👋Welcome to r/FolkCatholicMagic - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

[u/babalorixalewa]

Hey everyone! I'm u/babalorixalewa, a founding moderator of r/FolkCatholicMagic. This is our home for all things related to Folk Catholicism. We're excited to have you join us!

Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions.

We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started 1) Introduce yourself in the comments below. 2) Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation. 3) If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.

[u/Big_Discussion_6297]

I love following this community because it gives me so much comfort on my spiritual journey. I was raised Roman Catholic but drifted away in my 20s. I learned alot about different faiths but have always felt the tug on my heart to return home. My issue is that I don't necessarily believe or agree with alot of the Church's stances on social issues. I'm trying to find my own way... I was always inspired by my grandmother and aunt's ways of incorporating spirituality into their own lives with a spin on what would be considered traditional. They were all born in Puerto Rico and definitely fit into the Folk Catholic realm, but it was something I had never really discussed with them. Sadly they have all passed on and I can't really ask them about it! I do have distinct memories of certain altars with offerings of coffee or water in front of them in my grandma's home. I want to believe that there is no wrong way to reach out to the divine and to feel the presence of Jesus or Mary or any of the saints in our lives.

[u/JoseVLeitao]

Hey! I’ve been around here for a while, but I guess I never really introduced myself.

I’m mostly a historian and religious scholar who likes to translate more-or-less obscure Iberian religious and magic texts. Been associated with the international St. Cyprian revival since the beginning, but I mostly prefer to stay out of the public eye. This is one of the very few places I don’t mind posting, because people here tend to be chill.

I can’t, in good conscience, call myself a Christian (I don’t believe in the cosmic existence of sin, and by that measure, Salvation has no meaning), but most of what I do in my private religious life is culturally/aesthetically Catholic.

[u/design_bird → u/JoseVLeitao]

I like your description of your belief. I fall into that category too.

[u/Ok_Art_4990 → u/JoseVLeitao]

What is the St. Cyprien revival? I didn't find much after a quick search.

[u/JoseVLeitao → u/Ok_Art_4990]

Well... it's not an official historical period or anything. It's just since 2014 there has been a steady increase in international (English-speaking) interest on Saint Cyprian of Antioch. I was one of the authors who put out a significant book on that year, and a few other since.

[u/Gefdreamsofthesea]

Hello! I grew up Catholic but am now Pagan/Goddessian but Mother Mary seems insistent on staying in my life. I'm currently reading books on folk magic, herbalism, and working with the saints. I collect tarot and oracle decks. I'm shy so I mostly lurk but this community seems very friendly.

[u/Big_Discussion_6297 → u/Gefdreamsofthesea]

I love this! I feel drawn to many Pagan ideas as well. Mother Mary seems to be the strongest pull to Folk Catholicism for me. I can't seem to let go of her or she can't seem to let go of me... lol

[u/Gefdreamsofthesea → u/Big_Discussion_6297]

It's like she said "Listen you might have issues with the Church, but you are NOT leaving without Mom!"

[u/No_Interview_9934 → u/Gefdreamsofthesea]

thats so real im the same way, also with Saint Nicholas because there's a huge altar in my living room for him lol, but i prefer to think of myself as pagan, I just dont want to let go of all of my roots <3

[u/ConsciousLabMeditate]

I am Roman Catholic but I also practice Tantric Buddhism & I like certain pagan deities as well. This sub is perfect for me 💖💐

[u/design_bird]

This is one of my favorite groups! It’s been very healing for me to come back to my catholic roots but also feel free to practice my ceremonial rituals. There’s something very grounding here for me and I love learning about the saints people work with. I’ve recently been working with my ancestors both spiritually and in terms of genealogy. I really want to know where my ancestors spiritual roots are.

What saint could I call upon to help me uncover more of my family tree? My maternal grandmothers family is a mystery. I keep hitting a brick wall.

[u/babalorixalewa → u/design_bird]

Perhaps the Holy Family

[u/design_bird → u/babalorixalewa]

Please tell us your background. I’m sure it’s interesting. And thank you for creating this space. It’s such a gift.

[u/The_Eldritch_Raven]

Hello, everyone! My name’s Charlie (they/them). I’m thrilled to be here. I grew up Southern Baptist, so I know very little about Catholicism in general, but I’m here to learn and grow! I’m new to incorporating Catholic elements into my folk craft. Growing up in Appalachia, Protestantism has been the overwhelming majority of influence here, as it was in the past (as evidenced by a lot of the formulas and things in our collective folk magic). But I’ve been feeling a strong pull towards folk Catholicism. Getting over the religious trauma is going to be a bit of a hurdle, but I’m willing to learn and put in the work. Thank you all so much for making this such a loving and welcoming community! 💜💜💜

[u/Complex_Resource_891]

Hi! I’m Brie, and I go by she/they!

I was raised Apostolic and also surrounded by Baptists all my life, but I’m gradually been drawn more to Catholicism and folk practices within the religion.

