Hermitix Christianity and Magic with Stephen Mandes Thomas
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Dec 3, 2025 Stephen Mandes Thomas, a seasoned practitioner of magic and astrology, blends his roots as a cradle Catholic with his extensive training in various magical traditions. He discusses how his exploration of magic rekindled his Catholic faith, transforming his perception of rituals. Stephen critiques modern liturgy for its lack of intentionality and explores the idea that sacraments function as magical practices. He delves into the nuanced relationship between Christianity, angels, and the historic disenchantment of religious practices, while proposing a daily magical routine for deeper spiritual engagement.
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From Golden Dawn To Spiritual Return
- Stephen Mandes Thomas began ceremonial magic in 2013 with the Golden Dawn and trained for about a decade.
- That practice led to internal transformation and renewed perception of God's presence in his life.
Seeing Mass Through A Magician's Eyes
- Returning to Mass after magical training revealed ritual structure problems to Stephen Mandes Thomas.
- He realized modern liturgy often lacks intentional ritualcraft that magical practice emphasizes.
Christian Rituals Function As Magic
- Christianity contains ritual practices that function like classic magic, such as the sacraments and theurgic rites.
- Sacramentals act as focused magical tools for protection and specific purposes historically.
