To all my fellow Wiccans...getting something off my chest

I'm a Black Wiccan (not in the sense that I practice black magick, but in the fact that I am not Caucasian). I mean, I have some white in me... I believe my paternal grandfather was a quarter Caucasian? There are pictures of him in my
grandmother's house. He's quite bright and I look nothing like him. I range
from dark chocolate to coal-colored depending on my amount of sun exposure.

Anywho, I've been told once or twice before that Wicca is a path for white people because of its European focus and I wholly disagree simply because it makes no sense.
Maybe because I am a Solitary Eclectic?

I was under the impression that choosing a pantheon to work with is a fundamental practice of Wiccanism and that it doesn't matter how each individual perceives That Great Spirit Which Goes By Many Names and Encompasses All Things because we are all worshipping/working with that same Being. In this lifetime, we are abiding by the Rede, living our lives consciously, improving upon ourselves, and trying desperately to send positive energies into the Universe. Just because we throw some personalization into the picture where it doesn't particularly matter (because, as I said, its all the same Being/s) doesn't really mean anything at all. Most of the Wiccans I know choose a pantheon to work with because they feel
comfortable with that pantheon and it helps to use a particular deity when
doing specialty work (a friend of mine who uses the Greek pantheon used to ask
for Athena to be with him during every quiz and exam we had in calculus back in high school). It's not racist. For many people (me included) it's a celebration of culture. And although I'm no huge patriot or anything (hell, I refused to recite the
national anthem in school for a few years and got hella flack from everybody
for it), when you look it at it that way, it's actually pretty American--in a
chex mix rather than a melting pot sort of way.

I'll use myself as an example: I fell in love with Wiccanism at age 12 and have grown and matured into it over these past 9 years. One of the most
beautiful part about the religion to me is the choosing of your own pantheon.
It's almost like the spiritual twin of choosing your career. Both are huge
responsibilities and slightly frightening, but extremely exciting and (in my
humble opinion) events that should be celebrated. Yea, I felt a little left out
as a black Wiccan for some years what with most of the focus on European
pantheons and whatnot (with the very important semi-exception of the Egyptian
pantheon, which is rarely even mentioned as African for various reasons that
will not be discussed here). My (white) Wiccan friends always assumed that I
chose to worship/work with the Egyptian pantheon and acted accordingly (buying
me Egyptian gifts for holy days and my birthday, constantly pointing out to me
during shopping excursions the things decorated with Ankhs, books on Egyptian
mythology, or Egyptian art, etc...) which was appreciated but annoying (I can't
even be mad at them because they were more ignorant than racist).

I repeatedly told them that I didn't have any particular pantheon yet because
none had called out to me--including Egyptian. One of my half-Hispanic friends
actually chose the Egyptian pantheon and was almost appalled that, even after
her choice, I didn't jump the bandwagon. I had actually always felt more of a
connection with Greek mythology than Egyptian, but after a bit of spellwork
done with and extensive meditation and prayer on these deities, I found that
this was not suiting either spiritually or physically. I did not feel
spiritually correct using Greek dieties in my life knowing that a lot of their
culture/beliefs were copied from the Egyptians... whom I didn't have a
connection with to begin with. After I'd had a very vivid dream in which my
spirit guide told me this, I did a bit of research and confirmed it. The
physical reason is a bit longer and more complicated, but I will try to
condense:

I grew up wishing I had been born a white girl with red hair and green eyes. This is the reality for so many people of color (not just blacks), regardless of sex or age. It is extremely unhealthy. And obviously, one cannot proceed in this life, or any, if
she cannot get past such feelings of physical and psychological self loathing.
I discovered the Black Consciousness movement and began my journey toward not just self-acceptance, but self-love. Although I had believed at one point that
white people were better, I never believed this of my fellow people of the
Diaspora. I slowly brought the scale to balance rather than tipping it the other
way. And during my trial with Greek mythology (which occured after my Black
Consciousness revelation), I felt the envy slipping back into me. Aphrodite
with her long black hair and perfect skin like a pearl. The beautiful Hera and
Athena with their equally caucasian and coveted features.

If I ever wanted my skin to be compared to a pearl, I'd have to bleach the shit out of it (I have cousins who do that.)

I wear my hair natural. If I wanted long, flowing hair like the Greek Goddesses, I'd have to put my hair through extreme amounts of heat and then avoid water like the plague. The alternative being a perm. Relaxers contains the extremely caustic acid known as Sodium hydroxide.

I'm a chemistry major... I know the caustic properties of NaOH and I refuse to put it on my head any longer.

I know, I know. The stories claiming the beauty of these Goddesses are just myths.

But then again, they aren't. Myths speak to the subconscious. And mine is quite delicate this lifetime.