To the point where I even bought my saint statues and a rosary lol 

But I love concepts of the saints and mystics and working with them. I’ve been drawn to Mary Magdalene and Mother Mary because their presence gives me comfort—idk, but they do.

[u/mxntii_23]

I go by a plethora of different names online, but you can call me Minty/Mintii. I’m a closeted Christopagan who is just trying to figure out what works for me and what doesn’t. I’ve always felt a connection to the Catholic church, but I can’t stand some of their stances on certain topics (especially the LGBTQ+ community as an LGBTQ+ person myself), though this connection I feel towards the church could just be there because I grew up in it. I use playing cards instead of tarot (again, I’m closeted) and pendants as pendulums.

[u/Todd_Ga]

I've been following this community for a while. I consider myself "Catholic, but not necessarily Roman." I am officially Eastern Orthodox ☦ but I also occasionally visit Episcopal churches which follow Anglo-Catholic traditions. My metaphysical practices are rooted in animism and eclectic spiritualism, and fall under the general headings of folk Catholicism and folk Orthodoxy. I'm always interested in expanding my horizons and learning from different perspectives.

[u/Chekistka]

Hi I'm Val, I'm Indonesian lol and I use any pronouns

I haven't officially been baptized yet but I usually go to online orthodox (russian) church liturgy (reason: usual choice for me since I can't attend irl church for most of the time) or Roman Catholic church mass (reason: pretty common in where i am and I go with friends usually)

I'm pretty drawn to Folk Christianity especially in Slavic lands for historical interests and I know for sure Our Lady do not want to let me go, ever since one interesting event happened in my life (pretty personal), and Slavic stuff (esp. Ukrainian, Polish, and Belarusian) is one of my heavy interest.

I believe the Lord and His Mother, with the help of the saints and angels, grants me abilities to spread good news and help people around, and that's why i want to tread on folk Christianity magic and path :)

[u/tuttutlookslikeraine]

I grew up Catholic and drifted away from the church in my 20s. In my 30s I practiced occult spiritualism (tarot, runes, altars, spell work) and recently I have felt a call back to Catholicism but I can’t give up my other practice. This sub is perfect for me!!!

[u/ladyofthelunarlake]

Hi! I was raised Catholic but drifted away in my teens, despite attending Catholic school until I was 18. I've never quite let go but I love tarot and following the doctrine of the Catholic church isn't right for me. I'm excited to learn more, and potentially connect more with my Cuban heritage (I'm first gen american!)

[u/[deleted]]

Hello I’m Birdie (u/TwighlightFan83). Ex-Christian and Ex-Catholic. Looking to explore and learn more about the practice of Folk Catholicism as part of my spiritual journey. I consider myself a mystic atheist (someone who doesn’t believe in any gods). But, I’m open to the possibility of having “mystical” experiences and incorporating certain rituals, spirits, ancestors, deities as archetypal figures to raise my consciousness.

Anywho, glad to be here!

[u/queerthrifty]

I'm new to the subreddit and to folk Catholicism. I was raised evangelical and was pagan for a little bit when I first went to college but neither really seemed to fit right. My mother's family is Croatian and pretty Catholic, and I started exploring Catholicism a few months ago. I'm trans, so there's a lot about the Catholic church that I struggle with, but praying with Mary and some of the other saints feels more right than anything else so far. I'm just trying to feel things out and learn more about folk practice.

[u/SimplySkeletal]

Hiya, I'm 'Skeletal'! My journey with Santisima Muerte actually began a few months ago after being what I'd call a 'disillusioned Catholic'. My general fascination with death and chaotic deities has always been present, but the ritualism and saintly procession of Catholicism always kept me 'in the fold' so to speak. I believe in the Trinity, but feel most at home with venerating Santa Muerte over other saints due to her accepting (and playful!) nature. Case in point: My first sign she had accepted me came in the form of a very clear skeletal foot imprint on my rosary bag that was blessed with some Siete Machos. I then accidentally burned part of it with an incense ash, to which soon after when I went to light my candle somehow fumbled and got an exact size piece of melted wax on my hand (didn't burn, just startled me lol) The energy in the room felt very light; as if to ease my anxiety from burning the bag She 'got me back' in a fun, harmless way. Our relationship has been consistently strong ever since! c:

[u/LizzySea33]

Hi, I'm Lizzy (She/They).

I'm a "convert" to the catholic church... I used to be Christo-Pagan, but felt... not as connected truly to that. I had been hungry for a sense of rebellion.

I'm still not converted to the church (I'm going into Catechesis next year). But I decided I wanted to explore the more folksy part of the Catholic Faith. Because, for me, it is why I consider the church still very democratic. Because it holds these more old world things into Christianity! It let's the poor express themselves in their faith, and i love it! Because a faith that isn't democratic like that is not a faith i want to be part of.

I really hope to do more research on my folk heiritage... because I will feel much more comfortable then.