I was recently reading a chapter in a National Geographic magazine about The World of Witchcraft, and its origins and what it’s like today. The article started with, “Witches have been long viewed as cackling crones who invoke murderous magical spells. But recently they have reemerged as practitioners of a religion that embraces the earth.” And this quote got me thinking, what are witches nowadays and how different are they from our imagination?
picture: https://www.naludamagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/naluda-Modern-…
For starters, it’s not even called witchcraft anymore, but Wicca. Wicca is a religion based on the natural earth and uses “magick” as a way to create change and better the earth in some way through natural elements and remedies. Wiccans follow a code, stating that if it harms none, do what you will. They are not monolithic, but believe in different deities. Wiccans use elements from nature, such as crystals, herbs, incenses, rain water, fire, and the moon.
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So no, they do not worship the Christian devil, or use large cauldrons to make potions with the essence of a phoenix while wearing a pointy hat. The modern witch can be anyone willing to open their mind to the earth and nature and use magick. So now, go enjoy your spooky season and remember, witches are the reason you are celebrating this time of year.
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