This is a topic that is hotly debated and I’m sure that I will not be encompassing everyone’s unique perspectives. Such is the beauty of life, we as a human race have infinite differences in opinion - even in similar cultures. What I aim to do with this post is to elaborate on my basic understanding of cultural appropriation on witchcraft. What I don’t desire is to pretend this article is the buck stopping with me. This is literally just the corner being peeled back of the discourse that is necessary for us all as witches to engage in, if not just internally. This is not the definitive guide to ethics.

This topic is one that is usually avoided with a ten foot pole, because folks get so emotionally vested. Its easy to take egotistical offense when someone tells you your wrong. The New York Times wrote a whole article about “Why its so Hard to Admit You’re Wrong”. I think sometimes it feels like grieving. For those of you privileged enough to not know the stages - they are Anger, Denial, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance. As all things, even these stages are hotly contested. But this just goes to illustrate, nothing is permanent and so many things are in the eye of the beholder. Our solid foundations change over time, and it is our responsibility to educate ourselves or else be considered wrong - or worse - offensive!

Contrary to a popular belief, I do think it’s possible to appropriate your own culture. Many of us use terms that were earned titles and should not be self-appointed. Even simple things from Lord and Lady to more culturally specific words, like Völva or Shaman. Just because you have heritage with a culture does not necessarily mean you can claim it as yours to do what you please. You insult the hardworking of your ancestors by self-appointing their words that represented a lifetime of hard work and persecution.

Let’s take a moment to backtrack and not put the cart before the horse. The definition of cultural appropriation is “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.” This definition is great because it suggests the adoption of culture by a more dominant group, which is the important take away. There is endless controversy about this in relation to Globalization, which is “the transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the world in such a way as to extend and intensify social relations”. The important difference here is impact. Appropriation oppresses - further marginalizing a culture and takes away from its meaning and value; while Globalization is a consensual practice that promotes understanding and appreciation. However, both processes can have damaging effects to an original culture through the watering down of ideas and the need to possess and commodify.

This is where Ethics come in. It is necessary to examine your actions, thoughts, beliefs from a lens of colonization. Are you trying to possess or conquer an idea in order to make yourself more valid? Or are you deeply rooted in the culture and its the next natural stepping point for you? Are you understanding or capitalizing? As with everything in Witchcraft, intention is one of the most important things and you will never find someone who can tell you WHAT to believe.

This article is not meant to be gate-keeping, but rather a discourse between you and I; and prompt further self assessment. The following things are my own ethical beliefs. I would love to hear from you about your thoughts, because that is how we build community and trust. I’m not here to call you out, but if you do feel this way- maybe its time to evaluate some of your practices.

I don’t believe you can appropriate plants, minerals, or anything that comes from the earth. However, I do believe that you can appropriate their use. For example, the current debate with White Sage should not be about the WHO gets to use the plant itself, but rather HOW it is being used and collected. Is this an idea that is being commodified and appropriated? If you are calling your practice smudging - Appropriation. If you are buying White sage from Wild Crafted Sources - Appropriation. If you are buying sage from huge commercial growers with no respect for the land - Appropriation. If you buy White Sage from Native folks - Globalization. If you grow White Sage yourself - Appreciation.

As you can see, it's a very complex issue. Another thing I take issue with is folks trying to police the views of the marginalized cultures. Yes, it’s important to promote understanding, but it can be very harmful to put words in the mouth of other cultures. While you may feel you are helping by spreading awareness, avoid making claims for cultures you are not a part of as this can cause just as much harm. When white voices drown out the voices of others, we miss critical opportunities for growth and learning.

Part of the reason I was a bit hesitant to write this article (its been on my list for a while) is the cacophony of white voices I imagined hearing calling out one another for this wrong or that. I have to ask, who does that help? Ego? When dealing with these types of issues, it is never black or white, just as with race itself. Most of us are cultural melting pots and it's important for everyone to question their relationship with their beliefs. Do you find yourself lusting after something, and idea or item? Why do you feel the need to possess it? If you can address this simple question you can usually act ethically and without appropriation. As I mentioned earlier, I think it is even possible to appropriate ideas from your own culture, so just because you have heritage don’t think that your heritage excuses you from the conversation.

By becoming aware of the sources of our ideas, we can help diminish the cultural appropriation in our practices. To do this, it is best to learn the history of a practice. One time of the year in particular is coming up very soon - Halloween, Samhain, Day of the Dead. Do you know when witches started to celebrate Samhain? Are you aware if this is cultural appropriation or appreciation? As you begin to do your research, you will understand just how much work we have to do.