The Dark Roots of Conjuration and Its Danger to Believers

Conjuration: The Hidden Dangers Behind a Seemingly Harmless Practice

Conjuration, at its core, is calling upon spirits, performing magical spells, or using rituals and incantations to produce supernatural effects. It is rooted in ancient occult traditions and has long been associated with the invocation of spirits—sometimes even demons—through spoken words, ceremonial acts, or magical symbols.

While modern entertainment may use the term in connection with stage magic or illusions (as in conjuring tricks), conjuration's deeper and more traditional meaning remains a spiritual practice steeped in darkness.

Origins and Founders

The practice of conjuration does not have a single founder. Instead, it evolved out of various ancient religious and occult traditions. Conjuration has roots in Babylonian, Egyptian, and Greco-Roman mystery religions, medieval European witchcraft, and ceremonial magic. These practices were codified and expanded upon by figures such as Cornelius Agrippa, John Dee, and Aleister Crowley, who were deeply involved in Western esotericism.

For instance, Cornelius Agrippa (1486–1535) was a German polymath who wrote Three Books of Occult Philosophy, which laid a foundation for modern occult practices, including conjuration. He believed one could influence the physical world by aligning oneself with spiritual realms through magical formulas and rituals.

A well-known occultist, Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), took these ideas further in the 20th century. He practiced ceremonial magic (which included conjuration) and promoted the religion of Thelema, which asserts that individuals should follow their own "true will"—a belief that directly contradicts the Christian call to submit to God's will.

Religious and Philosophical Beliefs Behind Conjuration

Occultism, which literally means “hidden knowledge, " is the religious foundation of conjuration. Occultism teaches that secret spiritual forces and powers can be accessed and manipulated through rituals, symbols, and the practitioner’s will.

These beliefs are often tied to pantheistic or gnostic worldviews, where the universe is filled with spiritual entities, both good and evil, and human beings are empowered to control or communicate with them. This starkly contrasts the Christian understanding of a sovereign God who alone holds power over creation.

How Conjuration Works

In practice, conjuration involves invoking spiritual entities through chanting, drawing sigils, or conducting rituals to perform a specific task or gain knowledge. The person performing the act often calls upon angels, “benevolent” spirits, or elemental forces, but in reality, such entities are frequently deceptive demonic spirits masquerading as beings of light.

Even seemingly innocent practices like “calling in energy,” manifesting desires, or using divination tools (such as pendulums or tarot cards) fall under conjuration. The Bible clearly states that consulting spirits or attempting to manipulate the spiritual realm apart from God is sorcery and strongly condemned (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Galatians 5:19-21).

Why Christians Should Avoid Conjuration

For believers in Christ, dabbling in conjuration or any form of occultism is not just spiritually dangerous—it is spiritually treasonous. Engaging in these practices directly violates God’s commandments and opens doors to demonic oppression, deception, and spiritual torment.

What may seem like “light” or harmless spiritual curiosity can lead to spiritual bondage. Many people who have come out of the New Age and occult report experiences of fear, mental torment, sleep paralysis, and a sense of spiritual heaviness. These consequences often lift only when the individual renounces these practices and turns entirely to Christ.

Conjuration pulls a person’s dependence away from Jesus and toward self-empowerment or reliance on spirit guides. It subtly conditions the soul to seek spiritual experiences apart from God, which can open the door to deception. As 2 Corinthians 11:14 warns, “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

The Call to Return to Christ

Christians are called to worship God in spirit and truth, trusting in the Holy Spirit alone for guidance and power. The supernatural is real, but not all of it comes from God. Conjuration promises power and control, but it delivers deception and bondage.

If you’ve participated in such practices, there is hope. Through repentance and surrender to Jesus Christ, you can be set free. “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?

• What was his/her spirituality?

• What culture did it come out of?

• What were their beliefs?

• Who is their God or gods?

Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned. Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance.

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