Sexism in Magick

I’d like to address an interesting phenomena that’s been bugging me as of late. And no – don’t take this post as me whining or screaming discrimination. I’m not. I’m just shedding light on something that exists and a lot of people don’t talk about.

In general and overall – I’d say there’s very little sexism (if any) among enlightened magicians. I generally don’t run into sexism at all. Because of this, imagine my surprise and shock when I do encounter it. Make no mistake about it, folks. Sexism among magicians (more specifically grimoiric and ceremonial magicians) is alive and well despite its rarity. Now of course no one comes out and says, “Magick is a man’s domain, no women allowed” in such a direct way since that’s politically incorrect these days, but that’s essentially what I’ve been told by two different men in the past two years.

As a matter of fact, one man was a fan of my books until he discovered I was a woman. I got an e-mail, “You’re a woman?” When I replied yes, a barrage of insults and criticisms followed.

Another male had the audacity to “poo-poo” all my books on the subject of magick (Daemonolatry Goetia to be more precise) and tell me that he was looking forward to reading my fiction, because it most likely suited me better. No- he never poo-poo’ed any of the male authors on the subject of Goetia. Didn’t go after Michael Ford and his take on a Luciferian Goetia. Never went after any of the male authors in OTO, Poke Runyon, or the infamous Steve Savedow about their perspectives of Goetia. No- he specifically had a bone to pick with me and the Daemonolatry Goetia. And was quick to point out that I was a “she” as he dressed me down for my untraditional viewpoint and practice of Goetic Magick.

Now I know back-in-the-day magick was a male-only pursuit (unless you were talking about folk magick/witchcraft), but times have clearly changed. Sure, there may not be as many women working Goetic magick out there, but we are here and our voices, views, and perspectives of such magick are no more invalid than a males.  We women work grimoiric magick, too. And Enochian. Funny how these same men who have a problem with my views don’t seem to  get all asshurt when a male comes out with unconventional views about said long standing magickal practice within ceremonial magick or grimoiric magick. But if a woman does it – holy shit — it’s the apocolypse!

Or is it that I really am that controverisal and my views are really that far out in left field? LOL! Doubtful. I’ve read far more controversial work than my own.

I wish I understood the reasoning behind this sexism when it comes to magick, but the only things I can think of is the men who feel this way must either A. hate women, B. have feelings of inadequacy as magicians, C. really believe women have no place practicing magick, D. see a woman as an easy target for their venom and know-it-all stance on the magickal arts (and they’re too chicken-shit to pick fights with male magicians who hold similar unconventional views).

So to those two gentlemen who seem to stalk me on the Internet — Sure – criticize my work and disagree with my views and practices. That’s fine. But don’t attack me as a person and call me completely ignorant while singing the praises of (and not equally criticising) the male authors out there who hold very similar views to mine on the same topics.  Because then it just makes you look very sexist. Just sayin’…