#sephora witch kit

[littlewitchygreen]

The Commercial Witch

This post is a little unlike my others, but it is one that I find interesting and have been wanting to make for a while, if simply to talk about it as more of a think piece. Since I began actively practicing witchcraft, I've been seeing a rise in companies and brands promoting and selling things related to witchcraft, as well as a host of social media influencers making witchy aesthetic posts with elaborate altars and setups. While there is nothing inherently wrong with either of those, it has led to a side effect that I've seen mentioned offhandedly but not really talked about much: the commercialization of witchcraft.

Influence

While I love the aesthetic posts as much as the next witch (both because they are pretty and organized well, and because it sometimes sparks ideas of my own), I don't so much love the implications such posts give about the nature of witchcraft in the modern day.

I've seen many new witches ask what crystals they have to buy, and what plants they should start with, and how to make a grimoire look picture perfect, and where to buy the best tools, and is a drawer full of divination tools enough or do they need more? All perfectly valid and genuine questions for those still learning, that deserve full and honest answers. But I've also seen just as many posts from people wanting to learn witchcraft that lament that they could never afford it, and that is where the problem I feel lies.

Posts from witchcraft influencers and those who simply like the aesthetic and are not actual witches imply through what they show that it is the things that make the witch rather than the person themself - and that the only way to harness magical ability is through items rather than practice and skill. So, not knowing any better, new witches pick up on that and believe the same.

To be clear: material goods are not a problem. If dozens of tarot decks make you happy, go ahead. If collecting crystals adds value to your practice, do so. If you find a box full of A-Z herbs useful, absolutely get it! My problem comes with the fact that none of these collections are necessary to becoming a witch, and it is often presented as such. The earliest witches we have records of did not have access to the wide range of spices and herbs we do. They did not have crystals, minerals, and stones from around the world to harness energy. They often did not have libraries of books to learn from - and likely, many would not have been able to read even if they did. They (usually) did not have specially made tools for their craft. They used what was available, they used what they knew and made and grew themselves, they learned from each other or practice or observation, and they used items that they already owned.

And so can we.

Capitalism and Witchcraft

As the other half of this topic, the relationship between capitalism and witchcraft is also concerning to me for a variety of reasons. I have noticed an increase in regular stores selling witchcraft goods in kits and little box sets and the like, and upon inspecting them, most are... inadequate, at the least. Generally, they are either very surface-level or very appropriative - neither of which should be something we should be thrilled about.

From selling white sage for 'smudging' and a cheap tarot deck in Sephora's Starter Witch Kit to TJ Maxx selling herb kits, mini mortars and pestles, and cheap divination decks as a Halloween gimmick, large companies are trying to cash in on the renewed interest in witchcraft. The increase in interest itself is not offensive - many witches I know appreciate the more open acceptance of a practice many of us have had to keep hidden for fear of judgment and safety. However, with large brands treating it like a trend without doing research or marketing it appropriately, it can cause harm.

I made a post recently about cultural appropriation in witchcraft, and two of the signs of appropriation are lacking respect for a practice and commercializing it. Large brands marketing things like tarot decks as fun games to play with your friends ignores the rich historical and cultural context attached to the cards, as well as the spiritual significance they take on for many readers. By giving surface-level books on how to read them, or failing to provide books at all, they encourage a lack of knowledge in the subject - another red flag for appropriation. By selling herb kits for 'smudging' containing things like white sage or palo santo, they are taking from closed practices and traditions that were often made illegal to those from whom they originated (yet another red flag), and teaching newcomers to as well.

This isn't to say a new witch cannot buy their first items from brands like this - many do not have the option of locally sourcing their materials from small businesses that put in the work to sell items respectfully, as these are still often far and in between. There may also be safety reasons or other reasons why they are unable to acquire tools in any other way, and my intent is not to pass judgment on those who do for whatever reason. My intent is to urge new witches to look beyond the surface of what these companies present, and to critique the companies for selling these items the way they do to begin with.

