Spiritual Fads

Fads and trends have been a part of human life....pretty much since forever.  We have this innate need to fit in, and that means we have a tendency to follow along with whatever is popular.  And while getting in on the latest fad isn't necessarily a bad thing, it can create issues when the fad is...less than great.

The amusing thing is that most of the time fads start by someone doing something new.  It may be a whole new practice, it could be a twist on an old classic or it could be something completely superficial.  Often fads are started by 'influential' people, though this could mean someone with actual power, someone with a solid social media following, or simply someone who is highly charismatic and personable.  But they inspire others to follow what they are doing, and suddenly a fad is born.

I feel like spiritual fads fall into two categories: those within the community and those without (in this context, I'm talking about the spiritual community).  Within the community you might see things like certain pantheons being more popular at different times, or distinct practices that become 'standard'.  Often these fads are influenced by things that are popular in mainstream culture.  So when Vikings became a thing, Norse practices grew and became fads.  

 

When looking at spiritual fads outside the community, you are looking more at things that many people do as spiritual acts that become popular (and accepted) in mainstream culture.  Recently we have seen this with crystals and tarot.  In some cases (like crystals), the object is often stripped of it's spiritual meaning...crystals become just pretty rocks to decorate your house with.  In other cases they are demystified, so tarot cards aren't about tapping into the divine but rather a psychological tool to help you make decisions (and it's totally valid to believe in both the spiritual practice and it's demystified logic).

Spiritual fads that gain popularity outside the community can be great boons.  As more people accept and enjoy things we practice (even in a demystified fashion), things become more available and less demonized.  It not only allows people who are just starting out to try things without having to tumble all the way down the rabbit hole, but it means that their family and friends won't necessarily freak out if they find your supplies.

On the other hand, fads within the community can be really confusing for many people.  Often fads challenge existing traditions (as in the way things are commonly done, not Traditions as in groups of people, although those could also be challenged by fads), and if you don't have experience with your basics you might struggle working with fad practices that either assume you have the basics down or aren't based anything other than UPG (unverified personal gnosis...in other words, personal experience of the person who started the fad).  

The other thing about fads is that, by definition, they fade away.  What is 'in' today might be out tomorrow, and people who continue to practice an outdated fad are often seen as uneducated (often fads are debunked as being fraudulent, not just fading out of popularity).  And I have a real big problem with judging any practice's validity based on how popular it is.

It can be fun to jump on the bandwagon and play with whatever the newest fad is.  And sometimes this leads to great discoveries about your path and your practices.  It can also lead to spending a bunch of money on stuff you will regret in a month or so.  I think the important thing to remember, when thinking about spiritual fads, is to make sure they actually appeal to you.  Try them, test them out, see how they work for you, and if they work, fabulous!  But if you would only be doing something to 'fit in', then perhaps it's worth passing the fad by and sticking with what does work for you.