Hi, I saw a post that said the devil is a lord of magic and witchcraft does that mean that if you practice these things you are associated with the devil? What if you ddon’t want to be associated with, make deals with, offerings or call on the devil? Does cursing someone who has done wrong or creating spells mean you involved the devil or can you have the option of not invcluding the devil or others in your craft? Sorry if these weren’t good questions I am just very curious and confused
This is a good loaded ask! Thank you so much!
So let me start by saying that the “Devil” as an evil Christian entity is not always the same “Devil” that witches who identify as working with this entity involve themselves with. There are some, I’m sure, who do say, “Yes, Satan!” I can only answer this from my own perspective.
In my relatively educated opinion, No, doing magic and witchcraft does not, 1, make you evil, or 2, even associate you with the Devil. This is evident just in the many different paths that someone who wants to practice magic in one form or another can be a part of. People who prescribe to the Traditional Witchcraft system are known to work with the “Witch Father” who many name as the Devil. NeoWiccans work with A God and a Goddess. Dianic Wiccans have a Goddess they focus on. It continues further than that.
You have the option of not being involved with the Devil or any other spirits or deities you don’t want to be associated with. It’s your choice.
I hope this helped, I tried to just keep it short and sweet. Please come back if you have anymore questions!
Can we please stop with the elitism? "Neopagan," "neowicca," and similar terms shouldn't be judged as "cringe" or whatever the fuck else, yet even here on tumblr i see self-proclaimed inclusive witches turn up their noses at any who embrace or embody these labels. So the fuck what if its """neopagan""" who the fuck are you to judge? Who are you to gatekeep? If its working for someone then it is working for them, why is it such an extremely hot take to accept that? Because its supposedly trendy?? Fuck off with that. If someone is legitmately practicing then they are just as valid as the most traditional seasoned witch, i do not give one single fuck. Its all subjective anyway, your experience is your own and someone elses is theirs; the last thing we need to be doing as a community is tearing each other down.
An anon asked me if there is a way to celebrate the Wheel of the Year in an Afrocentric way, and it inspired me! I guess I just invented a new set of holidays?
What are Kwanzaa & the Nguzo Saba?
Kwanzaa lasts for seven days from December 26 to January 1. Each day, one’s family does different activities together to honor each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which are called the Nguzo Saba. These principles are focused on celebrating and encouraging an Afrocentric way of living by a connection to black identity, values, and culture in a positive way that supports oneself and one’s entire community.
The reason why I believe it makes sense to celebrate the Nguzo Saba as different holidays throughout the year is that Kwanzaa isn’t meant to be about one week. It’s meant to be about inspiring a connection to one’s African roots and heritage that lasts all year long! Each holiday in this Afrocentric Wheel of the Year will focus on a different principle of the Nguzo Saba culminating in Kwanzaa at the very end, bringing them all together in one.
Days of the Afrocentric Wheel of the Year
You do have to be of African descent to celebrate Kwanzaa (and this Afrocentric WOY) but you don’t have to be African. The Afrocentric WOY is inspired by Kwanzaa, an Afrocentric, Pan-African holiday for anyone of African descent designed to help those of us in the global diaspora connect with African values, language, culture, and spirituality.
I’ve included a basic overview of each day of the WOY. They correspond to the Wiccan sabbats, but they are not called “sabbats” to be inclusive of anyone who wishes to celebrate them whether they practice magic, witchcraft, or neither. Underneath the ~ read more ~ line, I’ve added lists of altar ideas, mundane activities, and magical/spiritual activities for each day!
UMOJA: United as One
Date: February 1st
Corresponds with: Imbolc
Season: Beginning of Spring
Color: White
Symbol: Cowrie Shells
Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Swahili), Unity (English)
To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
KUJICHAGULIA: A Fresh Start
Dates: March 20-23th (depends on year)
Corresponds with: Ostara
Season: Spring Equinox
Color: Blue
Symbol: Arrow
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
IMANI: Faith in Each Other
Date: October 31st
Corresponds with: Samhain & Halloween
Season: End of Fall (last harvest, end of the year)
Colors: Rainbow (all colors together)
Symbol: Yams
Nguzo Saba: Imani (Swahili), Faith (English)
To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
KWANZAA: A Joyous Time
Dates: December 25th-January 1st (1 week long)
Corresponds with: Yule/Midwinter
Season: Winter Solstice
Colors: Red, black, and green
Symbols: Kinara (candle holder), mkeka (straw mat), mazao (crops), muhindi (ear of corn), kikombe cha umoja (unity bowl), zawadi (gifts), mishumaa saba (seven candles)
Nguzo Saba: All seven (one for each day of Kwanzaa)
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ALTAR IDEAS, ACTIVITIES, & MAGIC
Many of the symbols and activities both magical and mundane come from African-American culture and also cultures from all across Africa from Ghana to Mozambique to Nigeria to South Africa. You might have noticed that each day’s colors and some of the symbols are inspired by an orisha from Yoruba culture. I included saying a prayer to each one who corresponds with their day as a completely optional activity that is okay for non-initiates to do, but remembers that the religion of the Yoruba people is initiatory and requires lots of study for in-depth practice.