Some of these companies have removed their items due to backlash - as Sephora did with their kit - while others simply do not care. And, there is nothing we as individuals can do to stop the companies from trying, without organized collective action; and I do not believe our communities are at a place where that effort can be made in earnest just yet, though hopefully in the future they will be.

Moving Forward

So, from where I stand, it is up to us as consumers of both media and materials to think critically about what we are consuming. Whether that be questioning assumptions we make based on what we see online, or questioning the ethics of what we are purchasing and where it comes from.

Our lines will look different depending on where we are, what we practice, and the resources available to us. All I urge people to do is to do what they can to be intentional in their choices, and that if consuming from large companies and social media to put in the work to deepen the surface-level understanding they offer and grow on your own.

[lyanro]

Its actually pretty sad what happened to witchcraft cause like… that shit brought me so much peace and joy. It felt like home. It literally stopped me self harming for a while. And now its fucking cringe bc its all about tiktok and crystals and trends and literally anything w a rider-waite tarot illustration slapped on it is labeled a Witch Product and its all about the aesthetic and your fucking crystal collection. like it actually used to be so chill and then sephora and whole foods figured out they could sell “beginner witch kits” of overharvested palo santo and white sage to anyone who liked crystals or essential oils and im really fucking mad actually

[moonlightreal]

Magic Kits part 1

So you just realized you’re a magical being and you want to start doing magic!  And most magical beings have magic items, so you want to get some!  I wonder if you could get… a starter kit?

Boy, can you ever.

Your $20 witch kit!  Some herbs, candles, stone chips in bottles, a bell, a rose quartz pendulum, a deck of tarot cards and an altar cloth.  And a magic spoon.

Your $25 black aesthetic witch kit! Black candles, black cloth, a mini spell book, a bowl to go with the spoon and the usual herbs and stones. 

Your $30 witch kit!  With gorgeous black and gold theme.  The same bell, some stones, a pouch, some “decorative feathers”, a cloth and a guidebook.  I do like the gold tarot deck!

Your $50 witch kit!  This one includes an incense burner, a little broom, an obsidian crystal ball, some jewelry, and stones and herbs.  

Jumping up in price you can get a $500 witch kit!  It includes a magic mirror, a mortar and pestle, a chalice, and a little table to do your spells on, and a trunk to keep your goodies in.  If you want a cool magic trunk, try Ross Dress for Less.  They have a Cool Boxes section.

And for the very wealthiest starter witches, the thousand dollar kit!  With a cauldron, a crystal ball, a wand that looks like it has a hand holding a cauldron as the tip? Two pendulums, two leatherbound books and a few little spellbooks.  Even what looks like a book stand to hold your spellbook open while you read your spell.  

So that’s what amazon would like to sell you.  Crass commercialization of the spiritual?  Heck yes.  Kind of fun?  Also yes.  Should you buy them?  I mean sure if you want to, but it wouldn’t be my advice.

I was going to say, “Things won’t make you any more magical than you already are.” but I think the truth is a bit more nuanced.  Buying a witch kit won’t make you any more witchy than you were before, but having items that make you feel magical might.  In the immortal words of Tomoyo-chan, “When you do special things, you should wear special clothes.” or use special items.  Having things you only use for magic will help get your brain in the right magical mindset, and if those things have memories attached or how you made the thing, or how it turned up in a shop at just the right moment and called out to you… yes, having the right things can make you more magical.  

But “the right things” is not the same as “the things in a kit” and also not “the coolest things” and they certainly aren’t “the things someone else thinks you need.”  The right things will appear before you at a price you can afford, or else they aren’t the right things.  

My advice if you want to get started using magic tools is to look around at what you already have.  Wicca started in England and based on European folklore, old pagan traditions, and medieval high magic.  So its magical plants are those found in England and mentioned in European folklore-- probably not the plants that are found wherever you live, maybe not the tools that appeal to you.  So while you should certainly look at Wicca and its ingredients and tools you shouldn’t feel like they’re the “correct” tools.  What herbs are in your cupboard and what plants are in your yard?  What items do you already do magic with?  Are the traditional elemental tools something you’ll really use?  Some magical beings only have a wand, others only an athame. Some magical beings use a completely different set of tools, or no tools at all. Your magic is your magic and it’s for you to build.

