Anti-Racist Pagan Resources
The Pagan community has a massive problem with paying lip service to our values. Nowhere is this more obvious than the way we cry “inclusivity!” while ensuring that Black, Brown, and Indigenous people are regularly made to feel unwelcome and as if they are intruding in Pagan spaces.
The Pagan movement is entirely modern. Our many religions and traditions are not ancient, they hold no unbroken line of continuity with the past, we are absolutely not practicing the same religions as the ancients. What we have and hold dear we have created based upon inspiration from the indigenous religions and folklore of Europe as well as direct experience with the Gods—with far more influence from our current era, personal preferences, logical arguments, and sociocultural biases than is comfortably acknowledged.
But it’s time for us to be uncomfortable. It is time for us to take that critical look at our actions because it is through the choices we make that the quality of our character is made evident. Integrity is found in actions, not intentions. You are who you are based on who you show yourself to be, not who you think you are.
The ancient world was, just as the contemporary world is, marked by plurality. Every region was home to people who looked similar and who looked different. Some of those people were born in that region, some moved there, some were travelers and would only stay there for a short while. This remains as true of physical travel in our current age as it does metaphorically for the people who come to Paganism. Nonetheless, there was no one true and pure standard for any region, for any culture, for any religion, for any pantheon of Gods. Even in the farthest reaches of Northern Europe, the people were not exclusively and wholly white skinned.
Variation and diversity continue to be the standard within the natural world and will forever be reflected within humanity.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no historical basis for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no value basis for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no justification for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement at all.
As part of my own efforts as a Pagan minister and spirit worker, the following is a collection of resources to help the Pagan community confront the ongoing hostility—both overt and covert—we direct toward Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. This list will grow as I uncover more resources that are directly relevant to our religious community.
It’s time to be the community our values beg us to be.
The Pagan movement is entirely modern. Our many religions and traditions are not ancient, they hold no unbroken line of continuity with the past, we are absolutely not practicing the same religions as the ancients. What we have and hold dear we have created based upon inspiration from the indigenous religions and folklore of Europe as well as direct experience with the Gods—with far more influence from our current era, personal preferences, logical arguments, and sociocultural biases than is comfortably acknowledged.
But it’s time for us to be uncomfortable. It is time for us to take that critical look at our actions because it is through the choices we make that the quality of our character is made evident. Integrity is found in actions, not intentions. You are who you are based on who you show yourself to be, not who you think you are.
The ancient world was, just as the contemporary world is, marked by plurality. Every region was home to people who looked similar and who looked different. Some of those people were born in that region, some moved there, some were travelers and would only stay there for a short while. This remains as true of physical travel in our current age as it does metaphorically for the people who come to Paganism. Nonetheless, there was no one true and pure standard for any region, for any culture, for any religion, for any pantheon of Gods. Even in the farthest reaches of Northern Europe, the people were not exclusively and wholly white skinned.
Variation and diversity continue to be the standard within the natural world and will forever be reflected within humanity.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no historical basis for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no value basis for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement.
There is absolutely, wholly, and entirely no justification for white supremacy in the modern Pagan religious movement at all.
As part of my own efforts as a Pagan minister and spirit worker, the following is a collection of resources to help the Pagan community confront the ongoing hostility—both overt and covert—we direct toward Black, Brown, and Indigenous people. This list will grow as I uncover more resources that are directly relevant to our religious community.
It’s time to be the community our values beg us to be.
