When you use “Woo Woo” to discuss any type of complimentary or new age healing or spirituality modality, the truth is that’s a derogatory term. Looking at the origins of the word, it was in use in the 1970s to refer to supernatural phenomena like ghosts. But in the 1930s and 1940s it meant “sex appeal”. It’s related to the word goetia, which was used by Arthur Waite and refers to the Greek goeteia, which refers to superstitions and witchcraft. In short, the word has always meant charlatan. (1)
I admit that I have struggled a bit as I’ve come to terms with my spirituality and the tools I use to help regulate my nervous system as well as help my physical and emotional health, with the “woo” label. On one hand, I want to reclaim it. There’s nothing wrong with being into alternative healing or spiritual techniques. What’s wrong is when those tools and techniques turn into toxic behavior like spiritual bypassing and toxic positivity. And while there is a lot of that behavior in traditional religious spaces, let’s be honest, there’s a lot of it, not to mention cultural appropriation, within many new age spaces or spaces that would be labeled as “woo woo”.
At this point in my spiritual journey, I feel like we should be reclaiming the term. Much like the disabled community, of which I’m a part, looks to reclaim the word “crip” or the queer community seeks to reclaim the word queer. There is power in taking back terms that were once used in a negative way and using them to erase stigma.
Anymore if someone mentions to me that I’m into that “woo woo” stuff (yoga, energy work, meditation, breathwork), I just smile and nod. Let them think what they want to think. If that’s the term they want to use, then I affirm it, and say “yes, I am, but for me it’s a part of my spiritual path.” Clearly if someone is acting dismissive of my spiritual path, then that’s a “them” problem and not something that I need to engage with. But if there is genuine curiosity and a willingness to understand, then explaining that I don’t see “woo woo” as a derogatory term might help someone broaden their horizons.
I feel like in light of actions taken by organized religion, as well as a skeptical viewpoint toward spirituality, that there is a lot of stigma associated with anything spiritual. I agree that we need to make sure we’re calling out and are aware of the toxic practices found in many spiritual, especially new age spiritual, paths, but part of reclaiming and creating restoration with those practices means looking at the language that is used.
Let’s start by thinking about how and why we use the term “woo woo” and if you feel comfortable, begin to reclaim it.
1) Harper Douglas, “Etymology of woo woo,” Online Etymology Dictionary, accessed June 6, 2025, https://www.etymonline.com/word/woo%20woo.
