WOST 302 Feminist Grimoire

Hex the Kyriarchy A Feminist Grimoire from WOST 302

THIS GRIMOIRE IS A SPELLBOOK COMPILED BY THE SCHOLARS IN WOST 302. MERRIAM-WEBSTER DEFINES A SPELL AS " A SPOKEN WORD OR FORM OF WORDS HELD TO HAVE MAGIC POWER." A SPELL IS CAST TO MANIFEST ONE'S WILL/DREAMS/DESIRES INTO THE PRESENT (OR NEAR FUTURE). IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS GRIMOIRE, WE HAVE DRAWN FROM OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HOW FEMINISM INFLUENCES OUR VISION OF THE WORLD THAT WE WANT TO LIVE IN AND OUR ANALYSIS OF WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE ABOUT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN NOW. WORDS ARE NOT THE ONLY WAY TO MANIFEST THESE VISIONS. WE HAVE ALSO TURNED TO OTHER CREATIVE MEDIA TO HELP US MAKE OUR WILL/DREAMS/ AND DESIRES AT LEAST PARTIALLY MANIFEST IN THE PRESENT. INSIDE THIS GRIMOIRE, YOU’LL FIND SPELLS THAT SEEK TO BRING PROTECTION FROM THE WHITE SUPREMACIST CISHETERO-CAPITALIST PATRIARCHY, AND WORK TO AWAKEN US TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF LIFE BEYOND THE BINDING SPELL THE PATRIARCHY HAS CURRENTLY CAST UPON OUR SOCIETY. THIS GRIMOIRE HOPES TO HELP ANY AND ALL FEMINIST WITCHES SURVIVE AND THRIVE THE GRIM PRESENT AND MANIFEST A MORE JUST AND EQUITABLE FUTURE FOR US ALL.

I was inspired by the concept of the Goddess, and how it connects everything in the world and creates balance in all things. Seeing that it could, in theory, be found in everyone, it never became apparent to me that something seemingly open to and for everyone could improperly include minorities (if including them at all). I wanted to write something that would reference the Goddess, and hone in on the fact that more people (like myself in this case) need to make more of an effort to see how in feminism, for example, the experience of being a woman is not experienced the same due because of differences in intersectionality. Therefore, thinking of anything socially in the context of it being a universal experience can be very damaging to minorities in that circumstance.

Listening to and understanding our differences will only make us more connected.

-Brieanna Shifferly

When brainstorming ideas of what to create for this first grimoire submission, my brain first went to the kind of witchcraft that has always been of most interest to me - herbal witchcraft.

I have always found it so fascinating the kind of power that plants hold, especially in the world of natural medicine. That led me to think about dandelions. I thought about how disregarded they are, killed off even, even though they have so many medicinal properties. I connected dandelions and the way they are viewed to the way feminists are viewed in our patriarchal society. I started out writing a poem about that, but I also wanted to include the idea of matriarchy in my submission. That's when the concept of doing dual letters, a response to patriarchy and how women are deemed from that perspective, popped into my head. I wanted these letters to take the form of intersectional feminism (maybe a little bit of radical), and I hope my metaphors and writing demonstrate that. In these letters, the role of The Gardener is meant to represent the patriarchy while Dandelion is meant to represent a feminist.

Feminist Grimoire Submission Sarah Thompson I wanted to compare our current state of being (oppression via the patriarchy) with what could be (a radical, socialist perspec?ve). Down below you will see four pillars with heads on them. The four pillars symbolize the four pillars of patriarchy: racism, sexism, class exploita?on, and ecological destruc?on. The four heads have contras?ng parts on their faces, and this represents the dualisms or binary that exists under patriarchy: superior/inferior, superordinate/subordinate, male/female/ mind/body, subject/object, man/nature, white/black, civilized/primi?ve. (Rela?vizing Patriarchy reading p. 288) Radical feminism believes that patriarchy is at the root of our society and therefore all other oppressions stem from there. I wanted to portray that oppression by showing darkness and heaviness at the boLom of the piece.

