mx-toby

[mx-toby]

Hey Witches!

Today, lets talk about decolonizing paganism!

(buckle up cause its a long one)

Witchcraft is a great and broad practice that has been around for a long time. Its great for religious and non-religious individuals.

But over time, it seems that the lines are blurred on what is acceptable in our individualized practice.

It is crucial for any and every witch to be aware about how to be respectful towards closed practices and to spread that awareness.

What is a closed practice?

Closed practices are those that you can only be a part of if you were born into the community, or if you have been initiated into it.

I commonly see closed practices promoted in neo-pagan books and blogs. I also see it heavily engrained in "wicca" influencers (which can be very convoluted and controversial if you learn from bad sources) Without proper research, this information reaches public spaces full of naïve and impressionable baby witches and actively harms communities and cultures that hold sacred and closed practices.

What are some examples to look out for?

✨ One i have seen countless of times is the promotion of white sage as a method of "smudging" or "cleansing" a space.

white. sage. is. for. a. closed. indigenous. use.

Native Americans have been telling us for YEARS that purchasing and using white sage from your local store

1) steals from native americans and

2) takes away the whole purpose of the sage

DO YOUR RESEARCH

✨ Closed Spiritualism Practices

Vodou and many other African-based spiritualities are plundered to add to Wicca or eclectic witchcraft. Most of these practices are closed as well. To join Vodou, one must find a priest and commit to the practice. Like Kabbalah (Jewish Mysticism), it is not something that can just be plucked up and added to your own.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

✨here are some great sources to begin with!!

(the @ applies to tiktok)

@jewitches, who runs a blog full of information about the Kabbalah and Jewish witchcraft.

@quiibunnie, is an Indigenous practitioner

@thathoneywitch, practices Hoodoo.

@imbigsowhat, has several videos talking about Vodou.

DO YOUR PART: DO THE RESEARCH

[mx-toby]

friendly reminder to my witchy friends and baby witches out there

the terms "black" and "white" magick come from racist backgrounds.

Some better alternatives

"light and dark"

"positive and negative"

"benevolent and malevolent"

remember folks, there is no room for racism and bigotry in witchcraft.

Blessed Be <3