Can We Stop Being Afraid of Witches?
By Marcos Codas
I think it’s high time we stop being afraid of witches. And this is, in no small part, due to the fact that I am a practicing witch. So, I may be biased, but please, hear me out. For centuries, we’ve maligned witches as the practitioners of dark rituals to curse the bloodline of yada yada yada. But the reality is much, much more benign. And to be frank, more… boring?
Witches in Media
One of my favorite films of all time is The Blair Witch Project (1999). I also love The Craft (1996), and Anya-Taylor Joy in The Witch (2015) is as captivating as it is terrifying. These are just a few examples of films I love that depict witches in a negative light. The enemy. Boo.
But then we have Bewitched (1964–1972) and Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–2003) which have a much more lighthearted, benevolent approach to witchcraft. But where does the truth actually lie?
Modern Witches
Look, I’m not saying there aren’t some people out there playing with some dangerous things they don’t fully control. But in my personal experience, the vast majority of witches abide by a strict code of ethics. Doing harm to others is both prohibited and believed to be harmful to oneself. Most celebrate a deep connection with nature and seek an understanding of our world.
What we consider to be modern witchcraft is an amalgamation of various (mostly European, but not exclusively so) Pagan practices from around the world.* A lot of Celt, for sure. But very little tying of toads around throats to curse your cousins.
Examples of Good Witches
One of my personal favorite witches is the one and only Dana Newkirk. I’ve spoken before about Dana and the work she and her husband Greg do regarding the paranormal. They take a very cool, very chill approach to sharing the supernatural experience.
Dana describes herself as a “practicing hedge witch,” which basically just means she’s into nature, herbs, and the like a lot. And she truly is. She has a “Magic of the Month” subscription box where people get all kinds of Magickal goodies. Think of it as a Loot Crate that smells good.
Me as a Witch
You may be surprised that the term for a cis-gendered, straight man who practices witchcraft is “witch.” Perhaps you were expecting something like “warlock” or “Dumbledore.” The truth is some people do prefer to use other terms. But “witch” is a gender-agnostic term, and it suits me just fine.
Most modern Wiccan practitioners have a Book of Shadows, like the one pictured below, with their own personal beliefs, rituals, recipes, prayers, spells, and more. I used to own one but have decided to transition to an internal process instead.
What does it mean that I’m a witch? I observe a few holidays differently — I try to connect with nature around me, and (on a very personal level) I believe that what you put out into the universe, comes back to you manyfold.
Witchcraft today is a deeply personal, many-faceted practice that is less akin to structured religion and more similar to something like yoga: there is not a one-size-fits-all solution, no power monopoly, no organized structure. We practice by instinct and need.
Befriend a Witch Today!
So, next time you think witches are evil… don’t! Instead, reach out to one of us on social media, and feel free to ask questions! We’re not recruiting, but we’re not secretive, either. And I promise, you won’t end up in a cauldron!
Possibly. 🩸
References
- Modern Witchcraft: Empowerment, Feminism, and Rituals. (2023, October). Brandeis Stories | Brandeis University. https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/october/witchcraft.html
About
Marcos is a Paraguayan-Canadian multimedia producer, writer, filmmaker, and game developer. He is the former assistant editor at Dread Central and has been an entertainment journalist for over 15 years. He is an unashamed fan of found footage films, handheld gaming, and restoring old vehicles, which he does in his spare time.
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