SAFS #6: Spirituality, Submission, and Power – Oh My!

A couple of months ago, I was flipping through my copy of Cosmopolitan - yes, a witch can be into pop culture things, don't judge - and I saw an article on feminine submission and how embracing such a concept can be a form of empowerment. No, we're not talking about bedroom submission; we're talking about the "seeking personal empowerment as an illusion and giving up control to a divine entity's plan" type of submission. Like me, you're probably thinking about that statement and going, "wait, what?". As I continued to read, I recognized a few elements of the concept that resonated with me as someone who practices spirituality and is constantly looking for ways to better her practice.

There was a lot to unpack in that article regarding concepts of personal power. As I read it, I started questioning our understanding of power and submission and how those concepts might play into one's spiritual practice. So, for this podcast episode, let's dive in and explore the ideas of empowerment and submission in the spiritual realm.

I'll share more on the article I mentioned and take it further by talking about conscious submission versus tuning out. We will also discuss true power, what it looks like and how we can use it to better our outlook on life and spiritual practice. Finally, I'll leave you with tips on recognizing if the power balance is off in your spiritual practice. Get your favorite beverage, sit in your favorite chair, and get ready for this episode of Spiritual AF Sundays: Spirituality, Submission, and Power - Oh My!

[Intro Clip]

Welcome back. I am Jessica, also known as The Mystic Geek, and today we're discussing submission and power. The article highlighted a few key points that are very relevant when discussing spirituality and power.

The Live Original Movement

In November, Cosmopolitan published the article "Sadie Robertson Huff Preaches Submissive Womanhood. Her Message Is Uncomfortably Compelling". 

The author, Allison Theresa, studied the Duck Dynasty star Sadie Robertson Huff and her Christian lifestyle community, "Live Original." Suppose you're curious why this group is named the way it is. In that case, their belief system states that God made women to be compliant, relinquishing control and influence to become vessels for divine activity here on Earth. Submission, they claim, is a woman's original nature.

This view begs the question - how does this movement define "submission"?

First, they view submission as accepting the hardships in life that you can't change. The example the article gives, pulled from one of Huff's videos, is this: "When the doctor's diagnosis is not what you thought, or your job is eliminated or natural disaster strikes or how about a global pandemic—how do we react to that?"

When faced with these obstacles, many of us would find a way to keep fighting, but that's not the case for this group. For them, submission is about letting go of trying to control the uncontrollable and turning it over to a higher power. In their belief system, submitting to these hardships allows you to be part of something bigger; relinquishing control can be empowering because it means trusting whatever comes next in life is meant to be.

The Cosmo article includes a photo of Huff praying over a young woman in a wheelchair. I was able to find the video on YouTube. The woman in blue, Makayla Noble, was an avid cheerleader who broke her neck and lost her ability to walk in a freak accident. In the video, Mikayla shared how her faith helped her through her experience. 

Where some may have lamented their experience, Noble believed that what happened to her happened for a reason, albeit one that she did not fully know or understand, and that she needed to have faith that there was a purpose behind what happened to her. 

Second, they see submission as letting others, particularly men, lead. As explained by one of the people Allison Theresa interviewed named, Terra Culbreath, the argument is that women base their beliefs on their emotions while - in her words - "men are just, like, straight up." This submission is more controversial as it goes against society's changing views on gender roles and power dynamics.

I tried looking through Sadie Robertson Huff's videos for anything explicitly called this out. I found a video that brought up how our truths don't have as much power in the grand scheme of things as that truth, which in the context of her talk, means God's truth.  Huff expounds upon this further,  noting that pursuing one's empowerment does little to fix the world's problems, such as stopping wars or healing the sick, and thus, if we don't have that much power, neither do our personal truths.

Unpacking Submission

If we frame submission as making peace with a situation instead of actively resisting problems we can't escape, there's value in surrendering. 

In his book, "The Little Work: Magic to Transform Your Everyday Life," Durgadas Allon Duriel brought up how stressing over a situation - especially one that we cannot change - can worsen matters. Through his firsthand battle with chronic pain, he discovered that it became much more manageable by coming to terms with the issue.

There's wisdom in this approach. However, what happens when you tune out unconsciously rather than consciously accept your circumstances - or a situation in general?

In the Cosmo article I referenced earlier, Theresa shared that she simultaneously wanted to be skeptical of Live Original's philosophy yet realized her hypocrisy in desiring to critique it. She admitted that she had not always used her voice in the face of inequality, despite being passionate about social justice issues at one point. She confessed that, eventually, it all became too much, and she found herself numbing out instead.

The Cosmo article paints a complex picture of submission; it's not simply about being complacent and obedient or about giving up on your beliefs - rather, it can be an act of intentional surrender in the face of embracing something bigger.

Let's think about this - what does it mean to be aware and accepting of the current state versus seeing a problem and avoiding taking action? Is there a notable difference between tuning out and consciously submitting?

I believe so.

Tuning out is an act of avoidance—a refusal to face reality at hand. It may appear to be a form of submission, but it's an act of disengagement, blocking out the truth to avoid responsibility or confrontation. When we tune out, we distance ourselves from the problem and stay passive.

