Cultural appropriation is a prevalent issue in the spiritual and witchcraft community, particularly in the realm of Wicca. It involves taking other cultures’ ideas and practices for granted, often leading to negative influences. However, it is important to note that no natural stone, herb, or animal can be considered cultural appropriation. The use of these objects depends on how they are used. For example, placing dried lavender or sachets filled with its flowers around the home can create a protective barrier against negative influences.
The issue of cultural appropriation in witchcraft and neopaganism can be traced back to Wicca, where many Wiccans identify as witches. Some newer witches, or those who came to witchcraft through trendy spiritual wellness methods, have a tendency to try a boatload of smudging. Witches urge alternatives to sage amid concerns about appropriation and overharvesting.
Wiccan, Paganism, Wicca, and other magical spiritualities have gained massive popularity and representation in popular media. These spiritual practices aim to open individuals to the spiritual or other world, and magic, the process of changing reality, is antithetical to witchcraft. The app TikTok has popularized new age spirituality, bringing in a new generation of witches and spiritualists. However, this is just a consequence of all magic being commonly referred to as witchcraft in English, making it easier to say one is a witch instead of having to practice it.
In conclusion, cultural appropriation is a significant issue in the spiritual and witchcraft community, and it is crucial for individuals to take action to avoid hurting BIPOC and appropriating closed cultures.
📹 Rant on Cultural Appropriation in Witchcraft
📹 How to Practice Witchcraft Without Cultural Appropriation
Www.mumblesandthings.com/blog/048 Hello and welcome to episode 48 of the Talk Witchcraft podcast! Mystic Sisters Maggie …
I’m a black witch from England and I feel that the term cultural appropriation was popularised in the west (by black people in the US 🇺🇸 ) to gatekeep certain things from other groups of people (braids, ways of speaking ect). Now it’s made it way into the witch community, all this wokeness. I see a lot of bullying from people targeting at witches (mostly white) that they can’t use white sage, they can’t wear the evil eye, they can’t do honey jars, they can’t worship certain types of gods/goddesses ect. It’s all foolishness I do traditional English witchcraft while being heavily influenced by ancient Greek mythology. Your craft is personal to YOU
I’ve said these things for years 🖤🌙. Im really glad you are educating people on “spirit”. Other “witches” have looked at me like I’m crazy when I say we have been every color, gender etc. Its why I’m a solitary practitioner. I really have to thank you witchfoot because Ive felt so alone with my thoughts and beliefs. You’re awesome 🙌🏻💯
Yes mama! I heard “it ain’t church” and was here for it 😅 I’m Irish/, Lebanese my exhubs was english. Our son came out Dark (dark) skinned with jet black hair. He looked just like my Lebanese baba. My daughter – ginger as the day is long with green eyes. DNA dgaf!! In Northern Ireland we practice an old animastic tradition (very similar to indigenous American practices) Mystical Lebanese tradition is also very animistic/earth based – my practice adapts from both and spirit connects all. But ppl come at me out the side of their neck for shit they don’t understand!! But I’m not changing my tradition for their fragility! Point being – spirit is spirit and will cross racial/ethnic divides!! know for certain If someone is meddling in those things they aught not be touching then they will pay the price but these TT ppl cant piss on someone’s tradition when they don’t know their heritage or their practice!! Especially when all they have to go on is a 3 min summary vid!! ❤️
I appreciate what you’re doing. Not just for this sorta subject, self confidence, boundaries, knowledge, hell, even with harnessing my own feminine energy and balance it better with my masculine. You’re an amazing woman, mother, and teacher. I wish I had an womanly figure like you in my life growing up. I’m glad I found you on tik tok. Can’t find words to make this more articulate, but I appreciate you. More than I could ever say. ♡ much love
I love your articles. I see a article I’m just like ok time to sit the fuck down and listen. Lol. You have really inspired me to get my shit together and own up to what I claim and know. I have dealt with so many self confidence issues. You really did inspire me to change. I’m 32 and I feel like I’m starting out as a beginner again but I feel it’s just right. So any advice will dually be taken and adhered to. Thanks momma foot.
Yep the throwback to darker skin is so real! My Dad’s family were all white as milk, couple of gingers even, and then 1 brother came out dark skinned. No one questioned my sweet gentle grandma because she just wouldn’t have cheated, no way no how. So everyone just figured it was a throwback. Think of Shameless and the Gallagher’s lol And also, some DNA is recessive, like Australian Aboriginal. You’ve got the whitest looking ppl going around and they have black af parents. Dna isn’t one size fits all.
Hearing you talk about genetics and how it works just reminded me of my own genetics. My family, is a Sicilian family. I was raised by my great grandmother, and she was full Italian, and her mother, immigrated here from Sicily. When we all got our ancestry tested, everyone in my family came back with some Italian. BUT me! I was shocked and honestly heartbroken. My cousin looked at me with a condicending tone and said “I can’t believe you’re not Italian” That’s just how genetics worked. But does that mean that my upbringing is suddenly NOT my upbringing? NO. absolutely not. It’s a game of chance and I just happened to not have Italian.
i live in Louisiana, and there are white people that were raised (from birth) in certain parts of the state and grew up around voodoo. its essentially a part of their childhood culture, and up bringing . taught by a voodoo priest(esses) or by a local elderly man/woman. they have the same passion, knowledge, etc. those same people get on tik tok and social media and get harassed because they’re “appropriating”. Imagine growing up on the bayou, or in a small town being taught voodoo/some other spiritual path for 20,30,40+ years, then you get on tik tok and get told youre trash, and appropriating a culture that isnt yours.
