Witchcraft as a Coping Skill and act of Self-care // Grace Fowler

“We are the granddaughters of the witches you weren’t able to burn.”  -Tish Thawer

You’ve probably seen this quote printed on pins and tote bags all over Pinterest and Instagram. For some women, this is more than a faux feminist fad. The reality is that women are identifying with the term “witch” more than ever before. 1.5 million people identified their religious practice as Wiccan, a huge increase from the 8,000 Wiccans identified in a 1990 survey of religious practice. Not everyone who identifies with being a witch practices Wicca, but in general, the focus of witchcraft is on the divine nature of feminine power. In a time where it can feel dangerous to be a woman (think #MeToo era), witchcraft serves as a way to empower women and create a sense of community.

Historically, witches have been a symbol of fear, at least in Western societies. By the 14^th century, Europeans were accusing and executing those accused of witchcraft. Although men were included in the mix, a disproportionate number of women were targeted. Particularly women who held positions of power or knowledge, like midwives. Seeing as how the human female body is still baffling to doctors and women are often misrepresented in medical research, it makes sense why those who had advanced knowledge of women’s health would be considered supernatural! However, modern representations of witches have sought to represent a wider swath of women. Shows like the 1960’s Bewitched that portrayed a witch as a benevolent character, to today’s American Horror Story, which portrays witches as complex female characters with a wide range of racial identities and ability levels, have all contributed to the growing canon around the witchy lifestyle.

When Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh was in the process of being nominated for his current position, women around the country joined together to place a spell to prevent his nomination. While witchcraft may not have stopped the nomination of an unsavory character, nor protected the courageous Dr. Christine Blasey Ford as she testified against him, it did give a community of women a sense of action. Witchcraft is like New Age community organizing: it gets people involved in a way that gives a sense of power back.

Whether the practice of witchcraft involves complex and meticulous spell casting, tarot card readings, or just owning a few crystals, it is clear that women are making sense of their political and social reality through these practices. Drawing on a long tradition of the mystical feminine power may be an excellent coping skill and act of self-care in the world where late-stage capitalism has eliminated the possibility of true free time. Witchcraft may not be for everyone, but it may be just the thing for the politically minded woman on the go.

-by Grace Fowler