I’m not the only one to think that witch kits are... kinda cool but also kinda not great.  There was quite a kerfuffle when Sephora announced it would be selling a witch kit, enough that it decided not to sell the product.

But there’s something I did like in these witch kits… the spoons!  Those are some really cute spoons, and I am fully on board with having a special spoon to stir your potions with.  Ye Olde lookin’ amethyst spoons!  Fancy silver spoons!  Rainbow flower spoons!  Patronus animal spoons!  Skeleton spoon for your necromantic needs!  Whoever you are out there, go get you an awesome spoon for all your potions and whatever items make you feel magical.

[dogstardigitalindex]

Podcast: The BS-Free Witchcraft Podcast Host: Trae Dorn (solitary eclectic Wiccan for 20+ years) Episode: 12. Store Bought is Fine Air date: 29 June 2019 Playtime: 33 minutes.

Website | Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Talks about Sephora’s eventually canceled “witch kit” as a way to open conversation about commercialization of spirituality. Buying items (as opposed to making them or being given them) is not the issue. Main issue of pre-made kits is lack of customization and being over-priced.

[moonlightchess]

I, a cult survivor, only want to add to this wonderful post that a LOT of cultists on tiktok have learned to disguise themselves as "spiritualists" or even tarot readers or witches. Ever since Sephora started marketing rose quartz meditation kits, fundamentalist christians and cultists alike (they're the same picture, corporate) have begun learning that this is how you ensnare depressed, anxious young people. I followed one reader for a while because her readings always made me feel hopeful, until I came across a video of hers that informed me that OBVIOUSLY god/source/light/jesus/most high/mindlessly inspirational nonsense bullshit here/ is a MALE force because only BIOLOGICAL MEN are sacred and women are too just NOT AS MUCH BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT CHRIST JESUS LORD GOD ALMIGHTY I MEAN SOURCE INTENDS. Watch your six, all.

I keep seeing people talk about the "oncoming cult boom" like we haven't been here for like three years.

[traegorn]

The Bullshit-Free Witchcraft Podcast: 12. Store Bought is Fine

Last year one of the biggest hub bubs in the Witch community was Pinrose introducing a “Starter Witch Set” which was intended to be sold at Sephora stores. There was such an uproar from the Witchcraft community that Sephora ended up pulling the kits before they were ever able to reach consumers. But was this remotely a good thing? On this episode of the podcast Trae’s going to talk about the commercialization of Witchcraft… and how its pretty much okay.

For the most part.

Music: “The Man With One Eye,” “So I Said It,” “Untitled Nonsense” (Trae Dorn)

Listen to the episode / Subscribe on iTunes

[shadycottagewitchh]

Y'all okay listen. I hate this so much, I really do. They make it a trend then no one wants it. The company is a sellout. I'm disgusted by them using a religion to sell a cheap quartz, a deck, and some sage in a box. Its absolutely shit.

But. But. BUT. BUT.

Everyone was quiet when people stole Egyptian, Native American, African, and many many many other religious items and put them up as basic witchcraft tools and didn't put a dime to it where it came from.

So if you'll pay out the ass to get rip off Dream Catchers and bs Voodoo dolls of tv show characters but complain about this fucking box please shut up. Because that's hypocritical and rude.

Yes its $42. Yes you should not buy this. But if your excuse is "because they think religion is a trend smh" instead of "they did the same to other cultures and beliefs and will do it again if we don't make them stop" put your head on you shoulders and a brain between your ears and shut up about it.

[woolandcoffee]

I can't speak about any of the other books here (haven't read them), but I think that's a really unfair (inaccurate?) portrayal of A Witch's Bible. Or rather, it's a portrayal of Janet Farrar's work without extremely needed context.

