogously, even if God "needs a creator" (He doesn't) it wouldn't mean He didn't create the universe.

Atheist Objection: "Religions have always been the cause of violence and wars.” 

Reply: Those who make this argument point out that religion has most often engendered war and violence. Consequently, as these religions have brought about evil, they cannot really be established by a good God. Ergo, the atheist asserts we can conclude either that God is evil or that He does not exist. Since the Church asserts that God cannot be evil, He must not exist. 

The premises of this argument are false, and we only have to look at the misfortunes of the twentieth century for ample evidence of this fact. The wars waged over the last century by dogmatic materialists were far more cruel, violent, prolonged, and lethal than all the religious wars of the past put together. 

The crimes and violence of Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Pol Pot have no precedent in human history.

Phillips and Axelrod’s Encyclopedia of Wars cataloged 1,763 wars that have taken place throughout the history of humanity. Of these 1,763 wars, 123 were based on religious motives, or less than 7% of the total. Not only are the wars waged for religious reasons less numerous than some people suppose but, according to the same encyclopedia, the number of people killed in these 123 “religious” wars is equivalent to 2% of the total number of persons killed in all historical wars. That means that “religious” wars in general have had fewer victims than wars waged for other motives.

Conclusion

This post presented five atheist objections to the existence of God. I say "objections" rather than arguments, because frequently, the short one or two sentence objection is used to befuddle believers and make atheism seem "evident." It is my hope that you understand why they are wrong and are thus better prepared to defend our Holy Mother the Church whenever She is attacked. 

Beware Of Tai Chi

 

The Vatican II sect parish of St. Mary's in New Jersey advertises the following:

Tai Chi is an art,

and slow-moving meditative exercise from China to improve health and well-being,

and is based on the ‘Law of Nature’ which integrates body and mind.

The flowing by movements unlock powerful inner strength, the power for healing and wellness. 

Barbara Schaflin is a Certified Instructor and member of the Tai Chi for Health Institute, specializing in Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention; Tai Chi for Diabetes; Tai Chi for Memory; and Tai Chi for Rehabilitation.

Developed by Dr. Paul Lam, a world leader in the field of Tai Chi for Health improvement, his Tai Chi for Health programs are supported by organizations and government bodies around the world including the Arthritis Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov), and the National Council on Aging (NCOA.org).

Over 500 medical studies show that Tai Chi improves many aspects of health, from calming the mind to reducing high blood pressure, improving balance to prevent falls, relieving arthritis pain, helping people with heart conditions and diabetes, and much more. More importantly, Tai Chi brings a general sense of well-being.

Would you like to learn a low impact exercise to improve your overall health and well-being? Why not give it a try! Participants can choose to stand or sit during class. 

Classes are held at the PARISH OF SAINT MARY, One Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, N.J.

(See stmaryscoltsneck.org/tai-chi-for-health). 

Tai Chi is occult. Yet some, like Paul Lam, are making it out to be "different" and acceptable to the Catholic religion in his "revised form." Many in the Vatican II sect are falling for it, and some parishes (like St. Mary) are leading unsuspecting souls into danger. This post will expose the dangers of Tai Chi--equally present in both its "pure" and "revised" forms. 

(N.B., I take no credit for the information presented. All I did was compile sources, both online and in print, and put it into a terse, readable post to warn of the occult danger of Tai Chi---Introibo). 

What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi (pronounced “tie chee”) is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art. Also known as “moving meditation,” a person doing Tai Chi moves his body slowly and gently, while breathing deeply and meditating. Practitioners believe Tai Chi helps the flow of an alleged vital energy or life force called “chi” (pronounced as "key" or "chee" and sometimes spelled "ki" or "qi") that supposedly regulates a person’s body, mind and spirit. Chi must be able to move freely for good health. Tai Chi also aims to harmonize "yin/yang," which are believed to be two opposite and complementary forces in the universe.

The motions of Tai Chi are designed to imitate motions found in nature, such as the movements of animals, thereby uniting human beings with the natural world.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes for Health say that while accounts of the origin of Tai Chi differ, the most consistent explanation concerns a 12th century Taoist monk (the pagan religion Taoism--pronounced "Dow-ism") named Chang San-Feng (or Zan Sanfeng) who observed the movements of five animals – a tiger, dragon (!), leopard, snake and crane. He concluded that the snake and the crane, through their movements, were the most able to overcome strong, unyielding opponents. Chang developed an initial set of exercises that imitated the movements of these animals. This form of movement has been practiced in China for centuries and is still a daily routine for tens of thousands of people there, especially the elderly.

It was first introduced to the United States in the early 1970s and has since grown in popularity. Tai Chi proponents are trying to make it the new Yoga — an “exercise” that will draw many people because it seems exotic and healthy. Tai Chi sessions are usually group classes that last about an hour. Typically, an instructor guides the class through a series of 20 to 100 Tai Chi movements that together comprise a "form." A form can take up to 20 minutes to complete. Each form has a nature-based name that describes its overall action—such as "wave hands like clouds" or "grasp the bird's tail."

While performing these movements, students are asked to focus on the point just below their navels, believed to be the center from which chi flows. The teacher encourages the class to perform all movements in a slow, meditative manner and to focus on deep breathing. At the end of the class, there is usually a wind-down exercise, relaxation, and meditation

Practitioners recommend practicing Tai Chi for about 15 to 20 minutes twice daily at home, since it is claimed that regular practice is essential for mastering the forms and achieving lasting results.

