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HERBALISM; MEDICINE OR MYSTICISM

Doug Ecklund R.Ph.
You may personally contact Mr. Ecklund at Douge93@cs.com

INTRODUCTION

By way of background, I am a practicing pharmacist. Since graduation from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science, in May 1973, I have been in the retail setting.

The increasing acceptance and promotion of herbalism in retail pharmacy has been of growing concern to me, from both a professional, and Christian viewpoint.

My biblical view shapes every sphere of life, including my professional acumen, and is the basis for evaluation of the ideologies and views being propagated within todays holistic health framework, where herbalism has its roots.

Alternate belief systems abound within holistic medicine in general and herbalism in particular, which are not built on empirical foundations, but on the philosophical and the spiritual.

My intent is to illuminate the underlying philosophies expressed by a segment of herbalists that is driving the promotion and inculcating of herbalism, and holistic health within our culture.

My desire is that you will read this earnestly; note its documentation; carefully consider the contents; and will receive benefit.

HERBALISM; A COMPONENT OF THE HOLISTIC HEALTH MODEL

My purpose is not to detail the holistic health system, but a brief overview of this new medical paradigm is necessary, since within this model, herbalism is discovered.

At its core, holistic health embraces preventing and treating the underlying cause of disease and treatment of the whole person. It is a change in attitude and approachmore than an absence of illness, it is an active state of physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and social wellbeing-an inherent characteristic of whole and integrated human beings. Its foundations are promotion of health and disease prevention-mobilize self-healing, with self-responsibility and self-education and self-discovery opportunities.(1)

I have no opposition to these basic tenets. My concerns arise in arenas where spirituality is addressed, and where scientific standards are laid aside in the evaluation of treatment modules.

Holistic health integrates all forms of health practices, which in the past, were relegated to the bizarre, the fraudulent, or the questionable.

Upon searching the web under holistic health, my very first link revealed an array of health practices including-acupuncture, yoga, spiritual development and healing, naturopathic medicine, energy healing systems, and community and planetary healing.(2)

Holistic health is alternative medicine or natural medicine.

This system minimizes, and often exhibits disdain, for the scientific method. The scientific method is based on ordered unbiased thinking that relies on proof of theory as a result of measurable, repeatable, and observable testing or experimentation.

When reason and the demand for evidence is discarded, the door is opened to embrace any invalid practice. Within this climate, only theories and suppositions abound to explain disease states, and the effectiveness and rationale of proposed treatments. When the obstacles of rationality are removed, the infusion of esoteric thought ensues.

HERBAL REMEDIES IN THE PHARMACY

Sales of herbal products in the United States pharmacies are estimated around two billion dollars a year and have been increasing 25-30% each year for the past five years.(3)

One recent survey revealed that the frequency of use of unconventional therapy in the United States was far higher than previously reported. One in three respondents reported using at least one unconventional therapy in the past year.(4)

Most herbal remedies sold as dietary supplements are placed in category 2 or 3 by FDA panels on over the counter drugs. This means that the FDA has not received sufficient data to allow the remedies to be classified as category 1: safe and effective drugs. Sufficient data involving expensive basic research and clinical trials would require a prospective manufacturer to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a non-patentable product. There would be no economic incentive for a manufacturer to make this investment.(4)

Since the FDA does not regulate herbal supplements, there are issues involving content and potency of product. Many herbal products are mislabeled and/or contain different plants than those indicated on the label. This often results from an initial misidentification of the herb in the field, or the use of less expensive substitutes. (4)

Consistency and standardization is another issue. A recent study in the United States revealed that many products containing feverfew had no detectable levels of this active component. Another study revealed that 60% of the 54 ginseng products tested contained far less then known therapeutically effective levels of ginseng, with 20% containing none at all.(4) Additionally, of equal concern, products may be laced with indomethacin (a prescription anti-inflammatory), silver, lead, or mercury. (3)

Conventional medicine is blending with non-conventional or alternative medicine. The result of such merging is loss of separation.

Differentiation between opposites will preserve integrity, but compromise always corrupts and eliminates truth. After compromise and assimilation, neither system will retain its prior identity and distinctiveness. The end result will be, either a unique entity, or one of the systems will be totally absorbed.

Conventional medicine has compromised its standards and has created a void filled by unrealistic and unsubstantiated claims and testimonials. Into this vacuum has flooded ideology; even mysticism and occultism have latched onto the herbal marketplace.

BASIC CONCEPTS IN HERBALISM

Viewpoints are numerous and divergent within the sphere of herbalism. Many hold strictly clinical evaluations as to the benefits of use, while others, use the herbs as an introduction to New Age- occult beliefs. To the group seeking efficacious and accessible alternatives to alleviate disease, I have no dispute. The other group, however, requires exposing of true motivation and proclivities, as exposure to their doctrine is inevitable within a self-education driven system.

Among the various proponents of herbalism, there can be found areas of commonality.

Somehow, conventional medicine has failed to fulfill its cultural mandate in supplying an adequate, comprehensive vehicle for health care delivery. For whatever reasons, justifiable or not, it has been deemed; uncaring; inaccessible; uneconomical; and untrustworthy. People have become disenchanted with the ability of conventional medicine to resolve and cure disease.

The purveyors of herbalism have stepped in to help fill the gap. By offering a system that is complementary, and possesses an ability to offer more affordable, comprehensive, and effective care, they hope to provide what is missing from conventional medicine alone.

Many herbalists purport that the unique qualities of herbs substantiate them as valid substitutes at least, and superior at best, to pharmaceutical medications. Herbalists are expressing this viewpoint on the basis of natural purity; synergy; and advantage in regard to harmful side effects and toxicity: Within this context, herbalists offer their definition of a medicine: To be a valid medicine to modern medical science, is to be a drug.(5)

Herbs are differentiated from drugs: Herbs are considered unique from drugs, in that, they contain elements in the amounts that nature intended.(6)

The superiority of herbs due to synergistic operation is expressed: Herbs operate optimally in synergy, which is one herbs interaction with the next, that expands the quality of the whole, so as to be much more than the sum of the individual parts.(7)

The superiority of herbs is related in regard to toxicity: When an alkaloid (the active ingredients in most plants) is extracted from a benign and helpful plant, it becomes concentrated; powerful; and in some cases, lethal. It becomes in short, a chemical-a drug-you no longer have a herb, or an herbal remedy.(5)

Herb advantage in regard to their natural purity is expressed: Drugs contain a single active substance, which has been extrapolated from a plant and synthesized. Herbs, on the other hand, provide a broad array of catalysts, which work together harmoniously----drugs made synthetically are not used in this natural form. This new synthetic drug is in a form that is foreign to the body. In contrast to drugs, herbs are natural and safe. They do not build up in the body producing side effects.(6)

The superiority of herbs is related to their natural purity: Herbs and plants are most effective when used in their natural, balanced states.(6).

The herbalists view of the self-healing capacity of the body, is that, herbs best activate it: Herbalists believe that the body can heal itself, using natural herbal therapy to activate the bodys own self-healing powers.(6)

From here, we enter into an arena where science and reason commence the evaporation into a nebulous cloud of the esoteric.

Here is where the intellect and science will fail in its ability to be the savior of mankind: an area where, if we rely on ourselves, and upon our intellect, it will consign us to the depth of darkness.

At this point these pied-piper herbalists call us to explore;

CONCEPTS OF ENERGY AND BALANCE IN HERBALISM

While herbalists do not expend effort to discover the mechanical or chemical interactions on human physiology, they do not all invalidate this aspect.

The majority of herbalists ascribe energy to herbs in order to explain their efficacy. A vast number of herbalists will concentrate on the energy of the herb alone; or relegate this energy as being, along with the pharmacological or bio-chemical action of the herb, the other component in herbal action.

In order to elude verification of the exact mechanism of action, clinical trials are minimized: Critics have taken alternative medicine to task for providing relatively few, clinical double-blind studies. according to Mary L Chavez, pharm. D., interim assistant chair for clinical evaluation at Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy, Downer Grove Ill. However, practitioners might say, such trials cannot be done because alternative therapy, which is based on the holistic approach, may differ markedly from individual to individual.(4)

The dominant feature ascribed to herbs is their energy and its interplay with us. Defining herbal effect by the concept of energy is void of supportive evidence; unreasonable; and unscientific in approach.

In general, drugs operate by a bio-chemical interaction. Energy by broad definition conveys a force. There is no substantiation in ascribing energy to an herb mechanism of action, and to do so, is strictly arbitrary. I believe, this application of energy is deliberate, and possibly deceptive, in order to substantiate spiritual beliefs. Their concept of energy is preexistent, and the mechanism by which herbal action is explained conforms to their bias. This concept is the focal point, from which will spring forth-metaphysical ripples of belief. As on a pond, billows will carry many peripheral belief systems to the shore of our thought.

According to Terry Willard, Ph.D., herbalist and author, Each herb has its own nature, which for want of a better word, we call its personality. It would be silly to assume herbs dont have patterns of energy beyond mere molecules. A first step in understanding Herbology lies in appreciating the fact that we should focus just as much on the essence of personality of the herb, as on the scientific descriptions.(7) He further relates, A herb is a living substance, and has its own constellation of energy. We dont think of our selves, or our pet dog, as being merely a conglomeration of physical parts. We have emotions, mental concepts, and spiritual feelings.(7)

Being presented, is a shift in perception, which compels us to view herbs as possessing human attributes and essence; and ascribes equal spirituality to human, animal, and plant.

