It seems like witches are everywhere nowadays. Not only because of Netflix's remake of “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, but also because witches have become, kind of a synonym for feminists. Well, how accurate is this, you can guess yourself, but let’s see the ups and downs of being a witch and what behind the scene moments does witchcraft have?
There are some risks
Witchcraft is not just fun and games; it can come with a price for rewards like hexes, and love spells. The infamous Salem witch trials may seem far in the past but the prosecution of witches (or witchcraft suspects) continues today. Of course, there are defensive techniques, such as wearing an evil eye. However, the best thing is just not running around screaming about your newfound identity.
Choose your way
There are many variants, so here are some basic moments, for you to know.
Paganism: an umbrella term for religions other than the Abrahamic religions of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam that usually emphasizes the earth and nature. Their modern practicers are known as neo-pagans.
Wicca: A religion that is actually popularized form of neo-paganism, due primarily to the so-called Father of Wicca, Gerald Gardner, who in the mid-1900s developed his particular philosophy, now known as the Gardnerian Wicca. Although witches are traditionally considered women, many Wiccans are men and worship both a god and a goddess.
Ceremonial: The by-the-book practice of placing the highest value in—not to mention expertly executing—ceremonies and rituals.
Brujería: An umbrella term for African, Caribbean, and indigenous Latin American witchcraft, dating back centuries, if not thousands of years.
Eclecticism: For those who chose not to adhere to a specific group but rather to combine customs as they please, a more open way.
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Terms to know
You can obtain a more detailed guide to definitions that Shelley Rabinovitch and the The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft by James Lewis. But before going that deep, you can know the basics.
Initiation: The rituals that place a budding witch on the road to making things official, by entering a coven after practicing its custom, usually for a year and a day. The initiations that follow eventually allow the initiate to become a high priest or high priestess
Coven: A group of initiated witches or culture, normally led by a high priest and/or high priestess. If a coven is Wiccan, their meetings frequently include Sabbaths, which are annual period celebrations of seasonal festivals known as the Wheel of the Year. (Non-sabbat meetings, such as the observation of a full moon, are known as esbats.)
Altar: A surface that a Wiccan uses solely for activities such as casting spells, chanting, and worshipping the god and goddess.
Pentacle: A magical device such as an amulet or talisman that often appears on an altar, which is often confused with a pentagram — a symbol common in Wicca which, confusingly enough, the Church of Satan, which has taken on its inverted form quite successfully.
Just look it up
The Internet has made it simpler than ever to get into witchcraft, from podcasts, message boards, and open read lists to Instagram's newly found lively groups with a variety with witches, many of whom helpfully give advice and psychological consultations. As on which you can trust the so-called "# witchesofinstagram," a word of advice: Despite widespread attempts, posing for gothic photo shoots and/or taking visually appealing crystal snapshots are not rituals – at least not yet.