Finally someone talking about reincarnation. I have clear memories of being different races, cultures etc. I didn’t learn about my heritage until I was 40 because I was adopted but I knew what spirits spiritual practices called me. Turned out I was right on track and would have shorted my growth if I listened to other people. Spirits take take care of disrespectful people. Gatekeepers lack personal power, base their identity on false narratives and are going to get a harsh lesson this life, next life…who the fuck cares. Not my business if they get torn apart. I respect your knowledge, research and communication Witchfoot, much love and respect! Thank you for speaking the truth!
My son is mixed. He is half Mexican half white. His Mexican heritage shines through more than him being white… does that not make him white? No… he has both my blood and his fathers blood in him! With that being said…. Just Bc someone is white passing doesn’t mean they don’t have other races in their blood. We all make mistakes. We have all done something stupid! I know I have.. but we can’t hold it over their head their entire life. Even if someone is initiated into a closed practice!!!!! I guarantee all witches from any side of the craft spectrum… have made mistakes..Especially when it comes to their craft. My god people need to move on. Scroll pass.. tap not interested.. block even… Bc you holding on to ANGER over something that has nothing to do with YOU! Is going to effect your craft! I said what I said! Edit: love you Ms Foot.
I really appreciate your article, I have always had the same opinion about it. My path has led me to know Cuban magic, by chance, to believe that there really existed “something more” than a physical world, but then I developed in Druidism. The first thing that these Cubana Friends explained to me is that we have several spirit guides and sometimes these belong to other ethnicities and cultures (that is why sometimes they take you on a spiritual path in another culture, whether of Asian, African, Celtic or other origin). So it’s true that they don’t care what color your skin or your genes are. Thanks for this article! all the best!
Hey Witchfoot, I’ve had this question for a long time now and I figured you might be the person to ask. I know you believe in reincarnation and such, and I do too (though I’m not very well educated on the topic yet). Basically my question is, if we’ve had so many lives in the past and we’ll have so many lives in the future, why is the life that we’re living now stick out so much? Like why is our consciousness taken up by this lifetime and we’re pretty much completely unable to remember any other past lives we’ve had? I’m sorry if I didn’t word that very well, it’s a little confusing but I just wanted to finally ask that question.
I have to stay away from the whole POA % in DNA on tiktok cause I know I would end up losing my shit at people.Its a touchy subject,my nanna was half Tasmanian Aboriginal and a child of the stolen generation. She hid the fact her whole life and even changed her whole appearance to be more white passing.There are no full 100% blood Tasmanian Aboriginals left.So it’s a very touchy subject if anyone comes at an Aussie indigenous saying they are not dark enough.
I wish I knew if I even had a protector spiritually or a guide I have legitimately zero clue! 😔 nor do I know how to know or if everyone even has one. I’d love to meet a voodoo priestess and ask if she would be interested in taking the time to do a reading for me 😍🤩. Im moving to Florida from nj I’m in for a culture shock. Even the bugs are huge!
I had a similar experience When I lived in Florida, my brothers dad is hatian. We went to see his family when my brother was 1 and I will not talk about what happened. I will say though their rituals are alot like my native American ones when we do Sundance but less crazy and out there. Everyone meets for a reason I’ve learned, spirit will bring you to who you need to meet and you will learn what you need to learn. I love how you make that clear to these people.
My first time being mounted by spirit, was at a santaria circle. Had no idea I was a medium. I was mounted twice over the priest running the circle. 😳 I felt them enter, I was aware of them in me & what was happening, but wasn’t in control. It was freaky, but I am so grateful for it. I learned to work my gift. ♥️ I agree with you on the whole thing.
hey witchfoot its cutiebook here, i love the way you teach and i just thought id say i found you lol, keep educating because so many baby witches think exactly like witchtok does, a lot of it is misinformation and i am appriciative that we have someone like you to give the facts in a full explaination. blessed be!
Real talk!who is any mere mortal human being to tell anyone what deity they can or can’t work with or what spiritual practice they can or can’t practice wind spirit chose them. You start getting into real dangerous territory when you start trying to interfere in a relationship between a person and a deity who chose to offer a relationship with that person
I truly enjoy listening to your experiences. I get so involved!! Ive had some similar and im here like yes! Thats how it was for me! Until I joined tik tok, I never heard all the bullshit there is on that platform in the real world. Look forward to many more of your experiences!! Love peace and chicken grease!!! 🤣🤣
i love listening to your point of view on on many different subjects. i also agree with other commenters about listening to your life experiences. i feel like its our “Duty” in life to never stop learning and continue forward. I’ve been following you since about May ’21 and have learned a lot. looking forward to more classes. Also… The Pest is a fantastic movie. watched in probably middle school. Id go around saying “love peace chicken grease” over the years. Id get the wtf did she say look. So happy too hear someone else say it as well.