In All About Herbs we read, There are several types of herbal medicine systems that are used today. European, Native American, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Western herbalism are the most prevalent systems. Despite differences in terminology, and in the herbs used, there is a common thread that joins these systems; all of these systems treat the body as a whole, and they each utilize the ENERGY of PLANTS to work as needed, in synergy with the natural ENERGY in each INDIVIDUAL.(8) (Capitalization mine)

We are advanced one step further by this subtlety, which presents, the energy of the herb working in conjunction with our energy.

This thought is carried forth by Terry Willard, Ph. D., where he states, In our own past, and around the world, an alternative means of organizing medical care is known. This system starts with THEORIES (note the terminology) of life energy, and relates it to the physical forms of human beings and diseases they have.(7) (Capitalization mine) He adds, This energy is known by many names: THE LIFE FORCE, chi, prana and also vital energy.(7) (Capitalization mine) This LIFE FORCE terminology will crop up later, but from a source other than an herbologist.

Another herbalist, David Hoffman, maintains this Life Force concept when he conveys, Far beyond the physical level, they (herbs) can also work on the level of LIFE FORCE that empowers us.(9) (Capitalization mine)

Having established the principles of the presence of energy in the herb, and in us, we are now introduced to elucidation in regard to operation.

Returning to Terry Willard, Ph. D., who is concise in relating, The purpose of non-allopathic medicine is to keep energy flowing correctly, or if flow is improper, to return it to its natural path. The herbalist role is not so much attack disease, but maintain natural flow of energy. Disease is the blocking of natural vital energy.(7)

In The Herbs of Life, accord with energy balance is fostered: Traditional cultures, which use herbs according to a THEORETICAL SYSTEM. (Again note the terminology), use herbs energetically----To use herbs energetically, we look beyond the symptoms of the disease to alleviating the underlying IMBALANCE, which caused the disease. The herbs energies are matched with that of the person, and the disease and its cause.(10) (Capitalization mine)

In an article from Snowbound Herbals, a pharmacist explains herbal action: Herbalism works to restore BALANCE in the body.(11) (Capitalization mine)

These concepts are a radical departure from our conventional approach to disease, and completely realigns how we think of ourselves. This disease model is completely foreign to our conventional system of medicine, and radically redefines disease.

Thinking is completely altered. If accepted, it will lead to a view of us, as being conduits of energy. Our energy is to be kept in a harmonious, natural, and free-flowing path. Any disruption in flow will cause imbalance and loss of equilibrium. Also implied, is an interconnected relationship between the herb and us-mutual dependency-an equating of essence. Body, soul, and spirit lose differentiation, and become energy. According to this dogma, we are ENERGY.

The foundation has been laid to accept energy, and harmonious balance of energy flow. The acceptance of these concepts is paramount to embracing the overriding philosophies, of which, herbalism is only an aspect.

Herbalism is incorporated into their belief systems, and its utilization reflects a practical application of their beliefs.

These beliefs will now advance into our thinking, by way of herbalism, in order to expound a false spirituality.

I will endeavor to convey this allegorically by using a TREE. The LEAVES of the tree represent herbalism: the philosophical systems are the BRANCHES: the TRUNK of this tree is occult practice: and the ROOT is satanic deception. Close inspection of this tree; will reveal its false teachings as ROTTEN FRUIT. False doctrines, which can only be refuted by the truth! Truth does not originate from me or by my opinion: truth is Gods word, the Bible.

THE HOLY BIBLE is The Word of GOD, and is the truth! In 2 Timothy 3:16, we read, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Psalm 119:160 declares: Thy word is true from the beginning The Lord Jesus Christ, in John 17:17 stated: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

There are only two choices in regard to the scriptures; either accept them, or reject them! In Psalm 119:30 we read: I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgements have I laid before me.

I will be applying scripture to my analysis of the false philosophies expounded, via herbalism. I urge you to evaluate and contrast these teachings by the light of scripture. My hope is that you too, will choose the way of TRUTH! It is paramount to realize that the decision made in regard to comprehension of the existence of falsehood, and the receiving of the truth, is a matter of LIFE and DEATH: on both the physical and spiritual level. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you LIFE and DEATH, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may live (Deuteronomy 30:19--Capitalization mine) Upon examination of our allegorical TREE, we first exam;

THE BRANCH OF CHINESE MEDICINE

Over 2000 years ago, the Chinese began to apply their philosophy of life and nature to medicine and treatment of diseases; and produced what is now referred to, as traditional Chinese medicine.(12) This is a complex and foreign system, and I will only provide an overview of core medical concepts; but will elaborate on the spiritual-philosophical base.

With reference to the use of herbs, belief is based upon matching The herbs energies----with that of the person, and the disease and its cause.(10): The criteria, however, is far from the expected! In Chinese medicine, the five elements-metal, water, wood, fire, and earth-correspond to the bodys lungs, kidney, liver, heart, and spleen.(12): Other corresponding components, which have relationship to the five elements, include direction, season, color, climate, and spiritual qualities. The classical five elements represents an integrated view of nature and the human condition, that reflected Confucian ideals.(13)

According to herbalist Lesley Tierra, The energy of an herb has several different aspects, which together, give the herb a unique personality----these aspects are----heating or cooling energy, the five tastes, the four directions, and other energies and special properties.(10) Both the herb and the body reflect the heating and cooling aspects. When the body is out of balance, it will be either too hot or cold, and the selected herb causes warmth or coolness in the body(10) to impart a restoration of equilibrium.

Next to balancing the bodily free flow of Qi or Chi (the energy force), the paramount concept stemming from Chinese medicine is Yin and Yang. An article on the Internet is noteworthy for an understanding: The Yin and Yang is the principal dogma that makes up the foundation of all Chinese philosophies and religions. They are natures polar extremes, seemingly capable of annihilating each other. Yet, through these extremes----nature progresses, harmony is achieved, there is constant change, and Tao results. Indeed, without darkness there is no light; without heat there is no cold; and ultimately, without life there is no death.(14)

According to the principals of Chinese Medicine, A persons body is full of Yin and Yang, and disease results when the balance is disrupted----the treatment is sometimes herbal medicine.(12) The plants used in treatment have both Yin and Yang qualities in them(10): and through interaction with our energy, restoration of harmony and wellness is accomplished.

Once again, what is evident upon reflection, is that Yin and Yang propagate loss of discernment. It is a philosophical/occult system, in which, opposites alternate, and exhibit coexistence and mutual dependence.

Examine the statement that without darkness there is no light. Light is not the absence of darkness, but rather, the presence of light. To say they are interdependent for existence is to deny the autonomy of one, or both, of the elements.

Co-dependency may incorrectly ascribe a false relationship between the components as well. In essence, neither element has any real meaning or differentiation, since they are in constant flux: light becomes dark and vice versa. Light and dark no longer have any true meaning or identity. They have become one. They have entered equilibrium or harmony, and have become Tao or oneness.

An article appearing in The Sarasota Herald Tribune, dated 11-6-97, reported that, An independent panel of experts concluded Wednesday that the ancient practice of acupuncture was an effective therapy for certain medical conditions. Acupuncture has been slow to gain acceptance by the Western medical establishment, largely because traditional Chinese explanations for its observed effects were based on theoretical concepts of opposing forces called Yin and Yang, which, when out of balance, disrupt the natural flow of Qi (pronounced chee) in the body. Consider this statement: In ancient China, religious prohibitions against dissection resulted in an inadequate knowledge of body structure and function.(15) Apparently, the experts have ignored this disparaging condition in reaching their consensus to approve this theoretical and deficient practice.

Chinese medicine has been practiced for over 2000 years, and many will validate it solely on this basis. Using the same reasoning, we should conclude the earth is FLAT, since this was the historic view!

What is the origin of this mystical Yin and Yang? It can be found in the philosophy of Feng Shui, which is the culmination of Chinas faith in Taoism, one of Chinas oldest religions; of Chinas faith in the science of astronomy; and of Chinas faith in superstitions, in astrology, shamanism, and fortunetelling.

The philosophies and doctrines found in I Ching, has largely influenced the faith of Feng Shui, as the I Chings trigram and hexagrams, made up of the linear Yin and Yang symbols, are widely used in Feng Shui practice. The concepts comprising the I Ching is formulated in the idea that the world is ever changing. What is good today, may be bad tomorrow----nothing is stationary, everything moves from Yin to Yang and back to Yin again. In incorporating the philosophies of I Ching, Feng Shui itself becomes an ever-evolving faith. Around 600 BC, a Chinese philosopher by the name of Lao-tse founded what was to become known as Taoism, which inevitably, found its way into Feng Shui. Taoism originated as a philosophy of nature, it defined mans place within the universe.(14)

From Funk and Wagnalls Encyclopedia, more information is obtained in regard to Taoism: Whereas, Confucianism urged the individual to conform to the standards of an ideal social system, Taoism maintained that the individual should ignore the dictates of society, and seek only to conform with the underlying pattern of the universe: The Tao (way), which can neither be described in words, nor conceived in thought. Through spontaneous compliance with the impulses of ones own essential nature, and by emptying oneself of all doctrines and knowledge; one achieves unity with The Tao, and derives from it, mystical power.(15) The two elemental dogmas ascribed to Taoism are the Yin and Yang, and the natural energy forces of Chi, both of which evolved from the earlier writings of I Ching.(14)

In World Mythology, we read of the Yin or Shang dynasty: The Yin sacrificed to many divinities including the sun, moon, clouds, earth, mountains, rivers, and the four cardinal directions. Taoism believed humanity should live in harmony with nature, and not seek to dominate it: the Yin and Yang should be in equilibrium. Yin and Yang came to be regarded as two cosmic forces, which interacted to produce phenomena of the universe. They were seen as complimentary, and mutually dependent.(16)

It is quite evident, how Chinese medical practices align with philosophical views, and herbalism evolved from this nature centered religion.