At the top of the piece, you will see brightness and a feeling of crea?on. I chose a buLerfly as the center object since they signify transforma?on. I do believe we can build a beLer future if we work together against all forms of oppression. A socialist feminist perspec?ve would advocate for a mul?pronged approach that unites workers against capitalism and oppression of all peoples. That perspec?ve is represented by lights shining in four corners. I wanted to bring a lighter, brighter, and life promo?ng atmosphere to the top of the piece. I did this by adding highlights, brighter colors, and flowers and buLerflies. You will also see the open hands around the buLerfly. This represents community and the power of working together in a reciprocal, non-hierarchal way. We need to be conscious when moving forward that all voices are heard and that equity for all remains the goal.

My second spell is a drawing. I chose to do a "remix" of Michelangelo's infamous Crea<on of Adam pain<ng, but rather than depic<ng the Chris<an story of Adam and God, my remix shows an unnamed woman and the Goddess. My choice to do this was intended to show how Goddess religion tends to center primarily around women. Furthermore, there are details within the remixed drawing that are meant to harken back to certain class discussions. For example, as we noted in class, the witch hunts and an<semi<sm were closely linked, as both groups were demonized in ways that oDen overlapped. As a non-Jewish person who stands against an<semi<sm, I find it important to note here that while both groups suffered and aJributes have crossed over in some cases, it would be wrong to compare the witch hunts to the Holocaust.

S<ll, in no<ng how these groups were viewed in rela<on to each other, I have encoded some of the physical aJributes ascribed to both witches and Jewish people and portrayed them in a posi<ve light.

This can be seen in both figures’ strong noses. I also gave the woman on the leD body hair, as a way of showing the natural state of women, rather than the patriarchal view that would have them cleanshaven. For this same reason, I gave (or aJempted to give) the woman a chubbier stomach than would typically be seen in depic<ons of women in Chris<an art.

Indeed, my primary goal with this remix was to show a matriarchal, witchcraD version of a standard patriarchal, Chris<an piece of art. Because of the opposi<onal nature of this remix, I would say it most closely aligns with radical feminism. By mainly focusing on changing the genders of the people in the piece, this connects with the radical feminist idea that sexism is the source of all other oppression, and the remix reminds me of Ma<lda Joslyn Gage's view on the matriarchy as being a binary opposite to patriarchy.

A Prayer to The Mother Mother, I am built in your image.

My gentle curves to my sharp edges. My nurturing love, my righteous anger.

My cursive script, my vapid speech. They are reflections of your beauty.

The men say you are soft. The men say you need protected. The men say you were pulled from their ribs.

Don’t they know? Don’t they know there is so much more to creation than lullabies and baby clothes? Don’t they know what is takes to forge a being of your own blood and marrow? How much strength is takes to go through months of sacrifice and hours of suffering and still wipe your blood from your child’s face and hold them to your bosom? Don’t they know, mother, that love has never been soft?

Jesus is their martyr, but you, mother, laid your body out and let us flourish in your ruins.

Mother, let me continue your legacy. Let me be your voice. Let me stand with my sisters and defend the young. The men say it's a dog-eat-dog world but mother let me tend to the litter.

Artistic Statement This poem is an ode to the mother goddess and the matriarchy. It begins with a parallel to Christianity, instead of man being built in God’s image, we are built in Mother’s. In goddess religion, femininity is so much more than just softness, it is also iron. It’s both mother nurturing her young, and the ferociousness with which she protects them. One thing I really found beautiful was how goddess religion portrays creation as something more than birth giving, but also I wanted to emphasize the power of birth giving and how it represents the loving violence that is motherhood. A mother’s love is more than just that which is delicate. I allude back to Christianity with Jesus as the martyr, but the First Woman being the true mother (In our indigenous goddess worship readings) in how she sacrificed herself so her children could live on off the fruit of her sacrifice. Finally, I wanted to touch on how matriarchies value communalism versus patriarchies valuing competition and dominance.

Under the patriarchy it’s a dog-eat-dog world, under the matriarchy we work together to protect the pack and together we raise the litter. This is a spell/prayer of worship towards the mother and from which the matriarchy she’d borne.

