White Witchcraft by Elissa Washuta is a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of the intersections between spirituality, mental health, Indigenous identity, and Western culture. Through a series of personal essays, Washuta reflects on her experiences growing up as a Native American woman in the United States and her journey towards understanding and reclaiming her own spirituality. One of the main themes in White Witchcraft is the concept of "white witchcraft" itself. Washuta employs this term to refer to the appropriation and commodification of Indigenous spiritual practices by white people, often without any meaningful understanding or respect for their cultural significance. She discusses how this appropriation has resulted in the commodification of sacred objects, such as sage and crystals, and the distortion of ancient rituals and traditions. Washuta also explores her own struggles with mental health and how it is deeply intertwined with her spiritual journey.
Washuta also explores her own struggles with mental health and how it is deeply intertwined with her spiritual journey. She interrogates the ways in which Western medicine and therapy often pathologize and marginalize Indigenous peoples' experiences of mental health, and instead seeks solace and healing in her own understanding of spirituality. Throughout the book, Washuta grapples with her own Indigenous identity and the ways in which it has been shaped and influenced by both Western and Indigenous cultures.
White Magic
White Magic is divine, incantatory, a riddle, an illusion. In Washuta’s hands, this collection becomes more than the sum of its parts.
Share this Article:White Magic is divine, incantatory, a riddle, an illusion. In Elissa Washuta’s hands, this collection becomes more than the sum of its parts. The subjects of these essays are parts of a bigger story—like a spell with the intention to make whole what has been wounded. Readers of Washuta’s two previous nonfiction books will recognize some of the same terrain, but this collection creates a new narrative, a reckoning with healing and with growing up.
White Magic begins with Washuta's urgent desire to decolonize witchcraft and other spiritual practices. For example, the Native American practice of smudging with white sage has been commodified so thoroughly that sage bundles were recently offered for sale at Sephora. Washuta, who is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, wishes for “a version of the occult that isn’t built on plunder,” although she doubts whether such a thing exists.
Tapping into her roots, Washuta explores the ecology of the Seattle region through Native mythology, as well as the history of the region’s colonization by white settlers. Multiple essays focus on the legacy of sexual violence against Native women, contextualized through Washuta’s own harrowing experiences. These essays move deftly between the personal, cultural and historical to create resonances across time.
Some of the best essays in White Magic are the most intimate, especially the ones that wrestle with the piercing sorrow of romantic attachment. Why do we love those who cannot love us back—or worse, who might kill us? Under Washuta’s dexterous touch, these questions gain symbolic weight through nuanced excursions into pop culture, from Stevie Nicks and “Twin Peaks” to the video game Red Dead Redemption 2. These subjects might sound disparate, but Washuta’s gift for weaving metaphorical strands across essays creates a strikingly harmonious narrative whole.
Elissa Washuta is a member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and a nonfiction writer. She is the author of Starvation Mode and My Body Is a Book of Rules, named a finalist for the Washington State Book Award. With Theresa Warburton, she is co-editor of the anthology Shapes of Native Nonfiction: Collected Essays by Contemporary Writers. She has received fellowships and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Capital, Artist Trust, 4Culture, and Potlatch Fund. Elissa is an assistant professor of creative writing at the Ohio State University.
She discusses her experiences of being raised in a predominantly white community and how she navigates the complexities of her Native heritage in a society that often reduces it to stereotypes and caricatures. The main idea of White Witchcraft is an exploration of the complex relationship between spirituality, identity, and cultural appropriation. Washuta invites readers to critically examine their own beliefs and practices and to consider how they may be complicit in perpetuating harmful dynamics. Ultimately, she seeks to reclaim and honor Indigenous spirituality by grounding it in its rightful cultural context while also recognizing its universal and transformative power..
Reviews for "The Connection between White Witchcraft and Indigenous Knowledge: Elissa Washuta's Perspective"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "White Witchcraft" to be a complete waste of time. The writing was disjointed and hard to follow, with no clear structure or purpose. Washuta's attempts to blend personal experiences with historical and cultural analysis felt forced and unconvincing. I also felt that many of her arguments lacked depth and critical thinking, as she often relied on personal anecdotes rather than providing concrete evidence or analysis. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the unique perspective that Elissa Washuta brings to "White Witchcraft," I found her writing style to be pretentious and needlessly complex. The constant jumping between different narratives and time periods left me feeling confused and disconnected from the story. Additionally, the focus on her own personal experiences took away from the broader themes she was attempting to explore. I wanted more analysis and less self-indulgent reflection. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating read.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - As someone who is interested in witchcraft and spirituality, I was excited to read "White Witchcraft." Unfortunately, I found the book to be disappointing and shallow. Washuta's writing lacked depth and substance, often relying on superficial observations and personal anecdotes without providing any real insight or analysis. The book felt more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a cohesive exploration of witchcraft. I was left craving a more thoughtful and nuanced examination of the topic.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - I struggled to connect with "White Witchcraft" throughout the entire book. Washuta's writing style meandered and lacked focus, making it difficult to follow her train of thought. I also found the book to be overly self-indulgent, with too much emphasis on the author's own experiences rather than offering a broader perspective on witchcraft. Overall, I felt that the book lacked substance and failed to deliver on its promises. I would not recommend it to others looking for a meaningful exploration of witchcraft.