What Is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft has been misunderstood for generations. From the time it was morally acceptable to hang so-called witches in the town square to throwing insults at witches online sharing their craft. Whether it has been a product of confusion, ignorance, or fear; witchcraft is starting to come out of the shadows to claim its rightful place in society without the negative backlash. In this article, I will be discussing the expectations versus the reality of witchcraft so that you can see what witchcraft is truly like behind the scenes as a professional witch.

Expectations

The expectations of witchcraft that are still acknowledged to this day; stem from folklore about an isolated witch in the woods, brewing children, and causing chaos in her local community. But what is this archetype actually? The witch is seen as either unconventionally beautiful (otherworldly if you will) or vile in appearance. Both with the ulterior motive to harm others. She can be seen as a seductress, siren, evil to the core, powerful yet uncontrollable, and a danger to the community. This archetype found in movies, books, and Shakespeare plays has poisoned our view of the witch and her craft in today’s world. To this day, there is still the stigma that witches have the desire to harm everyone around them and that they use their powers for evil.

In combination with the general view of the public, religious misconceptions have played a role in the contamination of the practice of witchcraft. Somewhere along the timeline of history birthed the belief that witchcraft was associated with the devil. It was believed that witches were put here by Satan in order to do his dirty work. Witchcraft as a practice has nothing to do with the devil. There is no devil in any sense in the craft itself. Satanism is a religion whereas witchcraft is not. It is a practice, much like a hobby but more so of a lifestyle choice.

Reality

A witch by its simple definition is someone who practices witchcraft. But what exactly is witchcraft?

Witchcraft is a practice based on nature, harmony, and peace. It involves intention-setting, manifesting, banishing, and working in harmony with the elements. Everyone's practice is unique so it can be hard to define as a whole. Witchcraft is not a religion, it is a practice, therefore anyone of any religion, race, sexuality, or gender can practice it. Witches use their inner power in combination with the assistance of spiritual influences to create their desired results. Witchcraft itself as a spiritual practice is based on ritual and spiritual experience.

Wikipedia defines a ritual as, “A sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence.” In witchcraft this can be performing spells, working with specific moon phases, connecting with spiritual guides, or living life according to certain rules. Witchcraft also makes direct contact with spiritual guides (god, the universe, spiritual guides, deceased loved ones, gods, or goddesses).

Witchcraft as a whole can be difficult to explain as it Is more so something that you experience rather than describe. As such, there are no specific guidelines for witches to follow. Some rituals love structured rituals such as myself, whereas others prefer to practice their magic in an intuitive manner. From the types of spellwork that you perform to the way that you work with the elements, it is a personal process that varies from person to person. Being a witch includes honoring your unique path and discovering what works for you.

There are many different avenues that you can explore. By doing so you come to understand what area of witchcraft is true to your beliefs and morals. Here are some of the most common types of witches.

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Eclectic Witch

This type of witch uses a mix and match of various traditions for their spellwork. Their blend of practices is personalized and custom-made to work for them. They are not bound by set rules and folklore, they simply create their own form of witchcraft that is based on their experiences and interests in different cultures.

Traditional Witch

Traditional witches base their magic on the history of the area where they live. This historical approach to magic focuses on rituals and spellwork that have been passed on throughout the ages. They honor the past and maintain the authenticity of their heritage.

Kitchen Witch

Culinary rituals are the focal point for kitchen witches. They put their magic into the meals they create and turn their cooking space into their sacred alchemist’s den. Recipes become potions and everyday ingredients such as herbs are used to create spells.

Hereditary Witch

This is the name of a witch who was born into the practice. They are the descendants of generations of witches and have inherited their magic. Certain beliefs and traditions may have been passed down from their ancestors.

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Witchcraft is integrated into the lives of practitioners all over the world. As you can see, although there are some differences in practice, the focus of witchcraft is to use one’s inner power to create the reality one wishes to experience. As a witch personally, witchcraft has changed my life for the better. It has opened my eyes to all that is possible for me, helped me see where I can improve my life, and be more intentional.

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