Witches and Feminist Resistance

BREAKING NEWS WHO WAS THE WITCH?

Those who were viewed and tried as witches varied across the board. Some of them included healers, pillars of the community, scientists, and many more women who didn’t fit into patriarchal standards.

MARY DALY CANCELED? Mary Daly was an American radical feminist philosopher and theologian. While she has offered many insights in regard to feminism and the witch hunts, some of her work is very problematic which Audre Lorde has pointed out. In Lorde’s work An Open Letter to Mary Daly, it is brought to our attention just how problematic Daly’s work is and also relates back to the issues with radical feminism as well as white feminism. The main issue Lorde points out from Daly’s Gyn/Ecology is that Daly combines the experiences of white women and women of color,...

MORE ON MARY DALY AND AUDRE LORDE ON PAGE 2

Witches and Feminist Resistance

BREAKING NEWS

MARY DALY CANCELED? CONT.

...saying that all women suffer the same oppression.

Today, it is very clear to us that what Daly says is not the case and actually erases the lived experiences of different women across the board. Lorde says, “What you excluded from Gyn/Ecology dismissed my heritage and the heritage of all other noneuropean women, and denied the real connections that exist between all of us.” From Lorde’s response, it is obvious that Daly is missing an essential part of feminism which is intersectionality. Unfortunately, Daly’s response is not one that was hoped for. A brief summary of what Daly responded with was that she would like to meet up with Lorde if they could get a chance, it isn’t productive to look backward, and she did the best work with what materials she had available to her. This response is not very open or embracing to the critiques that Lorde publicly presented only after Daly did not respond to Lorde’s letter privately.

Completely disregarding key parts of one’s identity, as Daly did, is troublesome. As Lorde says, “The oppression of women knows no ethnic nor racial boundaries, true, but that does not mean it is identical within those differences,” meaning that the majority of women do face some form of oppression, though the oppression that different women face is not identical to each other. One point that Lorde makes is that there is no hierarchy of oppression.

There is not one oppression that trumps another, though that does not mean that they are equal either.

The disregarding of other forms of oppression and painting all oppressions as the same is a key fault of white feminism, which is why we should adopt a more intersectional approach.

LOOKING AHEAD: PATRIARCHY, CAPITALISM, AND RELIGION

Come back next week to find out how patriarchy, capitalism, and religion are connected and how they aid in reinforcing each other.

Olivia Swartzentruber Artist Statement For my feminist grimoire I decided to create a "Feminist Witch Tool Kit'' in the form of a zine. I pulled from a few different discussions we've had in class over the texts we've read, to formulate the theme of each page.

My first page is titled "self expression" and I pulled this theme from the discussion we had about how the Goddess is a part of everyone and we can tap into it by being ourselves. I like the idea of tapping into this higher being by expressing your true self, through hobbies and appearance that feel right to you. This page was also drawn from our discussion about how even if the matriarchy is a myth, you can still draw power from it and dream about what could be.

My second page goes over "Community". I pulled this idea from our discussion about finding community through our shared experiences and differences. The important part of this section to me is holding space for others, especially those who you can learn from. With this, bringing about the idea of utilizing an intersectionality viewpoint and coming together in community.

My next section discusses "Self Accountability and Understanding". This idea is based on our discussion about how the web can be used to represent intersectionality, and the fact that we are all on the web but connected to different things and different experiences. This discussion pointed out that we can be in the same system but have different experiences based on our different identities and the privilege or lack thereof it gives us. The important part of this section to me is checking in with yourself on your biases you may have and the reason you may feel a certain way about something. I think it's important to see what you bring to the table but also to hold yourself accountable. This is the work that goes into using your privilege for good and making a difference.

The fourth page goes over "Advocacy". I know we've discussed many ways that women in the feminist movement in the past have advocated for themselves and others.

The important part of this section to me is educating yourself, just like we are in class by doing these readings and having discussions. This way, we have the tools and knowledge to advocate for ourselves and others when needed.

