Think sorceresses and enchantresses can only be found in fiction and fantasy? Witch, please. While it’s true that some of my favorite characters of all time are witches — including Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, Hecate, Morgan le Fay, and Winnie Sanderson — I now find more witches in my real life than I do in my books. Witches are simply women who are magical, powerful and headstrong. And there’s no reason you can’t be one, either. Go ahead and follow the steps below to feel a little witchy!
1. Wear more black.
The first step to becoming a witch is to look like one. That means wearing all black, all the time. When you’re dressed in ebony from head to toe, you’ll look as rad as Morticia Addams herself.
2. Spend more time in and with nature.
Be with the greatest witch of all time — Mother Nature. Stargaze, watch the phases of the moon change, dance in the rain or just take a stroll in the Arboretum or any woods of your choice. (But please take a friend!) Discover just how enchanting the natural world can be.
3. Always seek wisdom.
Every good witch makes her book of spells her best friend, because she knows that knowledge is power. So if you want to be a witch, it’s important that you never stop learning — pay attention in lectures, visit your professors during their office hours and take classes that excite you. Or learn how to develop a skill you’ve always wanted, like knitting or making amazing cocktails (we’ll call them potions).
4. Celebrate what makes you unique
Witches are unapologetically themselves and you should be, too! Learn to love and accept the things that set you apart from others and actually embrace your own special talents — whether it be a remarkable ability to do celebrity impressions or creating new fashion trends by being bold with your outfit choices. Like Halloweentown’s Aggie Cromwell says, being normal is vastly overrated. Go Aggie(s)!
5. Know that you are powerful.
Witches absolutely OWN their power, and they know that they are capable of igniting earth-shattering change. If you want to be a witch, you first need to know that if you want to make a difference in the world, you absolutely can.
6. Believe in magic.
Even with all your special powers, the world isn’t always fair and things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. Still, it’s important not to give up hope and to continue believing that there are good forces and moments of serendipity in the world. Believe in the people and things that make you feel happy, loved, and secure — that’s real magic!
None of the images used belong to Her Campus UC Davis. Thumnail courtesy of Kirsten Burrell.