Polytheism vs Monotheism in Magic: Can They Coexist?

By NICOLE LAU

Introduction: One God or Many?

One of the fundamental questions in magical practice is: where does the power come from? Is there one God who is the source of all power, or are there many gods and spirits with whom we can work? Can you practice magic within a monotheistic framework, or does magic require polytheism?

This question has theological, practical, and philosophical dimensions. It affects how you approach magic, which deities or forces you invoke, and whether certain practices are even possible within your worldview.

This guide explores polytheism and monotheism in magical practice, examining how each framework approaches magic, whether they can coexist, and how practitioners navigate these different theological models.

Defining Terms

Monotheism

Definition: Belief in one God who is the sole divine being

Characteristics:

• One supreme, all-powerful deity
• All other spiritual beings are subordinate (angels, demons, etc.)
• God is typically transcendent and personal
• Examples: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Polytheism

Definition: Belief in multiple gods, each with their own domains and powers

Characteristics:

• Many deities, often organized in pantheons
• Gods have specific areas of influence
• Deities may be more or less powerful but none is absolutely supreme
• Examples: Ancient Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu religions

Related Concepts

Henotheism

• Worship of one god while acknowledging others exist
• "My god" without denying "your gods"
• Common in ancient world

Monolatry

• Worship of one god exclusively
• May or may not believe other gods exist
• Early Israelite religion may have been monolatrous

Pantheism

• God and the universe are identical
• "All is God" or "God is all"
• Nature mysticism, some forms of paganism

Panentheism

• God contains the universe but is also beyond it
• "All in God" but God is more than the sum
• Some Christian mysticism, process theology

Soft Polytheism

• Many gods are aspects or faces of one divine reality
• "All gods are one God"
• Common in modern paganism

Hard Polytheism

• Gods are distinct, separate beings
• Not reducible to one source
• Traditional polytheistic approach

Monotheism and Magic

The Monotheistic Challenge

Monotheism creates specific challenges for magical practice:

1. Source of Power

• If there's only one God, all power must come from God
• Magic that doesn't come from God is suspect
• Question: Can you command or manipulate divine power?

2. Idolatry Concerns

• Working with other spirits or forces may be idolatry
• Monotheistic religions often prohibit this
• Even angels may be problematic if treated as independent powers

3. Divine Will vs. Human Will

• Monotheism emphasizes submission to God's will
• Magic often involves imposing human will
• Tension between prayer (asking) and magic (commanding)

4. Miracle vs. Magic Distinction

• Miracles: God's sovereign acts
• Magic: Human manipulation of forces
• Monotheistic religions often distinguish these sharply

Monotheistic Approaches to Magic

1. Rejection

• Magic is forbidden, period
• All power must come through prayer and God's will
• Any other source is demonic or illusory
• Common in conservative Christianity and Islam

2. Theurgy (Divine Magic)

• Magic that works with God and angels
• Seeks union with the divine
• Elevates the practitioner spiritually
• Acceptable in some traditions (Kabbalah, Christian mysticism)

3. Natural Magic

• Working with natural forces God created
• Herbalism, astrology, alchemy as natural philosophy
• Not invoking spirits, just using natural laws
• More acceptable to some monotheists

4. Reinterpretation

• All magic is actually prayer or divine gift
• Deities are aspects of the one God
• Spirits are angels or servants of God
• Allows magical practice within monotheistic framework

Examples of Monotheistic Magic

Jewish Kabbalah

• Mystical tradition within Judaism
• Works with divine names and angels
• All power ultimately from Ein Sof (the Infinite)
• Theurgy aimed at repairing creation (tikkun olam)

Christian Ceremonial Magic

• Medieval and Renaissance grimoires
• Invoke God, Jesus, Mary, and angels
• Command demons in God's name
• Assumes Christian framework

Islamic Magic and Sufism

• Sufi practices (dhikr, meditation)
• Use of Quranic verses for protection
• Debate about permissibility
• Distinction between sihr (forbidden sorcery) and legitimate practices

Polytheism and Magic

The Polytheistic Advantage

Polytheism offers certain advantages for magical practice:

1. Multiple Sources of Power

• Different gods for different purposes
• Specialized deities for specific needs
• No single authority to violate

2. Reciprocal Relationships

• Gods and humans in mutual relationship
• Offerings in exchange for blessings
• Less emphasis on submission, more on partnership

3. Flexibility

• Can work with whichever deity is appropriate
• No idolatry concerns
• Syncretism is easier

4. Natural Fit with Magic

• Ancient magical traditions were polytheistic
• Gods have specific magical domains
• Magic is part of the religious framework

Polytheistic Approaches to Magic

1. Devotional Magic

• Magic as worship and relationship with gods
• Offerings and prayers to deities
• Gods grant blessings and power

2. Theurgic Magic

• Working with gods to achieve spiritual elevation
• Becoming more divine through practice
• Neoplatonic approach

3. Practical Magic

• Using divine forces for practical ends
• Spells invoking specific deities
• Reciprocal exchange with gods

4. Eclectic Magic

• Drawing from multiple pantheons
• Working with whichever gods resonate
• Personal relationship over tradition

Examples of Polytheistic Magic

Hellenic (Greek) Magic

• Invoke Hecate for witchcraft
• Hermes for communication and travel
• Aphrodite for love
• Each deity has specific domain

Norse/Heathen Magic

• Seidr (Norse magic) associated with Freyja and Odin
• Runes as magical system
• Working with specific gods and spirits

Kemetic (Egyptian) Magic

• Heka (magic) as fundamental force
• Gods like Isis, Thoth, Set in magical practice
• Magic integrated with religion

Hindu Tantra

• Working with specific deities (Kali, Shiva, etc.)
• Mantras and yantras
• Ritual magic within polytheistic framework

Can They Coexist?