People practice Tai Chi for a variety of reasons; to improve their physical condition and sense of balance, ease pain and stiffness (particularly from arthritis) and improve sleep. Like yoga, Tai Chi is pagan in origin and occult. 

Tai Chi and the TAO

Tai Chi is based on belief in the Tao, which is the religion of Taoism, a religion that arose from early Chinese shamanism. In the ancient Chinese religion of Taoism, the impersonal Tao is the source of all that exists. However, the Tao supposedly cannot be described in words. In the famed Taoist text from the 3rd/4th centuries B.C., the Tao Te Ching, it states “the Tao that can be spoken of is not the Tao”. (Logic has no place in Eastern pagan religions. Saying anything about the Tao, even claiming it cannot be described, is, in fact, describing it).

The Tao is defined as literally ‘the path’ or ‘the way.’ It is a universal principle that underlies everything from the creation of galaxies to the interaction of human beings: 

The Tao (or Dao) is hard to define but is sometimes understood as the way of the universe. Taoism teaches that all living creatures ought to live in a state of harmony with the universe, and the energy found in it. Ch’i, or qi, is the energy present in and guiding everything in the universe.

(See education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/taoism/). 

Following the Tao involves the principle of Wu-Wei: 

Wu Wei means living by or going along with the true nature of the world – or at least without obstructing the Tao – letting things take their natural course. 

(See bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/concepts.shtml).

According to Taoist teachings, the truth of the Tao can only be understood indirectly, through experiences, or through a process of enlightened living. Happiness is gained by living in the flow of the Tao, which is the flow of the universe. This belief has no personal God (though Taoism has non-eternal deities and divine beings, which may come from the blending of Taoist teachings with indigenous animistic religions). 

Referring to the Tao, Taoist teacher Wen-Tzu states that:

The Way has no front or back, no left or right: all things are mysteriously the same, with no right and no wrong.

(See Further Teachings of Lao-Tzu, [1992], pg. 109).  

There is no life and death because “Life and death are one, right and wrong are the same,” (from the Chuang Tzu as quoted in World Religions, Geoffrey Parrinder, pg. 333). 

From this and other sources, we see that the Tao is impersonal, cannot be described, is a principle, is amoral, and is part of the created universe that guides and unites all. It is the heresy of pantheism condemned at the Vatican Council of 1870:

1. If anyone shall deny One true God, Creator and Lord of things visible and invisible; let him be anathema. 

2. If anyone shall not be ashamed to affirm that, except matter, nothing exists; let him be anathema. 

3. If anyone shall say that the substance and essence of God and of all things is one and the same; let him be anathema. 

4. If anyone shall say that finite things, both corporeal and spiritual, or at least spiritual, have emanated from the Divine substance; or that the Divine essence, by the manifestation and evolution of itself, becomes all things; or, lastly, that God is a universal or indefinite being, which by determining itself constitutes the universality of things, distinct according to genera, species and individuals; let him be anathema. 

Yin and Yang

In pagan Taoism, Yin is the female principle and Yang is male. Each is associated with nature as specified through Taoist teachings: Yin is darkness, watery, receptive, the moon; while Yang is light, dryness, active, the sun, and so forth. The Yin and Yang forces are the substance of creation and the matrix of every aspect of life, including a person’s physical organs and the unseen forces within the person.

In such a view, balance is the ideal:

Central to the historical context of chi in TCM is the idea of balance and harmony. Ancient Chinese physicians sought to understand the dynamics of yin and yang, the complementary forces that exist in all aspects of life. Chi was seen as the mediator between yin and yang, and balance in chi was essential for overall health.

(See polltopastern.com/post/the-world-of-chi#:~:text=Balance%20and%20Harmony&text=Ancient%20Chinese%20physicians%20sought%20to,was%20essential%20for%20overall%20health.). 

To achieve balance is also seen in the popular Star Wars movie franchise from George Lucas, who was influenced by pagan Eastern religions, particularly Taoism and Buddhism. The Force in the movie is like chi, and the dark and light sides of the Force correspond in many ways to Yin and Yang. 

Balance between yin and yang is continually sought through various techniques in order to bring about harmony between heaven and humanity, and humanity and earth. This is also true of Eastern pagan/occult "energy healing" like Reiki and Tai Chi. 

The Dark Force of Tai Chi

The movements in Tai Chi are meant to manipulate both outer and inner chi in order to attain a harmony between self, nature, and the heavens, as well as to balance Yin-Yang. This information is easy to find on the Internet: 

The practice of Tai Chi is the physical interpretation of the Tao philosophy — a teaching built upon the belief in unity of all things found in the universe.

In this opening session, you’ll learn the pivotal, spiraling, coiling force of Tai Chi as it first emerges in form. You’ll learn how this opening Tai Chi movement activates the Yin and Yang energies of the body and moves Qi throughout your being… and dive deep to discover the role of the mind in harmonizing the Yin and Yang polarities. (See theshiftnetwork.com/course/01HLiang02_23). 

