Shame as the unmerited experience of deep feelings of unworthiness is an unspoken problem in our individual lives and in our pagan, occult and witchcraft communities. Acknowledging it’s existence and power are the first steps on the way to banishing shame from witchcraft and our lives.

Let me begin by saying that shame does have a place in the lives of those who have done truly shameful things. I’m willing to bet that they aren’t reading this article. I’m talking about all of us who feel ashamed without any legitimate reason. I’m not writing about making mistakes and then feeling contrite, either. My focus is on the chronic experience of feeling ashamed for who we are and for things that were done to us. Shame is such a sneaky creature that we’re unlikely to even be aware that it is holding us prisoner. It’s time to acknowledge that shame is a pervasive problem in our witchcraft and lives. Only through direct confrontation with this part of our shadow can we truly banish it.

As Above, So Below

Recently I wrote about the pervasive problem of abuse within the pagan community and witch world.  Shame is pervasive in these communities, keeping the mistreated silent and permitting the perpetrators to freely continue their abusive ways. What happens on this grand scale is reflected within many individuals. Paganism attracts those who have been disillusioned (or worse) by mainstream ways of being. Many escape religions where shame was the currency of control but bring these ideas with them. Shame has no place in paganism.

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