All these ideas are just suggestions, so feel free to create your own so long as it’s in the spirit of the day’s Nguzo Saba principle. I recommend studying the holiday Kwanzaa in more depth, since that will help you better understand the Nguzo Saba and how to honor them!
UMOJA: We Stand Together
To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Umoja Altar Ideas:
White cloth and candles to symbolize peace, unity, and connectedness
Cowrie shells for the prosperity and growth of black people everywhere
A cup or chalice filled with salt water to represent the Atlantic Ocean where many of our ancestors crossed or now rest and our shared struggles and journey across the waters and around the world (inspired by the kikombe cha umoja of Kwanzaa)
Activities for Umoja:
Plan a dinner or gathering with family, friends, or your community
Practice cooking some family recipes
Go to a black arts, music, food, or cultural festival
Make some language goals for the year to learn some Swahili (Pan-African language) or another African language
Read some books about the history or culture of an African country
Take a moment to share a drink out of your unity cup (kikombe cha umoja) with someone you care about or are close to
Bring out your Afrocentric clothing! I’m talking full Africa earrings or necklaces, kente prints, ankhs, dashikis, and anything else you got
Umoja Spirituality & Magic:
Love and friendship magic
Wear matching sigils with someone
Peace and conflict resolving spells
Digging into the roots of Africana traditions and magic
Pray to Obatala, orisha of reason, leadership, and peace (Yoruba culture)
KUJICHAGULIA: A Fresh Start
To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
Kujichagulia Altar Ideas:
Blue, green, and white cloth and candles to represent our power to choose our own direction by nourishing and growing our own destiny
Arrowheads for the agency and independence to pick our path
Eggs decorated with Adrinkra symbols chosen by you to express different values, ideas, or goals you have (inspired by Akan culture)
Activities for Kujichagulia:
Do some journaling or self-reflection blogging
Write a list of your personal values and ethics
Share something about yourself with others that you are proud of
Read about movements and philosophies that support your identity and what you believe in (examples: LGBT+, gender identity, black feminism & intersectionality, Africana womanism, etc.)
Do some spring cleaning and throw away old items you know you don’t need or that are no longer consistent with who you are now
Try some archery (inspired by Yoruba culture)
Wear an outfit with the colors of Kujichagulia (blue, green, white)
Kujichagulia Spirituality & Magic:
Cleansing, centering, and grounding (energy work)
Uncrossing magic (hoodoo)
Self-care and self-love magic
Meditation and mindfulness
Shadow work (self-reflection magic and divination)
Pray to Ochoosi, orisha of magic and archery (Yoruba culture)
UJIMA: Strong Beginnings
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujima Altar Ideas:
Green cloth and candles to represent the healing, growth, and medicine we all have to offer each other in the global diaspora
Seeds for the small beginnings that can lead to greatness
Flowers of different colors as a reminder of the unique contributions each of us can bring to problem-solving as a community
Activities for Ujima:
Reach out to friends, family, or members of your community who you know might need some extra help and support
Donate to organizations the empower black communities
Go to a Black Lives Matter rally and boost their posts online
Consider areas in your life where you may need some support and chose this time to be helpable
Look for volunteering opportunities in your local community
Vote in your local elections and get involved in your community
For students in college, consider an alternative spring break
Wear an outfit with the colors of Ujima (shades of green)
Ujima Spirituality & Magic:
Road opening and crossroads magic (hoodoo)
Healing and cleansing spells (for yourself and others)
Setting up protection spells and wards (for yourself and others)
Offering magic and divination for free to others
Looking for or finding your spirit guides
Pray to Ogun, orisha of clearing obstacles (Yoruba culture)
UJAMAA: Harvesting Together
To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Ujamaa Altar Ideas:
Dark red and black candles to symbolize the hard work and determination of the global black community
Bowl of fruit for the fruits of our labor and collective success
Kente cloth which represents the richness and value of black culture (inspired by Akan culture)
Activities for Ujamaa:
Support black-owned businesses as much as possible (boost posts on social media, tell friends, buy their products)
Donate to one of these black-owned non-profits making a difference
Consider buying stock in black-owned businesses and brands
Work on your own budgeting and personal finances
Read about the economic concept of ujamaa
Wear an outfit with the colors of Ujamaa (dark red and black)
Ujamaa Spirituality & Magic:
Buy magical tools and supplies from black-owned businesses
Manifestation, money-making, and prosperity magic
Create a new mojo bag
Look for and appreciate the bright star Sirius (inspired by Kemetic celebrations of summer solstice)
Pray to Oya, orisha of the marketplace (Yoruba culture)