Taoism spawned a set of deeply occult practices (sorcery) that involve the manipulation of chi, and the line between what appears to be the uplifting side of Taoism and the darker side is very thin. On a page offering a video on “Taoism sorcery and its Cultural Practices,” the author writes:

The practice of Taoist magic will be presented through its two branches: outer alchemy (waidan) and inner alchemy (neidan). We’ll talk about the greater spiritual objectives of practicing Taoist magic and what thousands of years of experience and wisdom have to say about how to achieve those objectives.

Starter tips will be offered, such as beginning work with Jiu Tian Xuan Nu, the Lady of the Ninth Heaven, recitation of Kuan Yin’s Great Compassion Mantra, and other thoughts for branching out in a direction that’s going to make the most sense for you. (See benebellwen.com/2019/01/10/taoist-sorcery-and-its-cultural-practice). 

Taoist sorcery has been around a long time and is based on the same pagan/occult beliefs and principles as Tai Chi. Tai Chi incorporates pagan/occult meditation, and is sometimes called "meditation in motion," because you must use "mindfulness" to become aware of your movements and "inner self." 

Tai Chi, like yoga, uses Eastern meditation and is based in pantheism, the heretical idea that reality is identical with Divinity, and that all-things compose an all-encompassing, immanent "god." The goal of the Tai Chi/yoga practitioner is to unify himself/herself with the "Divine-self" or "God-Self." Through Tai Chi meditation, the person tries to lose contact with the conscious mind for an altered state of consciousness. This disassociation is meant to allow a person to become "one" with "the Divine." Even those who do not get to such altered states, have unwittingly opened themselves up to a decidedly pagan worldview and possible demon possession. The idea of being "divine" is the opposite of Christianity which tells us we are sinners in need of Redemption by the God-Man Jesus Christ.

When Tai Chi techniques are labeled as "relaxation techniques" or "ways to reduce stress and exercise for health," it is misleading. Traditionalist Catholic meditation is the conscious, focused, reflective, cognitive attention to God, such as when one meditates on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. Tai Chi meditation results in an altered state of consciousness.

According to the Tai Chi Foundation:

Tai chi, a centuries-old Chinese martial art and mind-body exercise, with its slow, deliberate movements and emphasis on relaxation and balance, is often seen as a form of gentle exercise or method of stress relief. However, for some practitioners, it can also be a gateway to mystical experiences.

Mystical experiences are often described as moments of unity with something greater than oneself, a sense of oneness with the universe, or a connection to a divine or spiritual realm. These experiences can be profound and transformative, leaving lasting changes in one’s perspective on life and the world. So, how can tai chi help one approach mystical realms of consciousness? There are a number of factors that may help:

The Harmony of Body and Mind

In addition to being a martial art, tai chi can be thought of as a graceful practice that harmonizes movement and awareness. Practitioners often describe a sense of flowing meditation, where each movement seamlessly connects with the next. This synchronization of body and mind creates a conducive environment for transcendent experiences.

Mindfulness in Motion

The slow, deliberate movements of tai chi encourage practitioners to be fully present in the moment. This heightened state of awareness becomes a gateway to mystical experiences, allowing individuals to go beyond the ordinary and connect with deeper aspects of themselves.

Energetic Flow and Qi

Tai chi is rooted in the concept of Qi, the universal life force energy that flows through the body. By engaging in the gentle, rhythmic movements of tai chi, practitioners aim to cultivate and balance their Qi. This balanced flow of energy can help open pathways to a heightened sense of awareness and interconnectedness with the universe.

Stillness Within Movement

Despite the dynamic nature of tai chi, a unique stillness is embedded within each movement. This paradoxical combination of movement and stillness is a metaphor for life itself, encouraging practitioners to find tranquility amid the chaos—a key element in pursuing mystical experiences.

Connecting with Nature

Tai chi incorporates postures and movements inspired by nature, mimicking the ebb and flow of the elements. As practitioners move in harmony with these natural patterns, a deep sense of connection with nature emerges. This communion with nature becomes a conduit for mystical experiences as individuals tap into a larger, universal energy.

The Journey Inward

Beyond the physical postures, tai chi is a journey inward. Through consistent practice, individuals may find themselves peeling away the layers of the ego and becoming more aware of different dimensions of their consciousness. This introspective aspect of tai chi invites practitioners to explore the less ego-filled depths of their being and connect with the universal essence that transcends individual identity.

(See taichifoundation.org/unveiling-the-mystical-tai-chi-as-a-gateway-to-profound-experiences; Emphasis mine). 

Therefore:

• Tai Chi is based on a pagan, pantheistic worldview that is heretical

• The movements of Tai Chi are incorporated with pagan/occult meditation intended to induce altered states of consciousness and promote false "mystical experiences"

• Tai Chi is an occult/pagan doorway to accepting a false, heretical worldview and opening up oneself to demonic forces--even to possession

• What is sold as "healing" and "health" is really occult practices

If you think that's an overstatement, according to The Art of Tai Chi:

When it comes to spirituality, people also think of healing – they’re right. Part of spirituality is that it’s a healing tradition. Medicine and spirituality have been interconnected for a long time. There are other healing traditions that came from the Greek physicians, the shamans*, as well as the traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. These healing traditions do not serve to cure disease, but they serve as a means to actually release and enhance the spirit.

