Being Ethical in the Trending World of the Occult

Witchcraft, magick, paganism, manifestation, and all things occult have surged into the mainstream. I first got into the craft before major social media was a thing, it felt like being part of a secret world. Now, witchcraft is everywhere: tarot cards are sold at grocery stores, crystals come in any shape you can think of, and TikTok has it’s own WitchTok abundant with spell tutorials and aesthetic rituals.

On one hand, it’s exciting to see the craft becoming more accessible. On the other, it means low quality products are constantly being pushed on us at a markup. It raises the question: How can we stay ethical in a world where New Age is trending?

Let me be clear, this isn’t about judgment. This piece reflects my perspective. I believe magick flows best when it comes from positive energy and intentions. If the energy around your tools is off, be it through unethical sourcing or misuse, it may create lower vibrational magick.

Here are 3 ways to help stay ethical in your practice!

 

1. Know Your Sources

Whether it’s crystals, herbs, or magickal tools, take time to research where your items come from. Are your crystals ethically mined? Were the herbs sustainably harvested? Support small businesses that prioritize fair trade, local sourcing, or transparency in their practices.

For example, lapis lazuli, a rock beloved for its royal blue, has long been associated with truth, intuition, dreamwork, and spiritual insight in magickal practices. However, much of the world’s lapis comes from Afghanistan, where mining is often linked to human rights abuses, child labor, destroys ecosystems, and contaminates water supplies. Ethically sourced lapis is difficult to verify, making it a problematic stone for conscious practitioners. For a more sustainable alternative, consider sodalite. It has a similar look, supports intuition and communication, and is more commonly sourced under regulated conditions. Try to research your sources and buy from sellers who prioritize ethical practices.

I’m currently on a journey to understand the magick of natural items in my own area. Rose quartz and clear quartz are abundant in my town. Using minerals from my own backyard is better for the environment, easier on the wallet, and I like to think it enhances the energy of my practice since it doesn’t carry the harm often tied to global harvesting. Just be mindful: don’t overharvest local plants or minerals. Take only what you need and leave enough for the land to replenish.

 

2. Don’t Appropriate

Respect the roots. This can be a complex subject, and not everyone may agree. This was a difficult topic to research because I found many opinion pieces, but they lacked historical context or evidence. Still, there are a few spiritual practices that are clearly rooted in marginalized cultures and frequently misused—such as white sage smudging or so-called ‘Gypsy magic’. These aren’t just aesthetic trends; they carry deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the communities they come from. Before incorporating something like white sage or referencing closed traditions (such as Romani practices), do your research. Much of what’s marketed as “Gypsy magic” is actually a fictional, romanticized invention created by outsiders—not something rooted in authentic Romani culture.

I grew up in a spiritual household where we used white sage to cleanse negative energy. At the time, I thought it was cultural appreciation, but once I did more research, I was upset to discover how commercialized Wicca appropriated this practice. Most commercially sold smudge sticks are illegally harvested, and overharvesting has made it difficult for Indigenous communities to access this sacred plant central to their traditions. In some cases, they even have to buy it back. That’s why I’ve stepped back and reevaluated the plants I use and why I encourage others to explore alternatives or grow their own herbs in a respectful, informed way. Now I use regular Garden Sage or incense instead!­

 

3. Examine the Role of Capitalism in Your Practice

There’s nothing wrong with buying tools, supporting creators, or investing in your craft. But be mindful of what you’re buying. Is it something you genuinely need—or just a response to aesthetic trends and FOMO?

I once bought a $13 tarot satchel from a local bougie metaphysical shop, only to later find the exact same item on Temu for $2. It was frustrating. I thought I was supporting a small business, but I had unknowingly paid a markup for a mass-produced item—one that started falling apart immediately. That moment really made me reflect on where my money was going and how often products are just repackaged fast goods with a spiritual label.

And the truth is, a lot of the trendy witchy tools on the market—mushroom-shaped crystals, heart stones, spell kits, even tarot decks—are the same products being sold by fast-fashion level suppliers at low wages and under poor work conditions. Even if local shops aren’t sourcing directly from places like Temu, they may be buying wholesale from the same factories, factories that often rely on cheap labor, unsafe working environments, or human rights violations.

That said, if you love using various and aesthetic tools, that’s completely valid too. I’m definitely not a minimalist! I’m a collector who enjoys surrounding myself with things that feel special. I like to acquire items of quality and meaning. My favorite oracle deck was passed down to me from a relative, and my most-loved amethyst clusters came from a roadside shack run by a woman who collected every stone and shell herself. I still own tarot decks that are cheap knockoffs and I couldn’t resist the little opals shaped like stars (which are probably fake by the way). But I just don’t feel the same connection to items that are clearly mass-produced in overseas factories.

It’s hard to escape capitalism completely, but we can reduce harm by being more conscious consumers. Buy less. Buy with purpose. Support handcrafters when you can and try to choose items that are meaningful or locally sourced.

 

In a world where witchcraft is becoming increasingly commercial, being mindful of ethical choices can create higher vibrational magick.

Witching you well,

Starla Mystique