The teaching of I Ching states that what is good today, may be bad tomorrow, which coveys, that there is no absolute truth: truth is relative. If there is no truth, it follows that there is no law, and therefore, no sin! But, the scriptures say Thy law is the truth in Psalms 119:142. The scriptures state that by the law is the knowledge of sin in Romans 3:20.

I Ching says that, if there is no truth; then God is not our Saviour. But, the scriptures say I, even I, am the Lord; and besides me there is no saviour. ( Isaiah 43:11)

The concept of Yin and Yang, represents Yin as darkness, and Yang as light; since everything moves from Yin to Yang, and back to Yin, what is conveyed, is that dark becomes light and light becomes dark. By logical extension, God would be darkness and light alternately. 1 John 1:5 refutes this vain philosophy: God is light, and in him is NO DARKNESS AT ALL.(Capitalization mine) Hebrews 13:8 declares: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.

The Chinese Tao, or the way, which can not be described in words, or known, contrasts sharply with the Lord Jesus Christ who says very clearly, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) And where He speaks again: And this is life eternal, that they might KNOW thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3). The Lord Jesus is eternal life and imparts his life to the believer.

At its core, I Ching and Taoism are earth centered religions propagating the oneness of the creature and the universe / creation. Yin and Yang is another expression of the energy concept or life force, which comprises the world around us, and us as well. We are connected to, and part of, the external creation by this Life Force. We have not found our place in the universe, but rather, have lost our distinction from the world and the universe. Further, Yin and Yang has destroyed the separation and autonomy of opposites.

This system can only result in death: on the physical level, its medical concepts are flawed due to a reliance on false beliefs: as touching the spiritual, the only herb offered is HEMLOCK!

Upon returning to our allegorical tree, let us examine;

THE BRANCH OF AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is the worlds oldest healing system. The word itself is Sanskrit for Science of Life. Ayurveda predates, and actually influenced all healing systems, including ancient Greek, Chinese, and Western medicine. It has been practiced as Indias traditional medical system for more than 5000 years. In 16th century Europe, Paracelsus-who is known as the father of Western medicine- practiced and propagated a system of medicine that borrowed heavily from Ayurveda.(17)

The practices of Ayruveda are described as completely holistic.

According to Dr. Nitin Patel, a health educator with a medical degree from India in alternative medicine, In Ayurveda, the living body is a mini-universe governed by the same forces that govern the external world-the five components of ether, air, fire, water, and earth. As life enters our material body, three vital catalysts called Doshas-Vata(air and ether), Pitta(fire), and Kapha(water and earth)-work in harmony to maintain health. Basically, they govern all physiological and psychological aspects of the body. Each human is a unique combination of these Doshas, and disease is an imbalance in any of the Doshas.

Ayruveda, as a system, is based on the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself, when the whole person is properly cared for. Unlike Western medicine, the Ayurvedic materna medica combines herbs and minerals with diet, physical exercise, and practices such as Yoga and meditation.(17)

In this system, herbs are only the medicinal agents employed in the holistic therapies. Ayruveda conveys a sweeping philosophy that is more than medical, it encompasses the whole of life, which relates the life of the individual to that of the universe. As such, it is open to and includes, all life, and all methods that bring us into greater harmony with life.(18)

Plants represent more than materialistic nourishment and medicine, but transmit spiritual or occult forces: plants bring us love, the nourishing power of the sun----they bring to us the universal light, so that, we can enter the universal life.(18)

These sunny little friends of ours, are now going to lead us into the philosophical source of Hinduism!

The Ayruvedic medical system evolved out of the Vedas, the Hindu books of knowledge, that were divinely revealed to the sages of India. The 4 Vedas consist of Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda. Ayurveda is part of this fourth Veda, which includes, dissertations upon the treatment of the sick using mantra, herb, and potions.(19)

Upon entering into this medical paradigm, exposure to Hinduism is inevitable. Hinduism is a complex, interwoven system of varying traditions and paths. I will only concentrate on predominate, core philosophies, and will shed the Light of scripture on them.

Hinduisms representation of God as Brahman varies within two traditions. One tradition views Brahman as a theistic, personal God; and the other, as an impersonal, pure awareness, consciousness, and seen as undifferentiated reality(20).

God is not an impersonal force, but a person: But I trusted in THEE, OLORD: I said THOU art my God. (Psalms 31:14).

Hinduism offers a complex cosmology, where the universe is a great cosmic egg. Time is both degenerative, going from Krita Yuga (a golden age), to Kali Yuga (a present age), and is cyclic. Human life is viewed as being cyclic as well.

In Hinduism, Dharma is the absolute cosmic law, which governs all processes in the universe including the life of the individual (21), and is the basis of morality.

Karma is the law of causality(21), whereby, any action or deed results in further actions, deeds, or activities. Included in Karma, is any omission to act or thought.

Evolving from the cyclic view of human life, is the wheel of life. After death, the soul leaves the body, and is reborn in the body of another person, animal, vegetable or mineral. This process of endless entanglement in activity and rebirth is called Samara. The precise quality of the new birth is determined by the accumulated merit and demerit that result from all actions, or Karma. (15) A single life would be impossible for resolution.

The Bible nowhere teaches a Samara like equivalent, but rather, a spiritual rebirth by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus said, Ye must be born again (John 3:7), this was referring to a birth from above. This spiritual rebirth is the requirement, not endless physical rebirth.

The desire of the Hindu is to be released from this endless cycle, and is referred to as Moksha. By Moksha, the Hindu understands the final liberation and redemption from all worldly ties, from Karma, and the cycles of birth and death; union with the ultimate reality. Thus, the attainment of Moksha is the sole purpose of the spiritual quest.(21)

Hinduism purports that, All manifestations within the universe, accessible to our senses and our thinking, are relative; in absolute terms, they are untrue.(21) If there is no reality, and no truth, then therefore, there is no sin. But the Bible says in 1 John 1:8, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Hinduism does not recognize sin as being anything but a violation of Dharma, resulting in Karma, but in Psalms 51:4 we read, Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil, in thy sight."

The goal of Moksha is obtaining release from Samsara, not salvation from an everlasting punishment and torment in Hell. Hinduisms belief of hell, called Naraka, is a distressed area of consciousness-a state of mind-and not viewed as being permanent. Hell is eternal separation from the presence of the Lord. God wants no one punished in hell. He has extended compassion and pity on us, in order to save us. He demonstrated His love for us by graciously taking our place on the cross, so that God might justly pour out his wrath upon our sin, but extend forgiveness and eternal life to us. Do not despise His love and mercy to you, but rather, embrace Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. We should fear Hell, and fear the Lord Jesus, the Judge of all, who warned us: But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. (Luke 12:5)

Hinduism does not hold to just one path to liberation. Most Hindus follow a path of one of three religious actions. Karma Marga-consisting of selfless deeds and puja (worship of temple, icon, person, or a god-by pouring or throwing flowers, rice, oil, water or milk, or offering incense). Bhatki Marga-consisting of loving, passionate devotion to a god of choice, expressed by chanting, singing, and prayer. Jnana Marga- a path of knowledge, including meditation and Yoga.

Hinduism is a religion of works, where, grace has no place: Karma can be shaped by an individual, but it can not be changed from outside.(21) The Bible teaches that reconciliation to God, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life in Heaven, is a FREE GIFT. Salvation is by Gods GRACE through faith in Jesus Christ alone. For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), that need to be discarded, and exchanged for the robe of the righteousness of Christ Jesus. The Lord Jesus is our righteousness; His righteousness is imputed to the believing sinner. We are saved by His blood, by His righteousness, and by His life. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:5-7) Our sin debt was paid at the cross, and the justice of God satisfied, through the Grace of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

According to Bhatki-yoga, God responds to our love. Love, action, and knowledge are the paths. When all else falls off, only the object of love remains, the lord, Krishna, the self-god.(21). While this sounds good, the lord is not the object of love; the outcome is actually self-love. We do not love God first, for Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10) Jesus appeased and satisfied Gods justice and righteousness by the atoning sacrifice of his death and shed blood, so that God might be just; and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19) The Lord Jesus provides definition in regard to loving God: If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15).

All the elements of the Hindu sacrificial systems, are in actuality, the disguised sacrifice of oneself(20). God does not accept the sacrifice of ourselves, but only of the Lord Jesus: For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.(1 Timothy 2:5) Who hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God.. ( Ephesians 5:2)

Hinduism teaches that there are many gods (Avatars), that are manifestations representing the aspects of Brahman, and also allows preference in selecting which god to worship, as necessary to a personal way of redemption to Moksha, to Nirvana. The Bible declares, For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. (Exodus 34:14) And in Acts 4:12, speaking of the Lord Jesus Christ, Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

In Hinduism, a Guru acts as a spiritual guide to instruct the devotee to the way of Moksha, or Nirvana. He is viewed as an incarnation of god-for ideally, a guru is one who has identified completely with his own intermost reality, and that reality is, in all that lives, divinity itself.(20).

According to Hinduism, the problem faced by all human beings is one of unenlightenment(22), not sin. Man must be brought to an enlightened state, where the soul of man (Atman) comes to an awareness, of which, the inner self realizes That Thou Art-Brahman, the ultimate reality of every man and every living thing are identical(20). In short, we must ascertain that each of us IS GOD. It then follows that if we are gods, we have no need of salvation.

Ayruveda perpetuates the view of energy and its balance within the universe, and in us.

