Millennials Seek Mysticism

American millennials are mixing contemplative spirituality with their current religions, especially those raised within Christianity. The study of mysticism is growing in popularity around the United States among many millennials of different religious affiliations. It offers a new perspective on one’s own religion and a way to access the teachings and practices of many different religions.

Many American millennials consider themselves “nones,” unaffiliated with any sort of spirituality or religion. However, others are finding contemplative spiritual practices alluring, such as meditation, personal ritual, ecstatic dance, yoga, etc. The emphasis is on finding the divine in the ordinary. Some were raised in Christian churches, chose different churches or religions from that of their families’, and found a way to mix all the forms of spirituality that resonate most. This has sparked mystical experiences that bring individuals closer to God and develop a much deeper relationship with the spiritual realm. “Pentecostal in his early childhood, Unitarian through his teen years and then spiritually unaffiliated until he began “flirting with the Quakers” in his late 20s, Graffagnino also has explored Vedic Hinduism, spiritual Taoism, mystical Judaism, and Sufism.” (Falsani). It is common to learn that many millennials dabbled in several different religions before settling into one, or even a blended personal practice.

The amalgamation of different mystical or contemplative practices has led many millennials, searching for greater meaning, to look within. Many have found that there is a universal sacred quality among all religious practices. Contemplative traditions translate to a higher significance in the personal experience with the divine. It is a more accessible way for many to have a deeper relationship with God and themselves. ““The silence and contemplation has really kept me grounded, holding the paradoxical questions of faith,” Lambert said. The contemplative tradition is “expansive enough… that it leaves room as you grow,” he said. “To be Christian is to see Christ in everything.”” (Falsani).

Many millennials find mysticism while they seek to make changes in the world such as social justice or environmental issues. Through these experiences, they are able to access a relationship with the divine that is radicalizing. In today’s polarized political climate, many seek to make change on a personal level, starting within and letting their own changes radiate out into the world.

References

For millennials, mysticism shows a path to their home faiths

The Call of the Witch

One of the most compelling spiritual movements in contemporary America is witchcraft. The witchcraft of the modern day is at the intersection of religion, politics, and social justice. It also has an immense appeal to many millennial Americans. What was once an underground effort for spiritual diversity and gender equality is now a profound defiance that is meant to shake the foundations of American politics, current social constructions, and structured religions.

When one hops down the rabbit hole of the massive online witch community, she will likely find an abundance of ethereal photographs, luscious poetic incantations, esoteric wisdom, and a fury bubbling up through hastags of #hexthepatriarchy and #witchesagainstwhitesupremacy.

Similar to many American religious movements, witches are using their spiritual practices and codes to transform society. This movement stands out due to its palpable resistance to the current systems integrated with occult practices and traditions that are often seen as taboo. Earlier new age and witchcraft movements focused on “divine feminine” feminism, while the current movement emphases dismantling the entire structure that perpetuates gender and racial differences and injustices.

A common expression found within the witch community is “if you can heal, you can hex.” This goes with the notion that in order for there to be true balance in the universe, we must accept both light and dark aspects of the world and ourselves. “Insisting on “positivity” and “light” is for those who want to keep up the barriers of class and racial privilege.” (Burton). Recently, witches by the masses hexed figures such as Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh and President Donald Trump. Thousands participated in online and in-person rituals to hex or “bind” those in power, whom they felt were oppressive and corrupt. These online rituals and spells were broadcast live through Facebook and other forms of social media. ““The harm we want to inflict on Kavanaugh and Trump is that they be exposed and shown for what they are and ousted or at least discredited,” Dakota Bracciale, co-owner of Catland Books.” (Stubley).

What may come to mind when one thinks of a witch is strange images of wild women dancing naked in the woods, women performing blood sacrifices on the full moon, or sorceresses seducing victims to cast evil spells upon for their own gain. Fables, folklore, and urban legends have established the archetype of the witch and colored the lens through which we understand witchcraft as a spiritual practice. The witches of today are not evil doers of harm. Many use their magic and ritual practices to bring more beauty and humanity into the world, while others use it to further social justice, gender equality, and to tear down social conditioning that does more harm than any spell ever could. Much like praying for peace, witches pray for justice, equality, and the right to worship outside of the existing religious institutions.

Perhaps witchcraft is a religious movement that is driven largely by technology and the internet. Many witches today display their “path” and sacred/healing services online. The hashtag #witchesofinstagram has over two million posts tagged. From beautiful images snapped with a camera phone and blogs of poetry and spells, to tarot readings and spellwork offerings, the online world of witchcraft is vibrant. Witches are utilizing all modern options to influence the communities they are a part of and to create platforms for social change. Mixing this newer, eclectic, DIY religion with technology is fertile grounds for a movement all about social, political, and religious revolution.

References

Burton, Tara Isabella. “Witchcraft Becomes a Political Stance – and a Booming Business.” Religion News Service, 15 Feb. 2019, davidgibson.religionnews.com/2019/02/14/witchcraft-becomes-a-political-stance-and-a-booming-business/.

Stubley, Peter. “Witches Place Mass Hex on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.” The Independent, Independent Digital News and Media, 21 Oct. 2018, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/brett-kavanaugh-hex-new-york-witches-protest-brooklyn-supreme-court-sexual-assault-a8594581.html.