Woo Woo – The Power of Words and Why We Need to Re-examine Language and Reclaim Power

Words have power.  Just imagine being told by someone, “I DESPISE you – you’re an awful person”. What does that feel like, inside your bones?  Now imagine someone telling you how much they recognize and appreciate you in their life. What does that feel like, by comparison?

The language we use everyday has the ability connect us to our own innate power, and conversely, it has the power to separate us from it. So often we think words are just words, worth nothing more than the mere effort it took to roll them off our tongues. And that ease – that tiny effort it takes to speak one word is part of the problem. It all happens so quickly that we often speak without conscious discernment of the words we are choosing to use. 

I have found it necessary on the journey into greater consciousness (greater love) to spend time examining the language we use; the language we use to speak to ourselves, to others, to describe the world around us. And it’s not a one-shot deal. Indeed there will (ought to) be many occasions of revisiting internally-programmed language that is so automatically part of our vocabulary. The programming can be difficult to recognize, and even when we see it for what it is, it truly requires a journey-of-discovery and education to learn about the origin of words, their intended uses, and how those intended uses and meanings (often patriarchal, oppressive, or derogatory in nature) are unknowingly perpetuated by our own current use of the word(s).

One of many words that comes up in spiritual practice and circles is one with a history of judgement, oppression, and worse…and yet, it is used so loosely and in a seemingly-humorous, often-endearing way. The word is Woo woo.  

I have always found this word, even when used in light-hearted jest, feeds the stereotypes that have diminished the power of psychics and mediums and seers and witches over the course of history, and by using this word, we still bleed our power away in some acknowledgement that what we do is somehow strange, unnatural, and weird in ways that are unintelligent and unfounded.  And we often do so unwittingly because the etymology of the word itself escapes us. Woo woo is not even a real word in the traditional sense. It’s a made-up slang term. Officially, woo woo is defined by Oxford Languages as: (noun, derogatory) unconventional beliefs regarded as having little or no scientific basis, especially those relating to spirituality, mysticism, or alternative medicine.  This definition translates to: whatever it is, it isn’t real, and if you believe it or practice it, you’re nuts and you’re not real either.  What does “unconventional” mean anyway?  In comparison to what?  The questions deepen…

It’s interesting though, when thinking of spiritual beliefs and practices versus religious beliefs and practices. As it seems, according to all standard definitions and common uses of the word woo woo, it ONLY relates to spiritual works and NOT religious. Why is that? Critical thinking will no doubt lead you to a biased or prejudicial person or group of folks who probably coined the term and its common definition as a way of further diminishing and ridiculing the mystics and soul-journeyers of the time. Woo woo, thought of as things that are unsubstantiated, not real, not provable and therefore sub-par and far-fetched only EVER relates to spiritual practices. Not religious. Even though both, from an empirical, scientific perspective, may fall into the same category.

The term woo woo is an echo of societal views of psychics and mediums and for me, I just won’t play in to it. It is so critical to re-evaluate the language we use, in any aspect of our lives. There is tremendous benefit in challenging ourselves to learn more about word choices, where words come from, and then critically assess whether or not the origin or truth of the word resonates with us. Most importantly, we are then able to make a more informed decision as to whether or not we want to be a steward of the language, or if instead we want to break the chains of oppression and judgment those words have secretly preserved.

It’s important to note that each of us has the freedom to use whichever words we so choose in describing who we are what we do. What do I mean by this? For some, the origin of a word and the historical development of its meaning is of no personal consequence or concern, and so identifying oneself with that very word feels right and appropriate. And that’s quite alright, as we all have different relationships with words, and it can be a wonderful thing when original meanings and intentions are simply set aside, and ones own identity can find space within that word in the here and now.

When I think about the word woo woo and the intention behind its original use, I think about fear and all the people who have been ridiculed or had their integrity questioned from being called or described as woo woo. There is no funny or endearing quality to the word through my eyes. The vocations of psychic, medium, intuitive, empath – they have a history. In that space of metaphysical practitioner, we will find stories the world over – and the stories are ages-old. The stories are of the persecuted, the misunderstood, the executed, the castaways, the weird ones.  And deep in our very bones, we remember them. We remember them most significantly when see ourselves in them; when we identify with them; when we realize that indeed we ARE them.  We are the witches, the seers, the strange ones. We are all the names that history has ever given us, but let US now choose what we are to be called and how we are to be described. If we choose to use the same names from history, let us do so because WE choose to, and let us reclaim the power of those words for our own definition and use. Or, let us choose new language, with origins of power, love, and intelligence.

I think it serves as a beautiful demonstration of the power of an enduring spirit to see that even with everything our predecessors suffered, under centuries and lifetimes of pressure and shunning, we have survived. We’re still here, despite all the names they called us and still do sometimes. And why is that? I believe it’s because we’re needed. Our work and what we do is so necessary in this world, and has been forever. We are the helpers – the bringers of the light. And the language we use to identify and describe ourselves ought to honour this sacred role with the highest reverence. 

Mary-Anne Kennedy is One of Canada’s Top Psychic Mediums, a Published Author, and TV Personality. Visit maryannekennedy.ca or facebook.com/spiritualmediummaryannekennedy