5:09 One can be mixed with Native American and still have light skin. To suggest that you shouldn’t use white sage and palo santo because you don’t LOOK native is just as racially insensitive as having no related ancestry and using these materials with no regard for their origins, traditional uses, or cultural significance. (No hate to the one creating these compilations, of course. I love your videos, just disagree with this person’s argument.) Edit: Thanks so much for the heart; you're rad! 💟
I don’t think she’s applying what she’s saying to white-passing POC. If someone is ethnically apart of a culture that has closed practices, they can learn and use those practices. The issue being addressed in this TikTok, in my opinion, is really just addressing White people with fully European ancestry appropriating the same closed practices from these cultures because of the historical implications of POC communities having their traditions being grossly stolen by European descended White people, who are accepted and even admired for doing them, while the original practitioners are vilified and mocked for practicing them. I received the message of the TikTok in this way, as I truly don’t think she meant to imply through her wording that any White passing members of colored communities are automatically barred from participating in the culture’s traditions and practices.
@umbra1948 I'm talking about the "if you have the skin tone of a Cullen," part. For example, my husband is red headed, blue eyed, freckled, and fair.. yet he has the same percentage of native ancestry as I do (being dark haired, dark eyed, and tanning as soon as I step in the sun). The idea that someone can't be mixed if they're fair is the issue for me. It's just not even close to factual. And further, it backs the idea that we can only participate in the traditions of the parts of our makeups that present physically, which is pretty exclusionary. I think everyone is everything in their makeup and not just what presents. How is one to know if someone who presents fully European has a makeup that is actually fully European without asking them? I guess by going off of their "skin tone of a Cullen." See what I mean? All I'm saying is we need to stop assuming people's ancestry based on their skin tone because that's just as insensitive. I understand what she's saying otherwise and don't see much of an issue with it.
thank you. i’m someone of native american heritage and i have light skin. my dad taught me how to smudge because it’s my culture, it’s our culture, and it’s been passed down by our ancestors. i don’t want to lose it just because of my skin color and brown hair.
@neptune11111 No problem at all-I believe it's something that needs to be brought up, for sure. I'm part Native American and part Native Mexican as well as having European ancestry, but had the misfortune of never knowing my Native American and Native Mexican side of the family due to a divorce that happened before I was born. However, I've always felt close to that part of my ancestry and use smudging to venerate the ancestors I never had a chance to know and to participate in the part of my culture that I missed out on growing up (aside from it's other spiritual uses, that is). I, too, am light skinned (at least until the height of the summer) and I'm totally happy to speak up about it because I've had people tell me I'm not mixed my whole life based on that skin tone as if they have any idea what my ancestry is. Someone's ancestry is their ancestry despite their physical features and they should never feel like they're going to be shamed for participating in those parts of their culture because of how they look. Much love to you and I'm very sorry if you've also experienced reactions like that. ✌️
What I take issue with is the disregard of past lives. While I am Native American/white mix, I have four past lives that I'm conscious of, and pretty sure there are several more that I only have hints of based on things I instinctively know that I Really shouldn't. My white/Native American mix hubby was Definitely African American right before this life, and we're Sure of at least one other, but most souls have had several incarnations. Our souls don't always incarnate in whatever race we happen to be in this lifetime. Our souls don't have a color or a race. The other issue is lots of other religions, pagan or otherwise, use sage to smoke cleanse (including Hoodoo/Voodoo, you going to close white sage to them?). You want to close "Smudging"? Sure, but there were lots of medicine men teaching witches, of all colors, how to smudge back when I first started on my non Christian path nearly 35 years ago. So I kinda feel like that horse is long gone from the barn. If someone is worried about white sage in particular going extinct, then they should get some seeds and grow it. West Texas would be a Great place because of the desert conditions there, but it'll grow other places because I just saw some growing in a gardening club area in a forest area near where I live. It's only becoming "extinct" in California because of all the wildfires, but nobody wants to talk about that. They just want to be able to tell others what to do or not do...AKA: Gatekeeping.
Hiya, I’m a teen, who is somewhat new to paganism, and I am trying to reach my first deity. I feel a connection with Artemis, as I have an extremely strong connection with nature, animals and moon cycles. But my problem is, I cannot seem to contact any deity, and I’m not sure if Artemis will accept my offerings and such, as I’m a guy. Specifically, a trans male. I’m researching as much as possible, but if there are any children of Artemis, or pagans in general, may I please have some advice? Thank you xx
Hello! I’ve been worshiping Lady Artemis for a little while now, and as someone who is genderfluid, can confidently say She will still accept offerings and prayers even if you’re a guy!! As long as you’re respectful, you should be fine!!
Just a quick question: So, recently, I’ve been losing things that have sentimental value to me, but the next day, they pop up in the place that I know for a fact that they weren’t on. Like one time, I lost my favorite crystal, and the next morning, it showed up under the covers of my bed, and I know it wasn’t there in the first place. Either I’m going crazy or some sort of spirit is messing with me. I don’t know much about spirits because I’m a beginner in witchcraft, but some advice would be helpful if this is what I think it is.
Well, yeah, sounds like a type of spirit messing with you. I think the worse case scenario is that it could be the fae, which are a pain in the ass especially when you are a beginner encountering them. Generally, I would recommend incense your home, preferably dragons blood. Do it at least once a week for a month and see if that helps. If you have any reason you cant use Incense, you should carry obsidian or black tourmaline for extra protection. That is, assuming that this is actually a spirit with negative intentions. It could also be a spirit guide or ancestor trying to get your attention. it honestly could be so many things, so don’t assume worst-case scenario.
@@FantasyEscapism of course you can! But a thing about sigils is that, as you grow in your craft, you could grow out of your old ones. Don’t be upset if you feel like they stopped working for you, it just means you need to make a new one.
not all wiccans are bad. there are several different traditions, many of which dont agree or condone Gardner. do your own research before shitting on an entire religion (no hate, just a tip)