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"An it harm none..." And Fluff Bunnies

So, this is why I no longer specifically identify as wiccan, even though I'm still KINDA wiccan. The misinterpretation of the Wiccan Rede.

For those of you who are not aware of it, there are several versions of the Wiccan Rede. The short-and-sweet version is, "An it harm none, do as ye Will." (This is not the same as doing whatever the f*** you want, but that's a rant for another day.)

Let me begin by saying that a literal interpretation of "Harm none" is impossible. Why? Because every choice you make has consequences, and seemingly harmless ones have far-reaching effects. Let's say, for example, that I want to start eating right, so I go to the store and start buying fresh vegetables. Unfortunately, the company that produces said vegetables is owned by a ruthless man who uses the profits from his business to lobby legislators to pass laws which incidentally make it harder for persons of color to find employment in certain fields. Oops! I caused harm.

And that's why literal interpretation of the Rede is ridiculous. But there are some wiccans, known to the pagan community as fluff bunnies, who say that if a spell can possibly have ANY detrimental effect whatsoever, you can't do it, however well-intended. These are the people I can't stand. Because let's say I want a promotion at work, and do a spell to secure said promotion. What about the people who didn't get it? The more qualified people? Suppose one of them is in crippling debt, and needed that extra money to pay his rent, and is now going to be living in his car for the next year, because I wanted enough money to buy a cool new electronic gizmo?

My point to all the fluff bunny white lighters out there is this: If you really think it through, there is NO spell that doesn't stand a chance of harming someone, so it's just best to focus on intent instead.



End of rant.
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Jessmari · 41-45
As a former Wiccan I never heard the term white lighter unless they were referencing Charmed.

I always assumed the "an it harm none" bit refered to intent. I still think it's the best way to interpret it in my opinion.