Bring Back the Witches
For the environment, general wellbeing and feminism
On October 19th at 7:40 AM, Taylor Swift got called out on X:
Did you really just praise your fans for making videos with your music and ‘casting spells’? What is wrong with you? […] You’re influencing innocent minds to be enticed with the dark side of spirituality.
– Kandiss Taylor, American politician
This accusation has generated excellent entertainment value and received little abet. For one, it’s far-fetched and melodramatic. But also: is witchcraft even that bad? And since when is faith so flimsy?
Christianity – the world’s largest religion – is losing followers, fewer individuals are attending church and conversions are dropping, but not inexplicably, and not because of Taylor. The sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church are a big factor; many Christian institutions have a dark past of oppression, exploitation and persecution, combined with an unsatisfactory degree of repentance and confession. Another, according to John McConnell – executive director at Lifeway research – is that church members seem to be judgmental or hypocritical, and so the younger generation just doesn’t feel like they’re being accepted in a church environment or some of their choices aren’t being accepted by those at church. Some believers are also being put off by the church’s stance on political and social issues.
But religion isn’t all bad. In fact, it’s really good for us. As Time puts it, study after study has found that religious people tend to be less depressed and less anxious than nonbelievers. And anxiety and depression are incredibly important issues in today’s world – affecting 42.5 million and 21 million adult Americans, respectively.
Research on the impact of religion and spirituality on individual wellbeing generally suggests a positive link; regular attendance at church provides the opportunity to feel a sense of belonging to a community, individuals who attend religious services at least once a week report higher levels of life satisfaction than those who never do, and private practices like prayer are associated with wellbeing. Similarly, people who engage in positive religious coping have reported higher levels of optimism, and those for whom religion and spirituality are important show higher levels of positive psychological growth after a challenging event.
Belief in something else – an afterlife, a higher power, a metaphysical connectedness of the world – has long been a part of the human experience. These beliefs shift and evolve across cultures and through time but their presence is consistent.
Whether one believes in an almighty father figure, a parallel spirit world, reincarnation and/or the ability to channel ambient forces through spellcasting, this faith itself is powerful and impacts the believer’s experience of life.
Today, people are stepping away from the churches of their ancestors, no longer feeling like it’s the right fit for their beliefs, values or lifestyle. For many, this is a liberating shift that removes them from prejudiced or oppressive environments, or simply frees them from time commitments and conversations that didn’t feel meaningful.
Yet not all faiths are dwindling – witchcraft, which includes Wicca, paganism and folk magic, is one of the fastest-growing spiritual paths in America and the UK. Pew Research estimates that due largely to switching into other religions (such as Wicca and pagan religions), the number of Americans practicing these by 2050 will triple – from 2.2 million in 2010 to 6.6 million. Already in the UK of 2022, 74 000 people declared they were pagan - a 17 000 increase from 2011.
Antonio Pagliarulo, author-witch, explains: The proliferation of witchcraft reflects two timeless and universal urges: the need to draw meaning from chaos, and the desire to control the circumstances around us. With the dire catastrophes brought on by climate change, wars and the loss of rights, it’s not surprising that witchcraft appeals to those seeking to mend what’s broken in ourselves and the wider world.
Far from “the dark side of spirituality,” witchcraft is an open, accepting, diverse and fulfilling practice, offering no one interpretation of the world, no one way of doing things. It in itself does not even have to be the main focus of the practitioner’s beliefs; one can be Christian, Atheist, Pagan, and also a witch – it’s the belief in magic that ties these adherents together, the belief that the power of the universe and the mind can be channeled to alter one’s surroundings and fulfill desires, through non-scientific means.
One type - folk magic - is about performing spells and practices that have long been integral in our cultures – from dreamers wishing on a shooting star to grandmas putting salt in children’s pockets for good luck; it includes the forms of magic practiced by common folk, and probably yourself at some point. On another end of the spectrum, there’s ceremonial magic - precise, complex rituals. Many modern practitioners concoct their own blends of the two.
As for what practicing actually looks like – that’s incredibly diverse. Some common mediums include divination (potentially via mirrors, tarot reading or rune reading), manifestation, energy healing, meditation, astrology, cleansing, spellcasting, shamanism, forest walks and employing crystals, herbs, talismans or candles.
Those just starting out are encouraged to do research and try many types of witchcraft, in order to find what resonates with them. Another recurring suggestion is to start a Book of Shadows – a place to compile all the knowledge encountered thus far, to document one’s path and keep track of progress and understanding. Importantly, since there is no one way of doing things, part of this journey of discovery requires each witch establish a moral code they can live by and adapt their craft to.
This freedom and diversity compliment the modern world well. Individuals can brew unique practices that suit their schedules, values and hobbies. They can ask questions and deepen their understanding of concepts through online communities and the wonderful World Wide Web. Via the click of a link, they can join covens, find YouTube mentors, attend festivals or practice peacefully in their living rooms. And they can adapt – it is expected and encouraged; one’s craft reflects the individual, and thus will grow and change along with them.
On a deeper level, witchcraft and other pagan beliefs drawing on ancient traditions have an underlying importance attributed to the sacredness of nature. They also hold very feminist perspectives, usually revering powerful goddesses alongside gods, and witchcraft in particular is currently quite female-dominated and women-driven in a way which a lot of patriarchal religions just aren’t, according to Dr Liz Williams (author, businesswoman, witch).
Professor Ronald Hutton, an expert on modern paganism, describes paganism as a religion in which deities don’t make rules for humans or monitor their behaviour – humans are encouraged to develop their full potential, which supports modern values such as individual freedom and self-actualization.
There is a lot of wisdom to be gained from contemporary witches, regardless of whether one would like to adopt the title. Self-care, compassion, tracking learning & progress, connecting with nature and accepting that we change with time are all principles that empower those who channel them. So to the haters: it’s 7AM, you need to calm down. Take a deep breath. Drink some tea, embrace ethics, start a book of shadows, and look into what the wonderous world of witchcraft has to offer. This wikiHow can start you off.