It's funny how jewelry can change how you see yourself but what about too much jewelry? Today I went on my favorite pagan site only to be bombarded by pagan jewelry ads.
For a spilt second while staring at this ad I thought maybe my friends on the site might think that I put on ten pounds of jewelry everyday and gets out her black cloaks and dresses (this reminds me of that 'witch' episode on What Not To Wear).
Far from the fantasy witch vision, I am more of an eclectic dresser. I do like skirts and my share of ear lobe gauges but I like my pants, sweaters and tank-tops. I am very practical with my clothes. Aside from my pentacle and one moon ring I am not a really a witchy dresser.
Back to the pagan jewelry, I know that jewelry doesn't make the Goddess lover. But isn't it pushed? I feel like the witchy stuff are only ornaments to be bought rather than a representation of belief. Is Paganism becoming commercialism? I understand books being advertised but loads of jewelry and tools that we don't need? I do get the fascination over dressing oneself up for ritual but going overboard can lead someone away from true spirituality.
I choose to create my own decorations and ornaments rather than letting someone else make them for me.
I blogged about that episode of What Not to Wear when it aired... I think I had the same pajama pants with witches on them as they are pretty freakin' sweet.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of all of the young witches in the Discworld novels who cover themselves in occult jewelry because they think it makes them more witchy or something, these witches are typically young and inexperienced or think that such pieces are necessary to their practice when they clearly are not.
That being said I can appreciate the craftsmanship that goes into some jewelry pieces, and I have a few pieces that I wear discreetly on a regular basis, but it's definitely not necessary.
I do think that paganism is becoming commercialism to a certain extent, sure the jewelry and the beautiful tools are not necessary for practice, but neither are a good many books that are published and advertised.
Personally, I buy as well as make various pieces of jewelry and working tools so I think I walk a very balanced line in respect to the rampant commercialism of modern day neopaganism, but I can't say the same for anyone else.