This one is not exactly perfectly nice, but it sure does capture my viewpoint on spirituality and science.

This may have been posted here before, not sure. But I’ve had it favorited in my album for a while to revisit every now and then as a reminder to myself, and thought it could resonate with some of you guys too. 🫶

by Ida Eva Neverdahl (Instagram)

This post popped up on my Pinterest of all places, but it reminded me of this group. I always think the world is so magical when I watch nature docs or even go for a walk. The science of the world is a beautiful, magical thing isn't it?

Gang, how do you all do it here? I've just seen a post this morning. I'm sure you all know the one I mean. I see posts like this somewhat often here. Bad thing happen. Need spell. Am I cursed?

Every time I see these posts, I feel unreasonably angry. I feel the need to paste the very first sentence of the sidebar here for reference.

A place for Skeptical, Agnostic, Atheist, and generally Science-Seeking folk to share memes, support one another, and develop rituals.

Skeptical, agnostic and generally science seeking. That's what SASS means. We are not here to do spells to make your vagina smell like lilacs, or to banish the negative energy from you and your boyfriend. not here to find spells that will get you a hookup later. You're not going to find a potion that gives your enemies genetal warts or any of these things. I know I'm massively over exagerating. But every day, there's some person coming on here for things that are in no way grounded in SCIENCE!

And yet, every time I see these posts, all of you are so kind, friendly, thoughtful and helpful that I shut my rude mouth. So, can you guys give me a spell to protect me from reacting to posts that don't fit the sub? This is ridiculous, I know. But man it drives me nuts! Now I would like to offer an incantation for self-respect. I love myself today. Not like yesterday. I’m cool. I’m calm. I’m gonna be OK uh-huh! Edit: this conversation is honestly the most fun I have ever had on this sub. Thank you all for being so hilarious, insightful, empathic, and just generally magical.

I stumbled across this Pinterest post and instantly thought someone was making up fake info to back crystal use. I figured it was going to be one of those Pinterest/WitchTok bits that are meant to spread false information to validate crystal use. Not too hard to imagine that happening, am I right?

But, as it turns out, ultrasounds DO IN FACT use crystals! I'm seeing it's generally a ceramic-type or quartz crystal. I love finding tidbits of information that validate my ideals, and I thought you guys might like this info as well!

I’ve been leaning into witchcraft over the last few weeks/months, and I’ve had so many thoughts but didn’t know where to share them until I found out about SASS witches. I assumed that modern witches would be on the progressive side of social issues, which to me includes being open about gender, and being anti capitalist and so on.

I felt disappointed, even betrayed, when I realised how heavily commercialised witchcraft is, altars on Temu, crystals everywhere, paraffin candles and polyester robes, AI generated images all over Pinterest, and such an over reliance on Wiccan principles.

I’m also non binary (AFAB) and it’s been such a mindfuck to see how entwined gender roles are within witchcraft: the emphasis on identifying with the moon as a symbol of the divine feminine, everyone worshipping Lilith and Hecate (who are always presented as white, hot and skinny), everyone wanting love spells to make their avoidant boyfriend nicer to them. I was studying the Rider-Waite tarot deck recently and immediately noticed that the female archetypes (Empress and High Priestess) are quite passive figures in the mythology, like yes they have intuition or fertility etc, but they aren’t leaders or teachers. Leadership is considered a masculine role, again. And it’s just so tiring.

To me it feels like modern witchcraft was invented by a couple of white dudes who wanted to sell books and it’s been given to women (white women specifically) as a way for them to FEEL empowered without actually giving them any power or removing any of the structure of patriarchy.

It’s also a mindfuck to read posts & books by witches who seem to be under the same level of spiritual psychosis as the Catholics I grew up with. Seeing signs everywhere, feeling like you can “catch” sin/evil spirits like germs, thinking that they’re constantly under spiritual attack. Just the level of fear they seem to have.

I thought witchcraft was mostly about spending time in nature and rituals that basically double as self care and it was so disappointing when I realised how influenced it was by patriarchy, capitalism, white supremacy and the fear-based spirituality I saw in monotheistic religions.

There’s beautiful things to be found in witchcraft too, and I’m glad to have found this group. Hoping some of you can relate to my thoughts.

The mod team at SASSwitches wants to express our solidarity with the protesters for George Floyd and the #BlackLivesMatter movement. We urge you to take a moment and consider what you can do to support the fight for equality. Every one of us can contribute something, even if it’s as small as speaking up.

This moment in history is where the rubber meets the road in terms of our morals and values. It’s no longer “enough” to be not-a-racist; we need to be anti-racist. The difference can be that of life and death.

We are all responsible for educating ourselves on racial issues and inequality. If you are white, don’t put the burden and emotional labor of educating you on a person of color. Above all, LISTEN to the voices of people of color and really hear what they are saying, especially right now.

We have compiled a list of resources for supporting the movement, both with and without money. There are also sections with (free) educational resources and other miscellaneous resources. The list is stickied in the comments of this thread.

We will have a separate stickied megathread as another safe environment for those who are affected by the oppression and injustice that these protests are all about to speak openly and find support.

SASSwitches will remain a safe space for every discussion. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated. Please report any violations. Stay safe out there and remember to wash your hands!!

I am so deeply sick of how much “your FEMALE WOMB controls your entire existence” rhetoric there is targeted at women in these spaces.

It's really all about the science-backed approach, ethically-sourced, locally-grown ingredients…and maybe a little appreciation for the Alocasia macrorrhizos 🍃

Looks like that “man” is going to win.

I can’t help but think about the women who have died and will die.

Just…fuck. I can’t stop crying.

EDIT: The amount of support and empathy that has been in comments on this post and many others has been overwhelming. It’s been a hard couple of days, a lot of fear, anger, denial, and feelings of defeat. I’ve been reading everyone’s comments but I’ve felt too emotionally tired to respond to many of them.

It’s heartbreaking to think about all of the potential impacts this country’s decision may cause for our people and for the world. I’m sorry we failed you, Ukraine. I’m sorry we failed you, Palestine. I’m sorry we’ve failed ourselves. But at least to hear that witches across the world are sending love—it is a great comfort. Thank you all.

(And for those who have been hateful or combative…you may be in the wrong thread. Please allow the rest of us to grieve peacefully.)

The "deities" I work with are all psychological parts of myself. This spell was made to call in friendship.

The painting is filled with colours and symbols to boost my intent, and the incantation is written in elvish. On top is a jar spell that I charged with a new candle. Each of my parts has a candle and an oracle deck, this one is from an anime series I watched as a kid. The plushie is from a TV show called "Friendship is Magic", and I thought it was fitting.

I've made the painting a background on my phone so I'm reminded to be open to friendship, and I made a playlist of the music I listened to while I cast the spell. Next time I go out I'll wear a perfume with the same scent as my candle.