Magic Forums

I have only recently discovered my path within the last 2 years or so, prior to that I loosely identified as a Christian after a heavily religious upbringing as a child. As I'm filling in more of my path and beliefs I feel more empowered and at peace. However, every now and then something will bring back those old default programming thoughts of damnation, sinning, demons, etc. Usually I categorize them as leftover invasive thoughts from an old ideology, though sometimes it's harder to control.

I moved into a new house with my boyfriend recently and I have felt a presence there that I cannot define as being friendly. I get the sense something wants to push me down the stairs, sometimes I'll trip or feel dizzy right at the top step, though nothing has ever come of it. Last night I was alone in my kitchen and I had the physical sensation of someone running their fingers through my hair on the side of my head, and my hair on that side stood up like static electricity. I have never had any sensation like that in my life and it definitely shook me in my boots. I don't believe in the Abrahamic gods or demons and so I'm trying to shrug it off but I'm so new to this side of spirituality I can't tell if ignoring it is a bad idea. My old Christian thoughts keep saying it must be that I've drawn wicked things into my home and without a higher protection I will be putting myself and household at risk.

Does anyone have advice for keeping those invasive religious thoughts at bay? They are making me feel worse about the situation than I need to be, and occasionally the thought comes through that I've damned myself through witchcraft, after 20 years of having that drilled into my head I just want to have it gone, or at least have a way to deal with it better when it does happen.

And also, does anyone have any advice on this presence I feel and what I might be able to do about it?