~Intro~

Does religious/spiritual psychosis exist? Yes. But you can not label anyone you disagree with as being in a religious delusion. Deliberately misusing psychological terms in a mocking and fear-mongering way is abelist.

Are there "practitioners" who are actually just a scammers preying on vulnerable people? Yes. But not every single person who does $5 tarot readings is a scammer. Is it really so hard to just accept that some people want to make their practices into their livelihood for the love of the practice and genuine desire to help people?

Are there people who have completely misunderstood what witchcraft, spirituality and religion is, maybe accidentally used a practice they didn't know was closed? Yes. But not every single one of them is a raging racist. Some are just genuinely misinformed. (Definitely call out the actual racists though).

Are there people who treat the gods/religion as a fandom/aesthetic? Yes. But the majority of them are very young, brand new to the space, and have never actually read an ancient text before. Don't mock them, give them the right resources to learn real practices.

Are there some pagan "influencers" who aren't really doing anything wrong, but the way they practice just kinda gives me a bad vibe? Yes. But I'm not being a dick about it. I block and move on.

does anyone else have the opinion that ALL the gods that are worshipped exist, but they might only help those who believe in them?

for example, God might only answer Christians, Allah might only answer Muslims, Zeus might only answer Helpols, Odin might only answer Norse pagans, etc etc

because i do fully believe people when they say “God helped me with XYZ”. but i do not believe people when they say “God helped you with XYZ”, because i simply don’t believe in the Christian God and i haven’t given him any reason to interact with me (i.e. i don’t pray to God, i pray to many other gods but not that one)

obviously its a lot more nuanced than this (like with folks who change religions because of a lack of interaction from their previous god(s)) but this is just, like, the most basic way i can explain it right now

sooo does anyone else feel similar? like every god that’s worshipped exists to help their worshippers?

this also ties into why i believe in pop culture paganism. i suppose it relates to the idea that humans created higher beings through worship, and anything can be made into a deity. similarly, gods that receive no worship may go dormant or die

Just a kind reminder to all my northern hemisphere family that you are a mammal, and resting, saying no, eating more, prioritising fun and comfort and feeling low energy and even a bit sad are all normal natural responses to winter. Take care of yourself and your community and remember that the days are getting longer - every dawn will be a little earlier and every dusk a little later until June now. Prydeinig folks: soon the crocuses will come up, then the hawthorn will be in blossom. Hang in there.

When someone gives the advice of “don’t be afraid to disappoint your parents” they don’t just mean taking music theory in college or starting a YouTube channel.

It also means wearing things they might not approve of. Using accommodations that they might not think you need. Not falling for their guilt trips. Eating when you’re hungry, not when it suits them and their idea of your weight or health. Making your own friends instead of seeking the stamp of approval from them.

Of course, some parents are stricter than others, and some use abuse to keep you from expressing yourself. But do what you can, even if it seems small.

Otherwise, when your parents are no longer in the picture, you’ll try to find it somewhere else to get validation. A strict boss, an abusive partner, a selfish friend.

Going against your parent’s wishes is developmentally healthy. Not doing so stunts your independence and self-regulation. You shouldn’t be living to constantly please others, even the people who love you.

I’ve never seen this name— granted, I’m not actively hunting books either. But heads up.

The casting the wide net, should be the first clue you’re on the road to some bull shit.

Ah yes the at best copy pasted info from Wikipedia and at worst ChatGPT nonsense. Ahhhhh.

Can confirm, as someone who spends a LOT of time researching pagan authors, Mari Silva is one of the (unfortunately many) AI authors out there. "She" has put out dozens of books in four years. Do not buy, do not read.

Greek mythology got me weaving in the 21st century

propaganda i am not falling for:

• always moving on. some goodbyes need to rot a little. some griefs need to be held in the mouth like a stone.
• beauty defined by algorithms. beauty exists in crow feet and smile lines
• pretending to be chill. i’m not chill. i care deeply and inconveniently. i read into things. i write poems about eye contact
• beige apartments with no soul. give me bookshelves and incense and loud art
• sneaky links and unclear intentions. i want devotion. and also clarity
• treating books as decor. read them. dog-ear them. argue with them in the margins

everything is either "sweets", "cutes", or "fucked beyond comprehension"

We live such short lives, and so much of this capitalistic, fast paced culture tells us to live in moderation and humility.

Fuck that.

Be lustful.

Be gluttonous.

Be untamed.

Be human.

Be Dionysian.