Well into the 1700s, what Witches were and did was defined by hysterical fantasy. Innocents, often widows, 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 (1486), was denounced by the Inquisition as unrealistic, extreme, and in violation of Catholic law, but to Protestants and the secular courts, it was the law.
The rise of Science declared witchcraft delusional. By the beginning of the 20th century, Witches were taken much less seriously. 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."
The largest and fastest growing branch of Paganism calls themselves "Witches". There are many thousands of them, and thousands of books on how to be a Witch. "Witch" has been rolled back to it's original meaning - a wise person, "Wicca" for a man, "Wicce" for a woman (the cc is pronounched as a ch). "Witch" is the modern gender free version.
Many Witches are refugees from repressive Evangelical churches. Others come from family tradition, and many find neither Church nor Materialism explains their experience. Others just seek meaningful community.
Witches today fall into several wide overlapping categories. There are Aesthetic Witches, Ceremonial Witches, Modern Traditional Witches, Pagans who do witchy things, and everything between.
Aesthetic Witches just like the costumes and bling. They play at casting spells and are mostly inspired by unrealistic books and films. Real Witches don't 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 - and of couse, most of the real witches are also heavily into costuming.
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 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 Witches are all 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 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, Appalachian America, and other parts of Europe. These practices are still alive, and considered valuable by the local communities.
Other traditional influences come from Norse, Celtic, Slavic, Baltic, ancient Egyptian, Asian, and African cultures. Pagan Gods and Goddesses, and their stories, and even Christian Saints, are adopted without prejudice. The writings of Psychoanalyst Carl Jung are another notable influence.
This sounds very complicated, and it could be, but each Witch forms their own personal practice, assembling elements that speak to them personally. This is called a "Curated Path". Of course any and all traditions must be, and are, adapted to the realities of our time, our urban environments, Commerce, and Science. While many Modern Witches dream of a cottage in the woods, most will never see that.
Modern Witches are mostly solo practitioners, as Witches have always been, but they are far more social than in the past. Friends might get together for group workings, and they attend large conventions, like the Pagan Pride Festivals. There they take classes from respected teachers, exchange notes, admire each other's costumes, and buy witchy things. Many cities now have Witch, or Occult stores which act as community centers, and the Internet is heavily traveled.
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", "Hedge Witches", Dancers, Artists, Musicians, Nurses, Engineers, or whatever. Among the most accomplished Witches are those specializing in teaching and healing.
All Witches work with Magic, or they wouldn't be Witches. 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.
Spells are not prayer. Prayer asks another entity to take over. If that entity declines, no joy. 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 unconscious to find aspects of 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?
Also called "The Hedge" is the non-physical realm closest to our familiar physical reality. Many have called it the "Spiritual", or "Astral" realm". Conventional science calls it 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 for some entities it may be their own reality. Some may be helpful, others not so much.
I am not a Witch, but I have had at least eight experiences that can best be explained by a Liminal realm. Perhaps any one of them could be blamed on an extremely unlikely coincidence, but eight? And no. Drugs were not involved, not even alcohol.
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. These are symbolic, and helpful in maintaining focus on the work.
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.
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". 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, ancestors, or something else important. Pagan altars tend to be devotional, but some do witchy things too.
Witches need a lot of altar space, it's their workplace. 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 Cast Iron Cauldron. Today, most Witches have limited space, so 4 to 6 inches is most common. 2 to 3 gallon cauldrons are easily available, but 6 inches is probably the most useful size for most.
Sigils are an important tool of the Witch. 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 for staying out of trouble. Divination is never expected to predict the future, but does give a perspective as to how things are going.
A few Witches dive deep into Astrology, but for most it's just a symbolic clock to coordinate timing of workings. Phases of the Moon are of great interest, planets, not as much. Western astrological signs are not tied to stars. but to the seasons of the Solar Year, so they correspond directly to the seasonal celebrations.
The above are useful, but by far the most important tool of the Witch is consistent practice and devotion to The Craft, without this, all the others will likely fail.
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 caution. 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 work yourself, Magic isn't going to do it for you.
Spells must be considered very carefully. Unintended consequences are a constent risk. The intent must be very specific, and figuring what could go wrong is critical. 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 - whether it goes well or goes badly, you are responsible for your actions and intents. 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 make your own choices and accept your own consequences.
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 own personal reality.
Thank you for listening.
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IF there are questions, I can take some now, or during the social time.
For a lot more detail on theoretical points in the above, refer to my previous presentations: Magic in our Time and Consciousness. They can be found on www.clovegarden.com. In the left margin click on Modern Spirituality.
For 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 260607 - www.clovegarden.com/pagan/
- All images not otherwise credited are ©cc by 4.0.
Text ©Andrew Grygus - agryg@clovegarden.com