Shamanism is an ancient healing tradition and moreover, a way of life. It is a way to connect with nature and all of creation.

Let’s take a look at breathing because breathing is associated with spiritual growth. If we exhale and we put our mind and thought to consciously exhale deeply, that’s a release, you’re releasing your spirit.  And when you release the spirit, it’s no longer bound. When we inhale consciously, you actually then begin to expand and enhance your spirit.

(See artoftaichi.com/blog/how-tai-chi-contributes-to-your-spiritual-growth; Emphasis mine). 

Is The Tai Chi of Dr. Paul Lam Non-Occult and Safe for Traditionalist Catholics to Use?

In a word, NO. 

According to Dr. Paul Lam of the Tai Chi Association of Australia, correct breathing techniques are an important part of Tai Chi meditation and should focus on the giving and taking of energy. The premise of this meditation technique is very easy: Lam recommends that when inhaling, you should think of taking life energy into your body. When you exhale, release that energy. This breathing technique can be applied to almost all tai chi meditations and movements, according to Lam. 

(See gaiam.com/blogs/discover/4-tai-chi-meditation-techniques; Emphasis mine). 

From Lam's own website:

Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise originating from ancient China, where it started as a famous martial art. These days, it’s practised around the world as an effective exercise for health.

It’s impossible to describe this complex art in one sentence. Tai Chi can be many things for different people, but regular practice will improve your wellbeing.

At the heart of it, Tai Chi is a moving meditation in the form of a series of gentle exercises that create harmony between the mind and body. The ultimate purpose is to cultivate our inner life energy (qi) to flow smoothly and powerfully through the body. This is a spiritual experience, as much as a physical one. (See taichiforhealthinstitute.org/what-is-tai-chi; Emphasis mine).

Health Benefits?

Yes, there are peer reviewed studies that show Tai Chi improves balance and lessens joint pain, yet there are exaggerated claims, such as the ability to lose large amounts of weight in a short time. There are two serious considerations: (1) the basis of Tai Chi is a "life energy force" that has never been scientifically proven. Many of the effects from Tai Chi can be replicated or even exceeded by brisk walking, stretching, and resistance training. Studies show that standard aerobic and strength workouts offer comparable improvements in fitness, blood pressure, and weight control.

(2) Your soul is more important than your body. "For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?" (St. Mark 8:36). Why use a method of movement seeped in occult/pagan ideology and practice (thereby opening yourself up to demonic forces) when you can get benefits as good or better from regular forms of exercise? 

Conclusion

There are clergy in the Vatican II sect that support and promote the practice of Tai Chi, an inherently pagan and occult practice. It cannot be divorced from its origin and is a real spiritual danger. Just as the sacrament of Extreme Unction with its primary effect of saving the soul has been replaced by the invalid "Anointing of the Sick" with a primary focus of bodily health, so too does the Vatican II sect elevate false and evil teachings and practices for the promise of health. Don't fall for it.

I Shall Fear No Evil

 

To My Readers: This week TradWarrior discusses the problems Traditionalist Catholics face during the Great Apostasy from Satan. Please feel free to comment as usual. If anyone has any specific questions or comments for me, I will answer as always, but it may take me a bit longer to do so this week.

God bless you all, my dear readers---Introibo

I Shall Fear No Evil

By TradWarrior

 

Being a Catholic in today’s world has never been harder in many respects than it is today. For decades, the Catholic Church has had no visible pope to guide Her through these tumultuous times in which we are living. Each person on this planet is assaulted in different ways by the world, the flesh, and the devil. Catholics are no different. What we possess is that we are members of the One True Faith on Earth. We possess everything within the church to get us to heaven. But in these times, we are very much like the Jews of the Old Testament, wandering through the wilderness, trying to make our way as best we can. The focus of this post will be the assault by the last title mentioned – the devil.

Satan and his demons prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Like a lion, they seek to devour each and every one of us, so that when we die we are damned to hell to share in their misery. (1 Peter 5:8) Misery loves company. This post will serve to show the power that the demons possess. It will also demonstrate some powers that the demons do not possess.

One of the faulty beliefs today is that good and evil are opposite sides of the same coin, completely equal. They are like the yin yang in Taoism. We must remember that God is infinite. The demons, though powerful, are creatures and their power is only finite (strong though it is).  

There are different levels in which the demons can assault us and these will be briefly mentioned.

Temptation:

This includes ordinary attacks common to all humans. It involves internal enticements to sin. The demons provoke thoughts and emotions to influence free will, but cannot force a person to sin.

Oppression:

This is an extraordinary external attack that does not involve the loss of consciousness or bodily control. The demons target external circumstances, health, or emotions. It often presents as extreme melancholy, a heavy physical malaise, or persistent bad luck and physical suffering.

Obsession:

This is a severe psychological siege where a demon attacks a person’s interiority-specifically targeting their intellect and emotions. The subject experiences sudden irrational thoughts, intense neurosis, and possibly even frequent, persistent suicidal ideation. It makes it nearly impossible to focus on daily obligations or to sleep properly.

