The power behind magic/sorcery is demonic. Ultimately paganism in general is devised and energized by the devil, the demonic, and depraved nature spirits.(Deut. 32:16-17; Ps. 106:36-39; 1 Cor. 10:20-21; Rev. 9:20-21) Thus, neo-pagans are dealing with the devil and the demonic, despite what they believe or think is possible ( John 8:43-44; 2 Cor. 4:3-4; 11:13-14; Eph.2:2; 4:18; 6:12).

Involvement in magic/sorcery (or other forms of occultism or paganism) is spiritual prostitution against the only True God.( Ex. 34:16; Lev. 17:7; 20:6; Deut. 32:15-21; Ps. 106:36-39; Jer. 2:1-29)

Paganism

All pagan "religions"claim a reverence for nature, and are usually polytheistic i.e. have many gods and/or goddesses. Unlike Christianity, the divine is female as well as male and therefore there is a goddess as well as a god. These deities (they believe) are within us as well as without us (immanent); they ARE us! Pagans often refer to the "Christian God" as a kind of ghost that follows one around always looking for sin and chastising. We know our God to be a just God as well as a God of love.

Paganism in the west is divided into a number of traditions including Druidism, Wicca, (nice modern name for witchcraft), Northern, Saxon. The revival of western Paganism is mainly due to the revival of Wicca. However Paganism is not Wicca; Wicca is a form of paganism. Wiccan Paganism is said to be the fastest growing group of Paganism in America

It sometimes helps to define Paganism by making comparisons with Christianity: (Some fundamental differences between Christianity and Paganism)

1.) Christians know life and the world are linear i.e. having a beginning and an end. We know this because we accept God's
Word as our Infallible Authority. And it is here (in God's Word) we find there was a beginning and will be an ending for mankind.

a.) The Pagan view is circular -- the endless cycle of the seasons, of death and rebirth (reincarnation). Pagans teach there will be no end of the world or universe.

2.) The Bible tells us that man was made in the image of God. I accept this as total truth and believe, without hesitation, in the God of the Bible, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For I am saved by His BLOOD alone.

a.) Pagans teach that their gods and goddesses are made in "OUR" image which is the other way around. Pagans also believe their deities are images or symbols of deep rooted memories called archetypes.

3.) The Bible tells us that God gave man dominion over the earth and all the creatures upon it. Pagans believe this lead to a mind set in which there is no respect for nature. Pagans worship "Mother Earth" or Gaia their goddess. Trees are sacred and should only be used if truly justified. They call this "a respect for all the natural world" because all is god and god is all in their eyes. Many have bought into this lie unknowingly (new agers esp.)

4.)Pagans have (nor teach) no concept of sin and no Satan. There is no hell to worry about either. What does the Bible say?

5.) Pagans love to point out the many interpretations of the Bible in a weak attempt to minimize it's authority. They teach they are ruled by the heart while we are ruled by the Bible, our Guide for life. (a compliment). Pagans will say Christians have ten commandments while Wiccans have just one: "An it harm none do as thou wilt" (anarchy.)

6.) Pagans are well versed in the Bible and offer a convincing intellectual argument but it is purely head knowledge alone. Stemming from deception by participation in this cult. Stand firm on your faith when you are drawn into battle with them. The letter kills, the Spirit gives life.

Encyclopedia definition

witchcraft
exercise of supernatural powers through occult arts such as MAGIC, sorcery, and satanism. Its origins lie in the belief in separate powers of good and evil in ancient pagan cults and in religions including GNOSTICISM and ZOROASTRIANISM. The Christian church persecuted witches from the 14th to the 18th cent.: under the Spanish Inquisition, up to 100 alleged witches were burned in a day; in 1692, 20 persons were executed as witches in Salem, Mass. In the 20th cent. there has been a revival of witchcraft known as Wicca and based on a reverence for nature, the worship of a fertility goddess, a restrained hedonism, and group magic aimed at healing. See also SHAMAN.