This November in the United States brings us another presidential election – an extraordinary one. Which means if you’re eligible to vote, you need to tap into your power and participate. And I’ve got three big reasons for you why you need to do something about it. And yes, this involves Witchcraft.
(Cue all of the people who love to clutch pearls and fondle couches to begin again their crying of “stop mixing witchcraft with politics!” As if the political doesn’t affect the personal – human rights, education, marriage, equality, religious freedom, etc. But I digress…)
If you’re on the fence about voting, have been disinterested about getting involved, or facing some other obstacle (outside of legal reasons), read on, as the following may give you a new perspective. And I’ve also included some magical tech to inspire you.
Reason 1: Who Wins When You Give Up Your Power?
I used to be married to someone who would say, “Voting doesn’t matter. Who cares?” Yet he would constantly complain about what laws were being passed locally or not being passed, problems with healthcare and accessibility, and so on. All things that are decided upon by local, state, and national elected candidates. If you’re not part of the selection process for those candidates, how do you expect to get your voice heard? If you don’t show up, you are removing your voice. You must participate in the process to create change.
Voting is exercising your power to have a say in what happens in your local and national community. Which is why the GOP has been working for years to disenfranchise so many people – through gerrymandering, voter suppression laws, reducing safeguards, voter intimidation, and so on. Why would they spend so much time and energy trying to stop people from voting if it wasn’t important? Who benefits from your voice being removed? I guarantee that “who” isn’t YOU.
We talk about authenticity and sovereignty in magical practice. Giving away your power by not voting when you can doesn’t uphold sovereignty. That’s not a sacrifice you should want to make. Spending time voting IS.
Also, in the last several election cycles, numerous races have been decided by a very thin margin of votes. We’re not talking 1000’s here or even 100’s, but 10’s. Every vote counts. Your vote DOES matter. It may seem to hard to feel that on the national level, but I guarantee in your own backyard, it matters.
Which gets us to the next point…
Reason 2: Working From the Root to the Stars
In magic we often talk about animism and our connection to the world around us, about the microcosm that affects the macrocosm, and “as above so below.” Within magical practice, there is a sphere of influence that we can directly affect, and then several layers that ripple out. It’s much easier to work magic within that sphere of influence – than to try and reach far outside of it – especially without being rooted.
When it comes to the political, while the majority of talk may center on the highest offices in the nation, the majority of people who hold or want to hold those positions started their work at the local level. Their work in their local communities built the foundation they stand upon.
Which means you’re not only voting for a president, but also your local and national representatives, your city or town council, and other individuals holding power in your local community. What they decide locally affects how you live, work, and breathe. That means that voting is investing your power at the root level for growth and change. How magical is that???
Reason 3: Represent Power WITH, not Power OVER
In my work, I talk about the difference of exercising power with versus power over. As a Witch, I seek to be interconnected with the land, spirits, deities, and living inhabitants that I share space with. I am engaging in a practice of power with those around me. I am not seeking power from them or power over them. I feel the concept of power with is well-represented within the ideals and possibilities of democracy itself. That together, we share the power to create a better community for all. To work together to support each other and help build a better, more equitable future.
Those that seek to take power out of process, to exert power over others, to control without creating or communing – that’s harmful magic. That’s the worst parts of humanity exemplified. When we let those individuals go unchecked, they wreak havoc on everyone around them. It’s nothing but a cycle of destruction.
When we vote, we are upholding the idea of power with by co-creating a better tomorrow. And as we are a diverse community, we’re not always going to get exactly what we want (or what we think we want) but if we don’t vote, that we’re not being part of the conversation either.
Be the Witch!
Voting is magic – in that we’re speaking our intent, seeking to bring about change, and being present with our work. If you’re eligible to vote, but haven’t registered – or maybe you recently moved and need to re-register or have other questions – go directly to vote.gov. You can also check your registration by following the instructions here.
Check out the collection of shared magic sigils associated with voting – including encouraging others to vote, protecting voting rights, ballots, and polling places.
Also check out the Sigil for Momentum Moving Forward and the Living Democracy Sigil – both of which are being carried by at least one official delegate at the DNC right now.
Other things you can do:
- volunteer with your local organizations
- make sure neighbors and friends know where their polling place is and see if they need transportation
- help remind folks about deadlines about mail-in votes and in-person voting
- look up who’s running locally and educate yourself on their policies and goals before voting
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