Possession: 

This is the most severe form of extraordinary diabolical influence where the demon takes full mastery over a person’s body. The demon acts through the physical body, rendering it non-responsive to the individual’s free will. The victim’s body may exhibit unnatural physical strength, they may levitate, speak in unknown languages (xenoglossy), display complete personality shifts while the demon acts as master, have an intense aversion to religious objects, and exhibit unnatural body and facial distortions, such as speaking in an inhuman voice, involuntary contortions, or moving in unnatural bodily movements e.g. slithering like a snake on the ground without using one’s arms and feet to propel them, which is physically impossible.   

The demons exercise a greater intellect and will then humans do. They are more powerful beings that we are. They do lack the intellect that the holy angels have, for by their fall their intellects were darkened.

For much of the remainder of this article, I will turn often to the angelic doctor himself – St. Thomas Aquinas.

In the Summa Theologica (I, Q. 41, A. 4), St. Thomas goes into the mode and order of the temptation.

St. Thomas says in his “Reply to Objection 3” that the devil was not satisfied with instigating a desire for riches and honors, but he went so far as to tempt Christ, for the sake of gaining possession of these things, to fall down and adore him, which is a great crime, and against God.

The temptations get worse. First, he wants Christ to work a miracle by turning the stones into bread. Christ replies, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Next, he tempts Christ to throw Himself off of the highest point of the temple. Christ replies, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” The last temptation is the worst of the three. He tells Christ that he will give Him all the kingdoms of the world if He bows down and worships him. Christ replies, “Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and Him only shalt thou serve.” The devil in his initial fall wanted resemblance with God. He sought to have final beatitude by his own power (See ST, I, Q. 63, A. 3).

What was the purpose of the devil tempting God? In short, it was to make Christ fall, like he wants all to fall into sin and then eventually into hell itself. But this is what Satan did not understand. As Rufinus of Aquileia said, “The purpose of the Incarnation was that the divine virtue of the Son of God might be as it were a hook hidden beneath the form of human flesh…to lure on the prince of this age to a contest; that the Son might offer him his flesh as a bait and that then the divinity which lay beneath might catch him and hold him fast with its hook…Then, as a fish when it seizes a baited hook not only fails to drag off the bait but is itself dragged out of the water to serve as food for others; so he that had the power of death seized the body of Jesus in death, unaware of the hook of divinity concealed therein. Having swallowed it, he was caught straightway; the bars of hell were burst, and he was, as it were, drawn up from the pit, to become food for others.” What this means was that God’s overarching plan all along was for the redemption of mankind. 

We know this of course, but at that time, Satan and the demons did not understand this, even with their advanced intellects. God the Father allowed God the Son to take on flesh of the Virgin Mary and to walk among His creation as one of them, like them in all ways except for sin. The question must be asked, “Who did Satan think that he was tempting?” Likewise, when Christ was undergoing His barbarous Passion, with the agony in the garden, the scourging at the pillar, the crowning of thorns, the carrying of the cross, the crucifixion, all the way leading up to His death – the demons assailed Him to no end, yet fall He never did. 

He had the power to come down from the cross. He chose not to because this was His plan to redeem mankind before the world ever was. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and He will at once send Me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Mt. 26:53) Who did they think that they were tempting? In their advanced (though fallen) intellects, they knew that He was a prophet. They had a high probability in their thinking that this was the Messiah who had entered the world, for no one ever spoke like this man before, nor did the things that He did. But what they didn’t know was that He was God Incarnate. 

In the “Summa Theologica” (see ST, I, Q. 64, A. 1), St. Thomas Aquinas goes into great detail on the demons darkened intellects. He said that the demons had three kinds of knowledge. The first was their natural knowledge. This knowledge was neither taken away nor lessened in the demons. The second form of knowledge was knowledge from grace and while this hadn’t been utterly taken away from them, nevertheless, it was lessened from their fall. Their third type of knowledge, explains Aquinas, is by long experience. 

Demons do not know the future with absolute certainty—that is reserved for God. However, because they have existed since the beginning of creation and possess acute intellects, they use long experience to recognize patterns. By observing natural causes, terrestrial events, and human habits over centuries, they are highly skilled at making deductions about present situations or predicting future outcomes that might not be obvious to humans. It is the second form of knowledge here that comes into play – knowledge lessened from the light of divine grace. The demons fell but the holy angels did not. The holy angels have knowledge from grace and understand divine matters in greater detail than the fallen angels do. 

According to St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, when the devil was tempting Christ in the desert and saying, “If you are the Son of God…,” they are not saying this in a way that we understand it to mean. When we read it, it sounds like they are saying this in a mocking fashion such as, “If you are the Son of God, then you can obviously do this or that because after all, you are the Son of God.” It is a form of arrogance in their taunting him. While this may hold true to some extent, according to these two great theologians, when the demons say, “If you are the Son of God…,” they are asking Him this because they did NOT KNOW WITH FULL CERTAINTY (emphasis added) that He truly was the Son of God. Why? Because their intellects were darkened by their fall and knowledge from grace was lessened in them. They could miscalculate. They did not know with full certainty that this was the Son of God. As Aquinas states in his “Reply to Objection 4” in quoting St. Augustine, “For had they fully and certainly known that He was the Son of God and the effect of His Passion, they would never have procured the crucifixion of the Lord of glory.” 

