Serious Practice

I recently read an article that talked about Emoji spells.  It's something that is trending right now, apparently, where someone will use Emoji as symbols representing their intent, and then post it online (often with the instructions of "like to charge, share to cast") where other people can see them and/or join in.

This has really ruffled some feathers, because many people see it as being juvenile, or as almost mocking a practice (spell casting) that many people have worked very hard to get accepted as a serious religious and spiritual practice. 

I think it's very important to be serious about your magic and your religion.  In your intent, in the heart from which you cast your spells.  There is LOTS of room, however, for whimsy and fun, even in a serious and heart-felt practice.

I really get bothered, when people get judgemental about how other people practice.  Don't get me wrong, I do understand the struggle for acceptance, the fight that many people have gone through to not have outsiders (as in people who aren't practicing Pagans/witches) look at what we do with a sense of derision (or asking if we believe in Harry Potter or some other obviously fictional source). 

But I also feel very strongly that what delights you has power, and many of the roots of our practice, of the bones of what we do, are steeped in symbology....and symbology is nothing but the use of symbols....and Emoji are symbols (I saw a really funny meme that pointed out that early writing, like hieroglyphics was picture-words, and now we have cycled back around to picture words with Emoji...it made me laugh).

What I think bothers people most, about the idea of using something like Emoji in spells, is that they are basically cartoons....very childlike.  And tend to be more popular with younger crowds (or at least those that are young at heart).  In some ways, it is like the abbreviated speech patterns that evolved as online communication outpaced people's typing skills (we used to call it l33t speech...honestly, I forget what it's being called now...but typing with poor grammar, using alternate spellings or replacing whole words with letters, like U for you). 

What makes symbols powerful is that they can have multiple meanings, and they bypass the language centers of our brain.  Really, what makes them more useful magically than just writing words is that they are whimsical...and child-like.  Emoji are nothing more than digital symbols, and the use of them in magic seems perfectly logical to me (and my sometimes non-logical brain).

I also think that the whole culture of Paganism and witchcraft is changing.  When I was in high school, we talked about how witchcraft was becoming popular...the 'in' thing to do.  But it was still very much a rebellious thing....kids jumped on the witchcraft bandwagon because it was seen as being strange and a way to stand out (which I always thought was hilarious, that people would look for the trend in how to be an individual).

Now, however, being spiritual, using crystals, burning incense, using affirmations...these are all becoming fairly mainstream.  And even when someone is actually Pagan, that isn't always seen as a negative thing from the general public...especially not online.

There are Pagan sites everywhere.  You can find dozens of witchy groups on social media.  Even mainstream media talks about Pagans without always going into a long winded explanation of what they think we are.  You say Pagan or witch to someone on the street and chances are they will know that this is something people do, as a practice today...and they probably will have a decent idea of some of the things that we do (even if they don't agree with them).

Books you read today, no longer have the admonishments about keeping silent that books used to have.  Not just a reminder that sometimes it isn't safe to admit what you do or believe in, but the "don't talk about spells you are casting," as well.  I have seen lots of people sharing their full process, or posting videos of spells they are doing online.  The spell casting community is flourishing.

We have seen the call to cast put out when big political situations have reared their ugly head.  When the justice system has failed, witches have taken up their tools and banded together, posting suggested spells online as well as organizing times to cast, so we can all work together towards a collective goal.

It should come as no surprise that things like Emoji spells have become popular.  The mixing of sacred and digital has been going on for ages.  Many Pagans I know tie their faith and practice into their digital life.  They may be part of an online group, or they may have witchy backgrounds on their phone to help them keep in touch with the seasonal cycles.  They might use a meditation app on their phone, or have a tarot app for doing on the go readings.  They might keep a digital BOS, or have all their witchy dates plugged into their calendar so they get update reminders.  It's not that far of a step to get to Emoji spells.

The only thing I can think of that really makes Emoji spells stand out is that they are so very whimsical...so not serious.  I feel like this makes people uncomfortable.  I remember, back when I was in high school, there was a separate word for someone who liked the witchy ascetic or mystery, but didn't actually practice witchcraft (and no, it wasn't goth LOL).  I feel like this echos back to that, that people are afraid that these new, more digitally entwined witches are just playing around with it, and that they aren't serious.

But the distinction here, as I mentioned earlier, should be intent.  You can be a 'proper' Pagan/witch (whatever proper means...) and still use whimsical, fun, silly tools and methods.  Chaos workers often face this kind of derision, as their methods are very out of the box. 

I actually see a lot of this type of variance in tarot/oracle decks.  You can find decks themed from very traditional, to very pop culture.  I have seen a ton of Anime themed decks, decks themed after tv shows or famous people.  There are decks that are very cute and cartoony, decks that are dark and gore filled, decks that are flowery and ethereal...and people are drawn to the type of deck that fits them best!

I think we all have an aesthetic, a way that our path manifests for us.  And for some, this means more traditional, more culturally rooted practices.  For others, this means mysterious and secretive (people in their lives may not even know they are a Pagan at all).  And for others, this may mean their tools are based off their favorite Anime and they cast spells with Emoji.

As a Pagan community, I think it is important to remember that you can't judge a witch by their spells, by their tools or by their clothes.  Honestly, I don't think we need to judge each other at all.  The world is big enough for us all, and just because someone else does something in a way that you would never consider, doesn't make their way wrong...just different.  Diversity helps us all, it lets our world be a beautiful mosaic of individual paths, with a billion ways of doing the same thing. 

So, by all means, keep your practice serious.  Keep your heart true, and your faith strong, and be dedicated with your intent.  But if you want to add some whimsy into your practice....feel free!