The Message trust, Hope together, ANCIENT SATANIC / PAGANISM IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

The Message Trust and the Promotion of Labyrinth Practice

The Message Trust, founded by Andy Hawthorne, is a Christian organisation based in Manchester. The organisation describes its mission as sharing the good news of Jesus with young people and urban communities through word and action, and its publications regularly emphasise the themes of Jesus, hope and transformation.

It is therefore important to examine carefully any material that The Message Trust has promoted, published or recommended, particularly where that material introduces spiritual practices that originate outside biblical Christianity.

The issue being examined here is not the word “hope”, nor the concept of trust. Both are thoroughly biblical. The question is whether a Christian organisation can promote or recommend material containing spiritual practices and concepts that are associated with New Age spirituality, occultism or non-Christian forms of spirituality, while still presenting them within a Christian context.

This is where the labyrinth material requires particular scrutiny.

Contemporary Applications for Walking the Labyrinth

Beginning at the base of the spine, the chakras and their corresponding colours are:

1. Root Chakra
2. Sacral Chakra
3. Solar Plexus Chakra
4. Heart Chakra
5. Throat Chakra
6. Third Eye or Brow Chakra
7. Crown Chakra

The practices described below are drawn from research into the history and practical applications of the labyrinth across various civilisations and spiritual traditions in which labyrinths have been used.

These practices are not simply a form of harmless walking or physical exercise. In some New Age and occult applications, the labyrinth is used as a meditative and spiritual practice, incorporating concepts such as chakras, energy, spiritual awakening and kundalini.

New Age occultists may use the labyrinth as a form of meditative walking, with the intention of entering a deeper state of spiritual awareness or engaging with what is described as kundalini energy. Within these practices, particular points or stages of the labyrinth may be presented as “gateways of reflection”, meditative entry points, or opportunities for spiritual insight.

From a biblical Christian perspective, this raises serious concerns. The issue is not merely the physical act of walking a winding pathway; it is the spiritual meaning, intention and practices attached to it. When a labyrinth is used as a means of accessing spiritual energy, awakening chakras, seeking altered states of consciousness, or receiving spiritual insight from a source other than God, it moves beyond biblical Christian prayer and meditation.

The Bible does not instruct Christians to awaken chakras, manipulate kundalini energy, seek spiritual enlightenment through occult techniques, or use physical pathways as gateways to spiritual revelation. Instead, Christians are called to test spiritual claims against the Word of God:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”
– 1 John 4:1, KJV

Therefore, when these practices are incorporated into a supposedly Christian labyrinth experience, the Christian should ask a fundamental question:

What spiritual practice is actually being introduced, and where does it lead?

The physical act of walking along a winding pathway is not, in itself, an occult practice. The concern arises from the spiritual beliefs, intentions and techniques attached to the practice.

Where labyrinth walking is connected with chakras, kundalini, spiritual energies, altered states of consciousness or seeking spiritual insight through means not taught in Scripture, Christians have a responsibility to examine those practices carefully.

The Bible instructs believers:

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.”
— 1 John 4:1, KJV

Therefore, the fact that such material may appear in, or be recommended through, a Christian publication or organisation does not remove the need for biblical discernment.

The question is not simply:

“Is this being presented by Christians?”

The more important question is:

“Is the practice itself consistent with biblical Christianity?”

Christian language about trust, hope and togetherness cannot, by itself, make a spiritual practice biblical. Scripture tells us to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV).

For this reason, the material promoted or recommended by The Message Trust should be examined not merely by its presentation or surrounding Christian language, but by the actual spiritual practices and teachings it contains.

Walking the Labyrinth is Satanic when it is used as a spiritual technique that directs people towards occult or New Age spirituality rather than biblical communion with God through Jesus Christ.

The issue, therefore, is one of spiritual discernment. A Christian organisation may speak about Jesus, trust and hope, but every associated teaching and practice must still be tested against the authority of Scripture.

Beginning of the Labyrinth. The butterfly is painted on the beginning post as a symbol of transformation. Behind it is the “labrys” or the sacred double-headed axe of the Goddess. This has significance to the ancient Minoans. At the temple at Knossos on Crete, labyrs were found carved on walls throughout the labyrinthine stone corridors. This structure became known as the labyrinth, the dwelling of the labyrs. One interpretation of the labrys symbol is that of the butterfly. Its symmetry reminds us of balance.

Walking through the labyrinth is akin to walking through your own energy body. At each post you may stop and reflect asking,

“What do I most need to release from my Root Chakra… Sacral… Solar Plexus… etc.? ” and “What am I ready to renew?”

Listen to your own inner responses as you scroll down through each image.

The butterfly is painted on the beginning post as a symbol of transformation. Behind it is the “labrys” or the sacred double-headed axe of the Goddess. This has significance to the ancient Minoans. At the temple at Knossos on Crete, labrys were found carved on walls throughout the labyrinthine stone corridors. This structure became known as the labyrinth, the dwelling of the labrys. One interpretation of the labrys symbol is that of the butterfly. Its symmetry reminds us of balance. The labyrinth provides a safe container to address and adjust the parts of our life that are out of balance.

There are four benches within the goal area. Coming to rest within the labyrinth is a good reminder to be still and return to the centre of yourself. Here you can open to receive what you most need.

The above is also represented by the use of “Chakra Labyrinth Cards”.

U.K.A.L Comment

The Roots and Spiritual Consequences of Labyrinth Practice

It may be argued that Spirit of Life does not practise this particular form of the labyrinth. However, a practice cannot simply be separated from its underlying beliefs, history and spiritual roots. If the same or closely related practices are being presented within a Christian context, those roots must be examined carefully.

The content described by Spirit of Life is, in our assessment, incompatible with biblical Christianity. The practices and underlying philosophy described here are associated with ancient paganism, New Age spirituality and occult practices. The serious concern is that such practices are being introduced into Christian settings and, in some cases, are being promoted or endorsed by Christian leaders.

The issue, therefore, is not merely what the practice is called or how it is presented. The question is what spiritual source and worldview lie behind the practice.

The Spiritual Consequences

From a biblical perspective, Christians are warned repeatedly about deception, false teaching and spiritual influences that lead people away from the truth of the Gospel.

Paul warns:

The Secret of Lawlessness

“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.”
– 2 Thessalonians 2:7–11, KJV

This passage presents a serious biblical warning about deception, unrighteousness and the rejection of truth. It should therefore cause Christians to take great care when spiritual practices are introduced that have foundations outside biblical Christianity.

The danger is not simply that a person participates in one activity and then immediately rejects the Gospel. Rather, the concern is that continued acceptance of unbiblical spiritual practices can create an increasing openness to deception and false spiritual teaching.

Scripture also warns:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.”
– 1 Timothy 4:1, KJV

This is why Christians must not assume that every practice presented in a Christian environment is automatically Christian. Spiritual practices must be tested against Scripture.

There is a real danger that, once the boundaries between biblical Christianity and alternative spirituality are blurred, a person can become increasingly receptive to deceptive spiritual teachings and doctrines of demons, eventually accepting practices that become progressively further removed from the truth of Scripture.

The answer is therefore not to experiment with such practices, but to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV).

Walking the Labyrinth is Satanic when it becomes a spiritual practice that opens the door to occult, New Age or other unbiblical spirituality rather than directing people to the God of the Bible through Jesus Christ.

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