Thoughts from the Dean's Desk

Let’s start with a simple question: What if everything you believed was wrong? 

 
Sounds unsettling, right? But that’s exactly why skepticism is so powerful. At its core, skepticism means asking questions instead of blindly accepting answers. It’s not about being negative or dismissive; it’s about staying curious and making sure what you believe actually holds up.  And when it comes to magical studies, where mystery and intuition often take center stage, skepticism isn’t just helpful; it’s essential. 

Think of skepticism as your mental filter. It helps you pause and question assumptions before you let them shape your worldview. Many people accuse those who practice skepticism as being cynics or negative. Here’s the key difference: 

• Healthy skepticism asks, “Is this true? How do I know?” 
• Cynicism says, “Nothing is true.” 

One opens doors to learning; the other slams them shut.  If your question opens the door to learning, it’s positive and helpful.  If your question is used to berate, challenge or deny then it’s negative and not helpful to anyone’s growth. Being skeptical doesn’t mean rejecting everything. It means keeping an open mind while asking smart questions. You’re not saying “No” you’re saying, “Tell me more.” 

Here’s the cool part: skepticism doesn’t limit you; it expands your horizons. It sparks curiosity, pushes you to dig deeper, and keeps you from blindly following trends or authority figures. In a world overflowing with misinformation, skepticism is your shield. We often become mesmerized or entranced by someone with a lot of charisma or who looks like they are amazing and wonderful.  Asking questions, skepticism allows us to not follow a fairy down the path into a dangerous situation.  Once you have assured yourself that this person has your best and highest good in mind, then give your belief loyalty and support.  But before you do that, it is healthy to ask questions! 

Now, let’s talk about magic. Spiritual and magical practices thrive on faith and intuition, but without skepticism, they can slip into dogma or fantasy. By questioning, you create space for authentic experiences that feel real because you’ve tested and explored them. Skepticism doesn’t kill magic; it makes it personal.  It also keeps you safe emotionally and spiritually. Once you have researched, explored and asked good questions, then commit! 

Good questions to ask: 

• Ask: “Why?” and “What evidence supports this?” 
• Double-check sources and look for bias. 
• Stay open-minded and question without shutting down possibilities. 

Asking questions doesn’t mean you have decided; it means you are considering.  However, flooding someone with questions that demand they defend their position isn’t considering.  It’s trying to prove your view is correct.  There are often no “right and provable” answers in magic.  Something that works for me might absolutely not work for you.  That is why we say Wicca is an experiential religion.  Your experience is the answer to many questions and no matter how many times a teacher tells you the answer, you won’t really understand it until you experience it. 

Skepticism isn’t the enemy of belief it’s the partner that keeps it honest. So, here’s your challenge: apply skepticism in your daily life and spiritual journey. Question, explore, and discover what truly resonates with you.  Follow that and release the rest.  Someone else may find resonance with what you find untenable.  It doesn’t mean you are right, and they are wrong.  It means that path isn’t for you, and you can release it without a lot of drama and negativity. 

Because magic is the most powerful when it’s real for you.