Hinduism, at its core, is another earth-centered religion. The cyclic pattern in nature is applied to mankind. Just as the seasons are cyclic, so man must endure countless deaths and rebirths. It promises a golden age of mankind, an ultimate perfection, rather than utter depravity. Distinction between mankind and the creation is taken one step farther in a spiral of deprivation through self-deification. What has been lost, is the crucial distinction between man and God.

Hinduism is a satanic deception that will keep mankind from the truth, that our God and Saviour is the one Who will have all men to saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4).

The herbs offered by Ayruvedic medicine are cultivated in darkness and harvested with deceit.

The next allegorical tree branch is;

THE NATIVE AMERICAN BRANCH

In our society, the interest in Native Americanism is a growing phenomenon. Random glances at adjacent automobiles reveal a dangling array of rearview mirror dream catchers.

Natural forces shaped the lives and imaginations of Native Americans. In this primitive society, herbs were incorporated in healing. Their spiritual concepts shaped their views of disease in the same manner as the Indian, and Chinese. North American Indians believe that the spirit of the herbs is directly involved in a battle with an illness when herbal healing takes place.(7)

Extensive immersion into Native Americanism will distort the true God, and Gods truth. Native Americans viewed God as a Great Spirit, who initiated the conception of the universe. This Great Spirit was passive and vaguely defined. More definitive figures developed, like Mother Earth and Father Sky or Sun or Moon, who are charged with further acts of creation, while the supreme god withdraws to heaven.(16)

In Ephesians 3:9, we read it is God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. And in Colossians 1:16, we read as pertaining to Jesus, that by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

The Native American belief was that elemental gods (sun, earth, summer, winter, rain, lightening and the four winds), to whom powers were delegated by the Great Spirit, controlled the forces of nature. In Luke 8:25, the Lord Jesus exerts control over nature and the earth: for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

The American Indians were more concerned with this present world, and viewed the afterlife much like this world; but the happy hunting ground contained more game. From 2 Peter 3:13, we have assurance and hope: nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, behold, I make all things new. (Revelation 21:4,5)

How much better, and comforting, is the truth of God.

The Native American beliefs all stem from nature, and its interaction with mankind. It is yet another earth religion, which fosters the loss of discernment between man and creation; and between God and His creation. The Lord Jesus Christ is both Creator and Redeemer.

Our next branch on this unfruitful tree is one of;

EARTH RELIGIONS AND WICCA

Upon examination of the belief systems of the Chinese, Indian, and Native American, a mutual earth centered religion is evident. A religion that shaped mans view of God, his relationship with God, and the relationships between mankind: a belief system, which, constructed medical views of illness, and utilized herbs in concordance with religious belief.

Earth centered-nature religion still permeates herbalism today by various expressions. In Planetary Herbalism, this view is expounded: Herbalism is a RELIGION of NATURE, representing a balance of head and heart; that relies more on artful intuition than precise scientific reasoning.(23) (Capitalization mine)

Nature religions ascribed a divine expression to the forces of nature, and to the earth itself, and advanced a philosophy of divine inter connection with all of its inhabitants.

In working with nature, the Chinese were simply respecting and paying homage to the unworldly forces they had observed. Nature was perceived as the domain of the gods and of spirits.

The Ayruvedic philosophy of Hinduism recognizes a state, in which, spiritual beings on earth, and in the rest of creation, become aware of the oneness of creation.

Herbalism remains a vehicle to express the oneness of creation, and foster the divinity of nature and the earth.

In The Elements of Herbalism, the promotion of oneness is found: The more we turn our attention toward the nature of our relationship with the environment, the more profound become the insights into the close embrace we share----of the many ways, in which, our ecological inter-relatedness shows itself. The art and science of herbal medicine is, for many people, the most unexpected----we are ALL ONE.(1) (Capitalization mine)

Further stated is the Gaia concept of our earth as, The Greek goddess of the earth-a living entity with the equivalent of senses, intelligence, memory and the capacity to act-she is the earth spirit-she is ecology(1).

The Complete Illustrated Guide to Ayruveda demonstrates the Hindu concept of oneness: Today for instance, people everywhere, are beginning to understand concepts like Gaia, the ONENESS of the organism of earth. This happens by Pitta, the force of the intellect, or Vishnu the preserver (a Hindu god), who keeps balance on earth between the spiritual and demonic.(19) (Capitalization mine) As a side note, any individual who believes Gods word, and has the faith of Jesus Christ, would be labeled demonic.

Herbalism is incorporated into this Gaian philosophy in The Elements of Herbalism, where; Healing is a Gaian quality, as it is a personal expression of balance and wholeness. The relationship between healing plants and people, can be seen as Gaia in action----the context of ecological embrace.(1) This concept degenerates into what follows, where, herbal healing is an expression of very real and practical links with Gaia, there is an activation of ecological cycles for healing, so facilitating the work of Christ. A unique opportunity is created by the simple act of taking herbal medicines----such healing, goes beyond the treatment of pathologies and alleviation of bodily suffering-rather, it is in the realm of the transcendental, the ineffable transformation that comes through the touch of God. It has little to do with specific herbs or health care programmes. It results from a bridging of the separation of both nature and soul that plagues humanity.(1)

This view does not separate God from nature, or the creation from the creature. The earth is not God, but rather, Psalms 24:1 declares, The earth is the LORDS, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

What plagues humanity is not separation from nature, but from God, as a result of our sinful rebellion. Isaiah 59:2 states our plague: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. Our need is not an herb, but the blood of Christ. We need forgiveness of sins, and reconciliation to God. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them (2 Corinthians 5:19). And We pray you in Christs stead, be ye reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).

According to Wicca-a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner, Wicca is a religion, centering around reverence for nature, as seen in the Goddess and the God. The Goddess is nature, the Universal Mother. The God is the consort of the Goddess.(24)

The Roots of Healing-A Womans Book of Herbs, conveys: We understand that the primary LIFE FORCE of earth is contained within plants. We trust in earths healing abilities, and therefore, have continued to call upon herbs for nutritional, medicinal, and spiritual help. Our reverence for the mysteries of birth, life, death, and renewal, guides us to live in harmony with nature, closely following her rhythms. We are connected to changing seasons, the weather, and the cycles of the moon----We are known in our communities as herbalists, midwives, witches, nurses, and wise women----We have continued to practice our healing arts despite centuries of persecution by religious organizations, governments, and medical establishments----Over time, I realized that a presence of unconditional love was emanating from earth herself through herbs. This presence, I came to realize, is divine female wisdom, the great Goddess.(25) (Capitalization mine)

Consider the view expressed that, herbs are gifts that teach and heal. Through them, we can learn to hear the whisperings of earth herself. Listen for their songs. Let yourself remember the wise woman, who lives within you.(25)

In Wicca Craft, we discern that, Wicca (an alternative name for modern witchcraft) is a positive, shamanistic, nature religion, with two main deities honored and worshipped in Wiccan rites: the Goddess (the female aspect and a deity related to the ancient Mother Goddess in her triple aspects of maiden, mother and crone) and her consort, the Horned God (the male aspect). Wicca (which is also known as the craft of the wise or often just the craft) is considered, by many, to be both a monistic and pantheistic religion. In simple terms, it is a positive nature based religion, preaching brotherly love, and harmony with, and respect for, all life forms. It is very similar to Native American spirituality.(26)

According to Scott Cunningham, a well published author, Earth is a manifestation of divine energy, and reveals her secrets to Wiccans, who listen to the earth. To be outdoors, is to be in the temple and surrounded by sanctity.(24)

The Holy Bible portrays no goddess in its word, but rather, of your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 6:1). The Holy bible depicts no great goddess and her god consort, but rather, Jesus commands: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, is the creator of the earth: worship Him!

Tell these deceived herbalists, that their herbs have nothing worth listening to; all I hear is a death rattle!

Leaving the branches of this rotten tree, we descend to its trunk; a trunk containing the satanic sap of its roots;

A TRUNK OF THE OCCULT AND MAGIC

The motive of these particular herbalists is exposure and indoctrination to these varied, but homogeneous, belief systems. The desired outcome is the discarding of Biblical Christian thinking, and the substitution of an occult worldview. It is an aspiration to fashion thinking in the physical and spiritual realms, to advance the practice of occult and magical employment.

Today, what is referred to as New Age religion has infiltrated our government, corporate boardrooms, classrooms, environmentalism, feminist movements, political and civil movements, churches, entertainment, and every fabric of our society.

The New Age religion is a Gnostic- pagan-occult revival. Whether it is Hinduism, Taoism, Wiccan, or New Age, all extend toleration and acceptance of all belief systems. Tolerance is a guise for compromise, in order to bring oneness to all religions, and thereby, remove distinction. All express disdain for a dogmatic, structured, and cohesive standard of truth and practice, and indeed, reject the authority of Gods word.

The most touted New Age expression is we are all Gods children. It is true, in that, we are the offspring of God, but the bible says, we are by nature the children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), and are only the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

New Age religion is unstructured and varied, it is an amalgam of all belief systems, which endorses, promotes, and teaches, Whatever works for you, and embraces occult ritual and practice.

