Apparently some teens on TikTok tried to hex the moon.
https://www.thecut.com/2020/07/some-tiktok-baby-witches-apparently-tried-to-hex-the-moon.html
I don't know if they'd have accomplished anything beyond ticking off some kind of spirit, but it's still kind of interesting. Has anyone here noticed anything out of the ordinary?
From what I've seen on social media I have a few thoughts.
It seems like it's a group of newbies who dont actually know anything about spirituality or witchcraft. The type that act like they have powers/abilities and then get a bit older and move on with their lives knowing it was just a form of pretend that they played to satisfy a need to be special or different. That need or want isnt uncommon by any means, I feel like everyone feels it at some point. Nor is it the issue neccesarily.
But with the rise of social media comes the rise of these people inserting themselves into communities of true spiritualists and practitioners. Which has been an issue that even this site has had for years. I first came to this site when I was about 11 or 12 (under other names), as someone raised in a spiritual household and watched these "fluffies" as we called it annoy so many elder practitioners and spiritualists. The older I have become, now 23, I see why it made them weary.
The more this is talked about on social media, the more I roll my eyes.
They also cursed the fae which seems like the worst idea of all. [they're also planning on cursing the sun, which, why? I get it, I'm sick of the humidity too, but solar deities have a lot of fire energy to throw at you] Overall, either nothing happens or the fae or a deity associated with the moon/sun will teach them a lesson.
I feel they either want to troll the pagan community or want to impress people with how "cool" and "powerful" they are. I've noticed a lot of newbie witches have this attitude of "you can't tell me what to do, you're just a hater for not agreeing with me." When in reality, we're trying to educate new practitioners. That isn't to say older witches are saints. I've seen countless threads [on many different Pagan sites, not just SoM] where a newbie witch asks an innocent question and received an onslaught of finger-wagging and shaming for daring to ask such a thing.
Regarding this particular group, nothing good will come of it. A small part of me understands where they're coming from, I watched The Craft when I was 12, but I had more caution. Like, it would be cool to do this, but there's a huge possibility it'll blow up in my face, so I won't.
As for the Pagan community as a whole, we need some reorganizing. This includes things like racist, sexist, and anti-LGBT groups as well as high ranking leaders who abuse their status. We also need to be a little more open and patient with new witches, but at the same time, new witches seriously need to stop equating every correction as a personal attack [not all, I've just noticed an increase of old members being condescending, and new members being arrogant]
I completely and utterly agree with Nekoshema. No fluffy bunny baby witch had the skill nor ability to hex the moon, sun, or fae. It's pathetic honestly, to even try. For those not involved, you have nothing to worry about. No deity would curse the world for a couple of armature witches measly attempt at fame or whatever they were trying to achieve. The witches that did participate, they are looking at a lifelong curse AT BEST. I would go so far as to say a bloodline curse. Artemis isn't hurt, just angry. And if Artemis is angry yo can bet heaven and hell that Apollo is too. So ya, lets mess with the god of medicine during a pandemic, that sounds like a good idea.
I very much agree Neko, that we need to be more patient and kind with newbies. I apologize if I came off as lacking that empathy and patience.
I just mean it seems more and more it seems that people with a lack of true interest in the community and spirituality are finding their way into communities built for the people who are truly interested, no matter experience level.
And often a lot of these people lacking true interest are just interested in some role play. A lot of newbies with a lack of interest in learning seem to be this way, from my experience.
There is definitely a lack of empathy in the pagan/spiritual community. And there are areas we can surely be more open to and grow with.
I just felt that this newbie coven was a good example of people possibly practicing simply as a way to fulfill the need to be different or powerful not a true interest in spirituality. Which I have a lot of empathy for. I just also feel like it makes it harder to build truly dedicated and serious communities.
You didn't come off as insensitive, I just feel it's a combination of new members with zero desire to learn and old members with zero patience. I'm not perfect, I've met a number of new members with the attitude of "you're a hater for correcting me" and sometimes I sigh and condescend to them [I'm trying not to do that] the issue is more when a new member goes "hi, I'm super new and was wondering if I should cast a love spell on my crush?" and instead of responding calmly, they get "ugh! never do that! what's wrong with you? how dare you think of such a thing? It'll end horribly. Rule of three. rule of three!!!" I remember being new and a response like that would have been enough to scare me away [that's kind of why I'm never in chat. my first year on the site I tried using it and received a bunch of hurtful "how dare you" replies, so I've never gone back]
These specific witches, I'm of the mindset they started it, they sound arrogant, and they're looking down their nose at the craft, so be as cruel as you want. Everyone I've spoken to about this falls from "I'm not mad, just disappointed" to "I hope the fae curse them for generations to come" nobody's sympathized with their hubris. I'm not concerning myself with them, I'm letting the power's they've insulted teach them a lesson, but I'm taking this time to reflect on the community and ways we can prevent this from happening again.
They are lucky SoM has banned language or I would give my unfiltered opinion on these individuals. If someone is foolish enough to attempt something this ridiculous, I doubt they know anything, therefore they did not accomplish anything. However, simply trying to curse the Fae is enough to enrage certain members of the Fae into vengeance. There are groups of fairy's that despise humans and want nothing to do with them, and this is a fine opportunity for them to curse us in retaliation. I would like to believe it will only affect those individuals, but they tried to curse all the Fae, so some might decided to curse all humanity in response. But, knowing fairy's they'll focus their revenge on them. When my friend in high school foolishly messed with my offering to the Good Neighbours, they didn't curse everyone, just the individual who touched the altar after I told him not to.
As for the moon and the sun, it depends on the deity how they will react. Many bring up Artemis and her twin brother Apollo, which are two deities you do not want to be on the bad side of. You upset one, you will meet the wrath of them both, and these children wish to curse both of them. Personally, it feels like a slap in the face. Either they think this is a joke which makes my faith a joke to them, or they think they are better than ancient supernatural beings which is the height of hubris and honestly, more insulting than the joke option. There is no reasoning or educating people like that. In a situation like this, I hope, nay, I beg the forces that be levy a world of retribution upon them for being so arrogant. I feel the community is wasting valuable energy on these kids, but on the other hand, it is valid to be this upset. I feel we should put this energy to good use, but for now, I need to vent my anger in some way.