One example of tuning out in the face of inequality is when an individual avoids addressing structural racism. Rather than getting involved in protests, petitions, and other forms of activism to dismantle oppressive systems and policies, they may remain silent or ignore the evidence of injustice. Or, we take action when it is fashionable to do so but ignore the issue when it's no longer trending. We tell ourselves that we want to change the world and make a difference, but we feel overwhelmed by the scope of the issues around us. It's easier to do nothing than to try and do something.

Conscious submission, however, is about being present and accepting the world as it is without necessarily agreeing with it or approving of its injustice.

This means that submission equals complacency. Conscious submission is about understanding our limitations when changing the status quo. It's about recognizing humility. Most importantly, it's about feeding the ego rather than creating lasting change. We aren't cosplaying a Final Fantasy game where we're part of a band of heroes against a corrupt empire. That, my friends, is known as Saviorism, and it's best to avoid that behavior.

Does this mean that submission equals not acting out against injustice? Not necessarily. Conscious submission is about understanding the power dynamics in play and recognizing our limitations when changing the status quo. It's acknowledging that we can't do everything but can still take action where possible. While we may have an end goal in mind, we must be open to other solutions that may appear along the way. We can use our voices in the most effective ways to create lasting change. For those with privilege, it also means letting marginalized voices take the lead in their social justice movements and following their guidance on how we can best help.

Ultimately, conscious submission involves accepting reality without necessarily agreeing and taking action where possible. We can't begin striving for a better future without acknowledging the present - even if we dislike what is happening. By engaging in this type of mindfulness and intentional surrender, we can all use our unique strengths and abilities to make meaningful contributions towards equality and creating a better world for everyone.

Now that we discussed submission let's turn around and talk about power within spirituality.

Unpacking Power

Power can be a touchy topic within spiritual circles. Many of us turn to witchcraft and other magical practices to find the power to improve our circumstances, but we use language that externalizes this power. We might say, "I’m calling in the energy of abundance," or "I'm asking my spirit guides to help me." But when we look at power through the lens of spirituality, it's important to remember that true power comes from within. It’s about recognizing our inner strength and trusting in the knowledge we already have.

Why do we shy away from our power?  It’s because power can be a scary thing. It can lead to abuse, manipulation, and control if misused. Some of us experienced what it is like for someone else to exert their power over us, and we fear doing the same to others.  We also think of power as something we must take from another when it is already nested within us. There is a difference between having power over someone and having power with that person.

So, what exactly does it mean to have or utilize one's power? In its simplest form, power means shaping reality according to our will. We desire, and then we take action.  We implement this through direct action or by influencing others - including the universe - to act on our behalf.  We also have power over ourselves, meaning we can examine and reframe our thoughts, thus altering our sense of reality.

For you occult nerds wondering if I paraphrased Alister Crowley and Dion Fortune's definitions of magic, I did. Magic, whether internal or external focused, is a manifestation of power.

Finally, true power comes from self-authority. It's about trusting your gut instincts and inner wisdom rather than relying on external sources.  The power within oneself - our sovereignty - involves being fully present and in tune with the world. Presence means staying mindful of our intentions and our impact on the world.  It’s about understanding our place in the universe and recognizing that we are part of something larger than ourselves.

When Our Personal Power is Imbalanced

When someone feels powerless, it can manifest in many different ways. Examples include feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, struggling to make decisions or set boundaries, and experiencing a lack of motivation or joy in life. Feelings of powerlessness also show up through tuning out. These behaviors signify that something needs to change - the individual has ignored their power for too long or is not trusting in it.

In such a case, it’s essential to take a step back and reflect on the source of the power imbalance. Is it a result of external forces or internal doubts?  What can we do to restore balance and reclaim our power?

On the other hand, when people become captivated by their power and influence, they can develop an overinflated sense of self-confidence. This perspective could lead them to take unnecessary risks or focus too much on themselves instead of considering those around them. They may be highly opinionated and unwilling to concede to find common ground with others.

People can become overly attached to a specific result, believing their opinion is the only right one. This view causes them to act out of domination and control, as well as an aggressive attitude. Naturally, this thought process is neither beneficial nor sustainable in the long term; thus, we must be aware of our actions and their effects on others.

When someone is too focused on their power - a sign they feel a lack of power - it is vital to take a step back and look at the source of the power imbalance. Think about if it has come from outside forces or your doubts. To restore balance and reclaim your power, try not to be so opinionated and be open to considering other people's ideas. Remember that you don't need to control everything; try not to take unnecessary risks or act aggressively toward others.

The key is to find the balance between submission and power. To be empowered, we must learn to accept what is and be open to different perspectives. When our power is balanced, we can turn our dreams into reality, connect with others in meaningful ways, and live a life of true freedom and joy. 

I'm throwing this back at you. What do you think about power and submission in spirituality? Let us know by emailing me at jess@themysticgeek.com or leaving a voice message at speakpipe.com/themysticgeek.

Curious about what we're talking about next? Join us next week on January 29th; we're going to have our first Sabbat special, where we discuss Imbolc and its counterpart on the wheel of the year, Lughnasadh. Two weeks from now, on February 5th, we're moving on to another spicy topic - The Law of Attraction. I'm going to read through several books in Rhonda Byrne's "The Secret" series, so you don't have to, and I'm going to share my witchy-occultist thoughts on the subject.

Now, go out there and get spiritual AF! Thank you for listening.