Just as the coming Antichrist or Beast elevates himself, as being God, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4), and unites all false religious systems and occult practices; so does this New Age apostasy. It promises a golden age of humanity, and elevates mankind to divinity, as does false religiosity, and denies the coming wrath of God. The scriptures declare: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12)

The occult lies beneath the surface of Chinese, Indian, and Native American belief systems. In Hinduism, goddess worship existed in the Shakta sect, and among the Tantrists. The Tantrists esoteric ceremonies involved a black mass, in which, such forbidden substances, such as meat, fish, and wine were eaten, and forbidden sexual acts were performed ritually.(15) In ancient China, people sought to contact spirits by reading cracks on scorched oracle bones and other shaministic practices, such as, chanting, dancing, and ecstatic trances.(16) In the Native American culture, Shamans pursued Direct contact with the world of gods and spirits, through a vision quest of fasting and prayer. This vision of a guardian spirit was manifested in the form of an animal, or bird, or even as one of the elements of nature. These manifestations acted as intermediaries between the human and spirit world.(16) The Shamans intent was obtainment of power and sacred knowledge from these guardian spirits. The Shamans, as a source of spiritual power, looked upon animals.

The foundation of these systems is anti-biblical, anti-Christ, and occult. Herbalism is the vehicle to propel our minds toward acceptance of a new worldview, and its attendant philosophies, as reflected by the statements of these new champions of the occult.

Is there a philosophy to be found in herbalism? ABSOLUTELY!! To understand herbalism, in all its aspects, becomes a journey of discovery that leads to a philosophy of awareness, which in turn, is all embracing spirituality: rediscovering a profound relationship that bonds plants and humanity, and offers us a way to invite Gaia into a creative, healing aspect, that may, in the end, be our salvation.(27) According to this philosophy, we must change our worldview to accommodate an embracing of all spirituality. We must discard the Bible as our sole authority and truth. We are being urged to embrace a pantheistic earth religion, in bonding us to plants, and the earth god or goddess. A religion, which supplants, The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood (Romans 3:22-25). Instead of repentance, faith, salvation, and obedience to God, we have false religion, and a pagan worldview.

According to author David Hoffman, The intimate embrace of our world is a healing force, moving humanity towards a transformation of our relationship with the earth, ourselves, and each other.(1) In reality, they are supplanting Jesus Christ. The outcome of this vision, extended through harmony with the earth and nature, is eradication of disease and curtailment of death. It is as if, they want to re-establish the Garden of Eden. They reject the word of God, which establishes that death is a result of sin. Only the Lord Jesus Christ has abolished death by removing the penalty and power of sin. Only the Lord Jesus can transform mankind, renew relationships, and usher in a new heaven and earth. Only He can establish the Kingdom of God.

In The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, David Hoffman further states: It seems clear, that many health issues are connected with cultural and ecological problems, and often reflect our alienation from nature and natural lifestyles. Herbalism can play a major role in bridging this separation. Herbalism is close to the heart of the greener vision, that is slowly, but surely, changing our cultural worldview.(9)

Their desire to affect change in worldview is clearly reflected. The healing force is the life force, which flows in everything, and everyone, in the universe. The holistic health concept of restoration of balance is now emerging in application to cultural imbalance. We are being conformed to approve restoring balance and healing by restoring harmony with the earth, and thereby, being urged to embrace its pervasive, pagan god-energy-life force. In The Yoga of Herbs, the need for cultural realignment is expressed: Just as physical ailments usually follow emotional imbalances, so we find spiritual use of herbs in the Indian tradition of particular importance in our own unbalanced society.(18)

More can be gleaned of this Cultural Revolution from Josie Ravenwings book: In recent years, a quiet revolution has slowly, and inexorably, cracked the traditional Western worldview. It is a spiritual revolution. Its nature, partly masked by more neutral concepts of energy or power.(28) This is particularly revealing, as her statements not only reflect a disdain and rejection of a biblical Christian worldview, but also, the deceit employed in the underlying exposure to herbal usage, and the energy concepts found in holistic health.

What is being conveyed, is that, a culture holding to the True and Living God of scripture is unbalanced, and in need of restoration. Biblical Christian thinking blocks this flow, and is therefore equated with disease. In order to restore balance, we must be in harmony with the universal life force. We must embrace oneness, and forsake our distinctions once again. The traditional worldview in need of cracking is, in actuality, a Biblical centered culture. The Western worldview is a Biblical one.

Their desire is to eradicate Biblical thinking, and remove the scriptures and God from society. Thinking must be altered, for the bible states in Proverbs 23:7, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Objective and authoritative Biblical thinking must be discarded, to perpetrate sinful actions. A pagan view of God and mankind, as consisting of energy, must be firmly established to perpetuate further occult practice. The energy concepts in Chinese, Native American, and Indian healing traditions, have a broader significance and application than merely the physical, they have spiritual import.

In Medicine of the Earth we read, Everything is connected. The earth vibrates in rhythm with the cosmos, and in the smallest thing on earth, we recognize the highest in heaven, and we are part of this cosmic web.(29) Our thinking is to be realigned to recognize that the life force is God; the life force is in everything; everything is connected; this life force is in us; and therefore, WE ARE GOD! Part of what we all must learn, is that there is a divine spark within us.(30) The culmination of this worldview is to shed biblical centered thought and knowledge, and to enlighten us in regard to our own divinity.

If we accept, that within us, resides unrealized divinity, then we as gods, can appropriate our ability to manipulate our environment. We have the capacity to access the universal energy, and align it with our own, and direct it outward to achieve our desires. We are now on our way to practicing occult magic! We are now prepared to engage in sorcery and witchcraft!

Healing is only one of the desired outcomes in magical practice, and is the gateway to initiate the embracing of all-magical intent and practice.

The true occult nature being promoted is veiled, not only with the cloak of healing, but of scripture: In the New Testament, Jesus says, when two or more come together in my name, there so am I. The Bible does not specify that they be two or more people, and indeed----it surely encompasses herbs. In the Christian tradition, healing is deeply aligned with the Christ, and in fact, is an expression of the presence of Christ.(1) This is a total distortion of scripture in order to reflect that, residing in the herb is the presence of God, as well as in us, and manipulation of these energies will result in healing. Medicine in the tradition of European herbology, First Nations medicine, East Indian medicine, and Chinese medicine, is seen as conscious manipulation of energy for healing the human body.(7)

The indoctrination and acceptance of the interplay of the god-life force in plants, and in us, will advance quite readily into practicing herbal magic. Consider this definition, Herbal magic is a co-operation between plant and man, between earth and heaven, between microcosm and macrocosm, a union of energies forged to produce change by methods which outsiders view as being super-natural.(31) This statement is derived, NOT from books on herbalism, but Magical Herbalism, by Scott Cunningham; the underlying concepts are indistinguishable and in complete alignment with herbalism!

Magic is defined as, the art of causing change by means commonly supposed to be supernatural. The use of powers not yet recognized by science. The use of powers that reside within us, and the natural objects of our world, to cause change. Magical herbalism is the use of herbs for magic. Magic is a natural science, with principles and laws. Magical herbalism is working with the power of herbs, and our own personal energies.(31) These are the SAME concepts expressed by herbalists. Energy is the basis for herb effectiveness. The herb has energy, and we have energy. The herb energy works with our energy, to produce healing. These same principles are now applied, not in regard to healing, but to magic. Energy concepts from herbalism have been the primer for MAGIC.

The culmination of ideologies found in herbalism including energy, balance, life force, harmony with nature and the earth, the earth-nature centered religions, and the oneness of the universe come to fruition in the form of pagan occult magical practice. We are about to descend into our New World. Via our herbalists, we have already been introduced to the life force concept.

From the Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, it can be noted, the basis of herb magic-and all magic- is the power-which generated, and maintains, the universe-it is the LIFE FORCE.(32) (Capitalization mine) This life force , so innocently conveyed by herbalists, is now expounded by WITCHES !

Indoctrination within herbalism has provided the understanding of energy concepts for advancement into occult practice utilizing this power or life force: The power is neutral. In magic we become one with, and utilize the power, which has been fashioned into a multitude of deities. When magic is used for positive results, our lives become richer and happier.(32) Once again, we lose our discernment, and become ONE with MAGIC!

Herbal magic, or witchcraft, revolves around utilizing this power. Wicca views the practice of magic as; the practice of moving natural energies to effect needed change. In Wicca, magic is used to improve ourselves, and the world in which we live. Magic is natural- a harmonious movement of energies to create needed change. Wicca is a joyous union with nature.(24) Joy and happiness is found in the Lord Jesus. It is found through the obedience of faith. We are only happy when free; freedom is found only by obeying Gods word. They are proclaiming bondage, not liberty. Satan has us in bondage, and only The Lord Jesus Christ can free us! Jesus came to deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:15); and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2:26). If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) Occult magical practice, promises a natural and harmonious way to effect a return to nature. It also revives the lie of the devil in the Garden of Eden, where he told Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:5, and ye shall be as gods.

The healing aspect of herbs is used to introduce the seeker to magical herbalism and witchcraft, and to indoctrinate and facilitate ritual occult practice. Illustrative of this, is an Herbal Encyclopedia on the Internet dedicated as a site with the Pagan/Wiccan/Native needs in mind-the healing listed in this encyclopedia have a myriad of uses for BOTH medicinal and magical purposes.

Author Scott Cunningham, states that herb magic entails the use of herbs to cause needed changes(32).

Take St Johns Wort, as an example, of how the employment of herbs to restore health can be advanced into broader occult practice. The medical application of St Johns Wort is to cure melancholy or depression. This application is not listed in a health book on herbalism as expected, but rather, in The Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs! In this same reference, the herb is recommended to ward off fever and colds. The criteria are strictly medical ailments, but these uses are not referred to as medical uses, but rather, MAGICAL USES! By definition, magic can be employed appropriately, as health is the needed change. A further magical use for St Johns Wort is to attract love. Sufficiently indoctrinated and desensitized to accept the practice of magic as natural, the next step, is utilization of the herb for this needed change as well.

