Agatha All Along: A Daoist Lens on Witchcraft Ethics and the Balance of Power
Exploring the Yin and Yang of Magic, the Daoist Art of Non-Attachment, and the Ethical Nuances of Witchcraft in Marvel's Agatha All Along
Spoiler Warning: For those who have yet to watch Agatha All Along and wish to experience it fresh, consider this your cue to look away. Note this is an Agatha All Along analysis, and less of a review.
If you have watched the Marvel series, Agatha All Along (AAA), you’ll probably understand why so many witches, sorcerers, magic practitioners, and occult scholars have been engrossed from the first episode through to the last. For me, I’ve been analyzing the series through my own culture’s Daoist perspectives. I’ve also been intrigued by the questions raised around the ethics of witchcraft posed by AAA.
Daoist Perspectives of Agatha All Along
From a Daoist perspective, Agatha’s journey in the Marvel series (played by Kathryn Hahn) can be seen through the lens of Yin and Yang—the balancing forces of light and dark in the universe. In Daoism, living fully arises from understanding and harmonizing both sides of any spectrum, including the light and the dark, aligning one's actions with the Dao (the natural order) and embracing all aspects of existence. Agatha’s connection to darker, mysterious magic symbolizes her alignment with Yin, embodying the subtle, unseen, and intuitive. Her adaptability and ambiguous nature reflect wu wei (non-action or effortless action), where her power flows naturally rather than through overt control. Agatha’s internal balance, wielding power without losing herself, mirrors the Daoist pursuit of harmony with one’s shadow while maintaining alignment with the larger balance.
Yin and Yang: The Balance of Light and Dark
Daoism emphasizes the unity of opposites, where light and dark coexist in harmony. Agatha embodies this balance, walking the line between guide and antagonist. While she seeks power, she also exercises restraint and subtlety, much like the Daoist principle of yin (passive, dark) balancing yang (active, light). Her morally ambiguous choices highlight that “dark” or mysterious forces are not necessarily “bad” but serve as a counterbalance in the universe, reinforcing Daoism’s view of duality.
Wu Wei: The Principle of Effortless Action
Agatha moves with a sense of ease, flowing with circumstances rather than resisting them, embodying wu wei or non-action. For instance, in WandaVision, she subtly integrates into Wanda’s world without forcefully asserting control, instead observing and influencing quietly until the right moment. Her approach reflects wu wei’s emphasis on moving in harmony with the natural order, allowing circumstances to unfold rather than forcing outcomes. Daoist philosophy, not unlike many other folk magick traditions, is interested in ‘what works’, and in many ways, resists over-ritualization.
Seeking the Dao on Her Own Terms
Agatha’s pursuit of the Darkhold’s knowledge resembles a Daoist journey toward enlightenment, one that acknowledges the shadow as part of the whole. The Daoist path is deeply personal, prioritizing alignment with one’s true nature over adherence to external expectations. Her quest for the Darkhold’s wisdom reflects the Daoist ideal of staying true to one’s nature, even when it diverges from conventional norms. In particularly, her willingness to trespass laws and offer bodies to Lady Death (played by a very sexy Aubrey Plaza), perhaps to regain Death’s favour and spark a return of her lost son, could be interpreted as what in some folk traditions as justified, and that ritual offerings to Death may paradoxically be what grants life.
Ethics Within Witchcraft Are Rarely Straightforward
Practicing the magical arts or witchcraft is often painted with broad strokes, casting it as “good” or “bad” based on the desired outcome or the moral compass of the observer. Yet, for those who live by a witch’s craft, ethics are rarely so straightforward. The practitioner must tread carefully, balancing personal intent, the well-being of others, and the unseen consequences that ripple out from every action. Unlike a simple dichotomy of good versus evil, ethical considerations in witchcraft exist in a world rich with nuance, where one’s choices are often dictated by shades of gray.
The Ethical Spectrum: Moving Beyond Good and Evil
In the magical arts, what may appear harmful on the surface can sometimes lead to a greater good, and vice versa. Consider the concept of “necessary evils” or “necessary goods.” For example, many practitioners avoid curses or hexes, viewing them as inherently harmful. However, others argue that using protective magic to ward off an abuser, or even “returning to sender” the harm done by another, can be justified as self-defense. Here, intent becomes essential: the same act might be harmful or protective depending on the situation and the practitioner’s motivation.
Similarly, positive intentions, such as casting a love spell, may raise ethical questions. A seemingly harmless spell to attract love may impact the free will of another person if improperly cast, blurring the lines between attraction and manipulation. Ethical practitioners often face the challenge of discerning where their influence ends and another’s autonomy begins.
Evaluating Harm: Who Does the Spell Serve?
In navigating these gray areas, many practitioners apply the question: “Who does this serve?” If a spell primarily serves the practitioner’s ego or causes unintended harm, it may warrant re-evaluation. For instance, consider a prosperity spell intended to bring in more money. On the surface, this appears benign, yet if this spell inadvertently attracts clients with cash gained through dishonest means, then it may have unforeseen, unintended effects. By evaluating the impact on all involved, practitioners can often recalibrate their intentions, using their craft to uplift rather than disrupt.
This reflective process is rooted in humility, a reminder that despite magical abilities, practitioners are still human and prone to biases. The ethical practitioner will ask themselves whether their work aligns with their values and whether they can foresee any unintended consequences. Practicing within a framework of accountability—to self and community, to human and the more-than-human—adds another layer of ethical integrity.
Releasing Control While Staying Rooted in Intention
Another core ethical consideration in magic is the ability to detach from the desired outcome. Many Western interpretations of Buddhist-inspired, witchcraft practice “not lusting for results,” a principle that encourages releasing attachment to the spell’s outcome once it’s cast.This practice serves both as a protection against personal biases taking over and as a way to respect the natural flow of events. Releasing a spell allows it to work in harmony with the universe rather than forcing a specific outcome, and it demonstrates respect for forces beyond one’s control.
Non-attachment is not to be confused with apathy. In some spell workings, such as social justice magic, emotions may be the very ingredients necessary to draw the intended spirit allies that help advocate for systemic change.
The Role of Consent and Free Will
One of the most nuanced aspects of magical ethics is the issue of consent, especially when working on behalf of others. Some practitioners believe that no spellwork should be performed on or for another person without explicit consent, as it impinges on their autonomy. This perspective is common in love and healing magic, where influencing someone else’s life without permission can cross ethical boundaries.
However, there are instances when consent isn’t possible, such as casting a protective spell over a child or sending healing energy to an unconscious loved one are just two examples; practitioners must consider their responsibility to others versus the sanctity of free will. The guiding question becomes whether the intended action respects the individual’s spirit and aligns with their highest good, even if they cannot explicitly agree to it.
Navigating Accountability: Staying Grounded in Practice
At its heart, an ethical magical practice is a practice of accountability—to oneself, to the community, and to the forces of nature. This means practitioners often need to review their work, ask for feedback, and learn from their outcomes. If a spell causes harm, taking responsibility and seeking to make amends strengthens the ethical core of the practice. This accountability builds a foundation of integrity, allowing the practitioner to work with power responsibly, rather than recklessly.
Ultimately, ethical witchcraft is not about following a rigid moral code; it is about cultivating an awareness of the practitioner’s place in a vast and interconnected world. This awareness helps practitioners refine their decisions, fostering a practice that is adaptive, humble, and in tune with the values of respect, autonomy, and compassion. By continuously evaluating and adjusting, magical practitioners can engage in a craft that not only respects the boundaries of others but also brings them closer to their own true intentions.
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Mimi Young