The following section is titled "spirituality expression" and this goes over a discussion we had towards the beginning of this class. It goes over the many ways you can practice witchcraft/spirituality and that the things we learn about it can be a guide on

where to start. From there we can build upon it and practice in a way that makes sense to us, which is so cool to me. I drew tarot cards, a stack of books and a spell being written as examples of ways you can express your spirituality. There is not one size fits all.

The last two sections I mentioned are "educating yourself "and "having fun". I feel that in this class I've learned the importance, power and wonder in educating yourself.

Asking questions, stating your thoughts and feelings and learning from others is so important. I feel that it brings us together and gives us tools that we can't get otherwise.

My last section felt like the biggest takeaway from the course so far and that is “having fun!”. The empowerment these texts and ideas give you is such a special feeling.

This class has reminded me to have fun with my expression and reminded me to not take things so seriously all the time. I love that we have a safe space to say what we think and learn from each other. I’ve started find beauty in things I otherwise wouldn't.

W.I.T.C.H TAROT SPREAD

W

I

You

Others

Where do you stand?

Energy around you or those with you

T

C

The plan

The opposition or problem

What you need

H

What will be achieved?

W.I.T.C.H TAROT SPREAD

For my second Grimoire contribution I decided to create a tarot spread for political activism. In class, we discussed the idea of the personal being political and if emotions are apolitical. I wanted to create a tarot spread inspired by W.I.T.C.H. to help provide guidance for personal issues and feminist groups. Inspired by the personal being political I wanted my spread to cover personal issues and issues activists might face. I broke the Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell title into representing each card used in the spread. The first card is for the W or Women, and it refers to where you stand or just you yourself. In class, we discussed the binary labels past feminist have used for feminism and I want to note that my using of the Women part of W.I.T.C.H. is not about the binary of the user having to be a woman. I made this choice because the first word in the title is women and I felt that the first card or start of my spread should start there. The next card in my spread is for the I or International and this card represents others. This could be those around you or members of your group if you are using this spread to provide guidance with an activist group. The next card for the letter T or Terrorist represents the opposition or the problem. This card is supposed to draw upon the energy of the problem or give understanding to what could be the issue. The next card for the letter C or Conspiracy is the plan or what one needs card. This card represents what will be needed to overcome the opposition. I specifically placed these two cards in this order because I felt like we tend to know the problem before we know the solution. The last card for H or Hell is supposed to represent what will be achieved by conquering the opposition or what is to be gained from solving the problem. I wanted my tarot spread to be able to be used individually or with groups because of the Audre Lorde conversation. In class, we discussed the relationship between one’s issues and the world’s issues. For someone to help fix outward issues they also need to have a healthy self. I wanted to connect this idea into my tarot spread and have it accessible to both personal issues and activist issues.

Katie Hofer Artist Statement This Barbie is a Scientist! This proposal combines elements from science Barbies and witch Barbies to create a new one: the scientist that could have been. The one who uses her grimoire and flasks to make healing potions and uses her knowledge of herbs mixed with her knowledge of modern science to make new and magic creations.

Her assistant, Broomstick, is ready to help her with all her spells and potions. Certain accessories of this Barbie mock current scientist Barbies. The scientist Barbies had their hair down, heels and tight dresses, all of which are the opposite of what a scientist should be wearing. Other elements of her look are drawn from witch Barbies, such as her dress, bat necklace, and hair color.

*Disclaimer- This poem spell mostly refers to the experiences of cisgender women, however these are not the only people who experience some of these issues. For example, trans men can experience reproductive restraints, while trans women can experience a denial of their identity based on what western society considers “womanhood”. Non-binary people may experience denial of their identity and quality of care overall. These are not the only examples of gendered discrimination in medicine, and can be modified based on the specific hardships of each person who practices.

