Like many non-Christian families, visiting Spiritualists and Fortune Tellers was our form of Spirituality. We simply didn’t know any better and nobody taught us otherwise. From being a teenager my mother and I visited Mediums, Psychics, Crystal Ball and Tarot Card readers. We went to people’s houses for ‘sittings’ to attempt to contact the dead and receive messages. We began to attend audiences where one of our favourite Mediums would be performing. Mum wasn’t as enthralled as I was, and on hearing several Mediums say to me – ‘You can do what I am doing, one day you’ll be on a platform just like this’ – it encouraged me to develop my ‘gift’. Unlike my mum, I became more deeply involved in these practices.
What I was most attracted to was the Tarot Cards, I loved the pretty pictures and wanted to learn more about what they meant. I was more than eager to go out and buy a pack, along with some instruction books. Then I began to seek out classes where I could learn properly. I was taught to ‘feel’ the deck which I was attracted to, and meditate upon them. With the group sitting silently in a circle, gazing at the scattered cards on the floor, we were taught to ‘tune into’ a card of our choice and share with everyone what the card was saying to us. I bought different decks of cards to work with. I loved them.
I quickly learned how to read them, and started reading for family and friends, they all thought I was good at it, and came back for more. I printed out their readings on my computer for them to look back on when predicted events happened in their lives. People loved it. To me, this was just a hobby, nothing I took too seriously, something which I, my friends and family could enjoy. At no time did I question where the information came from; I simply thought it was I who was able to interpret the different combinations of cards in different layouts I used for readings.
So I began to go to development circles. We were taught to concentrate on ‘tuning into oneself’ by sitting in silence whilst the lights were dimmed and focusing on our breathing and being calm. This can lead to an altered state of consciousness In this state people were able to receive visions, information and predictions, and we were encouraged to share with the group what we received. The leading Medium would then make spirit contact and deliver messages to individuals. We were given exercises to do to develop our abilities, one of them being partnering someone and sitting in silence opposite each other to see if we could pick up any vibrations or information regarding that person.
I became enthralled, and went out and bought heaps of different books on self development, meditations, chakra reading, channeling, etc. I studied them earnestly, eager to develop.
We began to have ‘sittings’ at our house and invited our favourite Medium. We would also invite several friends or family members to participate in the group. And we would tape record our sittings in order to look back on them as predicted events unfolded. We were hooked! I also began visiting local Spiritualist meetings where Clairvoyance is carried out, receiving messages from what we believed to be dead relatives, or having private one to one sittings.
I became involved in Holistic and Complementary Therapies, and went to classes to learn how to practice Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Thai Foot Massage, Reiki Healing, Ear Candling and others. I also briefly joined classes to learn Yoga and Tai Chi. Opening up several Holistic Therapy rooms within salons and at a local hotel, I had no idea that Holistic Therapies were of a spirituality in opposition to Christianity. . . .
God is love
It was around this time I remember going to stay at a friend’s flat for several nights. One night as I was drifting off to sleep, I became aware of the most beautiful, pure, perfect love which wiped away all my fears, worries, anxieties and negativities. It felt totally natural to ‘dwell’ with this love, I felt that all negative feelings were totally from myself, and were not necessary whatsoever. I remember feeling that someone was there in this love with their arms stretched out wide but slightly forwards, as if to be offering to hug me, but I couldn’t see a face. I didn’t hear anything, but ‘felt’ the words, “But you’re welcome”, but as if to be asking a question like, what’s holding you back? . . . The next morning I told my friend. She was convinced her flat was haunted and didn’t want me to go home! I assumed it must be my late uncle who had recently passed away.
Although there were some happenings which were quite bizarre, I thought it was fine as no harm came to me whatsoever. Even though I’d read warnings in Occult books about receiving a bad spirit, I still didn’t think it was dangerous, as the advice was just to simply ask the spirit to leave, and for a better one to take its place. Everyone who took part in such activities seemed to come to no harm at all, so we continued . . . .
Accepting Jesus
In 2006 I was invited on an Alpha course to learn about Christianity. I attended, reluctantly, thinking I am only going for the free cake and coffee! I even sat near the door so that I could ‘escape.’ No way were these ‘religious nuts’ getting me going to church!! After all, what could these people know about anything spiritual? – They’d never been to a Séance! . . . .
