We recently published in Pikara magazine an article by a feminist reading tarot cards. In a humorous tone, without defending his activity, he commented that in esotericism there are also people LGTB and queers, so he considers it important to oppose heterosexism also in astrology. Next, we have received many comments, including: “Feminism fits with your magufadas.” Or “the Machistan trolls will use those magufadas to fight our reputation.”

Someone may not know the word “magufo/magufa”. The terminology used by “skeptics” who engage in activism against “pseudo-science” (quotation marks) has been disseminated on the Internet. And what are these pseudosciences? They cite the cluster, placing them all on the same level: astrology, homeopathy, ufology, reflexology, Bach flowers, acupuncture... Therefore, it is “magufos” who, instead of relying on science, like practices based on “magical thinking”.

It is perceived that the word “magufo” has a tone of contempt and mockery. There are two types of magufos, according to skeptics: “Believers” (people who believe in this kind of nonsense) and “misleading” (in Spanish misleading). Those who deceive the superstitious for an economic benefit are the healers, shamans, diviners, etc. According to that, the person who wrote Pikara’s article is an impostor, so a serious means cannot give a voice to such a perverse person.

Since I first heard the word “magufo”, I have chosen to take pride in that identity. Yes, it is true, I am a magufa and I am proud of it. Because I respect people's beliefs, because I prefer medicinal plants than ibuprofen, because I think if something does you right, it doesn't matter whether there's scientific evidence or not. And because I'm uncomfortable with an arrogant skeptical attitude.

In the sceptical speech, I see clear traces of patriarchy and colonialism. On the one hand, paternalism: they think that we, the believers, the fools, have to save us, that they have to fight the impostors to free us from deceit. Western medicine and science have developed following patriarchal logic. A reflection of this are the medicalization of the processes of women – monthly, gestation, menopause –, the pathology of sexual diversity and identity. So, this science is not at all the religion I love the most.

When these sciences reject with contempt the ancient beliefs of cultures, they reveal a colonialist thought. I had a close relationship with the Yoruba religion (healthiness) in Cuba and with the beliefs of the Mayan peoples in Central America. I was very enriching, but identifying with them or not, at least it would be good for those countries, from Europe, to understand them as practices of resistance against colonialism. In Colombia, too, I was explained that shamanic healing practices when working with women victims of the armed conflict were very beneficial. What do they matter if it's pseudoscience that helps heal the wounds of the soul?

In feminism there are also those who consider “magical thinking” a threat. Someone said to them, “Today, as in the Middle Ages, feminism maintains criminalization against witches.” Whether contemporary witches like it or not, there are powerful evil ones that cause more damage and bring greater economic benefits than they do. For example, the pharmaceutical industry.