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A Posthuman Grimoire: exploring current and potential relationships between witches/wicca and posthumanism
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Madeleine Richardson
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Witch Circle
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Wicca ceremonies and traditions
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A relationship with the earth is critical to the practice of Wicca and other forms of paganism. The 'centerpoint' radial of this project was inspired by witches' circles, an image and idea that is central to Wicca paganism and neopaganism (so central that there is a wiki how site for how to set one up) and even in different indigenous religions because the circle symbolizes an interconnectedness and interdependence with the earth. The circles sometimes form around pentagrams whose five points symbolize the earth properties; stability, material wealth, the body, and practical affairs. Wicca altars have varying images and objects to symbolize earth, wind, fire, and air (and occasionally spirit) and shy away from humanist associations with the body. Interconnection with the earth and the other creatures who occupy it is integral to the base of pagan and neopagan Wicca ceremonies and systems.
Many Wicca celebrations, such as Beltane, Ostara, and Lughnasadh, revolve around the seasonal solstices and the worship of the harvests that they bring. A strong recognition of human dependence on the earth is highlighted throughout pagan and neopagan rituals and their relationship with the Goddess focuses on nurturing the relationship between the natural world and the human. The ideals of becoming-earth and becoming-animal are indirectly acknowledged throughout paganism even if they are not directly alluded to.
Plant magic is an important part of Wicca practices and the use of geos and bios is crucial in many of their belief systems. Though somewhat co-opted by capitalist markets, crystals are also important to the Wicca as vehicles to the spirit world and herb bundles, often containing sage, are used in order to cleanse body and soul. A focus on 'oneness' with the earth is continuously highlighted in the objects that the Wicca use as well as in the goals that they strive for; connection, earth appreciation, eco-unity.
Without defining their goals with posthuman ideologies in mind the pagan and Neopagan Wicca traditions honour post-anthropocentric values and a connection with becoming earth with a purity that Braidotti would approve of.
