Calling myself a witch gives me the confidence of someone with the universe on their side, as well as an important part of my feminist belief.
Historically, a “witch” was a woman who did not adhere to societal norms. This passionate hatred of women spawned derogatory terms, is referenced in religious texts, and directly relates to misogyny.
The Salem Witch Trials that took place in the 1690s in Massachusetts can be seen as almost a genocide of women who did not fit the standards set by the community for a woman. The first three women accused of witchcraft included a homeless beggar, an old woman who did not go to the local church, and a Native American slave said to have told the victims—young girls of whom she was probably the caretaker—stories about “swaying men’s minds”. Those who were poor, elderly, disabled, or had dark skin were targeted and killed. The two girls who began the mass hysteria had been practicing juvenile “little sorceries”, in which they used a venus glass. They would crack eggs into a glass of water and assess the fortune-telling shapes. This was an attempt to seek out future husbands. To young girls in the seventeenth century, marriage was the most pivotal experience of their lifetimes. To them, husbands did not represent only love and family, but also class and social status.
In 1976, Linnda R. Caporael suggested in Science magazine that the bewitchment could be explained medically. Although her theory about ergotism was not widely accepted, a fascinating article in the New York Times, which was published about ten years later, confirms such an explanation and extends Caporael’s original thesis.
The stereotypical features of a witch are a caricature of femininity. Stewing something mysterious with herbs in a cauldron and flying on a broomstick is an image of sorcery, but also just a demonic take on the typical duties of a housewife, like cooking or sweeping and cleaning the home. A “witch” is just someone who is too feminine, or someone who has distorted the image of womanhood in a way that is displeasing to men, as a part of the patriarchal structure that imposes the standards of femininity upon women.
In art predating the 20th century, witches were shown not wearing black but rather nothing at all. This solidifies their connection to the female body being diabolized and shamed. Witches are also often portrayed as sexual beings who commit acts that should be unspeakable to well-meaning, “good” girls. This means mainly forms of sodomy or the consumption of drugs and alcohol. Drug use and witchcraft is specifically linked hallucinogens (remember the ergotism thing?), which can also be ingested through the mucus membranes of genitals and armpits. According to lore (better detailed here with loads of NSWF pictures from the 1800s), witches would anoint their broomsticks (phallic imagery) and “ride them”. These origins are tales of blasphemy, depicting women who use drugs or masturbate as, well, hags who are best avoided at all costs. Today, those things are still taboo (some for more sensible legal reasons than others), but witch culture (super active on tumblr) and feminism are very intertwined. Supporting your local stoner girl, for example, is an example of exercising feminism and taking part in some altering states of consciousness witchcraft. So is dancing in large groups (covens vs sororities?) and feeling one with the outdoors.
Rejecting norms is integral to growing up and discovering yourself outside of your geopolitical context. It is also spiritual since witches are greatly connected to nature and religion (see Wiccanism, which is not the focus of this article or synonymous with witchcraft but incredibly interesting and relevant nonetheless) as well as the self-less individual. Basically, this means that to be a witch and LIVING is to be an empowered girl in a world where women are powerless!
So in honor of the full moon next Thursday, practice a little magic. Celebrate the true values of witchcraft: being yourself regardless of society’s wishes, finding solace in the natural world and your personal beliefs, and appreciating all the women in your life.
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