Is A Witch's Bible going to seem dated to modern sensibilities? Yes, absolutely. But does that mean it's without value? Absolutely not. In fact, I would argue that all Wiccans at some point should read A Witch's Bible if for no other reason than to get a solid understanding of the way that early pioneers of the Wiccan religion believed and practiced their faith. Honestly, I'm not sure what OP means when they say that A Witch's Bible is "mislabeled wicca." If they mean that the book is mislabeled as Wicca, then that's just not true. A Witch's Bible is a Wiccan text put out by Janet and Stewart Farrar, two early initiates into the Alexandrian tradition of Wicca with a lot of input by Doreen Valiente, often credited as the mother of Wicca. A Witch's Bible is unquestionably Wiccan. If OPeans that the book is mislabeled because it uses witch and Wiccan as interchangeable terms, that's not an intentional mislabeling. Wiccans have been using witch/Wiccan as interchangeable terms since the beginning, and many still do today. Yes, now it is more common to make a distinction between forms of witchcraft, but at the time that wasn't common.

Yes, much of what's in A Witch's Bible will look strange to some modern practitioners (though probably not to Alexandrians and Gardenarians who will at least be familiar with the older rites included in the book, if they havent actually participated in them). But that is because A Witch's Bible is presenting Alexandrian Wicca, and this is important, as it was practiced at the time. If nothing else, A Witch's Bible has a lot of value today as a text that provides insight into how early British Traditional Wicca was practiced, and knowing that history is vital for any practicing Wiccan that truly wants to understand what Wicca looked like early on.

As modern readers, there are things in A Witch's Bible that don't conform to our sensibilities. There are plenty of things in there that have fallen out of favor with most Wiccans as the religion has evolved over time. But that doesn't mean it isn't of value. Texts that are dated can still provide a heck of a lot of insight.

Also. Like. The pictures in the book are just naked human bodies. They aren't pornographic or even really all that erotic. Like, not to drop a spicy take, but if looking at pictures of a nude human body upsets you, you probably aren't cut out for any kind of witchcraft beyond those kits they tried to sell at Sephora. Which, funnily enough, was sort of Gerald Gardner's point to begin with.

Here's my unwanted opinion on some witchcraft books

This is a list of opinions I have on some popular witchcraft, occult and practitioner related books. I don't talk about anything I haven't read myself.

This is in no way stopping you from reading them yourself, it's just what I think of them as an experienced practitioner and pagan.

I now have a Goodreads account you can look at if you're curious what else I've read but it's a mess and I've just added my bookshelf on in bulk.

Lisa Lister - Witch

To get this out of the way. It's bio essentialist crap and we all know this by know but it bears repeating. This is an example I've used in my grimoire of how transphobia seeps into spiritual spaces and goes unchecked under the guise of feminism and women empowerment. Arguing that a witch's power comes from her womb as a bowl of nature and creative magic. If that's what you like to draw from then all power to you, I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is that Lister directly infers that the title of 'witch' is exclusive to this specific demographic of women.

I find her statements gross and dehumanising to women and her argument falls apart completely when you remember that not every woman has a womb, big duh moment I know. It correlates with TERF ideology that certain women are inherently more powerful because of a female reproductive system as opposed to women as a whole being powerful because of their autonomy as human beings. "But if that's true then what's stopping cis men, trans and nonbinary people from being practitioners?" LITERALLY NOTHING!

Sky Alexander - The Modern Witchcraft Spell Book and The Modern Witchcraft Grimoire

Very simple. Pretty cover. Overall they make for ok resources for beginners but once you're out of the beginner phase they really fall flat. Alexander doesn't provide much context when referencing certain tools and practices and tends to confuse witchcraft with wicca.

The Farrars - A Witches' Bible

Dated. Uses the G slur. Their books are all mislabelled wicca which makes sense because these books have been around since the 90's when there wasn't much of a difference and you can tell. They do not hold up to today's standards. They are a good example of how practices have historically been conflated in pop culture.

Does discuss ritual nUdity (they call it skyclad) and includes pictures. I wanted to mention it here to not surprise anyone in case any of you aren't comfortable with it.

