The Sacred and the Mundane: A response to The Witching of Feminism
A couple of years ago I attended an arts and crafts party with a former colleague of mine. We had never really been close, however upon seeing one another at our local Women’s March, we decided we should hang out more. So, naturally, I was happy she invited me to this event. The evening went well — we talked politics, art, about our goals, etc. I was feeling comfortable, and at some point she mentioned to me that her hairdresser was a witch. Now, for most of my life I have been in the “broom closet” because of fear of judgement, harassment, and discrimination. So when she said this, I thought this was someone who shared my interests, and at minimum I thought I wouldn’t be judged. So, I told her I was a witch too. I opened up about my craft and spirituality. Then she looked at me funny, and said, “Oh, she’s not THAT kind of witch.” The conversation became awkward and ended abruptly.
I’m not sure what her intent was in sharing that information, or if I took her reaction the wrong way or not. She never clarified what she meant, and I didn’t think to ask due to my own discomfort and heightened sense of vulnerability. Later I felt irritated since clearly there are folks running around calling themselves “witches” who don’t actually practice witchcraft.
I don’t think I need to explain how problematic it is that most people’s understanding of witchcraft comes from Hollywood (whom almost always gets it wrong).
Or that various companies have sought to make money off of interest in witchcraft, selling “starter” kits that conveniently serve as an introduction to their fragrance lines.
Thus, there’s a general misunderstanding on what it means to be a witch, and what fair representation of the witchcraft community constitutes. I’m going to respond to some key points The Witching of Feminism made that I find problematic:
Feminists are often attracted to witchcraft for this very reason; the deviance of the witch incidentally parallels the deviance of feminist activism.
Perhaps there is some truth to this, but this is reflective of a misunderstanding of what witchcraft is. I primarily take issue with the word “deviance”, which generally carries negative connotations. The use of the word “deviance” to explain why one chooses witchcraft comes across as superficial, painting witches both as iconoclastic edge-lords at best, or amoral and unethical at worst.
A more accurate characterization would be that witchcraft is largely demonized by society, despite the fact that witches by and large simply want to be contributing members of society and practice their beliefs in peace much like anyone else. They do not see themselves as doing anything different societally from those who adhere to or practice more mainstream religions or spiritualities. I am a witch because I have always been one spiritually, regardless of political activism. I imagine the feminist in me really appreciates the integration of the Goddess in witchcraft because my representation as a woman matters to me. In fact, witchcraft is one of the most inclusive spiritualities and practices for people of all identities. While this is certainly something feminists can relate to, witchcraft is a practice and commitment that is independent of feminism, and is certainly not for everyone.
When I came out as transgender, it was only a short period of time before I realized I was a lesbian. I had always loved women, but now I was free to identify and live as one. I rejoice every moment that I love a woman as a woman. This is witchcraft.
This is not witchcraft. The expression of gender and sexuality can and are typically incorporated into one’s craft, but that is not what makes it essentially witchcraft.
I treat my mental illnesses, Major Depressive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, using plant oils and mantras cast like spells.
I find this statement particularly problematic because it states you can treat serious illness with “plant oils and mantras”. This sort of attitude represents the stigma of the “witch doctor” that those in the witchcraft community strive hard to counter, as it implies you don’t need to seek professional medical advice. When addressing ailments using plant-based or holistic methods it is not only important to consult your doctor first, but to do the proper research. Plants contains chemicals that can either negate the effects of prescription drugs or result in toxicity. Any mention of using plant-based or holistic methods to treat illness or injury should include such a disclaimer.
With that said, there is valid criticism against modern medicine in that it has a tendency to favor invasive medicines and procedures over natural, holistic, and preventative healing. There is valid criticism against the way modern society is structured and how humans, who are naturally social beings, are over-worked and isolated in suburban sprawls and nuclear-families, and how this contributes to illness. I agree that these considerations should be made when making decisions about one’s health, and incorporating alternative healing with professional advice is something witches tend to favor doing.
Additionally, when you state “mantras like spells”, you seem to conflate the two erroneously. Yes, for all intents and purposes one can argue they are similar, but casting a spell is considered more ritualistic incorporating various elements based on their correspondences, whereas a mantra is specifically from Hinduism and Buddhism and consists of a statement repeated frequently, sometimes to aid in meditation or to set an intention.
