one of the things about #witchcraft i don't see discussed here enough, and it's probably because of how whitewashed the fedi is, is the appropriation and culture vulturing happening and how much of this could be avoided if new witches and practitioners actually did their shadow and genealogy work before diving in; if practiced witches and practitioners occasionally checked themselves; and if we held each other accountable in our practices.
Voodoo, Hoodoo, Santeria, Smudging and other indigenous rituals, Vedic Astrology, and the like are all closed practices, and they arent for us (white people) to use. They arent for us to borrow from, and they aren't for us to mimick.
Your library mostly likely offers FREE access to genealogy records to easily help you trace your roots and point you in the right direction, and like me, your line probably comes from Europe, which is where you be looking when honing out your practice. It needs to be mentioned that white people are also very fortunate to have access to these records that other people do not, which means you need to be even more responsible when it comes to doing your research before you dive into any kind of practice at all.
For example, Hoodoo originated from people who were stipped away from their culture and ancestors, because of the slave trade. It was found as a way for a group of people to reconnect and reclaim their identity, their spirituality, their practice, their ancestors, their roots. A group of people who will never have the benefit of being able to trace their family back generations simply by looking at a piece of paper. This is not for you to touch, not ever.
Indigenous people suffered the same fate by our white ancestors. They were villainized, killed, put in schools and camps, dehumanized, and had their land stolen because of their beliefs. It is not for you to practice, not ever. And the white sage your purchased from that white girl was probably poached off native land. Even if you somehow ethically sourced it, the practice of smudging is still closed to you.
I also feel like common sense would go a long way here. Like, should I be calling on the spirits of the people my people murdered, raped, and displaced?? Hmm. Probably fucking not.
Now, I know at least one person will pop in and say "well, i was initiated in...." and we both know that's not true. But even if it were, it's still incredibly irresponsible of you to be broadcasting and sharing that practice as if you have any authority to do so, and enabling other white people to feel entitled to it as well.
All of this said, I do believe there is a benefit of learning about other practices so that you don't get mislead by other people into bad habits or practices. I think it's a great idea to show a huge amount of respect to those practices and beliefs and rituals. And I believe there are times when you can be invited in, respectfully, to witness or even in some cases participate, but that DOES NOT give you the right to take it home and use it for yourself, and especially not to broadcast it to other people of european descent.
Example: Pow-wows are absolutely open to the public and most tribes (at least in my area that I'm aware) encourage and welcome all of us to come. Support the artists and creators and crafters. Watch and be moved by the dances and rituals. Be educated. Be connected. Financially support them. But don't make it yours. Dont "incorporate" it into your own rituals at home. When you wear the earrings you bought, make sure to tell the correct story, and share the beauty, but certainly dont replicate and sell some of your own.
Now that we're on the other side of the solstice and the light is returning, let that light shine on your practice and habits a bit so you can reasses whether you're staying in your lane or not. Double check whether you picked something up that should be returned. Make sure that catchy little tiktok video didn't accidentally lead you into some unwanted karma. And let it shine on the ways that you can be a more respectful practitioner.
#fedicoven #witch #witchy