NIA: Dreaming with Purpose
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Nia Altar Ideas:
Bright red and white cloth and candles to symbolize a fierce and unstoppable passion for the future
Lightning-shaped decorations for the energy and power we put into making our dreams a reality
Affirmations or quotes that represent your dreams, goals, and pieces of inspiration for yourself, your family, your local community, and the global black community
Activities for Nia:
Start a vision board, put up images related to your goals and ideas
Make long-term plans for projects, work/school, or personal life
Talk about what you want and hope for the future of the black community with friends and family
Think of black role models in your life and how you are role model too
Watch or engage (safely) in some wrestling, boxing, or martial arts (inspired by Igbo and Hausa traditional celebrations)
Wear an outfit with the colors of Nia (red and white)
Nia Spirituality & Magic:
Writing or creating new spells and rituals
Meditation and reflection on your goals and future plans
Re-organize your grimoire and/or magical tools
Path-finding and decision-making divination
Pray to Shango, orisha of fire and lightning, warrior-king (Yoruba culture)
KUUMBA: Black is Beautiful
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Kuumba Altar Ideas:
Yellow, white, and orange cloth and candles to symbolize optimism for the future, creativity, and the beauty of life
Jars of honey for the sweetness of life that comes from hard work
An afro pick or comb to represent pride and joy in our own beauty and the beauty of our people
Activities for Kuumba:
Rep #blackisbeautiful, #blackgirlmagic, #melanin pride
Appreciate some black art, black music, black films, etc.
Check out a West African dance class
Look into recycling, composting, and sustainable living options
Wear your hair natural
Glow up with Rhassoul clay (Berber culture, Morocco) or Marula oil (Tsonga People of South Africa and Mozambique)
Wear an outfit with the colors of Kuumba (yellow, white, and orange)
Kuumba Spirituality & Magic:
Self-confidence, empowerment, and body-positivity spells
Braid some ashe (energy) and intent into your hair
Art magic! Energy signature paintings, drawing sigils, you name it
Decorate your grimoire or spellbook pages with some Afrocentric designs
Try some African drumming or dance styles during a ritual
Pray to Oshun, the orisha of beauty, love, and prosperity (Yoruba culture)
IMANI: Faith in Each Other
To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Imani Altar Ideas:
All colors of cloth and candles to represent the infinite number of ways that faith and hope can manifest in our lives
Yams in honor of the great harvest that is the legacy of our ancestors
Photos of great heroes and leaders in black history to show our respect to those who paved the way for us beyond our blood family
Activities for Imani:
Go to a black history museum
Read some books or watch movies on the American Civil Rights Movement, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, Apartheid, or African history
Learn to say “Heri ya mwaka mpya” (happy new year in Swahili)
Write some thank you letters to friends, teachers, mentors, and family members you admire and appreciate (even if you don’t actually send it)
Eat some yam (inspired by Igbo and Akan cultures)
Wear rainbow colors in the spirit of Imani
Imani Spirituality & Magic:
Create an ancestor altar if you don’t yet have one
Spend the day saying prayers and giving offerings to your ancestors
It’s traditional to pour out some offerings to the ancestors onto the earth as well (freshwater recommended!)
Say a prayer to Oshumare, the orisha of reincarnation and our connection to the realm of the ancestors (Yoruba culture)
Great time for spirit communication and divination in general
KWANZAA: A Joyous Time
Principle: All seven (one for each day of Kwanzaa)
A White Wiccan: You can worship whatever gods you want and practice whatever you want, it doesn’t matter! You also can’t be a Witch™ unless you abandon Abrahamic religions. Shampoo is a tool of the Judeochristian patriarchy to sever a wombyn's connection to earth and the mother goddess.
Stop forcing neowiccan beliefs on all witches. Do what works for you, but stop telling others they must follow your beliefs and practices. That isn’t witchcraft, and no one has to follow neowiccan beliefs.
Dragon’s Blood or Dragon Resin, is in my opinion, an excellent source and key ingredient to have while working with the craft. I highly advise all witches to invest if you haven’t already. You can use it via incense, crushed powder, oil, or stone. It also has such a variety of uses such as:
- banishment
- protection
- cleansing
- love and sexuality **
- healing
- meditation
- astral projection
(It also has physical, medicinal purposes but that’s for another day)
Anyway, Dragon’s Blood is quite easy to use in spells and rituals. It drives away negativity and brings you what you need and/or want depending on the situation. Please keep in mind how truly powerful Dragon’s Blood is. And don’t forget to anoint yourself before you begin your work. I could keep going but I simply just wanted to make a brief post. If anyone has any questions or wants to talk about other things involving the craft, please don’t hesitate to swing by my inbox.