“Witchy Holistic Affirmations” is a spell based on affirmations, specifically urging women to take back their medical health and advocacy for their needs and desires. In class, several of the readings and discussions touched on how, in witch feminism, women were largely the “healers” and caretakers of the sick and disabled before white, male colonizers decided that healers had too much power; they believed women who were knowledgeable were dangerous and needed to be silenced. We see the aftermath of this today, as most medical professionals are men in the United States, leaving issues specific to women and people with uteruses largely unexplored. Being inspired by this, I made my spell a list of expectations to strive for when advocating for these common, yet largely understudied concerns. I compiled this list from my own personal instances with legal doctors along with the stories of those I met (friends, family, acquaintances, etc.) I split the issues into common themes (mental health, sexual health, reproductive health, and medical invalidation). After this, I provided examples of what one can remind themselves of or an action step to accomplishing that goal; for example, one can advocate for their sexual wellness by reminding themselves that they deserve to feel at peace with their body. The spell concludes by indicating the end goal of the exercise: to advocate for their overall well-being in a society that does not value it. Women are not just healers, they are also doctors, scientists, and empirical. Their contributions are not simply “mystical”, they are grounded in the fact of human experience.

Wil Willow Cribb WFR Feminist Grimoire entry 2

Prosperity Charms

Ingredients: Cinnamon Allspice Nutmeg Ginger Clove Xantham Gum Patchouli Oil Water

Instructions: Mix equal parts of all the dry ingredients. Add a few drops of patchouli oil (proportional to the amount of spices). Add water till a rough dough forms. Take small pieces of the dough and press into a flat circle in your palm. Carve a pentacle into one side of the flat circle and set to air dry until completely dry.

While doing this consider the discrepancy in pay between genders. Consider the effects of late stage capitalism and how it fights to keep us poor and barely able to surprise. Consider how much you’ve had to struggle to get by due to circumstances you cant control set by a society that’s not built for us. Ask the goddess for support in fulfilling your convictions to break through a corrupt system to get what you need. Ask the earth to continue to provide when you are at your lowest, showing you the fruit of your efforts. Will the energy around you to channel prosperity in you life and protect you from the negative intentions of those trying to tear you down and keep you weak and poor.

Each day as it dries set with them and repeat the above section.

Once its fully dry, place it where you keep your money. Let it draw prosperity into your life. Replace once it loses its scent.

Witchy Holistic Affirmations- Willow Adelman Women are healers, therefore…

I will demand testing when I feel unwell Endometriosis is not "too difficult to diagnose" PCOS is not "too expensive to treat" Severe depression before periods is not a "normal consequence of menstruation" I will advocate for my sexual wellness I deserve to feel at peace with my body My intimate life will be a pleasurable and meaningful addition to my life However, what is pleasurable and meaningful to me is not "one size fits all".

Abuse is a combination of psychological and physical, not one or the other I will ensure protection of my reproductive health I will choose when, or if, it is the right time to start a family, unbiased by others' opinions During any pregnancy, I will know and be unwavering in my advocacy of exploration of any concerns I may have No problem is "too small" or a "waste of time" Distress after giving birth is not "a normal phase" I will monitor my own mental and physical health as much as I monitor the health of the new family member I will encourage my friends and family to check in on me in addition to the new family member I will require adequate care from practitioners during pregnancy, no matter my age I will uphold my standards of mental health treatment I am not being "dramatic," no matter my age I may not align with known symptoms of some disorders, as past studies for them did not include people like me My mental health is not "hysterical" or simply "PMS" I am responsible for meaningful change in my life However, injustices or harm committed against me are not "my fault" I will strive for my own personal health and physical goals, as opposed to typical beauty standards However, if I find myself struggling with these standards, I will seek assistance to better my mindset

I will keep myself and my practitioners accountable for my health I will not tolerate the minimization of my well-being Women are doctors, healers, scientists, empirical; it is time to take back our title.

A ritual for object enchantment, spiritual cleansing and a ward of protection.

Objects you will need: -4 non-synthetic candles.

-A lighter or matches -Objects with a deep meaning to you.

-A piece of organic matter.

In the month of your birth, on the first full moon, gather 4 non-synthetic candles and position them in an evenly spaced row in a place in which the light of the moon can touch them, ideally the outdoors.

Put yourself in front of your candles and allow yourself to be undistracted. Breath deeply and free your mind from all outside forces, and relax your body as much as you can. Sit on the floor or ground, and if you can, have some piece or pieces of the Earth in one of your hands. (Flowers, grass, dirt, etc.)

