The following article is a delightful account of my intrigue and exploration into the world of Witchcraft. It is a positive look at what many people consider as “evil”. I am in no way endorsing nor denying Witchcraft. For me, it’s just another serendipitous stop along the rail of the Hot Mess Express!
Introduction
✎ “If religion had a quirky cousin who liked tarot cards, houseplants, and the occasional crystal, it would be Witchcraft. And honestly? That cousin sounds kinda of fun.”
Over the past few years, I’ve wandered through grimoires, blogs, and personal accounts of witches and witchcraft. No hoods, no curses – just people who believe in magic, rituals, and the power of intention. What struck me most? Witchcraft is basically a religion… with just a little glitter, a lot of personal flair, and maybe some lavender-scented incense.
The glitter isn’t just aesthetic; it’s a metaphor. For those who practice, witchcraft adds a playful, mindful layer to everyday life. It encourages focus, intention, and connection with the world around them. And yes, it’s fun to imagine casting a “spell” on your Monday coffee cup to make it taste just a little better!
Reframing Witchcraft
✎ “Magic isn’t about dragons and curses – it’s about making your own life a little more intentional.”
Forget the Hollywood version. Witchcraft is fundamentally a belief system. It has ethics, practices, and a moral framework. Magic is less about changing the universe with a flick of the wrist, and more about changing yourself. Your mindset, your habits, your awareness.
Think of it as spiritual engineering. Want a better day? Light a candle and set an intention. Want to connect with nature? Observe the moon phases, the seasonal cycles, or even the way your houseplants stretch toward the sunlight. Want clarity? Shuffle a tarot deck and see what the cards reveal – then maybe chuckle if a cat decides to nap on top of your deck.
Personal anecdote:
As an adult, my first brush with witchcraft was in Key West, FL. My BFF, Barb, and I were wandering the shops of Duvall Street, the heart of Key West, when suddenly, I saw a tent-like structure across the street lined with colorful scarves, dusty vintage signs and shimmering crystals. We crossed the street and found a medium who, for a mere ten dollars, would do a Celtic Cross reading of the tarot cards.
As the lovely woman laid out the cards, she could tell I felt scared and she simple said, “Calm.” Just like that, all my preconceived notions of the occult left my head. My reading? Well, as for most, that is personal but I will say the woman taught me that what she saw and spoke was up for extreme interpretation. She also taught me that, “One day, you’ll remember.” And years later… she was right.
The Joy of Rituals and Tools
Rituals aren’t scary—they’re intentional acts with tangible tools. A few common items you might encounter:
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- Candles: Set intentions, mark phases of the moon, or just make your space feel cozy.
- Tarot cards: Not fortune-telling doom, but prompts for reflection and insight.
- Crystals: Physical reminders to focus energy or meditate.
- Oils and herbs: Aromatherapy, ritual baths, or simple mindfulness cues.
- Moon and seasonal cycles: Timing rituals according to natural rhythms.
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These practices make abstract ideas tangible and create a space for reflection. And yes, some of them are funny when you’re a newbie: trying to meditate with a crystal in your pocket and finding it slipped into your shoe.
Personal anecdote:
I have always been attracted to crystals and the practice of drawing on their energy for personal growth. Crystals do have an end date for their usefulness but I learned all you need to do is place them out in the sun or a waning moon to “recharge” them. How simple is that!
I choose the night under a waning moon. I carefully placed about ten or more crystals on an aluminum tray and took them outside into my backyard around midnight. I laid the tray in the wet grass with care. The sky was clear and the waning moon was bright. I was at peace and couldn’t wait to get back my newly revived crystals the next day.
The following morning, as I stepped outside to an upside down tray and most of the crystals gone or hidden in the grass, I quickly learned that raccoons like crystals, too!
Why Witchcraft is Positive & Educational
✎ “At its heart, witchcraft is less about casting spells and more about casting light on how we learn, reflect, and grow.”
Witchcraft teaches patience, attention, and respect for cycles – moon cycles, seasons, even personal growth cycles. It encourages responsibility: if you intend to do good, you try to do good.
Other benefits include:
- Mindfulness: Observing rituals, herbal preparations, or simple candle lighting.
- Connection: With nature, community, or oneself.
- Reflection: Journaling, tarot, or intention-setting acts as a kind of daily self-assessment disguised as magic.
- Creativity: Rituals encourage imagination and playful thinking – important for personal growth.
A Thought to Ponder:
Even if you don’t believe in “magic” per se, there’s value in using symbolic tools to focus your mind and intention. Actually we do it all the time: daily journaling, wearing a crucifix, brewing a nice tea for sleepy time. Given the parallel, skeptics might just admire the practice of “magic”, if just from afar.