Arguments for Incompatibility

1. Theological Contradiction

• One God vs. many gods is a fundamental difference
• Can't logically believe both
• Must choose one framework

2. Monotheistic Exclusivity

• Monotheistic religions often claim exclusive truth
• Working with other gods is idolatry
• Incompatible with monotheistic faith

3. Different Worldviews

• Monotheism: hierarchical, submission-based
• Polytheism: reciprocal, partnership-based
• Fundamentally different approaches to divine

Arguments for Coexistence

1. Soft Polytheism

• Many gods as faces of one divine reality
• "All gods are one God"
• Allows working with multiple deities within monotheistic framework

2. Henotheism

• Worship one god, acknowledge others exist
• Work primarily with one deity but respect others
• Middle ground between mono- and polytheism

3. Psychological Model

• Gods as archetypes or psychological forces
• Not literal beings but useful constructs
• Allows polytheistic practice without polytheistic belief

4. Hierarchical Integration

• One supreme God with many subordinate spirits/angels/gods
• Monotheism at the top, polytheism in practice
• Common in folk religion

Practical Coexistence

Christian Witches

• Work with Christian God but use polytheistic techniques
• May reinterpret pagan gods as angels or saints
• Or practice magic without invoking deities at all

Eclectic Pagans

• May shift between hard and soft polytheism
• Work with multiple pantheons
• Personal synthesis of approaches

Chaos Magicians

• Paradigm shifting: use different models as needed
• Monotheism for some workings, polytheism for others
• Pragmatic rather than dogmatic

Specific Scenarios

Scenario 1: Monotheist Wanting to Work with Multiple Deities

Options:

• Soft polytheism: See them as aspects of one God
• Archetypes: Psychological forces, not literal gods
• Angels/saints: Reinterpret as monotheistic intermediaries
• Reconsider monotheism: Explore henotheism or polytheism

Scenario 2: Polytheist in Monotheistic Culture

Challenges:

• Social pressure and misunderstanding
• Accused of devil worship or idolatry
• Navigating family and community expectations

Approaches:

• Education: Explain what polytheism actually is
• Privacy: Practice privately if necessary
• Find community: Connect with other polytheists
• Stand firm: Your beliefs are valid

Scenario 3: Working with Deities from Multiple Pantheons

Questions:

• Is this respectful or appropriative?
• Do gods from different cultures mix well?
• Hard vs. soft polytheism implications

Considerations:

• Research each tradition thoroughly
• Understand cultural context
• Some traditions are closed
• Respect the gods' cultural origins
• Soft polytheism makes this easier

Philosophical and Theological Implications

Nature of Divinity

Monotheistic View

• God is transcendent, beyond creation
• Absolute, unchanging, perfect
• Personal relationship but infinite distance
• Emphasis on God's sovereignty

Polytheistic View

• Gods are immanent, within creation
• Have personalities, limitations, relationships
• More accessible and relatable
• Emphasis on reciprocity

Human-Divine Relationship

Monotheistic Model

• Submission and obedience
• Prayer as asking, not commanding
• God's will over human will
• Vertical relationship (God above, human below)

Polytheistic Model

• Partnership and reciprocity
• Offerings in exchange for blessings
• Negotiation and relationship
• More horizontal relationship

Ethics and Morality

Monotheistic Ethics

• Absolute moral law from God
• Good and evil clearly defined
• Obedience to divine command

Polytheistic Ethics

• More situational and contextual
• Different gods have different values
• Emphasis on honor, reciprocity, balance
• Less absolute, more nuanced

Practical Advice

For Monotheists Practicing Magic

• Clarify your theology: How does magic fit with your belief in one God?
• Study your tradition's mystical practices
• Consider theurgy or natural magic
• Be honest about tensions and contradictions
• Find mentors within your tradition

For Polytheists

• Decide: Hard or soft polytheism?
• Research the gods you work with
• Respect cultural contexts and boundaries
• Build genuine relationships with deities
• Don't treat gods as vending machines

For Those Uncertain

• Explore both frameworks
• Notice what resonates
• You don't have to decide immediately
• Beliefs can evolve
• Henotheism or soft polytheism may be middle ground

Conclusion: Different Paths, Valid Practices

Can monotheism and polytheism coexist in magical practice? The answer depends on how you define and approach both.

Key insights:

• Fundamental difference: One God vs. many gods is a real theological distinction
• Practical coexistence: Soft polytheism, henotheism, and psychological models allow overlap
• Both work: Magic functions within both frameworks
• Personal choice: Your theology shapes your practice
• Respect differences: Neither is inherently superior
• Complexity: Most practitioners' beliefs are more nuanced than strict categories

Whether you believe in one God, many gods, or navigate between these frameworks, what matters is:

• Theological consistency (or conscious inconsistency)
• Respectful practice
• Genuine relationship with the divine
• Ethical conduct
• Results and spiritual growth

The divine—whether one or many—is vast enough to encompass multiple approaches. Your path is yours to walk, whether it leads to one God, many gods, or somewhere in between.

NICOLE LAU is a researcher and writer specializing in Western esotericism, Jungian psychology, and comparative mysticism. She is the author of the Western Esoteric Classics series and New Age Spirituality series.