"In Season" Trends in Paganism,Witchcraft
Are there any incorporated practices in neo-wicca, Paganism,etc that seem to come and go like fashion?
Lately I've begun to wonder! It seems like everyone is really big on spirit guides and totems right now. I don't remember seeing them this prevalent a few years ago.
Know of any other "trendy" practice incorporation that fluctuate through the times?
Also, not saying these practices are any less valid, just concerned a lot of people may be jumping to them when they're peeking in popularity.
Views: 416
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Megan Herrod on -
I think though, that the popular "spirit animal" phenomena most people are trying to appropriate, at least here in the USA are most often derived from a new age perspective on native american mythology and practices. But you are definitely right that the general idea is shared among many people around the world. Whether these ideas are somewhat related, or all sprung up independently is hard to tell, but in each culture they are a little different.
Anyways, what I wanted to say, is even if these ideas are fads, that doesn't mean that exploring these ideas- no matter the culture- is "not valid". I do think that appropriating these beliefs "willy nilly" is unwise at best and somewhat disrespectful (like trying to follow a Celtic-reconstructionist path, but also adding new-age 'Cherokee' (vs actual tribal cherokee) totem animals... and kabbalistic magic---- without any serious effort to understand the context of these belief systems or attempt to reconcile their different independent worldviews and ideologies.) I am an eclectic at heart, but I think understanding context and culture is SO important to being ethical and practical in eclecticism. In any of these fads, usually the issue arises when people appropriate practices with only a "half knowlege" of their meaning and purpose- completely out of context.
But that is not to demonize eclecticism. I myself incorporate yoga, and yogic breathing in my ritual practice... but I learned yoga independent of my spirituality and I have had to reconcile and alter my practice of it to function properly in my practice... so that now it is distinctly different in several ways from true yoga. BUT, to do so, I had to understand yoga's original context (Hinduism and Indian culture), and my own context - and systematically assimilate the two. I would NOT call my practice "yogic" witchcraft though LOL. The whole reason I used this example in particular though, is that Yoga itself is a sort of "new age fad" in the west... just like some of the examples you have mentioned.
-Megan
Daniel said:Since this discussion was originally about trends, I will interject that I think that many new age trends do tend to fall in and out of fashion in the wider Pagan communities. Over 20 years in Paganism, I have seen crystals, chakra balancing, past lives, spirit guides, channeled revelations through various ancients/aliens/spirits, sweat lodge ceremonies, yadda yadda yadda. Interestingly enough, I am not aware of any traditional form of witchcraft which venerates any of these particular disciplines.
Also, there has been a great deal of discussion about totem animals and there seems to be a sentiment that such veneration of animal spirits are exclusive (or should be) to people of the First Nations of North America. I would like to point out that animal totems are also found in Scandanavian, Celtic, Slavic and many other cultures. Just look to the extant myths from any of these cultures and you will find evidence of these practices. Chalk carvings in Britian point to the importance of the horse to the ancient people who settled there. (as just one of many examples)
Just $.02
-
Permalink Reply by Melissa on -
Ooh, maybe you can edit then wikipedia page on totem poles! It says the word comes from "Odoodem" or is this just an alternate spelling?
Makoons said:Oh I'm sure the concept is different around the world. However, I'm stingy with the term "Totem" as it comes from my language...the word being "Dodem" (pronounced doh-daym). This is perhaps why I'm so particular about the usage.
-
Permalink Reply by Daniel on -
I can understand this "stingy" attitude about the term totem. I am equally stingy with the word Wicca as I would rather that it specify the practice and lineage which is traceable to the New Forest region of England that it once did. The term has been used so freely, loosely, and with such frequency that it is pointless to continue to object. Now you can be a self initiated monotheist, who has read five books and practices Rosicrucianism with a dash of Silver Ravenwolf claiming the word Wicca while objecting to such narrow definitions from the comfort of your (wrongly constructed) sweat lodge. LOL
Makoons said:Oh I'm sure the concept is different around the world. However, I'm stingy with the term "Totem" as it comes from my language...the word being "Dodem" (pronounced doh-daym). This is perhaps why I'm so particular about the usage.
-
Permalink Reply by Makoons on -
Odoodem would translate as his or her totem. Neither of them are really wrong. Dodem is just the root word.
Melissa said:Ooh, maybe you can edit then wikipedia page on totem poles! It says the word comes from "Odoodem" or is this just an alternate spelling?
Makoons said:Oh I'm sure the concept is different around the world. However, I'm stingy with the term "Totem" as it comes from my language...the word being "Dodem" (pronounced doh-daym). This is perhaps why I'm so particular about the usage.
-
Permalink Reply by Daniel O'Neill (Cat wrangler) on -
well I see it as folk dance to the "tune" they hear played. Just not really bothering to know or care if it a cover "tune" of original release , as long as someone see them dancing to that cool tune.An even if they don't know the band, it's all about being on the dance floor while that songs playing.
"On ya really claw in ok folks"
But then this just my "ridiculous" way of looking at a subject.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3
- Next ›
© 2013 Created by Sangraal.
