Okay so that anon comment on racial access to certain magic paths has me at a loss. I don't understand where they are coming from. That's like saying only Arabs can be Muslim, isn't it? Why is it even necessary to classify magic like that? Call me an idealist, but it doesn't seem right to me. I'm open to discussion about it though, if anyone feels differently and doesn't mind sharing their views.
What they were referring to was their belief that Egyptians were all black, and therefore a white person worshiping Egyptian gods would be overstepping our racial privilege, as white people have stolen so much from Native Americans, Africans, and so many other cultures around the world already.
If you read some of the posts that were reblogged - like this - you’ll see that the culture of Egypt was not /ultimately/ black - but a collection of colors and cultures. Another thing to consider is the previous openness of the Egyptian pantheon back then, and now that the culture and religion is dead, it is going through a reconstruction. However, while modern Kemeticism is largely a white-followed religion, there are those of color that are involved as well. Personally, I think you should ask someone of color what their opinion is - but what I took from the discussion was white people should always do research when introducing themselves to religions or beliefs that are not from their personal heritage or upbringing. Don’t white-wash the gods and don’t steal from cultures and paths not your own.
As for your overarching question - lots of magic paths are not open, just as much as some religions are not either. This either means you need to be born into it (Think Native American) or must be initiated (Gardnerian Wicca). I don’t have a full list, but it’s just something that we must learn to accept as white people and as witches (Not that Wicca is a closed culture - just an example of initiatory paths) It’s not always about “this is what I want to do, so I’m gonna” - it’s also largely about “I cannot possibly know the true way to practice this without learning from someone who has full rights and access to it - and also sometimes this means I need permission and lots of times I will be told no.”
Witches and magical users do not have full access to every single path. Some things you see in the community that are popular are even bastardized versions of sacred practices. Think chakras (what you see is pretty watered down and there are many different sets of chakras), yoga, karma, dream catchers, etc. And honestly? I don’t want to use things that are stolen/watered down from original practice.
Neo- paths, reconstruction and modern099999000000oooooo (my rat was typing sorry) modern-made practices are great and valid and powerful. We don’t need to keep perpetuating these wrong-doings. Witches have the power to create, don’t we? All I’m saying is that there are sooo many other options out there, that don’t cause others to feel they are being erased or like a joke. I don’t really think there needs to be a discussion - listen to what people of other cultures have to say and respect it. Do your research. Yes - some are just mad and they have absolute right to be, but that doesn’t mean they are always right - but justified in their anger.
I hope that was somewhat what you’re looking for - but bottom line I should not be your absolute source on this subject as I am not a POC. Talk to a lot of witches or practitioners on the subject, but do your research also.
