[part 1]Hello Olivia, i write to you cause, i just watched The Witch, the horror movie of 2016, and it was like a punch in my face. This movie made me feel so uncomfortable. I don't know if you have seen it. It gave such a bad image of the witch and the worst is at the end, it says that the movie was written accounts of historical witchcraft. I'm a "baby witch" and i have troubles to get sometimes what is really witchcraft, cause modern witchcraft seems so different that what it used to be
[part 2]I read one time that “witch” before was a word used to talk about the peasant. Then later, it was more a christian thing to demonized those who still practice “the old ways” (pagans). So i’m confused now and i have troubles to find the real roots of it. And when i search, it goes too dark and i see old spell of invisibility where you have to boil a cat alive and then throw his teeth under your left shoulder etc etc. [part 3] I’m sorry everything i said makes no sense. I just feel uncomfortable some (for me) crazy people use the name of witchcraft to do madness. And in the same time in history there are stories of black magic with awful things and i don’t want to be linked to this.
Hi there anon! I have seen the movie, it started as a short in Sundance and then became it’s own full movie. I actually really enjoyed the movie from a creative and horror stand point, but I understand why it can upset a person who truly practices. It sounds like you’ve been doing lot of digging, and that’s really great! Now, let’s start with the word ‘witch.’ The word ‘witch’ actually means ‘wise one.’ This being said, remember the two things that people fear the most: knowledgable people(because knowledge is power), and the unknown. Now, what are witches? Wise, powerful people who are knowledgable of all things unknown.
Unfortunately, the movie really was based on true events, of course other than the very end. People did in fact fear the witch to this extent, because of the reasons stated above. So then, the word ‘witch’ became a negative term, a term to accuse others of evil, when in reality they were afraid because most of these people happened to be women, who had a lower status in society, as well as most accuses were midwives and healers, women with knowledge. This unfortunately also was a weapon against women who knew ‘too much’ or had been wronged or abused in a way and another could use this to black mail not to speak the truth. So there, is where the term ‘witch’ became to describe a person of lower status: someone without morals, without God. This moves us into the term ‘witch’ in the world of Christianity. Coming from a Christian home, I can tell you that I was taught that everything that wasn’t of God or approved in the Bible, was deemed as evil. I even remember my mom warning me of my dabbling in yoga, claiming it was a worship of a god not of the Christian Bible, there for it was bad. Of course, I’ve learned. I’ve seen the other paths and perspectives and I’m definitely still learning, but from what I’ve seen, it is rare to find a religion or spiritual path that doesn’t promote kindness, love, and mindfulness. It’s just a matter of the person and how they chose to use the practice and faiths.
Lastly, I want you to understand that like everything else, there are dark sides to everything. I can hand you a kitchen knife, and you have the choice to cook a delicious meal with it, or you can stab me with it. It isn’t the term witch, it isn’t the actual practice. It’s the practitioner themselves. Witch is an umbrella term. As of the modern days, ‘witchcraft’ is used to describe anything done with intent. Blowing out a birthday candle, praying for a loved one’s health, wishing on a star, writing an angry letter and then burning it - these are all forms of witchcraft. Remember, my dear anon, you don’t have to use the term witchcraft or witch. If it doesn’t feel good to you, don’t use it. Call yourself a practitioner, or spiritual person. You don’t have to love the ‘dark’ aesthetic of the witch, or wear black or dark lipstick, or even have a grimoire or hoard candles. That’s the beauty of it, is that you are the core of your practice. Don’t even call them spells if you like, call them routines, call them prayers, call it the tea that makes you feel better after a long day. When it comes down to it, witchcraft is viewed very different than it was back then, but the actual practice is the same: using what you have to change a situation or better your life and yourself.
Don’t be discouraged, anon, everything has a dark side, but in contrast, everything has a light side as well. Keep at your research and take everything with a grain of salt. Learning is 90% of practicing, and practicing is the other 60%. So it’s a lot of that 140% to put into it all, but if it’s for you, it’s worth it. I hope this wasn’t too long, and answered all your questions.
Best of luck to you, anon!