Rachel Patterson - Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch

A book about kitchen witchcraft that doesn't include any kitchen witchcraft. It's more like a basic beginners grimoire. Very repetitive.

Features a chapter on hoodoo which I'm unsure about. I don't know anything about hoodoo or rootwork but I'm assuming it's a practice exclusive to the black community in America due to it developing during the period of enslavement in the US. I'm also assuming that Patterson isn't a part of this community due to being white and British. If I'm wrong and Patterson is genuinely part of the practice and can honestly speak on the topic please correct me.

Scott Cunningham - Encyclopaedia of Magical Herbs

A good resource for correspondences, easy to digest but Cunningham focuses on wicca using wiccan practices like gendering nature which to me makes no sense (I know about the law of polarity but I do not agree with it). The pictures of plants are nice but the folklore provided for them is pretty minimal. You can find all the same info for free online.

Judika Illes - Encyclopaedia of Spirits

Honestly not that bad. There's a lot of information and it's pretty consistent throughout. It's a huge book though, it can be kind of overwhelming but they take from multiple sources when discussing the mythos of deities which is a plus. The pages are very thin and delicate which can make it hard to read the text.

Joey Hulin - Your Spiritual Almanac

it's eh in the broadest sense. I liked the folklore and the eco action sections but I didn't really absorb any of it. a lot of the corresponce lists was information I already knew about. It felt very repetitive. Would have loved to have seen more detailed information about the changes happening in nature each month.

Rachel Pollack - Seventy Eight Degrees of Wisdom

Pollack is very informative, and honestly a great resource for tarot work, she knows her shit and isn't afraid to info dump. The only thing I didn't really like is all the mentions of dualism like of mother v father, male v female but that's entirely my issue and it's the nature of tarot to be dualistic, It just isn't a necessity to me and my practice. Still a great book.

Aleister Crowley - Magick

A great example of what not to do. Appropriates dharmic practices and Jewish mysticism. When he wasn't stealing from other cultures or being a massive contrarian Crowley was writing about sex magic and it's discussed here in uncomfortable detail.

[spellsinsugar]

**AN UPDATE** Unpopular Opinion on the Sephora Witch Kit from a Native Person who used to work in the makeup industry

It’s actually getting ridiculous how many edits this post needs.

So, the art wasn’t stolen, but Savage Feminism made the claim, so I’m leaving the link and what I said below. I feel like something needs to be said about Savage Feminism issuing this accusation, but that is neither here nor there.

Obviously, no matter what happens, no one will be buying the box since it is no longer in production, but y’all jumped to a hell of a conclusion based on a single press release.

I know I’m going to be seeking out Pinrose fragrances, and trying to support their business. Y’all can do what y’all want with your money.

https://www.facebook.com/SavageFeminism/posts/2068928253423288

AN UPDATE:

I have recently learned that the tarot cards are using stolen art that has not been credited to the original artist!!

The below original post still remains for accountability’s sake, but the art is theft and I will not be supporting unless the artist comes out and states that they are receiving credit and profit from the sales.

For reference: I used to work for L’Oreal in the same building that housed Sephora, Urban Decay and Anastasia Beverly Hills customer service. I worked for Lancôme, Khiel’s since 1851, Giorgio Armani Beauty and Yves Saint Laurent Beauty.

To clarify a few things- Sephora is not making these kits. They’re retailing them. The company making them is call Pinrose, which is a very popular fragrance brand. They’re known for ethically and sustainably using their natural fragrance ingredients, as well as using lab created fragrance ingredients to prevent using endangered ingredients or using animal products. They are cruelty free and they’re pretty open about their ingredients lists (an important thing because getting L’Oreal ingredient lists is. Uh. Very very difficult.)

I don’t give a shit about these kits. In fact - I’m probably gonna buy one! I’ve noticed that most of the people getting up in arms about “appropriating witch culture” are white witches who appropriate my culture all the live long day.

That tarot deck? Looks cute af. And I’m all for getting a big chunk of rose quartz for cheap. Also, the scents (because the kit comes with eight or nine fragrance samples) will probably be great and named after some witchy stuff!