After years of prayer, spells, and meditation, I found my pantheon. The Orisas
of the ancient Yoruban religion of Ifa. A significant percentage of Africans
enslaved during the Atlantic slave trade in the Americas were Yoruba people and
due to certain visions and several divinations, I am led to believe that I am
directly descended from these people. What it feels like to reclaim huge
portions of the tradition of my ancestors is difficult to explain...profound
and beautiful in part due to the cyclical nature of this reclamation. Now when
I wish to worship/do spellwork with That Great Spirit Which Goes By Many Names
and Encompasses All Things (whom I personally know as Olodumare), my
subconscious isn't clouded by nonsense. I actually feel empowered when I
acknowledge my chosen pantheon, which is how I know I have finally chosen
correctly. And as I grow and mature, all that inferiority nonsense in my subconscious will dissipate. Then I will be able to work with any and all pantheons or none if I so choose). But now I know which pantheon sanctions my full abilities.

Disclaimer: Just because I am an advocate of pantheon selection, does not mean I think we should rule out all other pantheons as completely useless
to our spiritual development. Learning the mythology and history of other
cultures is one of the most essential parts of living Wicca. I just see
absolutely no problem in choosing one culture to work with that seems to sanction your full magickal ability.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kodachi on March 11, 2010 at 2:49pm

Sounds like you got hit with JAN syndrome, Pagan edition. This is the reason why I always preferred being in Black metaphysical shops (and I think we understand you here especially when you say you're a Black Wiccan), I think in the Black metaphysical shops I can avoid the race bs there and even feel more comfortable than I do at White metaphysical shops. It is also annoying when all they know about African deities is just Egypt and pretty much avoid all else or include them in a way that just makes you roll your eyes.

Ppl who tell you that Wicca is a Whites-Only religion need to shove off. I'm simply a Pagan Witch (and what methods are you using to do spells and not get caught or catch flack at an HBCU? You must share!) and if I were informed of that, I'd break down to them that actually parts of Wicca was crafted together using some Egyptian technique by the founders of Wicca so you have just as much right being there as they do. In addition, who said that Wicca had to be for Whites only because that's what *they* are doing. I know there are Grand Wizards in Wicca but I didn't think they were cross-overs from the Klan!... Actually, that last comment I'd more likely would have said to them.

Permalink Reply by Twyla on March 11, 2010 at 3:01pm

Unfortunately, I can't do too much spellwork outside (*sniffle*) so I do most of it indoors unless it's extremely simple (read: non-conspicuous) and I can find a place to do it. I used to work right under Emancipation Oak, which is the huge and beautiful tree on campus where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the South, but the tree is dying. And HU isn't letting it go peacefully... they have all these ropes and pulleys and whatnot tied to it in a desperate attempt to keep her alive, but she is just so strained and ready to die. I can *feel* it every time I'm near, and it is not an environment conducive to positive and effective spellwork.
Luckily enough, I have a roommate who is extremely open (and ironically enough embraces her own inner power through some Christian mysticism). On top of that, her mother used to be a witch (although she used to practice dark magick. Funny side note: her mother was almost freaked out when she found out I was a witch until my roomie clarified that I strive for positivity and light in my craft). So practicing in my room by the window, although not ideal, is the situation I must deal with at the current moment.
I wish I *would* get "caught" by some kind of administrator doing spellwork. WTF are they gonna try to do? Expell me? I would sue them so fast for religious intolerance, their heads would spin!!

Now what is this you say about Black metaphysical shops? I didn't even know such a thing existed!!! Where/how can I find one???

Permalink Reply by Kodachi on March 11, 2010 at 6:28pm

Ooo, that sucks but you're right about if you get found out. I mean, that's an easy lawsuit right there but the reactions that you'll get will be grating and who know what they'll do after they find out. Being regarded, "Hey, Witch! Come over here and can you hex my teacher/cast a spell to make my phone work," ain't no fun. Black metaphysical shops you just gotta look around for in, well, Black areas. They are indeed a dime a dozen.

It is good you have an accepting roommate tho. Kinda funny with the mom ^.^

Dorm Room Diaries said:

Unfortunately, I can't do too much spellwork outside (*sniffle*) so I do most of it indoors unless it's extremely simple (read: non-conspicuous) and I can find a place to do it. I used to work right under Emancipation Oak, which is the huge and beautiful tree on campus where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the South, but the tree is dying. And HU isn't letting it go peacefully... they have all these ropes and pulleys and whatnot tied to it in a desperate attempt to keep her alive, but she is just so strained and ready to die. I can *feel* it every time I'm near, and it is not an environment conducive to positive and effective spellwork.
Luckily enough, I have a roommate who is extremely open (and ironically enough embraces her own inner power through some Christian mysticism). On top of that, her mother used to be a witch (although she used to practice dark magick. Funny side note: her mother was almost freaked out when she found out I was a witch until my roomie clarified that I strive for positivity and light in my craft). So practicing in my room by the window, although not ideal, is the situation I must deal with at the current moment.
I wish I *would* get "caught" by some kind of administrator doing spellwork. WTF are they gonna try to do? Expell me? I would sue them so fast for religious intolerance, their heads would spin!!

