Not so long ago, what Witches were and did was defined by hysterical fantasy. Innocents were tortured until they confessed they were evil witches, belonged to "covens", and flew to "sabbaths" to dance with the Devil. The most popular reference manual, Malleus Maleficarum, was denounced by the Inquisition as unrealistic and extreme, but to secular courts it was the law.
By the beginning of the 20th century, Witches were taken much less seriously, as in Ambrose Beirce's dictionary: "WITCH, n. (1) Any ugly and repulsive old woman in a wicked league with the Devil. (2) A beautiful and attractive young woman, in wickedness a league beyond the Devil."
Today we have thousands of people who call themselves "Witches", and thousands of books on how to be a Witch. Witches are the largest and fastest growing form of Paganism. Many are refugees from repressive Evangelical churches, others from family tradition, and for many, neither church nor science explains their experience. So, what is a Witch, who is a Witch, what do Witches do?
Today's Witches fall into several overlapping categories. There are Aesthetic Witches, Ceremonial Witches, Modern Traditional Witches, and Pagans who do witchy things.
Aesthetic Witches just like the look and bling. They play at casting spells and are mostly inspired by unrealistic books and films. Real Witches do not resent them as they encourage a public image of Witches as harmless. Also, while most will go on to other things, a few will eventually become real Witches.
Wiccans are the second most visible class. Gerald Gardner became involved with some wealthy ladies interested in reviving ancient Celtic witchcraft. These folks were inspired by imaginative 19th century books by writers like Margaret Murray. They postulated an ancient feminist witch-cult religion that was suppressed by paternal Christianity through the witch trials.
Nothing was actually known about ancient Celtic witchcraft, so Wicca was built from what was on hand - the witch trials, some folk traditions, imagination, and a lot from the Ceremonial Magic of the Golden Dawn.
Based on the writings of Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente, Wicca evolved into a coven based ecstatic ceremonial religion centered on a Great Goddess and a Horned God. The God is secondary, born, living, dying, and being reborn in alignment with the European agricultural cycle. It includes a set of monthly lunar rituals, and four major and four minor seasonal celebrations.
Today, Wicca is an accepted Neo-Pagan religion which serves its members as other religions do. Some aspects of Wicca have been found useful by, and have been adopted by, Witches and Pagans at large, especially the major seasonal celebrations. Features of Modern Witchcraft and general Paganism have also been adopted by some Wiccans.
Modern Witches are a little offended that people presume all Witches are Wiccans. Modern Witches reject the hierarchy, initiation levels, oath bound secrecy, and formality of Wiccan Ceremonial Magic. They, and most other Pagans also reject the intense heterosexuality of Wiccan rituals - and the concept of a God who dies. And I will never accept the Wiccan reversal of the symbology of the Wand and Sword - just because Gardner was a knife enthusiast. It's just wrong.
"Modern Traditional Witch" is the title offered by Laura Tempest Zakroff, who IS the very model of a Modern Traditional Witch - but how can a Witch be both Modern and Traditional?"Traditional" is derived from many sources, starting with the "Cunning Folk" of Scotland, Ireland, and Appalachian America. These practices are still alive today and considered valuable to the local communities.
Other traditional influences come from Norse, Celtic, Slavic, Baltic, ancient Egyptian, Asian, and African cultures. Pagan Gods and Goddesses, and even Christian Saints, can be adopted at will. The writings of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung are another significant influence.
This sounds complicated, but each Witch forms their own personal practice, assembling influences that speak to them personally. This is called a "Curated Path". Of course any and all traditions must be adapted to the realities of our time, our urban environments, modern Science, and Commerce. While many Modern Witches dream of a cottage in the woods, very few will achieve that.
Modern Witches are mostly solo practitioners, as Witches have always been. On the other hand, they are far more social than in the past. Sometimes friends get together for group workings, and they attend large conventions, like the Pagan Pride Festivals. There they take classes from respected teachers, exchange notes, and buy witchy things. Many cities now have Witch, or Occult stores which act as community centers, and the Internet is heavily used.
For Modern Witches, there are no certificates, diplomas, or initiations. If you say you are a Witch and you do witchy things, you are a Witch. There is no formal structure. Social standing is entirely by merit, integrity, and how you get along with your peers. It's not a religion, it's a spiritual practice, open to all.
Witches come in many varieties, all applying spirituality to their interests and daily lives. Some are Herbalists, others "Kitchen Witches", Dancers, Artists, Musicians, Nurses, Engineers, or whatever. Among the most accomplished Witches are those specializing in healing.
All Witches work with Magic, or they wouldn't be Witches. Magic has been defined as "The science and art of creating change in conformity with will". Most, but not all, do spells. These spells are nothing like in the movies. They may be simple, or complex, but all are aimed straight through the Witch's own consciousness, not at externals. It is through the Witch's consciousness that Magic happens, and the only way it happens. It's not from any outside force.
Spells are not prayer. Prayer asks another entity to take over. If that entity is busy or declines, too bad. With a spell, you may sometimes ask another entity for assistance, but it's your show. If that entity declines, you're still applying your own power. A Witch does not yield their power to another entity.
Shadow Work is something many Witches do. This is based on Carl Jung's works. It is delving deeply into one's own self to find the unconscious features of your personality that may be less than ideal, and working to improve them.
