The witch has many roles in modern society. As healing facilitators, we work with herbs and plants, and many other alternative therapies to help bring healing to those who come to us. As educators, we show others the truths of witchcraft and paganism, and work to dispel stereotypes and falsehoods about who we are. As seers, we give people encouragement and insight into their lives with the use of tarot cards and other divinatory methods. There is another role of the witch that is equally important: the role of Activist. As witches, it is our duty to be an advocate for others. We have the responsibility to speak for those whose voices are being silenced. Witches are called to speak out against bigotry, racial injustice and inequality. We are called to speak out against gun violence and fascism. We are called to speak out against homophobia and discrimination. As a minority, the pagan community needs to be more understanding of the struggles that other minority groups face. Unfortunately, many witches shy away from activism. When gross injustices occur, such as we have seen on the news in recent months, many remain oddly silent. The illegitimate Supreme Court has outlawed abortion, taking away a woman’s right to have autonomy over her own body. They have already stated that they also want to reverse gay marriage, and criminalize contraception and gay relationships. America is careening towards a Christian Nationalist, authoritarian rule. Plans are in place that will result in environmental harm and endanger the safety of Americans. Extremist Christians want to force their religion on everyone and legislate their beliefs into law. We cannot afford to be silent or stick our heads in the sand. Activism is becoming more important with each passing day.

We are not on this path only for ourselves, but also to be of service to others. While we’re casting spells and enchantments to meet our own needs, it is important that we are also doing magic to help make the world a better place. Some seem to think being a witch is all about wands and spells. The truth is that witchcraft will often take us out of our comfort zone. It is not always comfortable. Another unfortunate truth is that there are bigots and racists even in the pagan community. Some witches refuse to get political because they’re afraid they’ll lose business. They don’t want to offend any of their followers who might be bigots or racists, so they say nothing on these issues. After all, these followers might stop buying their books or coming to them for readings. For these unethical witches, money and popularity are more important than the people they serve.

I once had another blog with over a thousand followers. I wrote about many subjects related to witchcraft and magic. The blog won two awards and was moderately popular. When I wrote some posts about social issues and speaking out, a few people got upset. “Why are you getting political?”, they asked. “I’m not following you anymore”. They loved reading about the spells, the herbs and crystals, but when I spoke out against government corruption, discrimination against the LGBT community and racial injustice, that was a problem. I was “getting political”. I lost some followers, but I didn’t care. I still don’t. There are far too many witches and pagans who are content to live in their little New Age bubbles. Candles and incense won’t make it all go away. Witches are peacemakers, yes, but maintaining peace sometimes means being a voice and speaking out. There are many people who are not interested in peace. A ‘rainbows and unicorns’ approach will not solve the problem. It’s going to take much more than just “let’s be kind to one another”. Being passive only results in more atrocities inflicted upon us. Now that America has re-elected the rapist and Nazi-sympathizer Donald Trump, activism and resistance has become more important than ever.

Activism does not mean you have to stand on the corner with a megaphone. There are many things you can do, and there are different kinds of activism. Join environmental groups like Friends of the Earth or Greenpeace. Support equal rights for the LGBTQ community by getting involved with the Human Rights Campaign or the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Work with racial equality groups like NAACP and Black Lives Matter. Make a donation to Planned Parenthood and be vocally supportive about a woman’s right to choose. Get involved with animal rights groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the World Wildlife Fund. Use social media to raise awareness, and expose bigotry and discrimination wherever you see it.

Something else to consider are the circles and groups that we are part of. When witches and pagans gather together in the circle, they are meant to be of one mind and one accord. They are meant to be in unity. If the group is not in unity, the purpose of the circle is for naught and any magic performed will be pointless. The circle has become desecrated. In other words, the sanctity of the circle has been violated. There can be no “sacred space” when you’re expected to share it with those who knowingly voted for your marriage to be dissolved, for your Social Security and Medicare to be gutted, for the rights of your loved ones to be taken away, and for the women in your family to be treated as property. There can be no unity in such a circle. We need to start being very selective of the public circles and ceremonies we participate in. As disgraceful as it is, there are some witches and pagans who actually voted for him. We cannot with clear conscience join hands with these folks and pretend that everything is fine, because it isn’t. There is no “putting aside of differences” when the wheels of your downfall have already been set in motion. We must draw a line in the sand. Don’t just be an armchair activist. Go to rallies, participate in protest marches, boycott companies who support Trump and his Republican thugs. For the record, I may as well say it now. If you voted for Donald Trump, then do not follow this blog. It is not for you. However, if you support a woman’s right to choose, equal rights for the LGBTQ community, and the protection of the environment, then you are welcome. It is time that we as witches embrace our role as activist. It is our sacred duty to be advocates for the oppressed. Trump has stated that he wants to terminate the constitution and rule as a dictator “from day one”. You cannot call yourself a witch and support such a person. We must resist authoritarian rule and a fascist society. It may not make us popular, but is that really the point?