Blog Post

Etsy Bans Sale of Spells & Hexes

wiccaAll you lovers of those great handmade items for sale on Etsy will be relieved to know that the online seller is now banning the sale of “metaphysical services” such as spells and hexes.

Unknown to many of us (including myself), witches and wiccans have been selling spells and curses on the popular site but will now be banned from doing so. AOL.com is reporting that Etsy has decided to enforce an existing policy that “slipped through the cracks” and ban these items from the site.

As the policy states, "Any metaphysical service that promises or suggests it will effect a physical change (e.g., weight loss) or other outcome (e.g., love, revenge) is not allowed, even if it delivers a tangible item."

“You may sell astrological charts, tarot readings, and other tangible objects, as long as you are not making a promise that object will effect a physical change or other outcome, such as weight loss, love, or revenge,” said Bonnie Broeren, Etsy’s policy director, to The Guardian. “Medical drug claims or claims of a medical cure are also not allowed.”

Etsy now joins eBay who issued a similar ban in 2012 and says it’s goal in enforcing the policy is to protect the online community from business practices that prey on vulnerable shoppers.

As a result of the ban, a petition drive has been started to pressure Etsy into allowing them to sell their nefarious wares on the site. As of this writing, only 3,700 people have sign on with most making the usual accusations about “discrimination”.

One petitioner calls Etsy’s move, “Religious discrimination. If you're going to put a ban on the sale Pagan/Wiccan items, then ban all religious items including crosses, prayers on anything, holy water, etc. They all promote love and give faith and hope. Just because it's not a religion of the masses, doesn't make it any less of a religion.”

What part of a curse promotes love, faith and hope? Only the serious confused puts holy water and blessed objects in the same category as Wiccan spells and curses.

Way to go, Etsy!

 

Categories

Archives

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
203

203 Archives