I observe the changing of the seasons to see the changing of my depression.
For witches the changing of the seasons means connecting with nature (a connection our modern world has largely lost), and I can appreciate the connection drawn between the inner-self reflecting the natural world this statement suggests. However, it is important to draw a line between the sacred and the mundane. I mostly want to emphasize the reverence observing the seasons holds for witches. For most honoring the seasons involves specific rituals and holidays that emphasize the way the seasons mirror different phases of life, death, and transition. Some rituals involve healing such as with shadow work, others involve honoring our ancestors, and others involve upholding traditions. Observance of the seasons is sacred and active, rather than passive.
I love many women, romantically and physically, freely, and without limit. This is witchcraft.
Let me start by saying I am happy you feel free to express yourself authentically when it comes to your personal relationships. However, this is not a fair representation of the witchcraft community as the boundaries we define in our relationships are largely personal and depends on the people involved, and may or may not have anything to do with our practice.
Unfortunately, another stigma in the community is this perception that “witch” is code for “sexual availability”. It is for this reason covens typically have careful screening processes for outsiders; we don’t want to invite those into our groups who are solely into it for convenient sexual encounter. It is for this reason I myself was sexually assaulted at a gathering. What you are describing sounds more accurately labeled as polyamory, and while yes some witches practice this, it does not belong in the overall definition of witchcraft.
Being a witch is often commodified. If you search for websites you can purchase or consume materials and media that will tell you how to be witch. Ultimately, that is an empty existence.
Many of those websites, materials, and media are created by witches. Are you saying they ultimately lead an empty existence? Do I lead an empty existence for supporting them? Can you see how patronizing this comes across?
The irony is that your description of witchcraft (in my opinion) renders it empty by conflating it with gender, sexuality, and polyamory. It denies the sacred aspects of the practice in favor of a more mainstream and mundane description. Seemly you take the pejorative term “witch” at a surface level as a descriptor of some general nonconformity and societal rebellion, when in reality it is a practice that is sacred. This appropriation serves to invalidate the beliefs and practices of self-identified witches.
Witchcraft is the cultural connotation that many women’s lifestyles bear simply because we are who we are. We’re queer. We’re religiously or spiritually unorthodox. We’re economically independent or unconventional. We practice polyamory and free love. We’re nonwhite. We tend gardens and eat vegan diets. There is very little about being a woman that is not witchy; we are many of us, witches of necessity, embracing even a secular witchcraft because we refuse to hide or apologize for who we are.
I think my above statements cover mostly what I find problematic about this last statement, but a few more points:
Secular witchcraft is a form of witchcraft. And no, they are not “witches of necessity”.
Many witches are in the broom closet and are in-fact hiding who they are for fear of belittling and persecution. So yes, many of us do hide.
I am not vegan. Yes, this is part of my spirituality in honoring what I believe to be the natural wheel of life. Many branches of witchcraft incorporate animal sacrifice and blood magic into their rituals. No, they are not evil, and yes they are “othered” for their practices and beliefs by society despite general acceptance of similar practices by Abrahamic religions. And of course, yes, some witches are vegan too, but again it is not dietary choices that makes one quintessentially a witch.
Being a woman does not make you a witch. Many of the people who have dismissed or belittled my beliefs when I opened up to them have been women. Some have even considered themselves “woke” and adhere to left-leaning politics. It has been hurtful and confusing as I assumed I would be at minimum accepted by a community that typically champions the underrepresented.
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If you got this far, thank you for taking the time to read this. I imagine not every person or witch will agree with me on everything, but I hope I portrayed the umbrella term “witchcraft” fairly. Witchcraft encompasses many different beliefs, religions, spiritualities, and practices. It would be impossible to fairly portray every branch of witchcraft for this reason. Most of us began with studying Wicca only to realize how diverse the community is. Some of us are hereditary witches and carry on the indigenous beliefs and traditions of our families and ancestors. Some are drawn to deities whom champion the oppressed, while others simply want to reconnect with the traditions of their ancestors that have been lost due to war and colonialization. Regardless of the path taken, witchcraft is a practice that takes dedication to study and self-mastery, and those who practice deserve to be recognized for their effort. They deserve to reclaim the pejorative term “witch”.