Breath deeply in, and manifest all the problems that may be preventing you from moving forward in life. Light the first candle on your left and place the piece of the earth in front of it.

After doing this, speak outwardly and say “May I be carried forward.”

Take an object meaningful to you and hold it in one of your hands (a necklace, piece of clothing, trinket, etc.) Breath deeply and manifest all of the problems you have preventing you from finding peace withing your heart and soul. Light the candle next to the one you just lit and place the object in front of it.

After doing this, speak outwardly and say “May my heart be protected.”

Take an object that gives your strength and hold it in one of your hands. Breath deeply and manifest all of the things that make you angry or filled with rage. Light the candle next to the one you just lit and place the object in front of it.

After doing this, speak outwardly and say “May my energy be used progressively.”

Take an object that gives you clarity and hold it in one of your hands. Breath deeply and manifest everything that has kept you from keeping your mind clear and the things that have prevented you from thinking within the present. Light the final candle and place the object in front of it.

After doing this, speak outwardly and say “May my mind be clear again.”

Sit in front of these candles and allow for them to burn fully down. Take your objects and keep them with you. After the ritual is complete, they will be vessels for your protection from all outside forces. Discard the wax as quickly as possible, as it has become a vessel for all the negativity in your life.

I really enjoyed our reading and discussion of Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English. I went and sought out, or at least tried to seek out, a pdf of Witches, Midwives and Nurses so that I could further explored the topics. Women healers and their suppression is really interesting and the pamphlet itself really inspires me to want to create something that could be used for healing. Being a witch is hard enough but being one that had to choose between modern medicine, which according to the pamphlet “Witches lived and were burned long before the development of modern medical technology.” (Ehrenreich, Deirdre, p.g.6) or between tradional healing is a difficult choice, especially since “The suppression of women health workers and the rise to dominance of male professionals was not a "natural" process, resulting automatically from changes in medical science... it was an active takeover by male professionals. And it was not science that enable men to win out" I like the idea of spellcrafting and the powerful forces at play with that, and I enjoy the idea of being able to protect people, and even potentially heal them. I feel as if spellcrafting, and in particular, healing spells and nontraditional medicine have become both radical in their feminist nature and non-radical in our modern age. On one hand, we see it practiced less and less, and it is looked at in an increasingly diminished light, I.e as just some hoax. On the other hand, we have seen a rise in traditional and holistic healing, mainly from people who are white, as a sort of rebellion against the modern pharmaceutical industry. I see a great deal of people on my Instagram feed doing this, it’s a very white girl autumn type of vibes, it feels very gentrified. With all that being said, I have decided to do a spell and brew that will, hopefully, stay true to the roots of traditional healing.

For this brew, you will need: -Ginger

-Mint -Lemon -White Tea White tea is antibacterial and has a lot of antioxidants, so it is good for protecting your immune system and helping you to heal. Ginger is an antihistamine and is an antiinflammatory, which is perfect for easing sickness and making sure your joints don’t ache. It is also a flavor enhancer and helps to bring life to the brew itself. Peppermint is a decongestant and also works to ease achey joints. It will add a nice, cooling sensation in contrast to the slight burn of the ginger. Finally, the lemon works to ease headaches, joint paint, and calm one’s mood. All together, this brew has healing effects akin to what I think an all around “cure all” would entail. Something you might seek out a witch for in order to know you are getting something brewed with healing in mind.

Instructions: -In a small pot, heat water to a boil on the stovetop.

-Fill a small infuser with dried ginger, white tea, and mint.

-Once the water has reached a boil, put the infuser in, turn the heat down to simmer, and let it sit until infused.

-Chant your incantation as the liquid is infusing.

-Once infused, add lemon and stir -Serve in a mug of your choice and enjoy!

Incantation:

“Oh nature, Oh mother of the Earth, let this fruit of the land heal me and allow me to purge my body of any impurities. From the ground we came and return to it we shall, let it heal us and cleanse us. Mother, oh Mother, fear not of the unknown, remove all impurties and let your body be a vessel for all the unknown has to offer. “