Vox: Use These Magic Spells to Heal Your Post-Kavanaugh Anguish!

They're uncritically -- even credulously -- "reporting" which Wiccan spells you should cast now.

First, take a candle.

Then, pour some salt into your hand.

Then, keeping the grains in your palm, take a pen to write out a thank you to Christine Blasey Ford, the woman whose allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee -- and now justice -- Brett Kavanaugh, stunned a nation.

Or, if you prefer, simply say, "I believe you."

It’s just one of the many quasi-religious rituals circulating the internet -- particularly pagan and #resistance circles -- in the wake of Kavanaugh's confirmation. These rituals help self-identified witches process trauma, anger, and grief.

Quasi-religious?

What does "quasi" mean, Vox?

The Gratitude Spell was authored by Instagram user @celestight (who did not respond to request for comment) for the pagan political organization WitchtheVote, which mobilizes voters to support candidates that defend progressive and feminist causes. In this open-ended spell, participants might choose to make a sigil -- a sacred sign -- on the paper, or vary their tribute to Ford in accordance with their own personal experiences and history. They might, if they so choose, send their note to Ford directly.

No matter what, the message is the same. We’re in this together. I believe you.

Modern Wicca and other New Age traditions in the '50s, '60s, and '70s were tied to second-wave feminism. Witchcraft and ritual have become more prominently associated with progressive political causes in recent years with the rise of the contemporary #magicresistance. Last year, for example, a 13,000-strong Facebook group formed to cast regular binding spells on Donald Trump.

But in the aftermath of the bitter fight over Kavanaugh's confirmation, during which the judge firmly denied sexual misconduct against Ford or other women who came forward with similar allegations, rituals have become more than just an emotionally rewarding part of political energy-raising. They’ve also become a form of self-care.

It makes sense that rituals -- and magic --would provide an effective and therapeutic outlet for survivors of sexual violence.

Trust all content from Vox. Magic is an effective therapy.

Oh, and definitely trust them on this crank statistic:

After all, we live in a world where 994 out of every 1,000 rapists escape criminal justice, according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN).

99.4% of all rapists escape justice.

I suppose that becomes slightly more plausible (if still crank and implausible) when you take note that they're speaking of the world, including the parts of it that leftists like to use for their women-are-oppressed statistics but which they will not under any circumstances actually name -- they prefer implying this is all going on in the West, of course.

Oh, I love this bold-face highlight:

Once, women were put to death for witchcraft. Now it could be "life-saving" for some.

But there you go. Your Millennial Explainer website is now explaining how to do "life-saving" magical surgery on yourself.

posted by Ace of Spades at 06:39 PM

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