How to Create Your Own Practice Without Appropriating Others
You’re in the right place if you want to…
learn how to practice witchcraft while at the same time respecting the culture and boundaries of others
understand the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation
become more in flow with using herbs and the tarot in everyday life
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To start off the show, we look at our Tarot Card for the week and we look for moments that relate to this card in our daily lives.
For this week, we chose the nine of wands. The theme of this card is whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
The character in this card has invested a lot of energy into the wands behind him, whatever they represent. And he’s going to guard them and protect them no matter what. This card is about developing tenacity and being scrappy when it comes to reaching goals you’re really passionate about.
To me, this card is about what it feels like to work really hard for something. Especially, when you sort of got beat up along the way and faced some hardships. But it’s what it feels like to come out the other side with something to show for your effort. You’ve basically faced everything at this point, so you're ready for anything to come your way.
You can hear Erica’s and Maggie’s stories related to the nine of wands by listening to the episode.
Modern Witchcraft
Witches are everywhere these days, but the rise in popularity of witchcraft practices is bittersweet.
In some ways, I love how many people are getting witchy. It makes supplies easier to find and it makes me feel more comfortable to be public with my practice.
On the other hand, I see a lot of surface level information without the depth of where witchcraft comes from.
In this post, you will learn what it means to be a witch in the modern world without stealing from other cultures and how you can find your own personal practice of witchcraft. We'll share tips for learning about the colonialist history of witchcraft, how to avoid practices that aren't for you, and how to create rituals and practices for yourself.
Here are 10 tips for practicing witchcraft without cultural appropriation (in no particular order):
Design your own personal practice of witchcraft
One way to avoid cultural appropriation is to design your own personal practice of witchcraft. This involves intuitively developing a unique system by making it up as you go along!
I think many people assume a practice isn't valid if it wasn't written about somewhere before, but everything originated in somebody's mind, why not yours? Consider your personality, skills, interests, abilities, and location and build a practice around this.
I teach you how to do this in Lesson 5 of Witchcraft 101
Don't steal other cultures
This is obvious, but the best way to practice witchcraft without cultural appropriation is to not steal from cultures that you don't belong to. It's important to root your practice in your cultural heritage so that you don’t perpetuate the damaging attitude of imperialists of the past.
There is a fine line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. Additionally, there is a fine line between boundaries of a closed practice and gatekeeping.
Many witchcraft traditions are founded in the idea that magic is everywhere and for everyone. At the same time, certain cultural traditions are explicitly for descendants of a cultural heritage. And those boundaries should be respected.
Connect with your spirituality in your own way
Another way to avoid cultural appropriation is to connect with your spirituality in your own way. Ask yourself what you believe about all the big questions.
What happens after we die?
Does evil exist?
What is the meaning of life?
We'll have an episode about discovering your spiritual beliefs next week.
One thing I love about practicing witchcraft is that it has given me the freedom to explore my spiritual beliefs untethered to the dogma of established religions and traditions.
Remember the core values
Another way to practice witchcraft without stealing from another culture is to remember the core value of these practices. Many witches get so lost in replicating established traditions and mimicking a specific aesthetic, that they lose sight of the reason they practice at all.
Most witchcraft traditions originate from our deep connection to the natural world and our place in the universe.
Research the origins of a tradition
You can avoid cultural appropriation by researching the depth and origin of the tradition. In a modern world of quick videos and short captions, it's hard for creators to share the nuance and depth of a practice. Additionally, aesthetically pleasing images and videos get more reach on social media but may lack adequate information.
Whenever you learn about a new practice, take the time to research it more before engaging in it so that you understand it from all angles.
Where do it come from?
Why is it practiced?
Who is involved?
What is needed? and
How is it done?
Source tools and materials ethically
You can be a respectful witch by sourcing your tools and materials ethically. An increase in demand for witchy tools and materials results in the exploitation of the environment and people. Environmental exploitation is a form of colonialism and white supremacy.
Try growing your own herbs and going rock hunting in your area. If you purchase your tools and materials, look to buy from small businesses instead of large corporations. For crystals, ask the dealer about the mining practices and restoration. For herbs, ask how they were harvested and whether it was sustainable.
Avoid heteronormative ideology based in a gender binary
During the second wave of feminism, witchcraft practices were designed to reclaim power from the patriarchy. Unfortunately, this emphasized straight cis women and erased the queer roots of many traditional practices around the world.
For many, the image of the lady witch is empowering. At the same time, its important to recognize the rich history of gender-fluid, gender bending, intersex, homosexual, androgynous, and trans gender spiritual beliefs.
Incorporate witchcraft into your activism
The history of witchcraft is rooted in throwing off oppressive regimes around the world. Continue engaging in spiritual activism to honor that history.
In addition to mundane actions like donating to groups that support disenfranchised groups, protesting corruption, and political action for progressive change, take magical action such as protection spells for protesters, offering free readings, and binding harmful politicians.
Be willing to learn and unlearn
Another way to design a practice that is free from appropriation is to be willing to learn and unlearn. Witchcraft is not a collection of skills and techniques that you learn and then you're set. It is a lifelong commitment to shaping a practice as you learn. And one important stage of learning is unlearning what you thought was true when you are presented with new information.
Research for yourself and approach things with the mind of a beginner. I guarantee you have more to learn no matter how long you've been practicing.
Follow, support, listen to, honor and give credit to witches of color
The final way to avoid cultural appropriation is to make a commitment to dismantle the tenants of white supremacy, the patriarchy, and colonial attitudes.
One of the best ways to do this is to follow and listen to witches of color. When you learn something, honor that, send financial support, and give credit to the source.
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Send us a voicemail
We play one listener voicemail on each episode of Talk Witchcraft, with a few exceptions. To send us a voicemail, record a voice memo on your phone and email it to welisten [at] talkwitchcraft [dot] com. Please keep in mind that we only choose voicemails that are two minutes in length or shorter (even if they’re great!).
What we’re looking for in a voicemail
Share from your personal experiences (especially experiences that we could never have) and use that to illuminate the zodiac season or theme in new ways.
Ask questions of Erica and Maggie, so we have an opportunity to respond meaningfully to your voicemail during the podcast.
Use one of these prompts: Is there something happening with you and your life that aligns with the current zodiac season or a Tarot card? How do your experiences show us something new about the magic, something that we haven’t talked about so far?
Send a voicemail even if you’re behind on the podcast. If your voicemail is about a previous episode, zodiac season, or tarot card; that doesn’t mean we won’t choose it!
Tips for recording a great voicemail
Make sure you’re somewhere quiet.
Plan what you’re going to say ahead of time, because two minutes goes quickly.
Opt for talking freely based on a bullet pointed list rather than reading word-for word from a script.
Let us know if you’d prefer to remain anonymous.
Wait, don’t go yet!
Thanks for hanging out with me today. If you’ve enjoyed this post of Talk Witchcraft, I invite you to check out mumblesacademy.com.
Mumbles Academy is the place to be for intuitive souls at any stage on their WitchPath. Whether you are a Wildling at the very beginning of witchcraft journey and looking for a safe learning environment, a Creator who is already committed to their practice and wants to develop their witchcraft skills even more, or a Sage who full of wisdom already and is ready to share that with others, Mumbles Academy was designed for you.
With monthly masterclasses and live Q&As, an extensive archive of courses and training, and a supportive community to help you along the way with encouragement and advice, Mumbles Academy is the perfect place for you to be as you as you continue on your WitchPath.