The teachings from herbal resources diminish resistance to perform ritualistic, magical practices. In Hygieia: A Womans Herbal, indoctrination to ritual practice in preparing a herbal tea is expounded: our suggested ritual for herb preparation is----boil water----bring the tea pot to the prepared water, never the water to the teapot. This may seem innocent, but we read further, where, each new mystifying ritual may bring later understanding, and benefit on other levels----a prayer for the life giving qualities of the plants may be evoked----realize the specific purposes that are being served by this activity----so this is what you continually bring your mind----let the plant be your guide(33).

The overall intent is to expand occult practice, in order to encompass the use of herbal magic in a variety of expressions; in divination (seeing the future); protection (amulets and charms); arouse passion; attract love; aid fertility; help love endure; for success; health; personal happiness; and psychic development----as a part of a way of living that brings you closer to root-sources of life, and nature. The entire basis of magic is to exercise influence over ones environment(31).

Herbal magic is presented only as positive and beneficial, where there is No poisoning, cursing, controlling, compelling, or binding----all that is required to successfully practice magical herbalism, is an earnest desire to better your life and the lives of those you know and love(31).

In a popular National bookstore, I came across a book titled, The Modern Witches Book of Herbal Remedies, by Sarah Lyddon Morrison, which detailed cures for common ailments and uses of herbs. What was surprising, to me at least, was the location of this book. The book was not relegated to the New Age Occult section of the store, but the Health section. This begs the question-Is cultural resistance and sensitivity to the occult vanishing? Is our image of witches, and of witchcraft, softening?

The energy concepts shared by Chinese, Indian, and Native American belief systems can be elevated in the concept of Chakras. This understanding can then be parlayed into furtherance of occult practice. In Wicca, by Vivian Crowley, this becomes evident where, Wicca has, adopted the Eastern technique of opening the Chakras(34). According to The Elements of Hinduism: The Tantric tradition denotes centers of psychic and spiritual energy within man(20) as Chakras.

Overlapping and incorporation of these beliefs is evident where; To borrow from the East is not a new development in Wicca.(34) And in Native American animism where, The system which I was taught, of classifying spirit animals, and their major roles in a persons life, is based on the Chakras; the centers which balance, store, and distribute, the life energies throughout the body.(35).

The purpose of incorporating Chakras is evident by noting: Wicca owes much to the ancient mystery schools of the Mediterranean and Near East. The idea of energy centers in the body is not an exclusively eastern concept. Witches have always worked with these energy centers, or Chakras, but in the East, the terminology and mapping of energy systems are most developed. We readily use the Chakra system to help people understand, and gain control over the energies that is necessary in Wicca(34); and for Wiccan invocations, rituals, and chants.

Magic is employed, to fulfill a need. Just manipulate the herbs to give their powers direction. It is that simple. Herb magic is easy, because the powers (vibrations) lie in the herbs themselves. A few simple procedures are all that is necessary. These rites include tying knots, boiling water, lighting candles, sewing, and burying things in the earth.(32).

How magic works is elucidated: First, there must be a reason to call upon magical powers. The reason is need. Next, a spell or ritual may need to be devised. Third, the herbs can be enchanted to ensure their vibrations are attuned to the need. Fourth, the spell is worked in complete confidence and secrecy. Fifth, once the spell has been worked, it should be forgotten.(32).

Magical Herbalism explains that: Magic is intent. Witches are taught that the most important factor in magic making is intent. You must firmly visualize in your minds eye the thing you wish to have happen. See it, as if it has already taken place, or has been brought into manifestation. This adds to the power of your magic.(31)

In herbal magic, the magician is working with the power of the herb, and his or her own personal energy. The addition of ones own power acts as a booster, to strengthen and focus the intent. Intent can be reinforced by the act of enchanting, which means simply, singing to. When cutting herbs, sewing up sachets, or making other herbal magics, a short rune or poem is often repeated in a singsong or monotone manner. In these poems, the intent is vividly described, and this helps reinforce the image in the mind, as well as to channel the energies of the herbs themselves. The real effect of this lies not in the words spoken, but in the intent.(31).

An article appeared in Pharmacy Times (8-97), entitled, Jungle Medicine, in which, Constance Grauds R.Ph., described a rain forest Shaman's (medicine man) treatment for her infected toe. As he soaked her foot in plant baths, "He sang and hummed native plant spirit healing songs as my foot was being washed and soaked in the fresh green aromatic bath. This article not only demonstrates the active proselytizing of my peers to natural medicine, but to occult practice of magic in general, and enchanting in particular.

It is evident, that inherent in herbalism, is the danger of indoctrination and subsequent entanglement and commitment to witchcraft. Herbalism can be a precursor to involvement in astrology as well. Healing Herbs and Health Foods of the Zodiac, by Ada Muir, unites two of earths oldest traditions, herb lore and astrology, in their modern incarnation. Herbal preparations are the oldest medicines in any culture, astrology is our oldest system of understanding and organizing our personal and social world.(36) Astrology is incorporated in the Chinese five elements of healing, by virtue of planet designations in relation to human physiology; and planetary rulers are ascribed to herbs in the book, Magical Herbalism, as well.

Occult healing techniques, whether it involves utilization of herbs, or such practices as acupuncture exhibit a modicum of effectiveness, but what is the true source of this faculty? According to Scott Cunningham, in the Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, the power behind herbal magic is formless, shapeless, eternal, it doesnt care whether you call it in the name of a witch, goddess, or the Virgin Mary-or tap it within no religious framework at all.(32) I submit that this is the root of our allegorical tree! It is according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (Ephesians 2:2). It is also, the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.(2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

Practicing witchcraft, besides being open to demonic influence and possession, will further harden the heart to the deceitfulness of sin. Witchcraft will foster rebellion and the rejection of God. It will inevitably result in destruction and the wrath of God.

The practice of magic is not the final attainment in these occult, pagan systems. The goal is self-realization and the ascent of the individual. Scott Cunningham relays that, The Shamans were the first humans with knowledge through ecstasy-alternate states of consciousness, in which, they communed with the forces of the universe. Conference with spirits and deities, plants and animals, opened up new vistas of learning. Later, Shamans advanced in the use of tools to facilitate these awareness shifts.(24)

Meditation and Yoga are such tools to facilitate these awareness shifts. Even renowned holistic authority, Andrew Weil, in his book, Natural Health and Natural Medicine, promotes these practices. Pick up any popular household magazine, and it will contain, at some point, a recommendation for Yoga and meditation to relieve stress, and improve or restore health. Indeed, Yoga is touted by East Indian practice as a method of achieving spiritual harmony through control of mind and body, to acquire health, and develop inner force to withstand stress.(19)

There is a connection in regard to Chakras and Yoga. In Power Yoga, by Beryl Birch, it can be ascertained that: The Anja or 6th Chakra is the third eye. According to Yoga philosophy, the third eye is the vertical eye of wisdom, and that which takes us out of physical or horizontal reality, and connects us to the vertical plane of divinity.(37)

The purpose of meditation can be far more than relaxation, it is to lift our awareness out of its limited focus in the personality, so it can identify with spirit, and interact with divine qualities.(38) The intent of meditation and Yoga is to increase awareness to divine attributes.

The overlapping, merging, and progression of one practice or concept to another has become more apparent. This progression continues to evolve. The 7th Chakra (called Sabarara) is considered to be the highest in Power Yoga. By meditating on this center, one experiences duality merging into one-ness with universal life-force. There is only oneness.(37) The Elements of Hinduism, by Stephen Cross, speaks of the Kundalini Chakra or Serpent, which blocks the spiritual ascent of man, and when awakened, becomes the vehicle for ascent. He defines Yoga as union, and a discipline leading to identity with the true self(20).

All of these rebels, who set themselves against the Lord Jesus Christ, with their veiled, esoteric rhetoric, are saying that the true self is deity. The self-realization for each person is I AM GOD! This is the basis of Hinduism, and the same lie Satan perpetrated on Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. In Isaiah chapter 14, the Lord addressed Satan: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will be like the Most High. If the Satanic origin of this deception is comprehended, it is no wonder that an appeal would be made to mankind to seek self-ascension, or to be like the Most High God!

This self-deification deception is found in occult and New Age resources. Scott Cunningham teaches this Wiccan falsehood: The Goddess and God are both within ourselves, and manifest in all nature.(24) In Magical Herbalism, he relates that: The body is alive, and all life is an expression of the divine----magic is the flowering of our human potential----we increase the flow of divinity in our lives(31) Just as energy must freely flow to prevent disease, and maintain wellness, practicing magic will permit the natural flow of divinity in our lives.

The deception presented here is that, practicing magic is not satanic, but divine. Once again, we have lost distinction. Self-deification is the desired realization. Our potential is to be fully realized by practicing magic, and we are to become who we really are, God.

Our divine nature is presented in The Healers Manual. Instruction is given involving a method of divination (telling the future or obtaining knowledge) utilizing a pendulum, and an aromatic elixir, much in the fashion of an Ouija board. He describes it as, a process of divining-of connecting to our divine nature which knows what we need(30).

The Bible doses not affirm our inner divine nature, but rather, it painfully, but truthfully, reflects our nature and condition: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Our heart does not know what is right. We need a new spirit, or heart, through faith in Christ, to obey the word of God. What we need is redemption, salvation, forgiveness of our sin, and reconciliation to God by accepting the salvation of God: by believing the gospel and receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. The false ideology of the divinity of mankind only serves to elevate man, and to diminish the True and Living God.

