This type of thing is NOT common in Christian circles, but VERY common with those whose delve into the occult. I saw and heard of it much during my upbringing in mormonism. These people are people of VERY strong faith, unnaturally strong, faith in the wrong things. Satan uses this against them with little parlor tricks. Yep, even Pharaoh's magicians were able to mimic some of the miracles that Moses and Aaron performed through God's power. They still could not "out perform" God.
They were able to turn their staffs into serpents too but we all know what happened to their serpents.