Addressing the “Witchcraft as the Devil” Myth
Let’s tackle the big pink elephant in the broomstick closet: the idea that witches secretly consort with the devil. Historically, this myth arose from religious fear, political manipulation, and a dash of creative storytelling (thank you, 15th-17th centuries).
Reality check: Most modern witchcraft is entirely secular or nature-based. It does not involve demons, hellfire, or goat sacrifices. The “devil” association is cultural folklore, not doctrine.
Wit & Whimsy:
- Imagine a witch brewing lavender tea and cinnamon for relaxation… plotting the downfall of soggy socks, not the apocalypse.
Thoughts to Ponder:
- Fear is lack of knowledge. Understanding witchcraft as a positive religion can reduce fear and prejudice.
- Rituals are symbolic, magic is metaphorical, and ethics are personal but often community-minded.
Personal anecdote:
I grew up in a devote Catholic household. That should set the entire tone for you! As a young boy, it was clear that this type of discussion we are having here right now was a huge no-no in any way, shape or form. I did know, however, that my Aunt Sandy dabbled in the occult and that fascinated me to no end. Sometimes I caught my mother giving her the what-for when she left out tarot cards or astrological star charts that the children could discover. There were things we weren’t allowed to discuss or see, even as my siblings and I grew to be curious teenagers. End of subject.
The more I tried to find out from Aunt Sandy, the more I got shut down or worse, got grounded. But came the time, at twelve years old, when I found a book about witchcraft in the now defunct Fay’s Department Store. It was in the ten-cent book bin and seemed to glow when my hands laid upon it. My mother was in the back of the store at the pharmacy and I ran, book in hand, with solid purpose to the cash register. I was so scared the cashier would call out my name and get my mother. But I handed her a dollar, received back some change and my little book of witchcraft was put into a bag. Yes – I shoved that book deep into my pants. Probably my underwear!
The book was a straight-up manual of many things: tools, skills, spells… and how to build a witchcraft altar. Boom! That’s what I would do. Build an altar and show it to Aunt Sandy the next time she came to visit. I worked desperately hard to create the best looking altar for the place of witchcraft so my Aunt Sandy would be proud.
When she finally visited, and I showed her my masterpiece, all hell broke loose in my bedroom. Shouts of “Too young!” and “What the fuck have you done?” still ring in my ears. Aunt Sandy left me scared of the “dark evil” for many years. Probably a few decades. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I started to question all sorts of theological constructs and investigate other religions. Witchcraft included. Much like this article, I only skimmed the surface with what I discovered but it taught me one thing: To question is part of our humanity. Even the socially perceived “evil” subjects. You will not go to hell. It’s not Adam and Eve and the apple. Learning this gave me the ability to write what you are reading now!
Voice from the Craft
No article about witchcraft is complete without hearing from someone who practices it. I had the opportunity to have a conversation with my friend, Anna, who conjures in her own way. Enjoy!
1) In simple layman’s terms, what is witchcraft to you?
🎤 “The energy to conjure spells. Conjuring to me is not magic. Magic is tricks and illusion. I don’t associate conjuring with magic at all.”
2) How do you conjure spells?
🎤 ” I concentrate all my energy, inner and outer, to conjure spells that bring good to the world, which may inadvertently inflict discipline on those deserving. That is not on me, just willfully deserving on them.”
3) Where does your desire to participate in this form of witchcraft come from?
🎤 “The energy or spells I work on feed from the determination to control circumstances around me. With the use of energy, I can manipulate, visualize and focus to achieve my goals.”
4) How do you feel when conjuring?
🎤 “It is an exhausting practice and takes unwavering focus for as long as needed. At times, it leaves me drained but satisfied with my efforts.”
5) When people find out you’re a witch, do they expect you to show up in a bubble, glittery gown and wand in hand?
🎤 “I am definitely no Glinda. Let’s just leave it at that. Hahaha!”
Humor, Human Errors, and Anecdotes
✎ “Sometimes, magic just means paying attention – not waving a wand at anything sinister.”
Witchcraft isn’t all candles and crystals – sometimes it’s delightfully human:
- ☕️ Me attempting a “morning energy ritual” with coffee nearby (coffee wins, ritual loses).
- 🀚 Meditating with tarot cards: not a psychic revelation, but a nap revelation.
- 🌙 Observing a moon ceremony: initially eerie, later oddly calming and inspiring. Another nap.
Conclusion
✎ “Next time someone mentions a witch, don’t think broomstick. Think intention, connection, and maybe a glittery cup of tea.”
Witchcraft is not spooky – it’s just a different path. It uses imagination, ritual, and a little whimsy to explore life’s questions, focus intention, and cultivate mindfulness. Approaching it with curiosity instead of fear can be enlightening, entertaining, and maybe… just a little magical.
Namaste,
Scott ☽🔮☾