Now what is this you say about Black metaphysical shops? I didn't even know such a thing existed!!! Where/how can I find one???

Permalink Reply by Clarity Star on March 27, 2010 at 12:39am

well I have to discovered wicca as a kid but decided it wasn't exactly right so I went with paganism. Recently I have came out to my family about having psychic abilities which I also do readings part time when I can. The reaction was not nearly as bad as I thought. I have come to a realization though that I am on another plan of existence and people will only see what they want and are ready to see. Not worth the effort of trying to convince anyone of anything. Also there is not enough black metaphysical or spiritual shops, businesses, ect around. Most people just assume I am Christian anyway so I don't usually have this type of discussion IRL. Also how is Christianity not a "white" religion. HELLO for most of us it was force fed by Europeans as far as I know. Also the Yoruba thing I have drifted on that and felt some sort of connection there. I haven't fully studied that or knew where to get the information from that. Iylana Vanzant was what brought me to this and I have read a few of her books and I would love to read them all when given a chance. As far as gods and goddesses that is part of my recent studies. So far I had a dream about the elephant god which is Hindu Ganesha. I have been exploring others but I have more of a connection with goddesses and I think "race" shouldn't matter when it comes to religion. Race is a man made thing the gods don't have a race or even a look associated with them thats all man made.

Permalink Reply by taryn m on March 27, 2010 at 2:09am

wicca-maybe since it was created by white people in the 60's or 70's but pagan is such a broad term to me. native americans, people who worhship more than one god or goddess, tribal religions in africa and haiti and vodun and yoruba to me is pagan. so hell no its not caucasian! being pagan is believing we are all interconnected. lots of nationalities believe this.

Permalink Reply by Lunakiss on March 30, 2010 at 9:42pm

I feel youDRD. I had Yemana appeared to me in a dream once. I also knew Wicca was for me. I asked for sign and one night during my college years the universe gave it to me in the form of a wiccan symbol inflamed in purple against the black coal sky. It was message to me. I don't follow a certain pantheon but I draw a lot from Shamanism (it runs in the family). I truly believe my family ( in secret a lot of mixed African/American Indian or Carribean American families) bring with them and passed on from generation to genreation our Ancestors way of life some in worshipping but hide it through black Christianity which is not white Chrisitanity. We can't escape from our Ancestral ways. It's in our genes.

Back to Yemana, I know I look into her guiding light. I took a break from Wicca and wanted to explore other religions and incorporate them into Wicca and now I am currently back into Wiccanism while keepng my Mysticism and Taoism in alignment with each other. I was also told by a higher power source during one of my ritual act I was a highpriestess and I can move on from the level I was in.
I have a powerful mind and now I walk lightly in all of the name of the Great Goddess.

It's cool to know there are black pagans out there.

Permalink Reply by Q.A.Bradford on April 9, 2010 at 11:30am

To me pantheons are kind of like humanity's first conceptual level of elements or a table of elements at the indigenous level. What I find is that most indigenous groups had varying god that represented natural interactions. From culture to culture they may translate verbatim, but just like in language, some deities and their concept will overlap with other deities.

I've personally found huge attraction to the Japanese Shinto religion and its high level of organization and shrine architecture. If you could look at indigenous religion as high developed versus low developed (like nations) I'd say Shintoism falls clearly into the middle area after Abrahamism and Buddhism.

I think no matter what pantheon you subscribe to, you should still explore the others. They may give you an even better system in going about worshiping your own chosen pantheon -- and even that may reflect your own cultural or ancestral habits.

Permalink Reply by Kodachi on April 11, 2010 at 11:43pm

I agree!

Aminata said:

To me pantheons are kind of like humanity's first conceptual level of elements or a table of elements at the indigenous level. What I find is that most indigenous groups had varying god that represented natural interactions. From culture to culture they may translate verbatim, but just like in language, some deities and their concept will overlap with other deities.

I've personally found huge attraction to the Japanese Shinto religion and its high level of organization and shrine architecture. If you could look at indigenous religion as high developed versus low developed (like nations) I'd say Shintoism falls clearly into the middle area after Abrahamism and Buddhism.

I think no matter what pantheon you subscribe to, you should still explore the others. They may give you an even better system in going about worshiping your own chosen pantheon -- and even that may reflect your own cultural or ancestral habits.

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