The Dark Side of Social Media

Witchcraft on social media: watching the esoteric drama while eating popcorn

Today is one of those days when you feel like reflecting… (well, in my case it's an everyday thing, let's not kid ourselves…). And I thought to myself: why not write my second blog post about something that I find entertaining but, at the same time, disturbs me? Yes, I'm referring to social media and how witchcraft is experienced on social media .

My online esoteric shop and the challenge of social media

When I started considering setting up an alternative esoteric online store , I already knew that, whether I liked it or not, I would have to be on social media and promote it. How else would I get people to find it? With Google SEO? That's not so simple.

I admit that, although I use social media a lot, I mostly use it to look at memes and videos that make me laugh, and very little to post personal things. If anything, maybe the occasional philosophical musing, one of those that comes to you when your brain decides to get poetic without warning.

So, for now, all I've posted are store ads: neutral, informative, and without going into my personal life. Just enough for the algorithm to know I exist… and that's it.

Entering the esoteric world of TikTok: lights and shadows

The thing is, as soon as I entered TikTok, the first thing that started appearing to me, thanks to the wonderful algorithm (taken with a bit of sarcasm), were videos of "witches" and "warlocks" talking about their beliefs, their rituals, their practices... Many points of view, indeed!
So far so good, everything is wonderful, and long live freedom!

But then came the disturbing part

Because yes, the peaceful celebration didn't last long. Suddenly, I started seeing videos where they were criticizing each other or attacking each other's beliefs and practices. Things like, "So-and-so said I'm such-and-such," or "What's-his-name answered me and didn't have a clue about witchcraft," or "These modern witches don't know what they're doing," or "This ritual is done wrong," or "She made up a spell," or "History says..."
Come on, what a drama...

To the point that some threaten to cast "curses" if you touch their "PIIII" (insert here what you consider appropriate).

Well, well! What is this?! For Christ's sake! ENOUGH!

I swear, every time I start randomly watching videos (yes, it's wrong, but let he who is without sin cast the first stone), I get incredibly overwhelmed. So much negativity! As if life didn't already come with enough complications...

Egos, dogmas, and little spiritual patience

And it's also curious how many arrogant people I've encountered in this world. People who think they possess the absolute truth about something. And mind you, I've seen this before in Facebook groups about books, witchcraft, and tarot . I always remember being the dissenting voice in those groups: trying to mediate, calm things down, and encourage respect for others' viewpoints without pointing fingers.

It seems that respecting other people's viewpoints and practices isn't included in some people's instruction manual. And frankly, I find that quite sad. Can't we just live and let live in peace? Do we need to feel superior by imposing our way of thinking and doing things just to breathe easy?

Looking from the sidelines: my current phase

I'm still in that observing phase, like someone looking at a swimming pool and thinking: "The water is very cold... Should I get in or should I just stay on my towel watching others bathe?"
And of course, seeing the magical wars some of them start, it makes you a little nervous. I mean, if they act like that with each other, how can I not think twice before sharing anything more intimate? It's only natural!

What bothers me isn't the criticism itself, but the energy it generates. That atmosphere of "I know better," "my tradition is the authentic one," "what you do isn't valid."
An ego contest disguised as spirituality. And look, no. Eurovision is already a contest (which, by the way, for those who haven't heard yet, we're not participating in this year).

Luckily, there are also nice people.

Despite the noise, I also see respectful, curious people who share with humility and without needing to prove anything. And that restores my faith in humanity.

It reminds me that there is also a space for those of us who want to experience magic with calm, respect and, why not, a little bit of humor.

Conclusion

So I suppose my path will be this: to enter little by little, at my own pace, without forcing myself and without feeling like I have to fit in. If one day I feel like sharing something personal, it will be because it comes naturally to me.

Ultimately, I believe that every spiritual path is so personal that no one from the outside can validate or invalidate it. Your way of experiencing magic, intuition, or energy is yours alone, and you don't need anyone's permission to explore it.
Let them talk, let them argue, let them put on their show… you just keep doing your own thing.
The real magic is not in convincing the world, but in listening to yourself.

If you've made it to the end of this post... what has helped you not to feel self-conscious about sharing your spiritual journey? I'd love to hear from you.