“Back in when I was young, if I wanted to learn anything about witchcraft, I had to walk to the library – uphill both ways in the extreme heat and snow – nobody today wants to do the work.”
Of course, that’s not an actual quote, but it sure does summarize quite a few things I have heard recently that have been the source of much eye-rolling in my belfry.
The internet is both a blessing and curse. There’s a LOT more information out there, but that doesn’t mean it’s all correct. It’s easier to ask questions to a larger forum, but that doesn’t make the answers any more correct. In fact, there’s even more to sift through and to confuse in the cacophony. It’s certainly an exercise in comprehensive reading skills.
I think some also forget that “back in the day,” sure it was a bit harder to publish a book, but that didn’t guarantee what was being put out there was the correct information. I can think of not just a few “classic” titles that would certainly fall closer under the category of “witchcrap” versus “witchcraft.” Some because of poor research or being based off of misinformation, and others from pushing their own agendas versus being a resource. It was fairly easy to get the wrong idea about something, or get adamant about a tradition because it was the only thing you could find.
The amount of information that’s out there doesn’t reduce the actual learning experience. In some cases, it can help us along quicker, but there’s still work involved – one that goes far beyond how many limited edition grimoires you own.
It’s also easy to forget, at some point, we didn’t know all the things. I think you can truly tell an elder in a community because they freely admit, “sure I know a lot of things, but the older I get, the more I realize I don’t know everything, and that’s OK.” And that they are patient with beginners.
So when we throw shade and disdain at beginning practitioners, what good does it do? It doesn’t help them, and it makes us look like smug assholes. And as I pointed out in this post, what we see online is just a portion of the experience. I think I have encountered far more references and sarcasm about “fluffy bunnies” and “glitter witches” online than I have ever met live in person actual stereotypes that fit the bill over the last 20 years. Maybe the slag is just a way of saying, “I’ve learned a lot, but I’m not that stupid (anymore).” Good for you, do you want a cookie or a medal?
Everyone has to start somewhere, and we often begin with far more enthusiasm and spirit than critical thinking. There’s the excitement of finding out there are other people who share similar ideas, that we’re not alone, and in some cases, not that crazy. It’s like being a kid in a candy store, or a puppy in a ball pit. ALL THE THINGS! There’s going to be a fair bit of slobber before one starts to make more educated decisions. That’s life. If this path is one of education, then we need to support the desire to ask questions and find out diverse opinions. We don’t have to dedicate our lives to answering questions, but at the same time, if we refuse to answer, we give up the right to mock or belittle those who do ask. We can help folks learn to ask better questions, encourage other thought processes, or provide information in other ways that are comfortable for us. Preferably without being a dick about it.
As we approach the time of year when the veils thin, I want you to think back to when you first found this path. What resources were at your disposal? Who could you talk to about these things? What helped you? What confused you? What would you have changed about your experience if you could? And what new thing do you want to learn about?
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