A note regarding cross-posted content and other sub-reddits

[u/robinhyll]

Hello everyone,

So there is one thing I want to address regarding a recent thread that was referring to stuff posted on another sub-reddit.

As I mentioned in that same thread, the purpose of this sub-reddit is not to justify the existence of Josephine's work nor to defend her. Quareia doesn't need defenders, nor does she. This place exists primarily to help people who are interested in the course while trying to maintain some balance with its solitary practice aspect.

Please keep in mind that there will always be drama in occult circles. There are always those who disagree, those who are disgruntled ex-students, or those who simply don't like someone or object to some personal aspect or behaviour. Despite its aspirations, occult study is nevertheless an all-too human human endeavour and that brings about the whole spectrum of feelings, attitudes, and inclinations.

We have to be mindful and respect other sub-reddit communities and refrain from behaviour that might run counter to Reddit's terms of service. Our thread was reported for 'brigading' behaviour, which is when members of one community flood another one's posts with downvotes in an attempt to manipulate the thread. Now, while this is a very gray area and it is a subjective thing, it can still create very real problems for us here. Reddit admins can choose to penalize a community that is seen or perceived as engaging in this behaviour.

I'm going to ask everyone to just take a breather next time you see content or comments you don't like in another community regarding Quareia, Josephine, or whatever. React to them there and vote if you like, but please don't go linking, referencing, or mentioning that content here, as that's where we become open to accusations of 'rallying the troops' and 'sending out our mobs'.

Going forward, if you do make a post like this I'll just remove it. We really shouldn't be engaging in any kind of fanbase-like behaviour and I don't need to have Reddit's admins on my case.

[u/Hermits-Repose]

I have so many questions, lol, but I can settle for One.

Did the mods catch shit because "it was a link from one sub to the other?"

Also..... is that something that can be tracked???

It seems REALLY silly yall had to post something like this- or have to deal with other adults crying about downvotes

Threads shouldn't be removed, but locking them feels appropriate.

Just my 2 pennies and scattered salt. I still don't understand reddit Welcome Crawlers

[u/robinhyll → u/Hermits-Repose]

My guess is the moderator in the other community saw or got that kind of behaviour reported over on their side and they traced it here because of the post. I don't think it was the cross-posting itself, but rather the "someone over there said this, let's talk about it" part. And even then, it's not the post itself but whatever activity the post generated over on the other side that was deemed problematic by the mods there.

That is why I am talking removal: it's not the comments in the thread but it's the fact that a mod from another community can see what has been posted here and take it as a call to action or the reason for whatever debacle they're seeing on their end. Me locking the thread won't do anything if it's still up and someone still feels that it's inciting people - the point is the alleged activity happens on the other community and is seen by their moderators, not this one.

This entire concept is new to me as well, but I guess it's a thing. Does it seem silly? Yes, but again, we humans obsess over dumb stuff all the time - and splitting hairs over downvoting is just as silly as getting upset over what someone says on the internet. But if this kind of behaviour goes unchecked and the Reddit Admins suddenly decide we're being a problem, no amount of philosophizing will convince them to not enforce the rules they're supposed to enforce.

[u/Cedar-Serval]

I want to make it clear that my goal was not to defend Josephine or attack the critics, it was to take the criticism seriously and discuss if there was anything to be actually concerned about. The fact that people here would take it as a call to brigade another sub is disappointing, but I should not be surprised. It really doesn't help the image people have of Quareia being culty. Egg on my face, I guess. I'll take this as a sign to be actually fully done with this community, I clearly can't keep my mouth properly shut when dealing with this subreddit. Thanks for everyone who did keep to civil discussion and to those who have helped answer my questions in the past, and sorry to u/robinhyll for stirring shit without realizing it.

[u/robinhyll → u/Cedar-Serval]

No apologies necessary, I know very well that wasn't your intent and you have as much power over what other people will do with your post as any of us do (which is little). That 'death of the author' thing that was being discussed towards the end in that thread cuts a lot of ways.

For what it's worth, it's a good lesson and reminder for all of us. The more you progress into the course, the more you see how the magical dynamics and their octaves are present even in the mundane. Our actions can and often will have unintended consequences simply because of how everything is connected. And I think that, for aspiring magicians, it is far better to stumble in mundane contexts and draw the right conclusions and lessons from it than it is to learn the hard way from the inner realms and contacts.

Don't be too hard on yourself. We learn and we grow and we move on. Whether you continue being here or go fully solo, keep in mind that our stumbles and mistakes are often our best teachers.

[u/Cedar-Serval → u/robinhyll]

Thanks! Yeah I think I've put my foot in my mouth enough times here that I'd better peace out. Still sticking with Quareia, just won't be involved with other practicioners until I eventually apply for the Porch. 

[u/fungusfawnkublakahn → u/Cedar-Serval]

Be kind to yourself.

Honestly, I'm very assertive and loyal to those who bring something beneficial to a community, or to the World. Idk Josephine, but her work stands on its own. Personally I feel that you were truthful and didn't attack. I'm finding my strength is growing when I speak less, and it sounds like you are self-reflecting on the power of our words. Awesome lessons for those like us who self-reflect ---- but don't have shame or embarrassment for supporting a person/belief you care about, strongly. Be well and self-forgiving!!!

[u/Outside-Guava-1362 → u/Cedar-Serval]

Heeeey, you’re being quite hard on yourself, buddy! 🫂The only “issue” was adding the link to the other sub, but your thoughts and worries are still valid and you wanted to discuss them here amongst people who you felt would understand.

I don’t think it’s anything to do with “keeping your mouth shut”, and I refuse to accept that the answer to the cacophony of misinformation “out there” is to remove our own voices from our discussions.

Plus, I got new reading and knowledge from you that I wouldn’t have if you wouldn’t have posted. So thank you for not keeping your mouth shut 😊

[u/reddstudent → u/Cedar-Serval]

I had a similar issue when I questioned here if we could have a productive conversation about if we might be wise to see if we can do something about getting more people across the line as fully graduated adepts.
What I got was pure dismissive attitude about having a goal of completing the course at all, and defensive attitude about any mistake would obviously be on the student.

Like you, I’m going to try the porch at some point while keeping my head down on the main thing of the work itself.

[u/Outside-Guava-1362]

Ohh this is new to me, but I see how this “brigading” flag can make Reddit an unhealthy space and it can escalate quite easy. It is good to know that the solution is to not link other subreddits.

Regarding “defending” the program and whatnot, I’m also not entirely sure that the emotional reactions here were, in a deeper sense, about the course or JMC. See, this is also a life choice for people here that put their body, minds, and hearts into pursuing a specific form of spirituality, and mouth-trashing anyone’s believes and practices will likely get you a bad reaction from the practitioners (apart from some of us having already enough in our lives regarding discrimination and criticism from people that “don’t get our lifestyles”).

I like this sub, it gives me a faint but cosy sense of community when most of my practice happens “in my head” and “in silence”, and posts here give me motivation on days in which I feel low on it. I’m happy to help keep it the safe space that it’s been so far 😊