Time for "Ma'iingan's Mashup"

I think it's time for another edition of "Ma'iingan's Mashup" (I just thought of a title for my mashup posts, YAY!! :D :D)

1) "Mortals whom seek knowledge..." regarding..blah blah blah
It's ok when people want to educate or provide information or links to particular topics of interest to those in the occult fields. I think it's awesome when people try to point other people in right directions or in whole new directions to begin with, say with a new discovery "Violet Flame". But what I don't find ok is when people use stupid words like "Mortal" or crap like that to describe those who dont' follow such paths.

Let's discuss the meaning of mortal and immortal, shall we to get an idea of why this irritates me:

Mortal - One who will eventually decay and die
Immortal - One who will remain as is for eternity (forever)

Now, when someone describes someone not of their path as "mortal", it's a false description as the follower of whatever path they're talking about is also mortal. Why? Because of the meaning of the word mentioned above. Mortal means one who will eventually die. We will ALL die at some point, either by accident, intent, or nature (my hope is by the last). No one on this earth is immortal, so when discussing "seekers" to whatever path you follow, use better words, like seeker, novice, newb, beginner, whatever, not stupid fictional nonsense like "mortal"...that make whatever topic you're discussing lose total credibility, especially by me! When I see "Mortals whom seek knowledge of the Violet Flame"...my first thoughts? Nutjobs watching too much fiction!

2) Misinformation is still misinformation
I have no problems with discussing Pagan related topics with other people, but when people willfully and adamantly assume that misinformation is the truth, I feel it's my responsibility to correct those mistakes (as it should be of anyone whose done thorough research, not just read the latest popular bunk website)

Even today, with the wealth of knowledge that is just at our fingertips, people can't seem to get it through their heads that Wicca is NOT an ancient religion. Why is this so difficult for people to grasp??? Wicca is not over 2,000 years old; Wicca is not a pre-Christian religion; Wicca is not a resurfaced "Old Religion". All these "theories" have been debunked and disproven so many times, why do people still think it's true?

I had an arguement with someone about this very topic the other day. Two people actually, and they adamantly argue that Wicca is a resurfaced religion that is over 2,000 years old. I...THINK...NOT!!

There is NO evidence to support there being a Wiccan religion before the 1950's. A word Wicca? Perhaps, but a word does not encompass an entire organized religional system (ya I know, it's not a word, lol). Their evidence that says Wicca did exist back then??? The Celtic holiday of Samhain. Roll On Floor, Laugh My Ass Off!!! For one thing, Wicca isn't Celitc, it's English. Secondly, Wicca didn't create Samhain, the Celtic did. Another "source" of "evidence"...the fact that Wiccans honor a "Horned God" that is now described as the Christian devil. Again, Roll On Floor, Laugh My Ass Off!! The idea of a Horned God leading up to the Christian creation of the Devil came from NUMEROUS horned god figures throughout history, not the horned god that happens to be honored/worshipped by Wiccans.

One fail after another. Repeating misinformation doesn't suddenly make it true.

3) Laurie Cabot, Christian Day and other Overly-Obvious "Witches"

Why do people feel the need to "Look" like stereotypical Witches? It just plays into the stupid...stereotype that we're trying to get away from.

Look at these people!!!

Comparatives:

Laurie Cabot and Christian Day (and various other so called "Witches" who wear too much eyeliner) - As stated...TOO much eyeliner, frizzy dirty looking hair, black cloaks, conical hats, "showmanship" spell work.

Actual Witches (i.e. Me and other inconspicuous Witches) - I wear a pair of jeans, a fairly common shirt, clean smooth hair, minimal makeup (I don't wear makeup unless I feel I look drab or it's a special occasion) . Sorry, the picture is dark, but the shirt I am wearing is brown, not black.

Apologies to these people, but I feel no need to "show" up my practices to make them seem "real". I have standards and have no need to be theatrical to be taken seriously. Again, my apologies to these people, but I take them less serious the more makeup and black clothing they wear, they just look ridiculous. Again my apologies if taken offense. It's bad enough we Witches have a hard enough time being taken seriously then have people like these claim they represent us Witches, when I do not see them as representing ANYTHING I stand for. To me they only represent the almighty $$.

Yet another thing that bothers me...their use of "angels" (at least I know "Christian Day" does, not sure about Laurie Cabot). Calling upon "Angels" in the use of the craft REEKS of Christian influences and just turns me off. Again, I have nothing against Christianity, I just don't want it intermingling with my Witchcraft. Angels have nothing to do with Witchcraft...never did. Again, a tired but necessary reiteration...Witchcraft has NO need for religious affiliations. It can be practiced perfectly well without it. Witchcraft didn't need angels, demons or Gods when it began, and it doesn't need them now. They can help, but are NOT needed!

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You know, if these people are "Real" Witches, then it makes me ashamed to carry the same label as them. If these people are representing my craft, I'm wholly embarrased by it. Why? They show that Witchcraft is nothing but a bunch of goth makeup, goth clothing, conical hats and useless acts. I wanted to embrace the term "Witch" because I thought it stood for something...that those who died because of that label didn't die in vain...but if you have silly, ridiculous people playing dress-up and calling themselves "Witches", that disrespects those who died such horrible deaths because of such a label, and makes a mockery of all they represented (and I don't mean being killed for stereotypical reasons, nor common Salem Trial reasons, but merely for being a loner in the woods, making medicine and food from herbs, creating their own candles and tools, etc). It's a mockery of my beliefs and practices and I am humiliated to be represented by them.