I know the term from years back as a combined term"Fluff-bunny White-Lighter". The term was used to distinguish a practitioner a Pagan from the more vague "new-age" people. The "new-agers" were the "fluff-bunnies". Since the new-age community and the Pagan community often intersected, "fluff-bunny" was the derogatory term applied by Pagans to the touchy-feelie do-gooders in the New Age community. They were the ones who believed that the whole world was lovely and cuddly, and everything would be just peachy if we all just hugged one another and visualized lots of white light. Those were the ones filled with "fluff".
There's nothing inherently wrong with hugging people and visualizing white light for healing. It’s just that "fluff-bunnies" used to believe that this was all that was needed to make the world a better place. The term “Fluffbunny Whitelighter” (in all of its various spellings) indicated a general philosophy, or way of viewing the world, that most Pagans don’t share. Most Pagans I've met tend to be a bit more realistic, and prepared to follow up their spells with direct action.
“White-Lighters" definitely started out as another term for "Fluff-Bunnies" several years ago. Now that "Charmed" has redefined the term to mean some sort of exalted guardian angel with a tan, I suppose the term was destined to change meaning within the Pagan community. Because of the popularity of “Charmed”, the term “White Lighter” can now also mean an individual who uses the power of good to protect others. But that’s a much kinder definition than how it was originally used. I remember watching “Charmed” for the first time and laughing at the fact that they called their spiritual guardian a “White-Lighter”. It was definitely a term of ridicule.
Here's an old "light bulb joke" from my archives (circa 1990 or so) that illustrates how the New-Agers used to be thought of in the Pagan community. The “White-Lighter” connection is clear to see in this example:
"How many New-agers does it take to change a light bulb? (in a flaky voice) We don't use light bulbs, we just think happy thoughts at our quartz crystals and they glow."
It's interesting to see that now some people seem to be applying this term “Fluffbunny Whitelighter” to any newcomers to the Pagan community. It troubles me to see new seekers treated with condescension, and called by any derogatory names. Those new to Paganism used to be called "newbies", but the more polite term is “seekers”. We are all seekers. Just because they are still learning the basics doesn’t mean that they are airheads. Their questions should be taken seriously, and they should be treated with respect. Attaching petty put-downs to members of our own community should be beneath us.
The terms we use to define ourselves and those around us are constantly changing. This can often lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
Pesky language. Can't it ever stay the same?
~Flame RavenHawk
November 26, 2003