As in Hinduism, these satanic gurus are proselytizing the enlightenment of the individual to awareness that, the true self is God. Research in herbalism revealed an article entitled, From Medicine to Mysticism, by William Eidelman, MD. The culmination of desire and effort is realized: we are waking up to a whole new vision of reality. This awakening could be our next evolutionary step. A new science of humanity is emerging-The Science of Awakening-These newly established scientific paradigms come from the fields of quantum and post-quantum physics, from bio-electromagnetism/bio-physics, and from evolution itself. This scientific approach to the inner world is not simply intellectual. On this journey, in this exploration of consciousness, we are not asked to take on any new beliefs, although some will probably latch on, we may find our old beliefs drop away. We are in a metaphysical sleep, in which, we are dreaming that we are awake. Awakened, we see ourselves as luminous beings, and we simply radiate good vibrations to each other. Our radiance is life-affirmative and creative. The awakening of humans is an essential part of the evolutionary process. At this moment, many people are beginning to awaken. This quantum leap in consciousness is the culmination of three hundred and fifty thousand years of human evolution on the earth. A new humanity is trying to be born(39). God has one response to all this pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo, and it is found in 1 Timothy 6:20: O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. Amen.

To support the entwining of all these varied, but unified philosophies, consider the similar Hindu belief as stated in some excerpts from The Complete Illustrated Guide to Ayruveda: This dream state of the cosmic being [Brahma], represents the earliest forms of life (viral and bacteria), as well as un-evolved human beings, who are still engrossed with the external world, believing it to be true----then comes the semi-consciousness state of the cosmic being, in which, spiritual beings on earth, and in the rest of creation, become aware of the oneness of creation(19).(Brahma-my insert)

God warns us in the scriptures that we should be aware of the devices of Satan, and of his ministers. And to beware of this idea of our becoming luminous beings through this awakening: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:14,15) All of these occult ministers are speaking lies, not the truth.

There is a spiritual sleep, in which, we are dead to the life of God. How we are to awaken from this sleep is given to us in Ephesians 5:14: Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. But, The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. (Proverbs 4:19) Christ raises the dead, and He gives us life and light.

Evolution must be addressed at this juncture. This so-called science has been advanced to include a dangerous spiritual context and significance. The thinking of the individual is propelled from the evolutionary view of animals and man to embrace evolution on a spiritual plane where man realizes his deity. Evolutionary theory is intellectually bankrupt, and spiritually barren. Acceptance of evolution will foster occult thought.

Evolution broached and facilitated the occult atmosphere of Germany, where, according to author D Sklar: Darwins Origin of Species, published in 1859, had widened the chasm between science and religion. H.P.B. (initials of occultist and organizer of The Theosophical Society-Madame Helena Petrovna Blavatsky) leaped across that chasm with a spiritual concept of evolution. Men could become divine, she said, by advancing in an evolutionary process, which was part of an elaborate cosmology affecting whole races.(40) Hitler would carry this theme into his Third Reich: The New Man, Hitler told Rauschning, would be a mutation, a different biological species. They would be the true aristocracy.(40) Evolution spawned anti-Semitism in the Germanic culture: Anti-Semitism, then, was the instinctive wisdom of the Aryan race, which, as the fittest, sought to survive.(40) Instead of ushering in Hitler as messiah of a 1000-year millennium of utopian glory, what transpired was one of mankinds darkest travesties: the holocaust.

We did not evolve from fish or apes, nor are we God, but were created in the image of God: By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. (Psalms 33:6) We are not products of evolution, but are created by the Word of God. By taking God at his word, we know that the world did not evolve, but was spoken into existence out of nothing: so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:3).

Michael Tierra, a prolific herbalist author, is very revealing in an article entitled, The Herbal Tradition, wherein he relates: The 20th century herbal renaissance began during the late 60s. A period where there was a dynamic exploration of new lifestyles based on living in harmony with nature. It was also a time, when, there was a lot of active experimentation with hallucinogenic substances. In considering what spurred the renewed interest in herbs, Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) looms large as one of our plant teachers. As with the contemporary use of peyote by members of the Native American Church of North America, many of the positive healing effects of hallucinogenic herbs is based upon prior preparation through prayer and ritual.(41)

Shamanistic rites and rituals utilize hallucinogenic agents to produce an altered state of consciousness, to awaken intuitive awareness to the spirit world for mystical revelation and knowledge. This knowledge is revealed in the scriptures for what it is: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and the doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1)

At this juncture, we see the culmination of the embracing of all these divergent, pagan, ideologies. These systems are monistic and pantheistic, and as such, regard truth as relative, and foster an all-inclusive spirituality. Discarding the objective, authoritative, and absolute truth of the scriptures will facilitate this embrace.

We have seen from the Chinese, the Yin and Yang, of opposites merging to oneness; from Hinduism self-deification; from Native American belief, shaman mystical knowledge and experience; and from Wicca, occult practice. These systems have, by a progressive evolution, reached a desired endpoint by creating tension through opposing ideals. The tension created by this conflict induces a resolution through assimilation and abandonment of truth. Further progressive lies will spawn more perversion until; the ultimate apostasy is given birth and believed.

Credibility is established through promotion of conscious altering practices such as hallucinogenics, meditation and yoga. These practices induce intuitive mystical revelation, which seduce the practitioner through subjective and experiential verification of apostate false-beliefs. Adoption of the lie is inevitable, as the individual, no longer holding to the external and objective word of God, but rather, to internal and subjective falsehood, is subjected to manipulation and deceit.

The end result is the construction of a belief, in which, we accept that we are God. We are lead to believe that we can create and manipulate our environment through the magical exercise of our powers and energy. The reality is, that loss of separation between nature, energy, mankind, Satan and God will spawn the conclusion that all are one and the same. The inevitable result of this construct is self-worship, which in actuality, is Satan worship!

This is the final apostasy. The outcome of discarding Biblical truth is the darkness of believing a lie. The product of a reprobate mind is to accept delusion as truth and to bring forth fruit of unrighteousness. Instead of believing the truth and glorifying God, mans heart will be darkened and Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:22)

Least one might think I am exaggerating by expressing the final condition as Satan worship, consider the scriptures. In scripture Satan is identified as the dragon, and we read that the inhabiters of the earth worshipped the dragon, in Revelation 13:4.

All pagan, occult, earth religions promote self-worship. The final outcome of this perverted self-deification is Satan worship. If we worship ourselves as God, and Satan is God, then by extension, Satan is worshipped.

When prayers and rituals are employed using any herb, worship of devils is conducted. A Taoist, Hindu, or any other infidel would vehemently deny this accusation. A Wiccan would argue that he was certainly not involved in devil worship, but only practicing a loving, natural, earth and nature centered reverence, which would even deny the very existence of a devil. The judgement of God is revealed against these works in Revelation 9:20,21: And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not WORSHIP DEVILS----neither repented they of their murders, nor of their SORCERIES, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.(Capitalization mine)

God condemns the practice of witchcraft or magic by sorcerers, enchanters, witches, and astrologers to eternal torment in the lake of fire. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15) The same is true of divination, which is practiced in the occult. God commands to neither regard or seek those who have familiar spirits, or consult with these foul spirits and become defiled by them, in Leviticus 20:31 and Deuteronomy 18:11. The scriptures reveal demonic contact is associated with involvement in this practice, and dismissal of Gods warning will be perilous.

In Revelation 9 verse 21, the word sorceries is translated from the Greek word pharmakeia. Pharmakeia conveys medication and magic. From this Greek word we derive our word pharmacy. It would be prudent to consider that using herbs, hallucinogenic or otherwise, especially for healing, within a religious-occult magical framework, might well be defined as sorceries, and fulfill this verse. It is precisely this usage that is being endorsed by a host of occult practitioners. We should be aware and alert to this sweeping potential among us!

The same Greek word pharmakeia appears in Revelation 18, which reveals the destruction of Babylon: for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived(v 23).

In Revelation chapter 17, introduced is a woman sitting upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy(v3). And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.(v 4,5) In verse 18 of the same chapter, this Harlot is revealed as the city of Babylon: And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. And in Revelation 14:8, it can be read: Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. All nations will be part of, and deceived by, this Great Harlot, and will drink of her spiritual fornications of apostasy, idolatry, and occult belief.

In Nahum 3:4,5 an interesting verse appears in regards to a harlot, and witchcraft: Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts. Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

For certain, as found in scripture, and as disclosed in the introductory segment of this investigation, the revenues are great for both the herbal industry, and occult practitioners. For the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10) I am not being dogmatic in my interpretation of the Biblical passages of Babylon and the Harlot. I am being dogmatic when I say, that you and your family can be made merchandise through involvement with any of these occult beliefs and practices!

I am also dogmatic in witnessing to the fact that neither the Harlot, the coming Anti-Christ, nor any purveyor, or occult practitioner will prevail over our Lord Jesus Christ for; He is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! And That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11) The Lord Jesus Christ: who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen(Romans 9:5)

In Luke 6:43, we read, For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. We have seen the fruit of our allegorical tree. We have exposed its satanic roots. LET US TAKE OUR AX, CUT IT DOWN, BURN THE STUMP, AND CAST IT INTO A FIRE!!! Make sure that you are planted in its place, as a good tree, built up, and grounded in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ!

IN CONCLUSION

In summary, herbalism is a self-discovery educational effort, in which, the seeker is reliant upon the teacher, and the resource. Many respectable proponents produce materials and information designed to benefit the individual. Their only goal is a sincere desire to help others. The pitfall in this system is the utilization of herbalism as the means to expose, and entice the unlearned to false philosophies and occult dogma.

