Misconceptions in Spirituality: Debunking Stereotypes

Recently I completed a Hedgewitchery course through the Centre of Excellence. I didn’t do it for recognition of any sort and whilst I very much resonated with a lot of the content, I still do not label myself as a Witch. I am a spiritual person who leans heavily towards Hedgewitchery, but I will work with whatever feels right at any given time, regardless of its origins or attachment to any particular belief system. This got me thinking about the misconceptions around certain words and practices.

The word Witch conjures up all sorts of images and meanings in the minds of the collective, but this is nothing more than societal programming. If someone thinks you’re a witch you’re most often met with one of two reactions – “ooh, do you put curses on people?” or just absolute dismissal and maybe a look that says, “I think you’re a bit strange and crazy.” Modern media is largely responsible for this, I feel, with tv shows such as Charmed, where spells are chanted amidst a swirling vortex of physical energy! The reality could not be more different.

People assume that anyone who considers themselves to be a witch of sorts, or anyone, like myself, who has an interest in witchcraft, to be slightly dangerous and someone to be wary of. But we do not sit around sticking pins in dolls and painting our fingernails black, and any self-respecting witch would not dream of cursing someone – that sort of energy always backfires anyway. For me with my interest in Hedgewitchery, it is about connecting with nature and using what She provides. Fancy clothes are useless when you’re rambling through the woods. Wearing black clothes and silly hats does not make someone a witch – remember, appearances can be deceptive. I have never attempted to curse anyone, no matter the hurt they have caused me. Curses have absolutely no power, other than the power your own mind attaches to them – if you believe bad luck is plaguing you that is what you’ll attract. You are simply feeding your own negative headspace. If some unpleasant person does claim to have cursed you, the best thing to do is simply laugh it off, forget about it, and carry on as normal. But let me reiterate – nobody who genuinely follows a path akin to a Pagan belief would ever think about carrying out something so negative. That is not the way of a true witch. At this point it is worth pointing out that men can be witches too and are not referred to as warlocks or anything else – the term witch is neutral. In essence a witch is someone who loves and respects nature. They are not someone to be feared or ridiculed and the utter disrespect shown in the media is unsettling and very annoying.

Another misconception is around the world “spiritual.” This is a term I often use to describe myself, as I do not strictly follow any belief system or religion, and the ones that do make sense to me tend not to be mainstream. That does not make me some dizzy, out of touch loon, as is often portrayed in tv shows like Friends, where the spiritual character is portrayed as a slightly nutty, hippy type. Again, that stereotype is insulting as many of us who believe in the ability to reach out to those who have passed, or in spirit guides and such like, are often well educated and down earth. Spirituality is not a character trait to be ridiculed, it is a set of beliefs to be respected. I don’t think I come across more disrespect than that which is aimed at mediums and mediumship, it is shameful. What gives anyone the right to dismiss what we believe, and what many of us have experienced, just because they have not had their own experiences and do not understand what we do? I know many genuine mediums, and they do not attempt to check everyone’s Facebook for clues before an event – that would be logistically impossible anyway. Neither do they spew out vague descriptions of people with the hope of hooking someone. What they actually do is facilitate a genuine connection with those who have passed. But do not fall into the trap of thinking this is an easy and clear process, because there are no flashing neon signs showing you what to say of giving you information. Connection is not that easy or straightforward, and I know this from my own experiences.

Possibly the biggest misconception is the idea that a witch or someone who follows that type of path closely, as I do, cannot be spiritual, or at least does not believe in concepts such as angels, reiki or even mediumship, because those things are not considered strictly pagan, rather they’re seen as “new age!” But this is nonsense – who wrote the rule book on spirituality that said pagan beliefs cannot be blended with any others? Besides, concepts like mediumship, energy healing – which is what reiki is – and even angels, have been around for thousands of years, so who’s to say our pagan ancestors did not hold some of those ideas as well?

The word witch doesn’t even cover one sole belief system, it is more a way of life than a specific spirituality and witches in general follow the seasons and work with nature – that is the very essence of witchcraft, and to me that is far more spiritual than going to church!

It’s funny how names stick and take on their own meaning over time, how they change and spread among society. It would be nice to see those who follow a pagan path and those who connect with spirit guides or loved ones in spirit, whether they be strictly pagan (Druidry, Shamanism etc) or not, better represented in the media. Perhaps then some of these silly misconceptions would dissipate?