Animism Question.

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Animism Question.
By: / Beginner
Post # 1
Just wondering, if Wicca is partly Animism, what is your philosophy for killing weeds, ants, and basically "pests"? Huge department stores carry pesticides and various poisons to kill plants and animals. What do you think?
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Re: Animism Question.
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 2
What defines a weed? I find dandelions and yarrow beautiful and they're wonderfully healing. You can plant marigolds around your garden to keep harmful weeds out naturally.

As for pests I try to use natural ways to repel them rather than kill them. The only ones I would ever kill are those that can bite or sting that won't be repelled. Like if (goodness forbid) I ever had to deal with bedbugs, I would have no second thoughts of killing them. To kill because you're being attacked or to survive is not wrong. Its natural. Death should never be "justi because", you should show respect to nature and give back.

I'll capture most insects I find in the house and let them go outside.

I don't judge others for choosing to kill them, that's their choice. But I try to remain as "green" as possible, even choosing natural eco friendly cleaners or plain white vinegar and baking soda to keep my house clean and wash my clothes. Remember even germs are alive and we kill them, we aren't tree huggers, we just believe in respecting nature.

I'm not Wiccan, my beliefs are primarily Cherokee.
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Re: Animism Question.
By: Moderator / Adept
Post # 3
I think that you would find that most Wiccans are not animists; although I'm sure you could find some who describe their belief system that way. Animism encompasses the beliefs that there is no separation between the spiritual and physical (or material) world, and souls or spirits exist, not only in humans, but also in all other animals, plants, rocks, geographic features such as mountains or rivers, or other entities of the natural environment. But more than that, it is the feeling that everything that is is Divine.

Most Wiccans that I know are more panentheists in that they believe that there is a bit of the Divine throughout all of Creation, but that the Creation itself is not Divine.

I've been Wiccan for many years, but I have no issue with killing weeds and insect pests if necessary. I'll use non-toxic, non-chemical means if I can. But when it comes down to things such as roaches, ants, etc in my home then I also have to consider my own welfare and the health hazards such creatures bring with them.
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