If you've done any reading anywhere, especially on the web, you've heard this term. Fluffy Bunny. An obviously derogatory term aimed at newbie witches. Before I began Witchcraft One, and was simply doing research on the web and reading lots of books, I saw this term and wondered if it applied to me.

It wouldn't be the first time I've been called a bunny. When I was at Smith, those of us who lived in larger houses on a quadrangle on the edge of campus were referred to as Quad Bunnies by the women who lived on central campus and watched us walk home from class on the path that lead past their houses to ours. You can imagine the various stereotypes the term encompassed, but largely I think they took us for unserious party girls. Damn right I'm a party girl! And proud of it! But that doesn't mean I can't be serious about something when I need or want to be.

Since you are reading this blog, you know that I am new to witchcraft and have just begun more formal study. My approach to learning the craft is serious, but to all outward appearance I fit the description of a fluffy bunny - or at least the characterization as I interpreted it. I'm girly and into fashion (goth is not a good look for me). Look at my site: I wanted it to be fun and a reflection of my personality. My approach to magick notwithstanding, I have to laugh when I imagine the expressions and comments I'd get from the Wicca For The Rest Of Us crowd. Needless to say, I was reluctant to post in some of the pagan forums that interested me for fear of offending anyone with my lapininess.

With a bit of experience and education to my credit, I've revisited the idea of the fluffy bunny. What does it really mean to be a fluffy bunny? Am I a fluffy bunny?

The short answer to this question is no. And I never was, much to my relief.

One of the most informative sources for a discussion of what constitutes a fluffy bunny was none other than the site that had me quaking in my pointy-toed mary janes: Wicca For the Rest of Us.

The first definition of a Fluffy Bunny is one who refuses to learn, refuses to think, and refuses to consider the possibility that they could possibly ever be wrong. Generally they find one book, author or website and follow it as if it were the holy word, denouncing anything that disagrees with it as obviously false.

The second flavor of Fluffy Bunny is the type that's into Wicca mostly for show.

It's worth reading the entire article because it's rather enlightening on this subject. As it turns out, the fact that I don't run around in goth costume is actually in my favor!

A short note on Wicca For the Rest of Us. They take a hard line on a variety of topics relating to Wicca. There are always going to be conflicting viewpoints about Wicca, as in any other area of intellectual pursuit, and you may not agree with everything they have to say. Personally, I find contradictory viewpoints make for more thought-provoking study. You should take what you will from what you read and choose for yourself what rings true in your experience.

But back to fluffy bunnies!

There was a great thread in November 2004 on the subject at The Cauldron. This site has some great discussions on their Message Board; I highly recommend it. Some of my favorite comments from the fluffy bunny thread:

Oh, yes, the "I watched 'The Craft' the other day, and I had an epiphany! I am just like that powerful, dark witch and am driven to do all my work skyclad and become the high priestest of dark sex magickkkk and bend all to my will, but only in a nice way that won't really hurt them, and my parents will just have to deal....cause this is my destiny---Oh, and I can change my eye color too! " type.

They can often be seen sporting religious symbols the size of hubcaps, or wear so many that they jingle like a belly dancer when they walk. They may affect a mode of dress to match their particular brand of fluff. All black for the "I saw 'The Craft' 100 times!" crew, or flowing gowns for the 'Mists' afficiandos. (Yes, there are those who dress in this manner who aren't fluffy, but there's something that keys you into the difference betwixt the two. Those who are dressing this way because they dress this way just look right in their clothes, while those affecting the fashion will look like they're trying too hard.)

So I'm not a fluffy bunny. Am I girly? Yes. Am I a serious witch? Yes. The cauldron is capacious enough for those of us from many walks of life. I like what Christopher Penczak has to say about the Witch's Path:

The most important quality of the witch is a healthy dose of love for life. You must seek to enjoy the pleasures of life on all levels. A key to such enjoyment is a good sense of humor. Laughter is the best form of magick. A witch who cant laugh at himself or herself is taking things a bit too seriously. The world is a place of wonder and magick. Be focused on your task, but not so focused that you do not enjoy the ride.

Posted by Angela-Eloise at 4:19 PM