OCCULTISM AND SUPERSTITION

PART OF "UNDAS: A HALLOWEEN AND CHALENGING HORRORS AND MYTHS" SERIES

Photo: Pinterest

Author: Ken Klark L. Flores

Disclaimer 

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the views of any religious organization or denomination. This article is for religious and educational purposes only.

Reader Advisory

This article discusses sensitive topics that may not suitable for all audiences, Reading Discretion is Advised and Parental Guidance for is recommended.

Introduction

In this country Philippines, it had strong religious backgrounds, like Christians, composed of Catholic Majority and Protestant Minorities. In this article discusses about occultism and superstitous beliefs

Beliefs and Artifacts

Anting-Anting(sometimes called called oracion), these are traditional filipino amulets that are believed to have mystical powers (KULARTZ, 2020). Some vendors sell religious handkerchiefs with the image of the Black Nazarene or candles with specific colors, which are used in prayers and rituals. Vendors sell various items believed to provide protection or power, often made from religious medallions, stones, and petrified seeds like Mystical talismans and amulets (Quiapography, 2017). During periods of conflict or violence, vendors have sold items like stones and bracelets believed to offer protection against bullets or invisibility. 

Even there's Gayuma, a Filipino term for a love potion or spell, believed to be a charm used to make someone fall in love with the user. It is also known as lumay in Binisaya and can refer to any substance, ritual, or charm intended to attract someone's romantic interest, often created from various herbs, flowers, or other ingredients. The efficacy of gayuma is not scientifically proven, and many view it as superstition or folk magic (Lingvanex, 2025).

"Kulam" refers to a type of black magic or sorcery in the Philippines, often associated with causing harm or misfortune through curses, spells, or rituals. It is believed to be practiced by a mangkukulam (witch or sorcerer) who uses items like dolls or personal belongings to afflict individuals with illness or other problems. While its prevalence varies, beliefs in kulam persist, especially in rural areas, and people often turn to folk healers called albularyo for help, which can involve counter-spells or rituals (Nair, 2023).

Pamahiin

Rooted in a mixture of indigenous animism, Spanish Catholicism, and Chinese traditions, Filipino superstitious beliefs, or pamahiin, influence daily life and important milestones like birth, marriage, and death. These beliefs are often practical advice veiled in myth to ensure safety or uphold respect. For Example

When passing through secluded, grassy, or forested areas, Filipinos say "tabi-tabi po" to ask permission and avoid disturbing supernatural beings like nuno sa punso (dwarves that live in anthills) (Logic, 2023). Or even Not bringing food home from a funeral is a superstitious belief that it could bring bad luck or cause the spirit of the deceased to follow you home. According to the superstition, food left at the wake helps the deceased remain "full" in the afterlife, and taking it home is seen as carrying away a part of that offering or, more literally, "death's shadow" (Patch, 2019).

In the Philippines, common superstitious beliefs include avoiding sweeping at night, which is said to sweep away good fortune, and not cutting nails after dark, as it may bring bad luck. On the other hand, black ants in the house are considered lucky, and serving 12 round fruits on New Year's Eve is thought to bring prosperity for the year. Other superstitions involve dropping utensils signaling a visitor is coming and that a bride should never try on her wedding dress before the wedding day (Imelda, 2013).

Problems and Criticisms

The Catholic Church has warned to the public about these allerged scams that falsely claim to be connected to that church, but traditional vendors operate alongside these fakes. While some items have religious significance, others are rooted in folk magic and spiritual practices, making them a mix of items.

Even the Catechism of the Catholic Church, categorizes it as gravely contrary to the virtue of religion and a violation of the First Commandment. It condemns practices like magic, sorcery, and divination because they attempt to "tame occult powers," place trust in things other than God, and can open the door to evil spiritual influences. Practices such as astrology, spiritism, and fortune-telling are specifically listed as sins to be avoided. The same true that superstition is discouraged, according the Catholic teaching, superstition is the deviation from religious practice and involves attributing magical efficacy to certain objects or rituals instead of to God, and it can lead to idolatry by giving undue reverence to created things or objects rather than to the Creator (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994, 2117).

In modern times, medical professionals and other sources point to many of the symptoms attributed to kulam being caused by actual medical conditions, a fact that some individuals may ignore out of denial or a belief in sorcery. Despite scientific explanations, the cultural grip of kulam remains strong for many (Tan, 2014).

The most significant criticism is that gayuma removes a person's free will by influencing them to feel attraction or desire against their true emotions. It is viewed as a form of magical coercion that violates a person's autonomy and right to choose their own partner. Using a love potion is a deeply deceptive act. It is a way of forcing a relationship rather than building one on mutual, authentic feelings, which is fundamentally dishonest. As gayuma does not foster genuine love, any relationship built on it is considered hollow and destined to fail once the spell's effect wears off. Some believe the relationship will be plagued by misfortune and unhappiness (Limos, M. A., 2020)

Folk beliefs often warn that the use of gayuma will bring bad luck or a curse (masamang sumpa) back to the person who cast the spell. The negative energy used to manipulate another is believed to have repercussions on the perpetrator. The use of gayuma on a partner can be a form of abuse, as it strips the target of their decision-making capacity and forces them into a relationship against their will.

Conclusion

While the Occultism and Superstition can create an illusion, which happens because of psychological biases, such as overestimating the link between a superstitious action and an outcome, even when there is no objective causal relationship, it's better to seek God and our spiritual leaders to guide what true beliefs for god and our religious life.

Reference

Quiapography (2017). Handkerchiefs in Quiapo. https://updigitalhumanities.wixsite.com/quiapography/handkerchiefs

Lingvanex. (2025). Gayuma - meaning & definition in Lingvanex Dictionary. Lingvanex. https://lingvanex.com/dictionary/meaning/tagalog/gayuma/

KULARTS (2020, February 7). Anting-anting Power. https://www.kularts-sf.org/blog/anting-antingpower-a2j45

Nair, N. (2023, October 10). Mangkukulam : The Philippine Witch. Mythlok. https://mythlok.com/mangkukulam/

Tan, M. L. (2014, March 28). “Kulam” and medicine. INQUIRER.net. https://opinion.inquirer.net/73013/kulam-and-medicine

Limos, M. A. (2020, February 7). Quiapo Gayuma: How an Occult Practice Still Captivates Filipinos. Esquiremag.ph. https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/searching-for-gayuma-in-quiapo-a00293-20200207-lfrm

Logic, T. (2023, December 19). 15 Filipino Superstitions Still Practiced Today. BusinessMirror. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2023/12/19/filipino-superstitions/

‌Patch, F. (2019, February 19). 40 Filipino Superstitions that You Need to Know during Funerals and Wakes | Blog | Flower Patch - Online Flower Delivery Phillippines. Flower Patch - Online Flower Delivery Phillippines |. https://flowerpatchdelivery.com/40-filipino-superstitions-funerals-and-wakes/

‌Imelda. (2013, October 10). 10 Timeless Filipino Superstitions. The Mixed Culture. https://themixedculture.com/2013/10/10/filipino-superstitions/

‌COMMENT

Your Questions and for your thoughts, leave a Comment with format:

Type [Location/Your Church/Member Apologetics Team] and [Your Comment]

‌

‌

‌

‌

‌

‌

‌