Witchcraft in the 21st Century

Introduction

Witchcraft is a subject that is various to many cultures with many ideas. It’s a practice in south Africa, and also a practice in other areas throughout history. Witchcraft isn’t new, and that is definite, but it has changed from what it was before, and from what most people believe of what a witch is. So here, I want to set it clear, end unfair judgements that precall upon a witch, and atlast describe some beliefs and practices at a beginner level, and a basis of everything a beginner witch needs to know. It’s time to debunk all of these myths, and take a further look into what witchcraft actually is.

Part 1- What is a witch?

When I say I am a witch I am saying that I am going to ride my magical broomstick into the air like Harry Potter does when reaching for the golden snitch. No, wait, don't let our minds carry us away, I bet the image that pops up is a pointed hat, and for sure I'm wearing all black. In past cultures “witch” was used as a derogatory term, slang. If you were called a witch in Salem, and other places in Europe you might as well be better off dead. In places like these, it is almost common knowledge that people who were believed to be witches were burned to death after an unfair trial.

Witchcraft accusations actually still happen to this day, some more severe than others, and in all of them there is absolutely no proof. For example, In Zambia people are being accused of spreading aids through witchcraft. As a result, they assemble a team of “witch hunters” and begin to quite literally hunt them down and kill them with a poisonous tea. In this case, they killed over 16 people in a matter of 4 hours. In Tanzania the word witchcraft is used to discriminate against the albino population that lives there. Using the excuse that they use the craft to make them look different and give them luck in the future. In the past there were people accused of being “witch doctors”, ones who use herbs and spirituality to help heal people. They make herb mixes, and use spells that are supposed to have a specific intention upon whomever it is directed upon. (See national geographic; Mary Schon)

There are countless trials of witchcraft in modern days, and in the past. Mary Schons, in her article, blames developing countries for the constant belief and fear of witchcraft. She says that those blaming others of witchcraft don't understand a topic of ideals. I, on the other hand, think that yes it has to do with the blame of the subjects, but there is more to it, and with further investigation you will understand. Witchcraft is a difficult topic to approach because there is so much faultiness, so many miss beliefs, but the truth is it’s more than all of these countries thought of. Witchcraft isn’t all about magic, as all crafts have a purpose and there are many. It’s a religion that many delve into, with many ways to delve on your own path, also known as the subject of witchcraft that you want to further go into.

I think the best way to let witchcraft be described is by those who would describe themselves as witches because it truly is them giving themselves their own labels. It’s not someone from the outside looking into something that they truly are not looking into, and with the wideness of the topic itself. In my survey that I posted on this site called amino in the group “Witches and Pagans” I got fifteen responses, and out of those I picked two of the best answers that came up.

The first response I picked was from Astra. When asked the question of, “ How would you define witchcraft”she said, “I see witchcraft as a way of seeing the beauty and magic in the smaller things in life. I see it as a way of looking just a little further than just a mundane world. More than just the rituals and spiritual beliefs it's been a way to find love in myself and to find a more lovable world.” The definition she uses is definitely accurate, and is also supported by another person who responded to the survey named Selene. As we can see this quote does not mention anything about harm to others, and doing it in contempt. Instead it shows what it’s really about, nature and self.

In the article ‘Are you a Witch or a Pagan” written by Sheloya (Sis. Nicole), a licensed U.L.C. Modesto minister, spiritual counselor, and sorceress, has a simpler, and clearer definition of what she defines witchcraft as. “My definition of a witch, and some may agree or disagree, is someone who consciously uses their knowledge of both the seen and unseen/spiritual forces and aspects of Nature to solve problems, change situations, thrive, and help others to thrive.”

Again, with this definition it debunks everything believed in witch trials and witch hunts that are believed. As there are some good people and bad people the same goes for witches. Is it fair to judge the whole human race upon Hitler because he was bad. There are witches that use their powers for harm, through hexes, and curses or other forms of black magic. Yet, even though this, the population of witches that do such practices, especially without purpose, are miniscule. There are many paths including hedge witch,green witch and a bunch more, including eclective who are a mix of many types of witches. (If you want to know more about the types of witches see Chapter 1 red wheelies)

On the topic of witches, it is another key point to note that witch is the correct terminology. As most witches do describe themselves as witches, but

Energy

In the end witchcraft is a combination of many different aspects and yet they all have two main things in common that are needed. The first one- focus, which for beginners is gained through meditation. If a witch does not have focus in doing a spell it most likely will not work the way they want it to or be as effective. The second one is the energy combination needed, a caring and connected spirit with nature and what is around them, and a balanced sense of what we might call “divine energy” controlled by chakras and the amount of energy one has to extend out.

When one's chakras are balanced they will feel more at peace with themselves and what’s around them. Along with this they will feel healthier and more vibrant. Everyone has 7 major chakras, though there are some other minor ones, that I will not go over as for the most part they are not as important. The chakras each are connected to a job and an area and are given a color, in correspondence to order and the rainbow. So starting at the cervix is the Root chakra, with the color red. This chakra has to do with trust and safety, and if it is over or underactive one would have trouble in this area. Above the root chakra is the sacral chakra, in the color orange this dictates feelings and sexuality, the next one is the solar plexus. This one is yellow and is at the rib cages. It feels the energy of beings around,and has to deal with assertiveness in a group setting. The heart chakra is green, and represents kindness and affection. The fifth chakra is the throat and is blue, this has to do with how talkative you are. The sixth chakra is the third eye, also known as the psychic center. This would be used for divination or seeing and hearing spirits, and is purple. The seventh chakra is the Crown, represented with the color white or gold. This chakra is in control of awareness of self and the world around you.

As chakras together make balance, and that is every part of a witches purpose. Having an unbalanced chakra could throw off all the other chakras around it like an infection. Along with the fact that they are vital to physical and mental health, and make certain aspects of witchcraft easier when they are balanced. To balance them try being around the colors each chakra represents and eating things of that chakra color that are healthy. Another tip that every beginner needs to do is meditate. This will not only help with their chakras but also fulfill them, and create a great focus.