Hi Pitch, yes, in fact I agree with you entirely regarding what you've said
below. I spent quite a lot of last night regretting that I'd even posted
such an opinionated email about pop-wicca to this list. Although I am often
ready to roll my eyes at what I perceive as "lack of scholarship / depth /
sincerity" in many popular manifestations of neo-paganism, I must admit that
in fact, of course, I can't *really* presume to know the level of peoples'
piety (in the Roman sense) regarding their participation in
pop-wicca-paganism. And yes, I guess that laying judgements on people about
their "rightness" or "wrongness" does tend to make me into a member of what
I tend to call the "witch police". - and I hate it when the "witch police"
criticise or try and legislate me, so I of course don't want to be one of
them! Yes, my opinions vary over the popularity of neo-paganism depending on
the day and my mood. I guess there are aspects that I want to criticise, but
maybe I don't know how to go about it in an unemotional, reasonable way. So
maybe I'll jsut talk about something else.
~Caroline.
------------------------------
Aloha,
On 1/3/2006 at 3:05 PM Caroline Tully wrote:
>Just thought I'd better clarify who or what I meant by the term
>"Pop-Wicca".
>...I mean (mostly) girls / women who have adopted the practice of
>spells, sometimes also adopting the observance of full moons and the
>sabbats, but not necesssarily. They use the word "Wicca" to describe this
>practice when perhaps this is not entirely accurate. This is also the type
>of "Wicca" that is being taken advantage of by commercial interests.
One of the consequences of a growing movement is that more adherents
are attracted to it and take part in its further growth. Another is that
some of the complicated or rarified elements are simplified. And in the
money-oriented world that we live in, growing movements are commodified
and sold in the marketplace.
But as I have gone this way and that over the *popularization* of Neo-Pagan
Craft and Neo-Pagan Wicca and all, I come to deplore pop-culture wicca less
and accept it more.
For one thing, there are a host of magical approaches and bodies of lore
drawn from a range of historical cultures--all of which <<<];-p aim at more
or less self-help and the immediate solution to life's problems.
For another--and I think that as most practitioners advance in their
activities
they forget this--everybody begins somewhere. In most cases, this is with
ready-to-hand pop culture materials and outlooks, not with the inaccessible
lore of occulture.
For another, it's likely that a lot of what we regard these days as special
and sophisticated lore was earlier on itself part of this or that popular
culture.
Many charms and spells that we know via ancient languages have to do with
curses, remedies, love, power, and wealth.
For yet another, how else are we to participate in the growth of Neo-Pagan
Craft
and Wicca and pop cult wicca, even, except by sharing our contributions?
Often in media that serve a general audience? Sometimes in media operated
by those who have profit as a goal. Sometimes in media that pay authors
and creators. Or offer rewards of reputation and advancement?
That is, by tossing something into the popular culture's cauldron.
One more reason that I've come to deplore pop culture magic stuff less--
the issue of *right* vs *wrong.*
Whenever I've railed against this or that pop trend or movement, I've
staked a claim, usually shared by others, that I'm somehow *right* and
the trendsters are *wrong.* I'm *authentic.* I'm *legitimate*. I've got
the Pantheon and history and scholarship and spiritual enlightenment and
whatever on my side. They aren't/don't.
But as I go on with this outlook, I see myself as a creepy fundamentalist,
giving far too much weight to what was and not near enough to what is
and what may be. Understanding and practice adapt to circumstances.
Prom dates and parking spaces may be more important in today's world
than in the ancient world, where abundant crops and healthy herds was
on many folks' minds.
Musing Who Opposes The Oppositional Culture? Rose,
Pitch
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