#gate keeping

I will from time to time find myself discussing the necessity of vaccines, and masks, and such in relation to COVID. MInd you, nobody who I am talking with is an outright COVID denier. But they are either of: "By now it is totally not dangerous anymore" or some flavor of: "I do not get those vaccines, because what I heard sounds iffy".

And the second ones are a bigger issue. Because some of them have even tried to read studies. BUt they just... Medical studies are fucking hard to read. And I feel that is an issue.

A lot of people already struggle with statistics. And then medical studies? Especially with big numbers of participants? It does not quite work.

But I also do not quite know how to communicate it better. I kinda wish it would be some sort of standard in science to implement a 1-2 pages accessible summary of any scientific paper. Written in a way that your average joe can understand it. Because let's face it: Even if it is of public interest and ends up in news media, it often does not end there in a good way. Either it will get sensationalized and because of that wrongly communicated. Or whatever Journalist did the writing also did not fully understand the paper.

The binding of isaac is my most played game ever I think. Not even Minecraft has gotten me 375 hours entranced.

Someone once tried to gatekeep me from being a fan because I fucking didn't know most of the monster names.

I legit felt like I was just a phony fan, because he made it sound like every hardcore fan or fan in general needs to know the game inside out, but that's not true.

I rarely look up monster names because I'm too busy looking up what certain items do, what cards does what.

I almost got the id's memorized, so that I can use a spin-down dice efficiently.

Also, I use mods. Also, I cheat. But I still enjoy the game.

And that's what matters.

You aren't less of a fan just because you don't do this or don't know that or do this or that.

If you like a game, you're a fan, if you decide that you are.

Don't let other people dictate how you should play to fit THEIR definition of fun or fan.

mix n match whatever n whenever all day, new things are being created all the time! undefined and unknowable....until way after the fact....(if ever) lmao

dont get stunted by someone elses past, be u in the present! its only relevant if u want it to be, of course...

So the other day I was watching the OG Hellsing and quoted Integra while watching it. Then the day after my mom quoted me

THE URGE TO GATE KEEP WAS SO IMMENSE

Context: my mom doesn’t watch anime, nor has an interest in watching anime so I was like “how dare you use a quote from my favorite anime against me when you refuse to watch it?!” Lmfaooooo

And this is why solidarity in our communities is so important. And why gatekeeping is so dangerous. Because not only is each part of our community a longterm home, sanctuary, and support system for people of a certain identity, we also provide a path and an unofficial Welcoming Committee to new members of the wider LGBTQA+ community (especially young queer people, for whom a supportive welcoming is so important). And in turn, many of the people who find their way to us will be coming from a different part of the rainbow path. This is also why bigotry is so so damaging when it comes from within our communities, and why we each of us have a responsibility to examine our prejudices and acknowledge that being queer doesn’t automatically give us a pass--we are just as capable of bigotry as anyone on the outside, and in a unique position to do harm from within. Fight transphobia, fight aphobia, fight biphobia, fight racism and ableism and discrimination wherever you see it in our communities. And more than that, celebrate ALL the colors on our flags, and all of the diverse communities they represent. Solidarity makes us so much more powerful, as a community and as individuals. So I’d like to start by saying:

I start talking about hoodoo and he’s saying voodoo/Vodou... but that’s not what got me.

We’re nearing the end of my purchase, and our conversation. This is when he got me. He pulls out a mojo calling it a poppet.

I’m just thinking “...I’m sorry sir, but that is not a poppet.”

This brings me to a topic I’ve wanted to talk about for a while: synchronizing Hoodoo and chaos magic.

Hoodoo in America and Why White People Are Not Taught

Hoodoo comes from enslaved Africans throughout the Americas (particularly the American/Antebellum South)

Whites attempted to remove African cultural and (spiritual) identities to make a docile population that tends to their desires (slaves). African indigenous/religious worship was outlawed, families and entire generations killed or separated, while racism made it hard for progress in any other area of life.

Because of this African heritage survived by families passing on wisdom verbally and practicing in secret.

Hoodoo has no roots as a religion in America, but borrows from Christianity and Catholicism using prayers and Bible verses to empower the lives and magic of Conjure (Wo)men. Similarly, Obeah, a form of Hoodoo specific to the Caribbean, has no roots as a religion. Obeah was outlawed after 1760 because its role in slave revolts across the Caribbean. Voodoo/ Vodou, unlike Hoodoo, is an organized religion with spiritual hierarchies, ritual ceremonies, customs and practices. However, due to racism, laziness and media portrayals of African-based magic hoodoo and voodoo are often used interchangeably. Obeah was “forgotten” due to its violent history.

Hoodoo‘s past has connections to European and First Nation (Native American) magic systems from when a Conjure (wo)men worked under white witches and herbalists. In those spaces knowledge was shared. Influence from First Nation animism/herbalism is present because some Africans were also kept as slaves by Native Americans.

Simply for the racial history alone:

Mojo =/= poppet

Now we have a bit of background on hoodoo let’s get into the magic terminology and philosophy.

Magic: Hoodoo and European

Poppets are sympathetic magic which involves using/making a taglock, an object or image that looks like the target. Poppets are used to send energy to a specific person exerting an influence over their person/reality. (European)

A mojo is a talisman that is typically used to help a person to advance or attract a specific energy or outcome to them. Mojos are believed to house a spirit which needs to be ritually “birthed” and fed. (African Animism/Hoodoo)

So, again: mojo =/= poppet

Now, there is a such thing as using a voodoo doll, but, again, this is sympathetic magic which uses a taglock and a figure, made to resemble the target, to influence the persons physical/spiritual/mental/emotional state. That is not a mojo, which functions as a ritual talisman used to draw things into your life (luck, health, wealth, love, etc).

Magical Synchronicity: Hoodoo and Chaos Magick

In my understanding mojos have a similar ritual process, purpose and maintenance as a servitor.

A servitor is a being, or thoughtform, given life through ritual in which it requires a purpose, a name, a physical home, and sustenance to survive and do their intended work.

Similarly, after birthing and activating your mojo it is expected you feed it with spirits (alcohol) and oil at least once a month (preferably once a week) so it can continue to work for you.

Both a servitor and a mojo can go into the (spiritual) world to pull strings or collect knowledge and information for you. They can be used for many reasons, but can go rogue if not treated with care and respect.

Here, Hoodoo and chaos magick can come to a common ground.

You could follow the same process for creating a mojo, then enhance it by incorporating the ritual of creating a servitor. Giving the mojo: life, purpose, a name, thought form (spirit body) and even some independence in how it’s connected to you.

However, doing this removes the title from simply being a mojo/gris gris bag or servitor because the process is different, but borrows influence from both paths.

Leading me to this:

I understand appropriation is a big topic so I will say because he may not have any relationship to hoodoo the ritual process becomes something different making the mojo a “poppet” for him in his practice. Because the ritual wasn’t the same as one done by a hoodoo/conjure (wo)man it becomes a different item entirely.