The sage only makes me uncomfortable because white sage is endangered but I really want an honest answer from y’all who are all pissed off over this - do y’all know where your sage comes from? Do y’all demand that your local witch shop ethically sources white sage that doesn’t help to limit Native worship practices? Do y’all fight to keep your white owned witch shops from selling “sage kits” that come with fake feathers and stupid maiden/mother/crone chants? Do y’all demand answers on why your local witch shop uses the slur g*psy? Do y’all fight against the racism inherent in most witch communities?

If you can’t answer all of those questions confidently - then stop shouting about appropriation of witch culture. Just let people have their aesthetic fun. Remove the log from your own eye first.

[marigoldwitch]

Sephora / Pinrose Witch Kit | Unpopular Opinion

I don’t care. Lol. This “kit” is literally not gonna affect my practice at all and is most likely not gonna affect much of the witchcraft community at all either. Why? Because it’s a gimmick. Most of the people who will purchase this “kit” aren’t gonna actually pursue witchcraft and most likely weren’t interested in witchcraft before seeing this “kit.” So they’re not really taking anything away from those of use offering authentic supplies and services.

There’s also nothing spiritual dangerous included in this either. Maybe physically dangerous, if whoever purchases actually tries to burn the sage lol, but rose quartz and tarot cards aren’t really any witches idea of “dangerous tools.” Tarot cards are gonna be useless to someone who doesn’t understand how they work or how to utilize them. Rose quartz is literally just a pink stone.

I’m concerned with where those things came from though, like who supplied them? Were they ethically obtained? But, unlike most of the community, I’m gonna wait til I get some information about this before I start getting outraged.

The deck is also a concern of mine too. Who’s the artist? Do they own the rights to the deck? BUT as I’ve said before, rights to certain decks can be sold off to other companies or they could be working with the deck’s artist (doubtful) or the original publishing company (more likely) to offer the deck as part of the “kit.” I’ll wait til I hear more about this to pass judgment on it just yet.

Lastly, this whole blaming witchblr for this whole thing is just total bs. Stop blaming each other! The only people to blame for this crappy product is Pinrose and Sephora. Witches who enjoy pastel aesthetics aren’t to blame for this marketing gimmick. And witches who enjoy darker aesthetics aren’t to blame for white middle class women trying to sell “voodoo kits” on Etsy. If people see an opportunity to make money off of a groups shared interest, whether they’re a part of that group or not, they’re gonna try and make some money.

In November none of this is gonna matter and most of those “kits” will end up in the trash (which is really the sad part of all this, the amount of trash this will create).

PS. White sage IS NOT endangered. Over harvested? Yeah. Endangered? No. Now whether or not the sage included in this “kit” is ethical sourced is another issue.

[pallidus-aurora-blog]

What is so wrong with the witchcraft community that we literally just shut down an opportunity for witchcraft to become more excepted, open, and diverse? Maybe there were young witches out there looking to this as a way to start their craft without seeming too suspicious. What is wrong with all of you? Call out culture is vicious and disgusting.

[witchofhounds]

Sephora is selling 'witch kits'

And I dont think that's terrible? However, there are many valid criticisms of them (that also reflect on mainstream witchcraft in general), such as:

Inflated prices of items attainable for cheaper elsewhere

Lack of accountability for where these items are sourced

Cultural appropriation (white sage for smudging is a direct example)

This is simply capitalism at work. When something becomes more popular, a company will jump on it. Indigo did something like this, too. The thing about witchcraft, however, is that I feel it requires critical thinking skills. Hell, as a white pagan and witch, I had to spend years unlearning what Llewellyn books told me was 'mine' to incorporate in my path. As I feel all people should, I had to do hard work and forge my own path through research and much soul searching. These kits are no different in my mind as finding a Scott Cunningham book in a bookstore; it's going to bring new people in.

Don't shit on people who will discover their path through this product. Don't shit on people who are excited to see a wider audience introduced to the craft. We can give criticism without gatekeeping like assholes, and we can educate curious minds without looking down on them.

