Joanna Wiedźma (polish.folk.witch on Instagram) has shared some prompts to get people thinking about online witchcraft community. To participate, use the hashtag #occultea and tag her on Instagram or Threads.

5. Conclusions

• What are some topics of conversation I’d like to see more of in our community?

• What are my community needs?

• Where would I like to be held and supported?

• Where do I feel like I’m not truly being seen by my community?

• How can we help each other in removing the external peer pressure and grow in community?

• How can we, as a community, come together more with constructive criticism without it seeming shady/passive aggressive?

• How can we, as a community, do better when we do receive criticism/feedback?

• Who are some community members that I look up to that are reliable resources and aspirations?

• Add any further thoughts/comments/prompt questions of your own/express further points/offer solutions.

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What are some topics of conversation I’d like to see more of in our community?

How we can support Indigenous land back and resistance movements. How we can collectively do something about climate change. Solidarity with trans and nonbinary people. Looking at these through a Pagan/witchcraft lens, what can we as a community bring to these efforts? Where do we fail to live up to our ideals, individually and as a community? What do we do about right wing tendencies in our communities—whether that is anti-semitism, cultural appropriation, or some other unpleasantness? How do we balance tradition, innovation, and the needs of people?

What are my community needs?

I’m assuming this refers to personal needs in relation to community. I need to feel seen and supported, and valued as a whole person. I also like conversations about the theory that underpins magical practices (aka theology) and I would like more of those conversations.

How can we help each other in removing the external peer pressure and grow in community?

Find yourself a small group of people you really trust. Build relationships with them. Do magic together. Whether it’s online or in-person.

How can we, as a community, come together more with constructive criticism without it seeming shady/passive aggressive?

Follow the adage about if it’s not kind, don’t say it. That doesn’t mean you can’t criticize: it just means giving feedback that is genuinely constructive and not just cutting remarks. For instance, many years ago, a writer who I liked did a review of my first ever book and said it was “overly new-agey”. She didn’t specify exactly what was supposed to be new-agey about it, or offer ideas for removing the alleged new-agey tendencies. Funnily enough, I have never read any of that writer’s work since then. And every time someone else mentions her or reposts her stuff, I glare at it.

How can we, as a community, do better when we do receive criticism/feedback?

If you get called out for something that you did that was bad, reflect on what you did wrong. Apologize and try to make restitution; e.g. correct any misinformation that you shared. Do better next time.

Who are some community members that I look up to that are reliable resources and aspirations?

T Thorn Coyle — consistently supporting the marginalized and doing the right thing.

Starhawk — got thrown out of Israel for working with the Palestinians. Also promoting permaculture.

Thorn Mooney — excellent body of work on YouTube and really solid books.

The many people who just get on with their magic and build community and run covens and pub moots and gatherings. And the people who show up to interfaith events and plug away behind the scenes building bridges for years on end, like Linda Haggerstone. You’re the cornerstones of the Pagan community. Thank you.