The core belief of the ENERGY of the herb must be viewed with grave discernment. This belief is the hinge, which opens the door wide to falsehood. This concept is central to the development of a false view of God, wherein, God is energy, and as energy, God is in everything. It will lead to the false premise that we are gods. This is not the biblical view of God, and must be recognized as such, and rejected. If the individual accepts this concept of energy, it opens a very dangerous realm, wherein, possible progression into occult belief and practice may ensue.

Having established that herbalism has its roots in earth-centered religions, including Taoism and Hinduism; these religions are expounded in great detail to the student in the course of studies. These are false religions and must be rejected. The Bible is the only truth. They present a false view of salvation, and of God. They pervert and deny the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Listen to what the bible says of those who preach another Christ or another gospel But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)

Wicca is one of these earth-centered religions, and within its scope, is found magical herbalism. It also lays its foundational magic practices on energy. This universal Life Force energy resides in nature, and in us. The manipulation of these energies, within nature, herbs, and us, can bring about desired change.

Bodily healing is only one aspect in the realm of magical practices, but can be used as the primer to expose the herbal student to the practice of wicca, and magic in general.

Even if the practice of magical rituals were limited to healing, involving the use of herbs, this could fit the definition of sorceries (pharmakeia) as found in the bible. If we take an herb, and perform any ritual, such as enchanting, to enhance its action, it is magic. No matter that we intellectually regard these as harmless, scientifically based, practices. If ritual magic techniques are utilized, we are practicing magic. If we find these rituals cloaked in traditional garments of acceptability, promoted in medical journals, or the health section of a bookstore, or library, it makes no difference, it is magic, and against the commandments of God.

Be warned; be wary, these occult foundations are proliferating in society and medicine. Homeopathy shares these basic tenants of energy and rituals. Chinese and Ayurveda medicine are grounded in energy and balance concepts. Yoga and meditation is promoted, not only independently, but also, to charge ingested herbs for maximum effectiveness.

Embracing the philosophy of energy expounded by false religion and spirituality, and witchcraft, will inevitably turn one away from the truth of the Living God and his love, deify man, lead to satanic worship, and result in death. Satan is the father of lies and the destroyer, who would turn and blind minds to the truth of the gospel and the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

In my research, I was puzzled by one thing. In the glossary of Magical Herbalism, I came across: Magic Circle-A ritually created circle that offers protection to a magician during rites. It puzzled me why anyone engaged in a loving practice that leads to a better, happier, and in fact, joyous life, would have need of protection while practicing these rituals. The answer is---protection from demonic attack.

I will not offer many more scriptures to you, if you are not a believer. The Bible was written to you, read it prayerfully, and meditate on the scriptures for yourself!

All of the detailed systems of lies are counterfeits of the reality of Christ. All that they promise is found in Him. Joy, peace and oneness in God-that they also may be one in us (John 17:21).

An even bigger deception than these vain ideologies is to deem God irrelevant or superfluous in your life, that you are exempt, indisposed, or disinclined to commit your life to Christ for salvation and obedience. But God has now commandeth all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30). To do otherwise is disobedience: even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient (1Peter 2:8).

If you are not a believer, admit to being unable to save yourself or do anything to merit salvation. Why dont you right now, repent of your sins by renouncing and confessing them. By an act of your will, obey and believe the gospel that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Believe that Christ is the one who paid for your sins when He died and rose again for you. Faith is believing God, His word, and being confident of his promise; And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. (1 John 2:25) Place your faith in Christ Jesus alone for salvation. Believe that only His blood can wash you from your sin, and that He alone can forgive you and give you the free gift of eternal life. Come to Jesus, and trust and receive Him alone as your personal Lord and Saviour. God promises to save you according to His word: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

There is no need for a circle of protection with Him, for God is Love (1 John 4:8).

Beware, and be able to discern false spirituality, and to recognize these life force energy concepts, which abound within many circles and ideologies in various contexts.

Be careful in embracing holistic medicine carte blanche. Beware embracing cultural medical practices, which reflect, and expound false religious beliefs. The embracing of the medical precepts, predicated on spiritual counterfeits, may compromise the ability to reject the underlying falsehood.

To fellow believers, I offer this scripture: As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:6-8). Contend for the faith. Do not be deceived.

If you have become involved in any of these practices, repent and follow the example found in Acts 19:18,19, where we read, And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.

As believers, we should also pray that God would open the eyes of these deceived teachers and those who have been deceived, to the truth of God and to Jesus.

We are to rebuke these lies with the truth, which is in Christ, and go about casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Renounce these gods of false belief, and warn anyone to read what God says of them, and of those who choose them: Behold ye are of nothing, and your work of naught: an abomination is he that chooseth you. (Isaiah 41:24)

THERE IS ONLY ONE HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER THAT I AM AWARE OF, AND I FIND HIM IN ACTS 9:34: JESUS CHRIST MAKETH THEE WHOLE

BIBLIOGRAPHY

(1) The Elements of Herbalism by David Hoffman 1990 Barnes and Noble Books 1997

(2) www.holisticmed.com

(3) Alternative Pharmacy by Karen Snyder in Drug Topics 7-7-97

(4) Herbal Remedies in the Pharmacy by Wendell l. Combest, Ph.D. George Nemecz, Ph.D. in US Pharmacist 7-97

(5) Herbal Medicine www.earthlink.net/~clanbear/herbs

(6) Encyclopedia of Natural Remedies by Louise Tenney, M.H. 1990 Woodland Publishing Inc. P.O. Box 160 Pleasant Grove, Utah

(7) Herbs Their Clinical Uses by Terry Willard, P.h.D. 1996 Wild Rose College of Natural Healing Ltd. Calgary, Alberta, Canada

(8) Herbal Article-All About Herbs www.viable-herbal.com/herbsol

(9) The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman 1996 Element Books Ltd. P.O. Box 830 Rockport, Ma.

(10) The Herbs of Life and Healing Using Western and Chinese Techniques by Lesley Tierra L.AC. Herbalist 1992 The Crossing Press Freedom, Calif.

(11) About Snowbound Herbals www.sbherbals.com/aboutus

(12) Traditional Chinese Medicine www.globalearn

(13) Psychospiritual Aspects of Herbal Medicine by Michael Tierra L.A.C.,O.M.D. www.planetherbs.com/articles/emotions

(14) Searching for China-American History www.ingo

(15) Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia

(16) World Mythology 1993 Roy Willis general editor Henry Holt and Co.

(17) Interview with Nitin Patel: Authentic Ayurveda in Natural Pharmacy 6-97

(18) The Yoga of Herbs by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad 1992 Lotus Press P.O. Box 325 Twin Lakes, Ws.

(19) The Complete Illustrated Guide to Ayurveda by Gopi Warrier and Deepika Gunawant 1997 Barnes and Noble Inc. by arrangement of Element Books Ltd.

(20) The Elements of Hinduism by Stephen Cross 1994 Element Books P.O. Box 830 Rockport, Ma.

(21) The Basics of Hinduism by Herbert Ellinger 1996 SCM Press Ltd. Trinity Press Int. P.O. Box 851 Valley Forge, Pa.

(22) Teach Yourself Hinduism by V.P. (Hemant) Kanitkar and W. Owen Cole 1995 NTC Publishing Group 4255 W. Touhy Ave. Lincolnwood (Chicago), Ill.

(23) Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D. 1988 Lotus Press Twinlakes, Wi.

(24) Wicca a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham 1988, 1997 Llewellyn Publications St Paul, Mn.

(25) The Roots of Healing-A Womans Book of Herbs by Deb Soule 1995, 1996 A Citadel Press Book published by Carol Publishing Group

(26) Wiccacraft by Gerina Dunwich 1997 A Citadel Press Book published by Carol Publishing Group

(27) Herbalism as a Way to Live www.canada2c.com/herbalism

(28) The Return of Spirit. A Womans Call to Spiritual Action by Josie Ravenwing 1996 Health Communications 3201 SW 15th St. Deerfield Beach, Fl.

(29) Medicine of the Earth by Susane Fischer Rizzi 1996 Rudra Press P.O. Box 13390 Portland, Oregon

(30) The Healers Manual by Ted Andrews 1996 Llewellyn Publications St Paul, Mn.

(31) Magical Herbalism by Scott Cunningham 1982, 1997 Llewellyn Publications St Paul, Mn.

(32) Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs by Scott Cunningham 1985, 1997 Llewellyn Publications St Paul, Mn.

(33) Hygieia-A Womans Herbal by Jeannie Pakuati 1978 A Freestone Collective Book

(34) Wicca-The Old Religion in the New Millenium by Vivian Crowley 1991 Harper Collins

(35) www.spirithomepage

(36) Healing Herbs and Health Foods of the Zodiac by Ada Muir 1995 Llewellyn Publications St Paul, Mn.

(37) Power Yoga by Beryl Bender Birch 1995 Fireside 1230 Avenue of America New York, Ny.

(38) The Act of Meditation by Robert R. Leichtman M.D. and Carl Japikse 1998 Enthea Press 289 So. Main St. Alpha Rotta, Ga.

(39) From Medicine to Mysticism from The Science of Awakening by William S. Eidelman M.D. 1997 www.medicalmaze.com

(40) The Nazis and the Occult by D. Sklar Dorset Press New York

(41) The Herbal Tradition by Michael Tierra www.planetherbs.com

(42) All scripture from Authorized King James version

Comments and Suggestions

Please send me mail telling me what you think about this page and how I might improve it.

Last revised: April 29, 2013 .

Our thanks to Doug Ecklund R.Ph. who spent many hours researching this article for our Logos Resource Web site. You may personally contact Mr. Ecklund at Douge93@cs.com .