In some ways, the scariness of the creatures that the kids conjure up when they’re not playing by the rules is a discouragement from messing around with the occult.
Possibly, but I also think that “darkness” and the attraction to the power that such darkness provides is the cause of concern for many who may not be familiar with the series.
I can see children who do not have balance in their lives, or spiritual lives, going the other way, a la the “dungeons and dragons” minions.
I’m no aficionado of the books, but I dare say that the series even addresses these issues - the attraction to darkness, seduction of power and surrendering one’s self to predestined fate.
In some ways, the scariness of the creatures that the kids conjure up when they’re not playing by the rules is a discouragement from messing around with the occult.
= = =
Ahhhhhhhhh, but the reality is that human nature declares within most individual’s minds—that
such hazards are true FOR EVERYONE ELSE.
But I’m uniquely gifted, skillful, blessed, smart, etc. and I’ll avoid the hazards and gain the powers without any negative fallout because I’m so clever.
Add that pride into the mix of demonic hazards associated with such . . . and one has a combination of factors all set for disaster regardless of how long such consequences take to surface overtly.