In other words, they did not know truly that this was the Son of God because if they did, they never would have gone to so much trouble persecuting Him and executing Him because in the end, He was going to triumph despite their best efforts against Him. Why? Because HE IS GOD! “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over Me.” (Jn. 14:30) This is a huge weakness of theirs. While they are far superior in intellect over human beings, (although inferior in intellect to the holy angels), they are creatures and they can make mistakes in their thinking. They do not make mistakes in the way that humans make mistakes in their thinking, because their intellects operate at a much higher level than human beings, but they do calculate things incorrectly. Their intellect and their power are limited.

St. Thomas expounds on this even greater in his other monumental work “De Malo.” (On Evil) He asks the question, “Do Devils Know Future Things?” (see Q. 16, “On Devils”, A. 7). 

Due to the length of his answer, I will highlight some of his most poignant points in this section that he covers.

*Damascene says that God alone, not human beings or devils, knows future things. Everyone can know better the things that belong to oneself than the things that belong to others. And so 1 Cor. 2:11 says: "No one knows what belongs to a person save the person's spirit within the person." But devils did not foreknow their fall, as Augustine makes clear in his “Literal Commentary on Genesis.” Therefore, much less can devils know other future things.

*Devils sometime predict true things about the future and sometimes false things. And they predict true things when they foreknow them by the revelations of good spirits that originate from God or in their external causes, whose power they know, or in what causes propose to do, as when they predict the things they themselves are about to do. And they sometimes predict false things wishing to deceive human beings, since the devil is "a liar and the father of lies," as Jn. 8:44 says. And they sometimes predict false things because they themselves are deceived, as when God prevents them from doing what they intend to do, or when something happens by God's power beyond the ordinary course of natural causes, as Augustine says in his work “On the Divination of Devils.”

*Devils' substance and activities indeed transcend the time that numbers the movements of heavenly bodies, but time is connected with their activity insofar as they do not actually understand everything at the same time. And this time indeed involves change in their desires and thoughts about intelligible things. And so Augustine says in his “Literal Commentary on Genesis” that God causes the movements of spiritual creatures through time.

Aquinas goes on and delves into this matter in heavy fashion, but the overall point is that the demons do not know all future events. Only God does. They can error, again due to what Aquinas said in his “Summa Theologica”, because of the fact that their knowledge from grace was severely lessened due to their fall.

There are other areas where the demons are handicap and lacking too. One such area is the demons cannot know the interior thoughts of men. They cannot read their hearts, so to speak. The demons know some causes of our thoughts, but they do not know all of them. Only God knows the interior thoughts of men completely.

Evil is a void of good. The demons in their fall made a choice and this choice was irreversible. The will of the demons is obstinate in evil. The demons sin is greater than man’s sin. Consequently, the demons are much more punished than humans are. Since the demon has a perverse and obstinate will, he is not sorry for the evil of sin. Not only will the demons exist in misery forever, but they want human beings to join them in hell forever to suffer with them. Again, misery loves company.

The beatitude and the punishment of both the demons and human beings will be magnified after Judgement Day. When Christ returns to judge the world, it will greatly affect all of creation. When humans die, if their souls go to Heaven, they experience great joy. If they die and their souls go to Hell, they experience horrific pain. If their souls go to Purgatory, they suffer pain, but this pain will eventually become joy once the soul goes to Heaven and experiences the beatific vision. This is after all of a soul’s temporal punishment has been expiated. 

Some souls have very little expiation to make for the temporal punishment that remains on their souls after death and they are ushered into Heaven fairly quickly. Others have a very long stay in Purgatory, having much more temporal punishment to expiate after death. After Judgement Day, our souls will be reunited with our bodies. For the blessed, the joy will exponentially increase, in both soul and body. For the reprobate, the punishment will greatly intensify as both the soul and the body will suffer in Hell forever. The beatitude/joy is greatly magnified in the Elect, while the pain and punishment is greatly magnified in the Damned. Likewise, the demons will suffer even more after Judgement Day, when Christ judges the world.

In times of greater sanity, Catholics had an easier time following the Catholic Church. Now, the question is, “Where is the Catholic Church?” Simply put, the church exists in those faithful followers who have remained traditional Catholics in this godless age in which we are living. The Great Apostasy wreaked incalculable havoc on the world and the casualties cannot be counted. Authority is derived from the pope down through the bishops down through the priests and finally down through the people. What has transpired in the last few decades has been a removal of the institutional structure of the church. The Vatican II sect splintered off from the True Catholic Church and in doing so, most of the “Catholic” world went along with the false sect that parades itself as “The Catholic Church.” The “pope,” “bishops,”, and “priests,” are anything but. The true clergy exist in the faithful traditional remnant that exists in pockets scattered here and there throughout the world. 

The demons assault has grown and magnified unlike any other time, because now, the attack is coming from every angle imaginable. The number and prevalence of sins attacking mankind is out of control. Abortion, contraception, divorce, fornication, theft, murder, homosexual acts, pornography, and so many other sins run rampant everywhere now. In every age, whenever mankind was afflicted by sin, caused by the world, the flesh, and the devil, individual Christians sought the sacraments and stayed close to the church as their safe haven. But the church is not as easily found now, because the Conciliar Church has usurped the Traditional Church. It has eclipsed it. 

