Harry Potter Fuels Wicca Growth

FRESNO, Calif., June 25 /Christian Newswire/ — Pottermania will sweep the globe with the July 2007 release of both J.K. Rowling’s seventh book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and the fifth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With millions of copies poised to fly off bookshelves (”Accelerato!), forecasts are that the latest book will become the fastest selling title in history. Global interest in the boy wizard will soar higher than Quidditch players seeking Golden Snitches.

While most consider all anti-Potterism to be downright Mugglish, concerns remain among many parents, especially in light of today’s surging interest in “Wicca” (witchcraft) among teens. While millions devour Harry Potter novels, increasing numbers also frequent Wicca websites, cast “Love and Money Spells,” and practice “white magic.” Is it all just fun and fiction, or is something truly supernatural going on? Something dangerous?

Steve Wohlberg, bestselling author of Exposing Harry Potter and Witchcraft: The Menace Beneath the Magic (Destiny Image, 2007) has read all the Harry Potter books. He also understands that Wiccans love nature, don’t believe in a “Christian devil,” and wouldn’t hurt a fly (or owl). He is no rabid witch basher, but believes in religious freedom. Nevertheless, Wohlberg is concerned about both Hogwarts and the Craft.

“There’s plenty of real occultism embedded in Rowling’s fantasy works,” Wohlberg contends, “and in spite of naïve popular opinion, Pottermania is aiding Wicca’s growth.” Even the founder of a major Witchcraft school agrees (his online training center is called a “Cyber Hogwarts“). Wohlberg warns that when Wiccans summon “nature spirits” in their rituals, they are entering dangerous territory. “Occultism has a dark side,” he warns, “and practitioners can easily become trapped like a fly in a spider web.” Ex-witches themselves share riveting testimonies in Wohlberg’s book.