Articles & Papers
Are you Afraid of the Dark? by Rashunda Tramble
Being Native American in a Stereotypical and Appropriated North America by Ariel Moniz
DARCED: Envisioning a Decolonizing Anti-Racist Culture of the European Diaspora by Liam Harwyn and Kanyon CoyoteWoman Sayers-Roods
Decolonization is not a Metaphor by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang
The Pagan and Occult Fascist Connection and How to Fix It by Amy Hale
Where My Black Witches At? Using Black Ancestral Magic Against White Supremacy by Krista White
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" and "Some Notes for Facilitators" by Peggy McIntosh
White Supremacy's Old Gods: The Far Right and NeoPaganism by Shannon Weber
Why Can’t Black Witches Get Some Respect in Popular Culture? by Angelica Jade Bastién
Yes, This is Our Paganism: Llewellyn, Weiser, & White Supremacy by Fire Lyte
Being Native American in a Stereotypical and Appropriated North America by Ariel Moniz
DARCED: Envisioning a Decolonizing Anti-Racist Culture of the European Diaspora by Liam Harwyn and Kanyon CoyoteWoman Sayers-Roods
Decolonization is not a Metaphor by Eve Tuck and K. Wayne Yang
The Pagan and Occult Fascist Connection and How to Fix It by Amy Hale
Where My Black Witches At? Using Black Ancestral Magic Against White Supremacy by Krista White
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" and "Some Notes for Facilitators" by Peggy McIntosh
White Supremacy's Old Gods: The Far Right and NeoPaganism by Shannon Weber
Why Can’t Black Witches Get Some Respect in Popular Culture? by Angelica Jade Bastién
Yes, This is Our Paganism: Llewellyn, Weiser, & White Supremacy by Fire Lyte
Books
BIPOC Pagan Reading List compiled by Yvonne Aburrow
A reading list of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors covering Paganism, the occult, astrology, Tarot, and Indigenous spirituality.
Bringing Race to the Table edited by Crystal Blanton with Taylor Ellwood and Brandy Williams
FYMA: A Lesser Key to the Appropriation of Jewish Magic & Mysticism by Ezra Rose
Pay what you want, instant download.
Shades of Faith: Minority Voices in Paganism by Crystal Blanton
Shades of Ritual: Minority Voices in Practice by Crystal Blanton
True to the Earth: Pagan Political Theology by Kadmus
Please note this book is published through Gods & Radicals, who have been staunchly antitheist (to a disrespectful and purposely combative extent) in the past.
A reading list of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) authors covering Paganism, the occult, astrology, Tarot, and Indigenous spirituality.
Bringing Race to the Table edited by Crystal Blanton with Taylor Ellwood and Brandy Williams
FYMA: A Lesser Key to the Appropriation of Jewish Magic & Mysticism by Ezra Rose
Pay what you want, instant download.
Shades of Faith: Minority Voices in Paganism by Crystal Blanton
Shades of Ritual: Minority Voices in Practice by Crystal Blanton
True to the Earth: Pagan Political Theology by Kadmus
Please note this book is published through Gods & Radicals, who have been staunchly antitheist (to a disrespectful and purposely combative extent) in the past.
General Information & Resources
Where some of these resources do not directly relate to anti-racism, they are sources of information relevant to Paganism that have been put together by individuals with firm anti-racist stances or are relevant sources of information to help us to unravel ourselves from the lies that white supremacy has impressed upon us to such an extent that those lies have become prominent beliefs and attitudes with Paganism.
Antiracist Heathen Ethics and Resources compiled by Siri
Antisemiticism Education by Zo Jacobi & Chaiya Mendel
Resource for spotting antisemitic/white supremacy dog whistles within the Pagan and witchcraft communities.
Land Acknowledgement Learning Resources compiled by Melissa Horner (Manitoba Métis Federation/Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe) PhD candidate, Department of Sociology, University of Missouri (2019 – present)
The Longship: A Beginner’s Guide to Heathenry by Angelica Martinez
Online guide to understanding and getting started in Heathenry
Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community by Randy Palmer
Statistics and resources regarding mental health and the Black community.
The Myth of a Wilderness Without Humans by Mark Dowie
A look at the history behind framing of places as "untouched wilderness" and how this was a known lie propagated to further remove Indigenous people from their land, as well as the ways this history and ideas continue to be present in contemporary conservation efforts. Many of these same ideas are directly replicated in the "nature reverencing" that is so prevalent within Paganism.
Native-Land.ca
An essential resource if you live on colonized land and want to know whose land you're on. Native Land Digital is an Indigenous led and directed Canadian not-for-profit providing an interactive digital map showing the Indigenous people of various colonized lands.
Norse Mythology by Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried
-His column on the Wild Hunt
Numen Arts
A directory of polytheist artists whose art embodies their work as religious specialists.
Shamanism: An Invention of Anthropologists and New Age Teachers by Bradford Keeney
Tracing the history of the term shamanism and how it became so far spread within the New Age (and thus within Paganism and contemporary witchcraft—including the authors, books, and publishing houses directly responsible for this and who knew they were publishing nonsense.
Antiracist Heathen Ethics and Resources compiled by Siri
Antisemiticism Education by Zo Jacobi & Chaiya Mendel
Resource for spotting antisemitic/white supremacy dog whistles within the Pagan and witchcraft communities.