The pope is the guardian of the church. It was he and he alone, who Christ gave the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. (Mt. 16:18-19) Remove him from the equation, and evil runs amok everywhere! Not all sins are due to the demons, but many are, and the demons have had a field day with what has transpired to the Catholic Church in the last several decades. The demons know in the end that they lose, for they cannot defeat God, just like they cannot defeat His Church. They do not know exactly when their “reign of terror” comes to an end, but it does come to an end. They know this.

 

Conclusion

How do Catholics weather the storm that is currently engulfing the world (spiritually speaking)? It is not easy and it continues to get harder. It is not impossible though, for God never asks the impossible of us. We must make use of everything at our spiritual disposal that we have.

*The traditional Mass is our greatest weapon that we have. Those who are within driving distance of a traditional church should make use of the sacraments often, especially the Sacrament of Penance and the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Remaining in the state of grace is important to staying holy.

*The rosary needs to be prayed daily. 5 decades should be prayed minimally. For those who are able to pray the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries every day, it is a very good idea, for even more graces will flow through Our Lady to us.

*Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary are very powerful. Consecrations to the Two Hearts should be made frequently.

*The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is helpful.

*Praying the Stations of the Cross is useful.

*Wearing sacramentals such as the Miraculous Medal, the St. Benedict Medal, the Brown Scapular, the Green Scapular, etc. are very helpful to ward off evil.

*Devotion to St. Joseph is strongly encouraged and sadly neglected. St. Joseph is the “terror of the demons.” His intercessory power with God is only second to Our Lady.

*Prayers to a person’s guardian angel are very important. God has given us an angel protector over the course of our entire life. We need to make use of this spiritual friend as much as possible. Don’t just pray to your angel, talk to your angel frequently too.

*The Chaplet of St. Michael is a great devotion to ask for the intercession of all of the holy angels in our combat again Satan and the demons. These are the holy angels who did not fall and remained faithful to God. Their intercession is especially powerful and collectively when praying this chaplet, the strength of their intercession is greatly magnified.

*Finally, we must pray for the grace of final perseverance. It is easy to “fall off the wagon” so to speak, especially in these times! We need to persevere to the end, so that we may save our souls.

We must stay close to the Catholic Church. Without a visible pope to guide it in these times, it is harder on everyone. There are going to be divisions among traditional Catholics and the demons take great delight in this. Still, the church exists until the end of the world and the church is victorious in the end. Christ will one day return to judge this world. He is always faithful to us and we must remain faithful to Him until He returns. 

Yes, the demons have much power over us, but there are things that they are limited by, as I have demonstrated in this article. Powerful as they are, they remain just creatures, not the Creator. Their influence over us will end once Christ puts an end to everything and subjects all of His enemies under His feet. (Ps. 110:1) No one knows that day or hour, only God alone. Human beings, the angels, and the demons alike, do not know when Christ will return. We must do all we can to remain faithful and vigilant. This is all Christ asks of us. We leave the rest to Him. It is in His Hands. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Jn. 16:33)

Recognizing The Occult---Part 4

 

This is the fourth of some posts I will publish on occult symbolism. I've written much on occult practices and how it influences things like music and movies, but not so much on occult symbols. Sometimes my friends will ask, "I want to buy [certain item they show me] but a writing or a picture on it looks strange. Is it occult?" Good question. Sometimes someone will know something is occult, but they don't know exactly why it's bad, other than the general condemnation of the occult by the Church and found in the Bible. 

This post will continue to expose occult symbolism. While many things today are occult, not every symbol or writing we don't understand is automatically "occult." We must learn to discern. You may be better equipped to help a family member or friend who has some occult symbol in his/her possession and may not realize it, thinking it harmless. My first post in this series was published on 4/27/26.  It is well worth reading first if you have not already done so--it gives some background on symbolism which I will not repeat here. 

I claim no credit for any of the material in this post. All I did was compile the research on the occult into a terse and reader-friendly installment on this blog. The material comes from many online and print resources.  I hope you find it useful. Please comment and let me know if you got something out of it.

God bless you all, my dear readers---Introibo

Ambiguous Occult Symbols

These symbols require careful discernment, as their meaning shifts with context—sometimes serving legitimate conventional purposes, other times signaling the occult.

Butterflies

Meaning: Sometimes it simply is used to show something pretty and decorative in the home. The occult meaning is the soul’s metamorphosis. The butterfly symbolizes transformation and immortality—in Greek, psyche means both “soul” and “butterfly.” Its life cycle (caterpillar-chrysalis-winged insect) provides a visual metaphor for the soul’s liberation from earthly limitations. 

Origin: Treasured across cultures for millennia, Aztecs used butterflies to represent souls of slain warriors, Greeks portrayed Psyche with butterfly wings as a mortal freed from death, and early Christians adopted the butterfly to symbolize the soul leaving the body at death and eternal life. 

Uses Today: Appears frequently in décor, fashion, memorial art, and tattoos signaling transformation and new life. Used by Carl Jung to reflect psychic vigor and stages of self-discovery. Popular as a wholesome symbol of renewal and resurrection. 

How it should be used: Early Catholics rightly embraced this imagery for resurrection (caterpillar-chrysalis-butterfly mirroring life-death-resurrection), but believers must distinguish Christ’s once-for-all triumph from pagan narratives of souls endlessly transmigrating through lifetimes via false/heretical reincarnation. 