[teawitch]

So...

If anyone purchases or has access to the Sephora witch kit, I’d be interested to know what the tarot cards look like, because they seem to be the only potentially unique item in the kit, aside from the scents.

And since everyone seems to be posting opinions, I’m considering what comes in the kit. Rose quartz - popular and common. It’s a pretty color and good for self-love. A nice stone to have, but not overly witchy. White sage is truly more Native American than witchy. Its popularity means there are now farm selling cultivated white sage so Sephora may be buying from  a sustainable source. Scents. I can hardly object to Sephora doing perfume. That would seem to be part of their thing. But Bpal would still seem more witchy. Which leaves us with a pack of tarot cards as the potential witchy offering. Has Sephora had a deck specially designed? Does it resonate with witchy symbols or is it more generic? What I can see looks very pink and pretty. 

So we seem to have a pretty, pink, bubblegum witch kit suitable for the tween and teen crowd. But that crowd probably isn’t going to drop 40 plus at a Sephora counter. (don’t, kids, it’s overpriced,) I’m tempted to buy one and shove it unopened in the back of a closet and wait to see if this becomes a collectible. 

[mobandy644-blog]

Witchcraft and Cultural Appropriation? Help me.

So this whole witch kit thing has me thinking all the things.

At first I was like well that’s kind of dumb because the witch aesthetic thing is kind of annoying to me for OTHER people who have been doing this for a long time. But it’s always kind of been that way so eh I don’t know. I mean I actually got interested in this because I started watching charmed and then talked to a friend who is a Wiccan. So there you go.

But then I see all these people saying white people have no business being upset about it because the entirety of white witchcraft is cultural appropriation?

I don’t get that. I absolutely will not deny there is an appropriation problem in modern witchcraft, mostly centered around social media right? But white European witches have been around for centuries, way before Christianity, and this is another group that was totally margianalized and forced to stop or hide practicing.

Edit: so what I’m saying here is that not ALL white witchcraft is appropriated because European witchcraft and paganism are ancient too. I am not at all saying that there is not a problem with appropriation in some white witchcraft. So I’m just saying how can you say he ENTIRETY of white witchcraft is appropriated when there is an entire ancient pagan and witchcraft culture in Europe.

Now I speaking specifically of American “white” witches because that’s what I am. We don’t fucking have a culture. Like anything we do is “stealing” from other cultures. Or someone says it is at least. My moms ancestors are all European, honestly I have no idea from specifically where because it’s been so long. It’s been said a lot in my family that we had an ancestor on the mayflower. Who knows. My dad’s dad was from Mexico and his mom was part Native American. I don’t know much about them because I never met my dad, he divorced my mom before I was born. But I’m technically European and Mexican and Native American. But I feel like if I try to learn about those cultures and incorporate them in my practice POC and white witches trying to help will scream at me. Like what am I supposed to do? And many witches just like me because that’s basically what America is.

Edit: I am not saying “oh woah is me what shall I do” just honestly saying hey, I have this blood in me but since I wasn’t raised in it would feel weird trying to incorporate it and also feel like it would offend people, what do I do since besides that I am white and have no culture except wherever my European ancenstors came from which I don’t actually know.

And I am NOT talking about blatant appropriation. Like Native American practices, Voodoo, Hoodoo, anything you are explicitly not a part of. Like I absolutely have no African blood in me I’m sure. I’m not going to try to steal practices from those cultures and if you see me do that please just let me know and I’ll stop.

So this is all something that I’m confused about and I don’t want to make POC mad I really don’t but what is ok for me to incorporate and not ok for me to? Like seriously please help.

But also why are people acting like witchcraft is only from Indigenous, Latinx (is that the right term), and African cultures? People had been practicing witchcraft forever in European white areas and just all over the world. So don’t all us white people that do try not to apropriate closed cultures have a right to be annoyed at even just the term of witch kit? Since so many white pagans and witches were forced to stop and persecuted?

