Jenny Weaver once believed burning sage and performing spiritual rituals would drive darkness away. Instead, the former witch says those practices opened doors to demonic activity that quickly overtook her life.
In a recent interview with Charisma Media, Weaver described how childhood brokenness, family abuse, poverty and bullying left her desperate to regain a sense of control. After watching the 1996 film “The Craft,” she began studying witchcraft, Wicca and New Age spirituality.
“I saw my life as powerless,” Weaver said. “And I said, if this could be a means to gain back the power that I feel like I don’t have anymore over, you know, my emotions, my life, the things that were going on.”
Wicca initially appeared harmless because it emphasized animals, plants, energy and nature. Weaver began reading occult books, reciting incantations, casting spells and constructing small altars inside her room.
That curiosity soon gave way to something darker.
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‘All It Did Was Literally Draw Them In’
Weaver said she began hearing scratching behind her headboard and unexplained knocking throughout the day and night. Drawers opened, lights broke and the home developed what she described as a strong demonic presence.
She and another practicing witch attempted to cleanse the house through smudging, burning sage and planting flowers believed to repel evil spirits.
“We’re thinking, we’re actually doing these things to get these evil things away from us,” Weaver said. “And all it did was literally draw them in.”
Weaver’s occult involvement became increasingly intertwined with drug and alcohol abuse. She said she took substances intended to open herself spiritually to various “deities,” creating additional entry points for demonic influence.
“I allowed those open doors of witchcraft in my life,” she said.
Weaver eventually spent time homeless and served jail time while pregnant. After crying out to God for help, she entered rehabilitation and began attending church. However, she said church attendance alone did not address the spiritual footholds created through years of occult activity.
“They didn’t have me,” Weaver said of the demons. “They had a place in my life because I gave them a place.”
Weaver said she ultimately underwent deliverance and experienced a dramatic transformation through Jesus Christ.
She now warns Christians against horoscopes, manifestation, healing crystals and other New Age practices commonly presented as harmless entertainment, wellness or empowerment. These practices can replace dependence upon God with counterfeit spirituality, she said.
“We can’t be so intrigued by just trying to be relevant to the world that we now have lost reverence to God,” Weaver said.
For those entangled in occult practices, Weaver said freedom begins with repentance, complete renunciation and surrender to Jesus. She also encouraged seeking accountability from a pastor or mature Christian while becoming grounded in Scripture, prayer and worship.
“He’s not looking for you to have it all together,” Weaver said. “He’s looking for you to surrender to His will.”
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