Bees

Meaning: Lost in the swarm. In Freemasonry, the beehive represents “industry,” cooperation, and a well‑ordered community of workers laboring together under the “Great Architect.” In various occult and neo‑pagan traditions, the bee and queen bee are linked with the “Divine Feminine” and the generative power of nature. They are sometimes used to express ideas of group consciousness or a “hive mind,” where the individual is subordinated to the collective. 

Origin: In ancient Mediterranean religion, bees were regarded as sacred and as messengers between worlds, associated with the souls of the dead and the underworld. Priestesses of Demeter and Artemis were called Melissae (bees), serving the goddess of the hive with absolute obedience. Many ancients also believed that bees were born spontaneously from the carcasses of cattle (a practice known as bugonia), making them symbols of life emerging from death and of agricultural rebirth. 

Uses Today: In the occult, it is central to “honey jar” spells (popular in Voodoo and witchcraft), which are used to “sweeten” a target’s disposition or bind them in sticky emotional attachment. The hive also endures as a visible badge of “state-building” theology, appearing on Masonic aprons and as the official emblem of Utah (Mormonism’s “State of Deseret”) to mark a commitment to the collective work. Culturally, the “hive” label has been secularized by super-fandoms (like Beyoncé’s “BeyHive”) to signal a fierce, shared identity centered on a matriarchal figure. 

How it should be used: If a symbol of diligence ("busy as a bee") and spring in someone's home, there' no problem. Otherwise, no one should have anything to do with a symbol employed by the Synagogue of Satan.

Caduceus

Meaning: The wand of the deal-maker. Featuring two serpents entwined in a figure eight around a winged staff, it represents commerce, negotiation, and the alchemical “union of opposites.” In the occult, it is a symbol of Hermetic power and balance. In culture, it represents the trickster god Hermes—patron of merchants, thieves, and liars —making its frequent use in healthcare a bitter irony. 

Origin: Ancient Mesopotamia (c. 2600 BC) and Greece. It was the herald’s staff of Hermes, granting him safe passage between worlds. Its association with medicine is a modern error; historically, it has nothing to do with healing. 

Uses Today: Often mistakenly used as a medical symbol by some health organizations (the Rod of Asclepius, not Caduceus, is the historically accurate medical emblem). In occult contexts, it functions as a marker in alchemical art and mystical diagrams, signifying supernatural power and hidden wisdom. 

How it should be used: In medical settings, the Caduceus typically means healthcare, not magick, and can be accepted as a conventional professional sign. However, in Hermetic or alchemical settings, it signals a rival spirituality to avoid. Traditionalists must discern context and reject uses that promote occult worldviews. 

Rod of Asclepius

Meaning: The true sign of the healer. A single serpent wrapped around a rough staff, it represents the physician’s art: the intuition and skill needed to use potentially harmful substances (like snake venom) for restoration. It symbolizes the reality that healing often requires facing death and poison to extract life. 

Origin: The badge of the Cult of Asclepius, who was revered as the first physician and Greek god of medicine. Sick pilgrims would sleep in his temples among non venomous snakes, seeking a cure. It is the historically accurate emblem of medicine, distinct from the magical associations of the Caduceus. The symbol may have originated from a medical procedure for removing parasites by winding them around a stick. 

Uses Today: The historically accurate medical emblem for hospitals, medical associations, and healthcare organizations worldwide. Often confused with the Caduceus but represents legitimate medical practice and care. WARNING: Some think the symbol imparts healing. That is occult.

How it should be used: This symbol is appropriate as a conventional sign representing healthcare and the physician’s profession. However, Traditionalists must reject any notion that the image itself conveys spiritual power. God heals through ordinary means and sometimes miracles.

 Crescent Moon

Meaning: The distinctive curved shape of the waxing or waning moon, representing the changing lunar cycle. Symbolically connected to the feminine principle, water, fertility, renewal, and growth. When resting on its back, it resembles a chalice or vessel. 

Origin: Deeply rooted in antiquity, predating modern religious use by thousands of years. Historically associated with powerful goddesses like Artemis/Diana and the Moon Goddess Tanit. The Ottoman Empire adopted it as an imperial emblem after founder Osman witnessed it stretch across the sky in a dream. 

Uses Today: Appears as a national or religious emblem on flags of several nations and mosque architecture, particularly in Islamic contexts. Also found in jewelry, charms, and Neopagan lunar-magic iconography for ritual timing and practice. 

How it should be used: Sometimes a crescent moon will appear on children's pajama's to be a sign of nighttime/bedtime. No problems there. However, those who look to the moon in the occult are often seeking a “divine feminine” tenderness and a rhythm to life that feels more intuitive than rigid; they want to be held by a cycle greater than themselves. The "greater than themselves" they seek can only be found in Christ and His One True Church. 

Conclusion

As I wrote in my first three posts on this topic:

Symbols have deep meaning and are important. They link things tangible to realities that are intangible. We can't see love, but when a man brings red roses to his wife, love is symbolized. The ultimate symbol of love is the crucifix, God died so we may live forever. Those are wonderful symbols. However, when the symbol is linked to intangible evils by symbolizing heresies, immoralities and calling upon (evil) spirits for "protection" they become an invitation (wittingly or not) for evil to enter your life. Invite evil in and it will take you up on your request.