“The Pagan Federation, which represents druids and witches, says it has been “swamped” with calls following teenage programmes featuring good witches. Speaking to BBC News Online the Pagan Federation’s Steve Paine, the high priest of a coven, said the hit US drama Buffy and the highly successful Harry Potter books were popular amongst practising witches. “They are taken as fantasy entertainment. But they do encourage people to think about different forms of spirituality”, he said. The Pagan Federation, which deals with about 100 enquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches, does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to become a member.” Most of the enquiries are from 14 to 18 year-olds, and are dealt with “reactively” by a specially-appointed youth officer, an Essex based schoolteacher.” (BBC News Online, Buffy Draws Children to Witchcraft, Friday, 4 August, 2000, Full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/newsid_864000/864984.stm).
“According to Mr Smith, children who had enjoyed the magic and wizardry of the stories should be careful about extending their interest in the occult. Although saying that the stories were a positive way of showing the struggle between good and evil, he was worried that they could be used as a springboard for exploring more sinister aspects of the occult. And he warned that children could be using the internet to learn more about “meddling” with the supernatural. “Increasing numbers of children are spending hours alone browsing the Internet in search of satanic websites. ATL is concerned that nobody is monitoring this growing fascination.” (BBC News Online, Harry Potter ‘Occult’ Warning, Monday 5 November, full article at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/education/newsid_1638000/1638887.stm)
Actual Occult Practices
Curses and counter-curses (Philosopher`s Stone, p. 62; Goblet of Fire, pp. 187-194; ).
Astrology, Fortune telling (Philosopher`s Stone, pp. 188-190; Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 45, 47; Goblet of Fire, pp. 116-117).
Rune stones (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 45, 47).
Palmistry, Divination, Crystal ball gazing, Tea leaf reading, Auras. (Prisoner of Azkaban, pp. 45; 79-86).
Arithmancy (a Chaldean and Greek method of divination by numbers) (Prisoner of Azkaban, pp. 45; 79-86; Goblet of Fire, p. 171).
Charms, Incantations (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 176).
Numerology (Prisoner of Azkaban, p. 232).
More here:
http://www.spotlightministries.org.uk/harrypotterarticle.htm