Zero Waste Your Witchcraft! Tips to be a more sustainable practitioner.

[@Nightsong93]

The environmental effects of witchy/new age consumerism is something that a lot of practitioners want to ignore, and pass the blame onto the large companies. Anybody who considers themselves a magical practitioner should know that the responsibility and the power starts with you! Upon joining OBOD, I began looking more critically at my spiritual consumerism and realized that I was doing harm to the very thing that drew me to this path in the first place. In some of my older pagan& witchcraft books, the authors spend a lot of time talking about environmental concerns. It is sad to see that is longer something that seems to be an issue of importance. I remember in 1997 when my friend and I did our first dedication ritual to the Craft, one of my vows was" to walk gently upon the green earth". For the past year or so, I've been really upset with myself because I realized that I had fallen into the tarot consumerism, witchy subscription box, crystal collecting, rabbit hole. I had fallen so far away from that sacred vow and I'm working toward getting back to that place of being a more discerning and conscientious person. Thank you for this video 🙏🌎💚

[@Reads-n-Roots]

"Use what you've got." - This resonates with me so much. Rather than constantly swapping out things for supposedly greener alternatives, let's appreciate what we already have and make it last. Every time we reuse something, we're cutting down on waste and helping the environment.

[@TheStitchinWitch]

Yup! Use what you've got, repair it when it becomes damaged, recycle it or repurpose it when it becomes unusable for its original intended purpose!

[@khan7459]

This is a very needed video! If everybody is just going in small steps toward a more sustainable practice, it will already make a big difference.

[@activistwitch]

what a joy to have found you through Grace! i have been thinking about how consumerism has co-opted witchcraft since the beginning of my practice, and you put it down so succinctly! thank you Isca!

[@TheStitchinWitch]

Who is Grace, please? If they have a channel or something I'd love to know!!!

[@khan7459]

@@TheStitchinWitch Mary Grace Fahrun, she recommended this video in her comments section

[@activistwitch]

@@TheStitchinWitch @marygracefahrun of Rue's Kitchen!

[@teslagoth9401]

It’s kind of funny that people use q-tips mostly only for the one thing you’re not supposed to do with them 😂

[@TheStitchinWitch]

Right? Lol

[@sacredsortilege]

Great video - you had so many wonderful ideas, tips and suggestions (including a few that I hadn't considered before). I agree wholeheartedly with using what you have - it's always a great place to start! Thank you so much for emphasizing this simple and important point. I don't think linking the use of soy by the meat industry to vegans is warranted however. A knife can be used as a tool or a weapon; that doesn't mean people who need tools shouldn't use knives.

[@TheStitchinWitch]

No, but the production of soy products for consumption around the world is actually a very resource-intensive and exploitative industry. Unfortunately those are just cold hard facts. I definitely think choosing soy wax candles over petroleum wax based ones are a much better choice however. But it's good to keep in mind that no matter which of the candle options we are choosing, there are going to be ripple effects that come from that, regardless of which option you choose.

[@khan7459]

Isca, if you are interested, I know a very nice channel about minimalism and sustainability. It isn't witchy or spiritual at all, but I find it very inspiring, and authentic.

[@TheStitchinWitch]

Which one? ☺️

[@khan7459]

@@TheStitchinWitch channel name is ecofriendlia

[@teslagoth9401]

Why not buy books? Buying products made with paper make trees a lucrative resource which keeps forests sustained and valued. 🤷‍♀️

[@TheStitchinWitch]

Yes, but deforestation at the rate it's going at is NOT sustainable. Part of being sustainable is to make sure that you're not consuming a resource at a faster rate than it's able to regenerate. That is not the case with the paper industry, and many other industries that use different types of trees as a resource. The problem with a lot of people who buy books, is that they don't use the items that they purchase. If you're buying a book that you're going to read, and use multiple times, or pass on to other people that will keep using it, then it's a smart purchase. What I'm saying about not buying books is to not buy them at a fast consumerism-style rate, have them sit around for too long, and then never reference them again. To consume in this style and at a rapid rate just feeds the consumerism culture, and tells the publishing companies it's okay to keep up at the rate they are currently going. I am simply asking people to slow the purchases down, and then when you do make a purchase to make it thoughtfully and with intention.

[@khan7459]

paper production is also using a lot of energy, a lot of water and is polluting the environment. Many chemicals are used too.