But very soon, the Bible quotes spoke to me. The first one which really stood out was Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6)
Something struck a chord, and I knew that there was truth in this saying. I even commented to my friend that this is true! My friend looked at me as if I’d gone crazy. I started to look forward to our weekly sessions, and couldn’t wait to hear more Bible quotes and learn about Jesus. I began to realize that these people were ‘normal’, and very loving. They still welcomed me even though I’d not felt very friendly towards them when I first arrived. These Christians seemed full of love and seemed to have a cheerfulness about them, which I started to want.
I didn’t want the course to finish, so I attended another one and went through it all again! It was even better the second time around! I then began to attend a Methodist church. However, I still had my Tarot Cards, still thinking there was no harm in them whatsoever. It was when I decided to become a member of the church that my friend advised me to get rid of them, telling me if I call myself a Christian and want to give my life to Jesus, I shouldn’t be dabbling with those things.
I eventually agreed, and decided to get rid of my Tarot Cards, and decided to give 100% to the God who had already shown me that he IS pure love. I hadn’t read the Tarot Cards for other people for a few years, but was aware I still had them at the back of a cupboard. As far as I was concerned I was no longer into the Occult as I had stopped going to classes, circles, visiting Mediums, etc. I only occasionally got the cards out just to read for myself now and then. I also still had all the Occult books I’d bought . . .
Danger of Fortune Telling
It was after getting rid of the cards that there were several strange happenings, one of such things was that I began to feel the presence of a spirit, which kept visiting me for the next three months. I realized the cards had actually connected me with ‘something’, as I started to feel a presence which kept coming to me, very often, almost weekly. It came at any time, out shopping, at work, sitting on a bus, when I was fully awake. I guess it was because I had finally broken the connection, and it was trying to keep it. I got used to it being around, I wasn’t frightened at all. I couldn’t determine who it was, just a definite energy. In physical terms I guess I could describe it as being aware of a small area of ‘fog’. Although it is impossible to physically describe the non physical.
There was even a time when it came whilst I was reading my Bible at home, at this point I still didn’t realize it was evil, and I actually welcomed it, wondering who it was, as it wasn’t giving me any identity. My welcome made it become more vibrant. I could feel an increase in its vibration.
It sometimes came to me whilst I was at work. I told the cook about it, and she was convinced I must have a guardian angel watching over me because it wasn’t anything frightening. One time I was in a client’s room (I worked in a care home) and while she was chatting to me I felt it’s presence to be in the direction of the corridor. I didn’t tell the old dear as I didn’t want to frighten her.
At first its presence made me feel calm and I became familiar with its vibration. As the weeks went by, it became stronger, and in its presence I could feel it’s energy blending more with mine, my body felt quite heavy, I begun to feel incredibly nauseous when it was around and my mind felt ‘spaced out’.
To describe this spirit as an area of fog, you would think of it as something separate from yourself. But because it came on an energetic level, it affected my own energy, and therefore affected how I felt. I realized too that these spirits can change the way in which they come to you, sometimes it felt to be an ‘energy’ at a distance and I was able to point at where it was ‘standing’, sometimes I felt it directly blending with me, at other times it was my mind which seemed to be emphasized.
The final time was the strongest, in August. It was Holy Communion at the Church. I was in the kitchen filling up the thimbles for the Communion. I felt its presence very strongly. Even though the place was busy, people talking to me, distractions, I knew ‘something’ was there and nobody else seemed aware of it. It seemed to strongly touch my mind, the very point at which I think was strongly emphasized. As I walked to the front of the church to place the Communion thimbles at the table, there was the familiar feeling of it blending with me.
I sat down, and this was more than being calm – I could hardly move out of the chair – my body was so very heavy. My mind was extremely ‘spacey’. Someone came to ask me to serve cups of tea after the service, I immediately answered “I’d love to”. (Normally I would have hesitated as I am quite a shy person). But when I answered it felt like it wasn’t quite me controlling my voice, the words just came, although I was aware that it still sounded like me.
As the service began and everyone started to sing, I felt the presence beginning to fade. I was also then able to stand and sing, and the presence quickly faded away. I realized afterwards this was the beginnings of something wanting to take possession of my faculties. This was the beginnings of something evil forcing me into trance against my will.
Over the next few weeks, I became frightened and very upset, not knowing when it was going to come back, obviously wondering how I could get rid of it. I rang my church Minister and made an appointment to see him, needing help and not knowing what to do.
