Wicca-Trad: Pagan Witchcraft as Primitive Religion

[Demophon]

By "primitive" I mean "closer to the origin" rather than unsophisticated or anything like that. Traditions of pagan witchcraft like Wicca and Feri claim ancient origins, going back to the indigenous traditions of mostly Europe, but also Africa and the Near East and pre-dating the patriarchal pantheons of the more advanced polytheistic civilizations and modern monotheism.

The actual historicity of these traditions is pretty questionable before the 1940s, but it can be argued that the ideology of the primary deity being a mother goddess immanent in the natural world, celebrating the cycles of the sun, moon, and earth, having an animistic view of the world and practicing rituals of sympathetic magic have a basis in very primeval religious practices.

Unfortunately, pagan witchcraft seems to have lost this perspective. I don't know if it's because of magic in the media and people not being able to distinguish fiction from reality, but instead of pagan witchcraft being viewed as a revivial of hunter-gatherer spirituality, now it seems like it's an excuse for obese goth ladies and mentally ill individuals to pretend that they have magic powers. I've found the pagan groups I've come into contact with are so far from what I was looking for that it makes me want to give up on paganism, but I find that there are enough good ideas in the traditional books written by people like Doreen Valiente, Starhawk, and the Farrars (though, of course they aren't flawless) that I can have a satisfying practice on my own if not with the nuts who identify with this community.

Has else anyone found this? I feel like the genuine spirit of pagan witchcraft as a more pure, primeval human spirituality rooted in the natural world has disappeared, and it's become more of a sci-fi/fantasy LARPing game or escapist experience.

[SunflowerP]

(And also

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*** MOD HAT ON ***

Demophon, Whether you're trying to start a flame war intentionally or not, your posts are inflammatory enough to be beyond the pale. If you want to have actual discussion and debate on these subjects, you won't get it with extreme invective. You have a strike for rude and annoying behavior. The reason it's only a strike and not a gag is because you've a long enough history on TC that I can't tell for certain if you've decided you'd rather be a troll than a TC member, or your troll-like behavior is a temporary condition. Please note that this will be subject to review by Randall, who might opt for stronger consequences. Sunflower TC Message Board Coordinator

[Micheál]

I've found the pagan groups I've come into contact with are so far from what I was looking for that it makes me want to give up on paganism, but I find that there are enough good ideas in the traditional books written by people like Doreen Valiente, Starhawk, and the Farrars (though, of course they aren't flawless) that I can have a satisfying practice on my own if not with the nuts who identify with this community.

In mentioning the Farrars, Janet and Gavin's practise of Progressive Witchcraft is more along those lines.

In Wicca itself, its ritual structure is a continuation of the grimoire tradition, however it does contain that revereance as well. How much that's emphasised depends on the tradition and group.

There are some eccentric characters and groups out there as well which magic in the media likely contributes to. Unfortunately I don't know how they can be avoided.

[Mellee]

Has else anyone found this? I feel like the genuine spirit of pagan witchcraft as a more pure, primeval human spirituality rooted in the natural world has disappeared, and it's become more of a sci-fi/fantasy LARPing game or escapist experience.

What works for me is to focus on my own spiritual practice, both solitary and with like-minded folks. How others view their witchcraft is none of my business, especially if it doesn't affect my practice. I think it helps that I also balance my enthusiasm for talking to interested people about what my witchcraft entails with the fourth side of the witches' pyramid: to be silent. I don't waste energy trying to educate the uninterested or unwilling.

TL;DR - You do you, boo.