As we enjoy the last couple days of America as we knew her, maybe now is the perfect time to finally make a pact with the faeries. Or the Devil. Or that strange angel that shows up on moonless nights. With the state of the world the way it is today, there’s no time like the present to fully commit to a demonic contract, aimed at dismantling the global empirical systems of capitalism and oppression. It’s time to get radical.
I’m not talking about engaging in acts of political violence. Not only does it conflict with my core values (even if I can often understand when some feel it is their only recourse), I’ve seen too many episodes of Murder, She Wrote to know that there will always be some minute detail missed that will eventually ensure capture.
No, what I am suggesting is a far more civilized way of reshaping civilization by destroying our collective enemies and seizing control of the reins of political power. I am talking about old school Witchcraft.
Image credit: https://www.pikist.com/free-photo-ihrjk
While the mundane radicals will concern themselves with acquiring guns and engaging in combat training in the hopes of kidnapping politicians, I prefer to summon the occasional shadow being to visit and torment politicians & oligarchs in their stylish homes, reminiscent of a traditional Aradianic promise:
And thou shalt be the first of witches known;
And thou shalt be the first of all i’ the world;
And thou shalt teach the art of poisoning,
Of poisoning those who are the great lords of all;
Yea, thou shalt make them die in their palaces;
And thou shalt bind the oppressor’s soul (with power);
And when ye find a peasant who is rich,
Then ye shall teach the witch, your pupil, how
To ruin all his crops with tempests dire,
With lightning and with thunder (terrible),
And with the hail and wind . . .
And when a priest shall do you injury
By his benedictions, ye shall do to him
Double the harm, and do it in the name
Of me, Diana, Queen of witches all!—Aradia, or the Gospel of the Witches
Charles Godfrey Leland (1899)
Remember: there’s no physical evidence when the weapon of choice is a wraith. Just sayin’.
From its earliest mentions, Witchcraft has always been political. Aimed at balancing the scales of social and political power in favor of the working class, Witches were feared not only for the danger they presented to the individual, but more so because they operated outside the sanctioning body of the state. Witchcraft gave power to the otherwise powerless, and that is something that can never be condoned by authoritarian structures.
Consider what is happening now with Luigi Mangione.
Thirst traps and pre-trial presumptions of innocence aside, the guy allegedly shot and killed one rich white man and is now facing terrorism charges in a country that has collectively shrugged when faced with multiple school shootings, mass murders, and an actual insurrection. Kill our kids and steal our votes? Fine. But kill the rich and you’re suddenly bin Laden.
I’m loathe to consider him a “hero,” even as I must begrudgingly admit that as a result of a single bloody act there has already been tangible positive change. Consider that a day after he allegedly shot and killed the CEO of United Healthcare, another of the country’s top insurance companies reversed their policy of denying anesthesia during surgery after certain time limits. Now, I am not saying that violence is the answer. I’d like to think that it never is. But facts are under no obligation to conform to my morals or sensitivities.
I am not in favor of violence, except in cases of self-defense. But I also acknowledge that for the oppressed it is often the only avenue left available. It shouldn’t come to that in a “civilized society,” but how can we call ourselves civilized when we are actively condemning thousands to poverty and financial slavery while denying them the resources to survive? When we strip away basic human dignity and bodily autonomy? It’s easy to say that violence is wrong but what of those for whom the system has condemned unfairly? Are they expected to go quietly into the night because that’s the polite thing to do? Should they and their families die to line the pockets of another faceless billionaire? The American dream is a nightmare for many.
Coming to Witchcraft as I did while a child, was far more likely an attempt at cultivating power as opposed to the pursuit of spiritual mastery. The Craft offers an avenue to power for those who have traditionally had little or none; and while some modern practitioners lament the idea of throwing hexes or engaging in “dark magic,” citing the “Threefold Law,” as if it were a universally binding principle, there are others who will take on such work, recognizing with sober clarity the deep responsibility it entails. This is not work for the faint of heart. Nor is it the work of all Witches. But it is part of the Witches’ heritage and should be respected. “A Witch who cannot hex, cannot heal,” the saying goes. A reminder that magic is inherently neutral, and we have the ability to use it as a tool for whatever varied circumstances in which we find ourselves.