But days later I cancelled the appointment as I realized that it had decided to leave me alone, and it has never been back – thank goodness! Never having heard of Deliverance, at the time I concluded it was because I was in the presence of Jesus in that Holy Communion Service and it fled. What more proof do we need of Jesus saving us!! Jesus said,“For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20)
. There was a whole congregation there singing to him! There was definitely something in the church that day which got rid of this spirit. That is absolutely AMAZING! Spirits flee in his presence! AMAZING!
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (Acts 16:16-18)
It was shortly after that time that God placed a lady on my path via an internet social website who is an Ex Spiritualist. We shared each other’s stories and I discovered she had found the Lord Jesus several years prior to our meeting. We have become good friends and she has been a constant support to me. It was this lady who taught me much about the Deliverance Ministry. I learned how VITAL it was that I get rid of everything I had which tied me to the Occult . . .
I remember walking to work in the mornings and taking my Occult books with me to throw them away in a waste bin at the top of the street, I eventually got rid of them all. I repeated the Lord’s Prayer under my breath all the way to work, for many days afterwards.
The Church of England employs at least one Exorcist in every Diocese in the country. I renounced my involvement with the Occult with the Deliverance Minister/Exorcist in my area. Knelt before the cross, my head was anointed with oil. People laid hands on me and prayed as I read aloud my renouncement. To say sorry to Jesus was very special, and I am so glad I did this.
‘Do not turn to mediums or seek out Spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God’(Leviticus 19:31)
People who are into any form of Occult practices and think it is safe are usually nice, well-meaning people. They genuinely believe they have a gift but don’t know they are deceived victims of Satan. You think you are fine, that there’s nothing to worry about . . . . until you try to turn away from it. Then Satan’s demons will show their true colours, start to harass you and want to keep a hold on your soul. These spirits are demonic, and want to destroy your life.
I realized what was beginning to happen to me, and how much worse it could have been. If this spirit had been around any longer, I dare say our house would have become haunted, and heaven knows what it would have made me do. I am not just one person who has had bad experiences, it is the truth for everyone. I have since read other people’s testimonies who were previously involved in Occult practices, they all discovered the spirits they were connected to were evil, not our dead relatives at all, and were saved by Jesus Christ.
‘And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve’. (2 Corinthians 11:14 – 15)
Anyone who becomes involved in Occult practices WILL connect themselves to evil entities. You called them up! You have called Satan! He will come. I learned how spirit entities have the ability to reveal or conceal themselves, to whoever they choose, wherever they choose, whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re with, at whatever time they choose. It is dangerous!
Jesus is everything I’d been looking for
I knew Christianity was what I’d been looking for all my life. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”, this struck a chord with me instantly, how fantastic! Knowing Jesus is far more fulfilling than the false spirituality of the Occult. Satan can only provide a limited satisfaction, he does not love you, and is only out to destroy. Jesus brings love. He loves you and wants to transform your life, he improves your relationships, he gives you strength to deal with your struggles in life. He changes the way you see things, he wants a relationship with you and you begin to see his blessings as you become aware of him working in your life.
I am now attend a local Church. I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever of the existence of God and totally accept our Lord Jesus Christ as our only hope and deliverer from demonic spirits.
God has proved to me he exists, that he is more powerful than evil and that evil spirits flee from him. During church services I have felt that same pure, perfect love that I felt in my friend’s flat that night, I now know it is my Lord Jesus Christ – who loved me even whilst I was worshipping Satan. God is an absolutely pure, powerful, beautiful love with a deep, deep compassion which totally wipes out all worries, fears and anxieties. I want nothing but God in every part of my life, to devote my life to God, I live every second of every day for him, and always will.
God is the protector of our souls.
Praising him here glorifies him in the heavenly realms.
Tina Storey
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.
Recommended Books:
I Talked With Spirits – Victor Ernest.
Escaping The Cauldron – Kristine McGuire.
A Spiritual Quest – Laura Maxwell.
From Darkness to Light – Jeff Harshbarger.
Taken From The Night – S.A. Tower.
The Occult and You – Roger Ellis.
Recommended Websites:
www.refugeministries.cc/default.html
http://yourspiritualquest.wordpress.com/
www.inplainsite.org/html/Page12a_occult_psychics.html