Psychologists can easily see how all this affects and changes the Witch, and their relationship with those around them - but how can a spell affect persons or events elsewhere, as Witches hold they do?
The Liminal is the non-physical realm closest to our familiar physical reality. Many have called it the "Spiritual", or "Astral" realm". Conventional science has considered the concept absurd. Quantum Mechanics proposes that as much as 86% of our reality is non-physical, and has experimental evidence that at least one realm exists. It may still seem absurd, but in a very different way.
Because our consciousness is not physical, it is held to have agency in this non-physical realm. It is held that all consciousness is in touch with this realm and can be affected through it. It is also held by Witches and most Pagans there are other entities that work through the Liminal, and that to some entities it may be their own reality.
I am not a Witch, but I have had at least eight experiences that can best be explained by such a mode of communication. Perhaps any one of them could be blamed on an extremely unlikely coincidence, but eight? And no, drugs were not involved.
In earlier times, a Witch's household items had to do double duty as witchcraft tools, to avoid detection by the witch hunters, but today it's different - at least around here.
Teachers emphasize that witchcraft can be done completely without tools, just by the consciousness of the Witch - but you'll be hard pressed to find one that doesn't have a big collection of witchy tools and trinkets. Many of them are symbolic and helpful in maintaining focus on the work.
Number one is the Altar. Here we have a continuum without borders or divisions. Many leaving the churches say they are "Spiritual but not Religious". Only a few of those folks have an altar.
Pagans almost all have an altar. It can be no more than a rock on a shelf that is especially meaningful to the person, and the focus of devotion or ritual, or it can be elaborate and honor Nature, one or more Deities, or something else important. Pagan altars tend to be devotional, but some do witchy things too.
Witches need a lot of altar space, because for them it is their workspace. It will be outfitted with wands, candles, pentacles, incense, knives, pens, paper, oils, seashells, feathers, and more. The Altar often features images of Pagan Deities, Saints, important ancestors, symbols, or whatever works for the Witch - but Demons and Devils are seldom seen.
Nothing says "Witch" better than a a Cast Iron Cauldron. Today, most Witches have limited space, so 4 to 6 inches is most common. 2 to 3 gallon cauldrons are available, but 6 inches is probably the most useful size.
Sigils are an important witchcraft tool. These abstract symbols are posted where the Witch will see them very often. While there are published sigils for specific goals, they are far more effective composed by the individual Witch for a specific purpose. They are a constant reminder for a specific task.
Most Witches use divination, particularly the Tarot. This forces thinking things over from alternate perspectives, very useful. It does not ever predict the future, but gives a viewpoint as to how things are going.
A few Witches dive deep into Astrology, but for most it's a symbolic clock to coordinate timing of workings, and with other Witches. Phases of the Moon are of great interest, planets, not so much. Western astrological signs are strictly anchored to the Solar Year, no stars involved.
Every Witch must find their own path through life and witchcraft. No two paths will be the same, but one is not wrong and another right. What matters is that it works for the Witch.
What is unethical in mundane life is unethical in spellwork. Love spells are particularly tempting, but must be considered with extreme care. Trying to force another's will to your own will likely end badly.
Witches and many other Pagans believe strongly that Magic does work, but not alone. We are physical beings living in a physical reality. Magic is held to significantly improve the odds, but if you don't do the physical part yourself, Magic isn't going to do it for you.
Spells must be considered very carefully. Unintended consequences are a constent problem. The intent must be very specific, and figuring what could go wrong is important. On the other hand, how to achieve that intent must be very loose. The rule is, "Magic finds the path of least resistance", so you must not restrict it without good reason.
You do not do magic on or for another person without their expressed consent. Hexes and Curses are the exception. Rule: If you cannot hex, you cannot heal. On the other hand hexes must be used with extreme caution, because they can come right back at you. Just because someone pissed you off is not justification for a hex.
Most important of all - you are responsible for your actions and intents, whether it goes well or goes badly. Witchcraft and Paganism in general are paths of responsibility and do not offer cheap forgiveness to anyone.
This talk represents a solid consensus from major players in the world of witchcraft. Witches are all people, so adherence to this outline may not be unwavering for some.
You are free to see this material as inspiring, interesting, or totaly absurd. An increasing number of people are taking it seriously, in whole or in part. For you, it's to relate it to your personal reality, or ignore it.
Thank you for listening.
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IF there are questions, I can take some now, or during the social time.
End of PresentationFor Understanding what it takes to be a Witch, and how to do it, I recommend:
Andrew Grygus
I do not call myself a Witch. I have a very good understanding of witchcraft. I have studied Witchcraft and Paganism from many books by leading Authors and by conversations with practitioners. I have collected plenty of witchy tools, but don't currently feel Magic is my most urgent need.
My outlook on the world is as a largely (but not entirely) non-theist
Pagan, with great respect for the World, its beings, and for Science and
Quantum Mechanics. Paganism can in no way be described as an "organized
religion", so I can look at reality without adhering to doctrine.
Witches1 260530 - www.clovegarden.com/pagan/
- All images not otherwise credited are ©cc by 4.0.
Text ©Andrew Grygus - agryg@clovegarden.com