As the orange malignancy prepares its fascist spread, we need magic of all kinds to help see us through the next four years. Big magic and small alike. sometimes the smallest actions can create the biggest waves in the long run. On inauguration day, I plan to wear my “Resist/F*ck Trump” hat in silent protest, while also conjuring a spirit or two for possibly nefarious ends. I dunno. We’ll see what my blood pressure is doing that day.
Whatever you decide to do (or not do) I have some advice for how we might best navigate what is near-certain to be a dark period ahead:
Stop wasting your life force
Don’t feel as if you need to debate those who have demonstrated bad faith arguments. On social media I not only block all MAGA accounts on site, but also those of anyone who engages in racism, queerphobia, bigotry of any kind, as well as petty name-calling or who justifies any of these things as a tactic. If the engagement isn’t respectful, it isn’t happening. I need to protect my own life-force, and I do not owe Username-bunch-of-numbers access to it. Block and move on. Life’s too short.
Engage in small acts of resistance
If you aren’t able to engage in larger actions, just do small things often. This can be simple and private, such as burning a candle for or meditating on local political races and propositions or writing letters to the editor that have been ensorcelled for effectiveness and visibility. Or even just wearing a political slogan or statement in public, or posting on social media with intent. Whatever actions you take can be empowered with magical intention.
Get creative!
Magic should ideally come from that creative spark. Give yourself some space to draw, paint, sculpt, sing, dance, garden, scrapbook, or whatever else tickles your fancy. If you need help getting started, try reading a book or two on creativity (such as The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron or Art & Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland) or listening to a creative-centered podcast.
Practice Self-Care
I keep coming back to this one. If you are not taking care of yourself then you will end up a pretty ineffective activist or Witch. What nourishes you? Make sure you are doing more of that. Make it a priority.
Cover of Magic for the Resistance
Whatever the next four years may bring, I know that we will need all of us to make it through. We need warriors, as well as healers, and artists. Whatever your magic is, bring it to the table. Now is not the time to quibble over small differences. We may have different ideas on how to create the supportive and equal society that we wish to manifest, but what is more important is the singular desire to make it happen. In the darkest of times, we need to gather together the light. Let yours shine. We all need to see it.
Recommended Reading
There are a few good resources for Witches who may wish to engage in magical activism.
• The New Aradia
• The Gorgon’s Guide to Magical Resistance
• Serpents of Circe: A Manual to Magical Resilience
Edited by Laura Tempest Zakroff, these three anthologies each deal with using magic to achieve political gains and can be purchased from WeAreAradia.org
• Magic for the Resistance: Rituals and Spells for Change by Michael Hughes. Hughes is the creator of the internationally viral Mass Spell to Bind Donald Trump and All Those Who Abet Him, the largest and longest-running magical working in history.
This title is being re-released as an expanded edition later this year through Crossed Crow Books. You can pre-order your copy today. (It’s even being released in hardcover!)
• Witchcraft Activism by David Salisbury, an experienced activist, explores the basics engaging in direct political actions, along with magical tips for how to deepen that work as well as to protect oneself.
• Truth or Dare: Encounters with Power, Authority, and Mystery by Starhawk is an in-depth exploration of how we unconsciously relate to systems of authority and how we might consciously change that dynamic.
The Wild Hunt is not responsible for links to external content.
To join a conversation on this post:
Visit our The Wild Hunt subreddit! Point your favorite browser to https://www.reddit.com/r/The_Wild_Hunt_News/, then click “JOIN”. Make sure to click the bell, too, to be notified of new articles posted to our subreddit.