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White Witches and Black Magic: Ethics and Consumerism in Contemporary Witchcraft

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 17:40 authored by Douglas EzzyDouglas Ezzy
What is white Witchcraft and how is it different to black magic? The books and practices of the purveyors of white Witchcraft are examined alongside other popular Witches oriented toward consumerism. White Witchcraft is also compared to traditional Witchcraft. I argue that white Witchcraft is a marketing label for a type of Witchcraft consistent with consumer Capitalism. White Witchcraft emphasises growth and success eliding the understanding of loss, death, and the dark that is found in traditional Witchcraft. White Witchcraft also celebrates individual pleasure and instrumental self-gratification at the expense of locating individuals in ecological and human networks of relationships. Consumer-oriented Witchcraft has popularised and facilitated the growth of Witchcraft, but consumer capitalism has also shaped Witchcraft to be consistent with consumer values and ethics. The purveyors of white Witchcraft do not challenge or question the goals and values of consumer capitalism, but explicitly celebrate them. The mass media and consumerism are central sites of ethical struggle for contemporary Witches.

History

Publication title

Journal of Contemporary Religion

Volume

21

Pagination

15-31

ISSN

1353-7903

Department/School

School of Social Sciences

Publisher

Taylor and Francis

Place of publication

Oxon, Uk

Rights statement

The definitive published version is available online at: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Religious structures

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