What is ‘witchcraft’ to you?

[chanthebarista]

Open question for everyone. For me, as an anthropologist, it’s difficult to precisely define ‘witchcraft’. So I’d like y’all’s thoughts! What makes something ‘witchcraft’? Do you see it as necessarily distinct from other types of magic? How and why is it different from other types of magic?

Discussion

[redneckgymrat]

The practice of magic, usually a practice involving ritual.

[mrnatural93]

I am a witch that also has a background in anthropology so this is an excellent question!! Thank you!

Witchcraft as opposed to say ceremonial Magick or Druidry often involves employing Magick through contagion or sympathetic means. Some examples can include using poppets, candle Magick, use of charms, amulets, up to and including talismans. Ritual and trance are not off the table and witches are even known to delve into practices such as shapeshifting and necromancy not to mention ancestor work which is very central and important to many a witch. Witches do not come in any kind of uniform shape and vary greatly from culture to culture often heavily influenced by the dominant religions they are raised with. Herbalism, divination and even astrology for many are important. Witches hex and heal and working with deities and saints are also key and very highly personal.

Frankly it’s really very difficult to make an all encompassing list of everything that would qualify as witch craft but I would have to say that overall it tends to be more nature-based.

Most practicing witches today are rooted in some culture whether that be Afro diasporic, Celtic, Scandinavian or even Eastern European of some stripe. List goes on and on because many many ancient cultures had their Witches.

There is also overlap between different traditions and how witchcraft is practiced, as certain elements of the western mystery tradition, depending on what culture you’re talking about, have come to influence it’s modern form. Here in the US a lot of witches are influenced by ceremonial practices or practices within Druidry or even various forms of neoshamanism.

Let me know if I can clarify any of that.

Ha!