Land Acknowledgement Learning Resources compiled by Melissa Horner (Manitoba Métis Federation/Turtle Mountain Anishinaabe) PhD candidate, Department of Sociology, University of Missouri (2019 – present)
The Longship: A Beginner’s Guide to Heathenry by Angelica Martinez
Online guide to understanding and getting started in Heathenry
Mental Health Issues Facing the Black Community by Randy Palmer
Statistics and resources regarding mental health and the Black community.
The Myth of a Wilderness Without Humans by Mark Dowie
A look at the history behind framing of places as "untouched wilderness" and how this was a known lie propagated to further remove Indigenous people from their land, as well as the ways this history and ideas continue to be present in contemporary conservation efforts. Many of these same ideas are directly replicated in the "nature reverencing" that is so prevalent within Paganism.
Native-Land.ca
An essential resource if you live on colonized land and want to know whose land you're on. Native Land Digital is an Indigenous led and directed Canadian not-for-profit providing an interactive digital map showing the Indigenous people of various colonized lands.
Norse Mythology by Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried
-His column on the Wild Hunt
Numen Arts
A directory of polytheist artists whose art embodies their work as religious specialists.
Shamanism: An Invention of Anthropologists and New Age Teachers by Bradford Keeney
Tracing the history of the term shamanism and how it became so far spread within the New Age (and thus within Paganism and contemporary witchcraft—including the authors, books, and publishing houses directly responsible for this and who knew they were publishing nonsense.
Groups
Declaration 127
A collection of groups avowed against racism within Heathenry.
Heathens Against Hate
Thor’s Oak Kindred
Asatru Kindred in Chicago, godi is Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried
The Troth
A collection of groups avowed against racism within Heathenry.
Heathens Against Hate
Thor’s Oak Kindred
Asatru Kindred in Chicago, godi is Dr. Karl E.H. Seigfried
The Troth
Videos & Podcast Episodes
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Around Grandfather Fire
Episode 48: Bitch, Nobody Asked You Celeri's Garden A Story About Folkism | The Reconstructionist's Image A look at folkism from a Kemetic perspective. Cultural Appropriation in Neopagan and New Age Religions: A Conversation with Sabina Magliocco Video and transcript both provided. The Eternal Void, but with Jazz Did Loki Do It?! A round table discussion of fascist appropriation of Paganism and the importance of maintaining our hold on symbols and spaces. Loads of resources in the show notes. |
Inciting a Riot
Episode 145: Inciting a Black Lives Matter Riot The Kavernacle Why so many Neo-Nazis are Pagan Modern Witch Season 3, Episode 16: Pagans & Privilege, ft Crystal Blanton and T. Thorn Coyle Wind in the World Tree Episode 2: Is Folkism Historical? |
Toolkits
Bystander Intervention Training by Hollaback!
A five point tactics to helping someone experiencing harassment, with links to training programs in this specific approach (quality free information can be found on this page).
Decolonizing Witchcraft by Althaea Sebastiani
This is an exclusive 2-part course that was offered through my patreon. It is now available for free to everyone.
Expressive Writing Prompts to Use if You’ve been Accused of White Fragility, Spiritual Bypass, or White Privilege by Leesa Renee Hall
On the Mend Healing
Low cost (and some free) courses for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals put together by licensed psychotherapists in order to make quality mental health care more accessible.
The Path to Public Redemption by Sandra Rutton
A guide for those who've made grievous mistakes within a community and sincerely wish to atone for their mistake for the sake of the community. A worthwhile read for all elders, leaders, and influencers in our community who call themselves allies.
A five point tactics to helping someone experiencing harassment, with links to training programs in this specific approach (quality free information can be found on this page).
Decolonizing Witchcraft by Althaea Sebastiani
This is an exclusive 2-part course that was offered through my patreon. It is now available for free to everyone.
Expressive Writing Prompts to Use if You’ve been Accused of White Fragility, Spiritual Bypass, or White Privilege by Leesa Renee Hall
On the Mend Healing
Low cost (and some free) courses for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals put together by licensed psychotherapists in order to make quality mental health care more accessible.
The Path to Public Redemption by Sandra Rutton
A guide for those who've made grievous mistakes within a community and sincerely wish to atone for their mistake for the sake of the community. A worthwhile read for all elders, leaders, and influencers in our community who call themselves allies.