But also a huge problem with the kit is the white sage, I get that. And if people are upset about the kit but also blatantly apropriate other cultures I understand being like ok, that’s pretty hipocritical.

This who debaucle is making me very much more aware of these problems and I need help. So please educate me and help me out. I feel like there is nowhere I can belong without people screaming that I’m stealing A culture.

Edit: if you don’t have advice to offer could you possibly reblog so maybe I can find some people with advice?

[elleyena-rose]

My thoughts on the Sephora/Pinrose Witch Kit | Semi-unpopular opinion

I've seen this thing bouncing around a lot and I want to weigh in. I don't think it's the worst thing ever. Tell me something - of the pictures below, why is one ok and one not?

Is it because one is more serious and one more fanciful? Why is the one from Sephora bad solely because it's Sephora selling it? It's not even been released yet - so we don't know the contents of the instructions.  If those give awful or dangerous information, then by all means, we should be upset. 

Don’t get me wrong - I definitely want people to support local metaphysical shops and online witchy shops where possible. 

However - a lot of folks don't have easy access to metaphysical shops. Phoenix & Dragon is the main one here, and that's 1.5 to 2 hours away from my hometown. We have a couple local shops here but one is downtown with short hours that never work with my schedule. It mainly carries stones and jewelry items. The other one is across town and only carries herbs. Mainly premixed herbal blends and bath stuff. It also has hours that are impossible to get to except maybe on weekends. Neither really have books or candles etc...

So at this point my options are - go to Phoenix & Dragon after work, have access to a bunch of different items and get home super late (or plan a half day to go out there, shop, and come back) go to two different local stores in different parts of town on a weekend only that may not even have what I need along with somewhere else entirely for candles and incense, or order online. Having access to things at a chain store with longer hours is nice.

A good parallel would be gluten free options. 15-20 years ago, those items weren't common, so those that were required to eat it didn't have as many options. It became a fad diet - and suddenly people are exposed to something they didn't know about before. More brands started offering gluten-free options. Now it's normal to have entire sections of the grocery store be dedicated to gluten free items. Those who desperately need it have options. It was a good thing.

Sephora is making a cash grab for sure. New Age & Witch seem to be trendy right now and a lot of stores tend to up the witchy this time of year.  But if it gives better access, and allows someone to find their path where otherwise they wouldn't have come across it. I don't see it as a necessarily bad thing.

Honestly, I've been happy with the expanded selection of witchy books at Barnes & Noble and 2nd & Charles. They also both have dedicated sections for new age/witchy items, like polished stones, incense holders and the like. There's been a lot more availability of stuff, especially 101 materials for new folks. This is a change from last year where both stores had one tiny shelf in the back for books only.

Example: I bought this set at Barnes & Noble for like $10 last month. It was cute, witchy and just what I needed. It had 2 chunks of stone, Tigers Eye and Rose Quartz, which was the main reason I purchased it. My local stone shop was already closed, and this caught my eye. I don't feel that it's wrong to purchase what's accessible. And I don’t see people getting up in arms because Barnes & Noble carries witch books, or because Walmart carries incense. 

Now, will I run out and grab the Pinrose kit solely because it's offered? Not likely - this specific set of things isn't something I can use right now, and it is the sort of thing I would prefer to get at a metaphysical store. But I can totally see it's use in providing visibility for someone who may have never heard of a metaphysical store before, let alone wander into one.

In short: Use your local witchy store where you can folks. Support witch shops online too. But nobody should feel bad if they got some things from a chain store. That witch kit isn't really aimed at those that have been practicing for a while. It's aimed at beginners, and we all started somewhere. Let people find their magic.

[theoryofmagick]

So apparently Sephora used Native sage growers for the sage (which wasn't white sage) and a woman-run company Pinrose for the rest of it, I think, so now it seems kind of a bummer to pull the kit. =\

Ah, yeah, that is unfortunate - it’s always nice to see people supporting local and Native business, and it’s always a big deal when a business gets asked for a big order like the Sephora kits. I hope they can make up those numbers (and I hope people who were gonna buy the kit do try and support the suppliers)!