Welcome to the Season of the Witch
In recent years, October has been called the ‘Season of the Witch’. Beyond the normal Halloween shenanigans there seems to be a more Witchy undercurrent with deep Pagan vibes in the air. As the ‘Season of the Witch’ is upon us let remember a little bit about who Witches really are and why this season really needs to be year long.
Witch (n.)
1. A person, now especially a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic or sorcery; a sorceress
2. A woman who is supposed to have evil or wicked magical powers 3. An ugly or mean old woman: hag
In a recent book I read, Witches Sluts Feminists by Kristen J. Sollee [which is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for everyone!!!] Sollee breaks down what it means in this society to be a Witch, to be a Slut and to be a Feminist. Unfortunately, it’s not surprising to see how all three are demonized and can relate to each other. Beyond the demonization we see in today’s society, Sollee breaks down who the original women accused of Witch Craft really were and paints an upsetting picture of how these tactics are used today.
The people accused of being Witches all had their own unique experience but they shared a few common traits; they were strong, independent, intelligent, and intuitive women who didn’t live their lives by the extremely narrow confines of society and what was deemed proper in that time frame. Today, though in a much different way, women are also deemed to be Witches when they are powerful when they are independent when they go against what society wants. When we use herbs and mother nature to heal us just as our ancestors did. When we choose what to do with our bodies, when we stand up for ourselves, over and over we see women demonized.
Something that has drastically changed in this modern era, however, is our understanding of the word “Witch”, how people everywhere are slowly but surely owning the label and wearing it proudly! We have begun to take back the word ‘Witch’ in many ways. For so long the narrative has been pushed that if you practice Paganism or if you are a Witch that you are evil. That these things are demonic and tied in with dark forces, but that is just not true.
Like there can be those who practice Dark Magic, there are those who run sweatshops and oil factories, so it just goes to show it is evil in all aspects of the world. That doesn’t mean all people are evil. Paganism is not the practice of Dark Magic, it is a religion that focuses on Nature and the Elements.
While there is definitely more to being a Witch who practices, there is nothing wrong with identifying with the term even if you don’t fully practice or know much about Paganism. The beautiful thing about being a Witch is there is no rule book, each person’s journey is unique to them and their experience. So explore and live your experience! If you are curious about Witchcraft and Paganism, do a google search or go to your local book store, and if you just want to stick to your own version of spirituality, then fucking do it! This is your life, live it!
Great Resources for those interested in Exploring:
Mystic Mama Astral Insights - New Moon, Full Moon Energy Readings
The Hoodwitch Absolutely everything on this website is amazing! She has everything from Spells, Horoscopes, Sexual Health, healing, Tarot, Meditation, EVERYTHING!
Books:
Witchery - Juliet Diaz
Witches Sluts Feminists - Kristen J. Sollee
Women Who Run With Wolves - Clairissa Pinkola Estés The Green Witch - Arin Murphy-Hiscock
The House Witch - Arin Murphy-Hiscock