Crystals, Evil Eyes, Dream Catchers & Sage: What Does Orthodoxy Say? | Occult to Orthodoxy Series (Part 4) | Ep. 117
From crystals and evil eye charms to dream catchers and sage, people have long relied on objects for spiritual protection. These items are often marketed as harmless, cultural, or aesthetic—but behind them is a deeper spiritual worldview.
From an Orthodox Christian perspective, the real question isn’t whether a crystal or herb is “bad.” The question is: What spiritual power are you trusting?
The Worldview Behind the Objects
Scripture reveals no neutral spiritual energy. There is God, His angels, and fallen angels (demons).
So when someone uses an object for:
Protection
Energy cleansing
Spiritual power
Dream filtering
Warding off evil
the issue isn’t the object itself, but the belief that spiritual power can be accessed or manipulated apart from Christ.
Orthodoxy teaches that only God heals, protects, and transforms. Any attempt to seek spiritual power outside of Him falls into what Scripture calls idolatry.
Crystals & Healing Stones
Crystals are part of God’s creation. In fact, the Book of Revelation describes the foundations of the heavenly city adorned with precious stones. There is nothing inherently evil about a mineral.
The danger begins when crystals are believed to:
Hold spiritual energy
Heal emotional wounds
Open spiritual sight
Ward off spirits
These ideas stem from occult and New Age spirituality. Scripture warns that pagan spiritual practices are not neutral, but the worship of demons (1 Corinthians 10:20).
The promise of crystals is healing without repentance, power without submission, and spirituality without Christ.
Evil Eye Charms & Protective Jewelry
In many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures, items like:
Blue evil eye charms
Hamsa hands
Red strings
Horseshoes
are believed to protect against curses or envy.
While Christianity acknowledges that envy and spiritual attack are real, using talismans for protection replaces trust in God with trust in objects rooted in superstition and folk magic. Protection belongs to Christ alone, not to trinkets.
Dream Catchers
Dream catchers originate from Native American spiritual traditions and were intended to filter dreams and provide spiritual protection during sleep.
Orthodoxy teaches something radically different:
Angels guard us.
Saints intercede for us.
God protects us.
There are specific prayers in the Orthodox prayer books for sleep. A dream catcher has no sacramental grace, no blessing from the Church, and no authority in Christ.
Sage & Ritual Cleansing
Burning sage is often used to:
Cleanse a space
Remove negative energy
Reset an atmosphere
Prepare for rituals
The herb itself is not evil. But the belief that smoke carries cleansing power independent of God is the problem.
Some may ask: “But Orthodox Christians use incense—how is that different?”
Incense is not used to manipulate the spirit realm. It is an act of worship commanded in Scripture (Exodus 30:7–8; Psalm 141:2; Revelation 8:3–4).
In the Orthodox Church, incense symbolizes prayers rising to God. It is directed toward Him, not toward controlling spiritual forces.
Are These Objects Evil?
No object is evil in itself. But practices that seek spiritual power outside of Christ open the door to deception.
These practices promise:
Protection without repentance
Cleansing without confession
Power without obedience
Spiritual access without submission
Scripture places idolatry and sorcery among serious spiritual sins (Galatians 5:19–20). Even if something “works” or produces a feeling of peace, that does not mean it is from God. The enemy can disguise himself as an angel of light.
The Holy Spirit always leads us toward Christ, not toward occult rituals or idols.
The Orthodox Alternative to Protection
Spiritual protection in Orthodoxy is not found in objects, but in union with Christ.
Scripture tells us:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Protection comes through:
Repentance and confession
Scripture (the “sword of the Spirit,” Ephesians 6:13–18)
Prayer and fasting
The Jesus Prayer
Receiving the Eucharist
Having one’s home blessed
Wearing a blessed cross
These are not magical acts. They rely entirely on Christ’s authority over the spiritual realm.
What About Holy Water, Crosses & Blessed Items?
Some may argue that Christians also use objects—crosses, holy water, oil.
The difference is this:
Orthodoxy does not believe matter has power in itself. But God can sanctify matter by His grace.
A cross is powerful because of Christ’s victory upon it.
Holy water is sanctified by prayer and the Holy Spirit.
Oil becomes anointed through the Church’s sacramental life.
Demons do not flee from wood or water—they flee from Christ.
Final Encouragement
If you’ve had these objects in your home, there is no need for shame. But there is an invitation to deeper trust.
Christ does not simply remove superstition.
He replaces fear with peace.
Confusion with truth.
And counterfeit spirituality with Himself.
True protection is not found in crystals, charms, smoke, or rituals.
It is found in submission to the Lord who conquered death and reigns over every spiritual power.
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Coming Up Next
Coming up next: In the next episode, we will be talking about crystals, evil eyes, dream catchers and sage, and the Orthodox Christian alternative to protection in the spirit realm.
