Witches are having A Moment™.

It’s no surprise that with the crude scaffolding holding up the patriarchy being exposed and swaying dangerously, that people would start to reclaim their connection to the natural world.  It’s no surprise that learning about ancient ways would feel like coming home.

What is surprising to me is how damn capitalist it is.

I’ve been watching the conversations about witches and witchcraft from the sidelines, not weighing in because I don’t identify fully as a witch.  However, you don’t have to claim the title “witch” to get a sickening feeling as you watch everything witchy become mainstream, and simultaneously cuter, whiter…. and mass produced.  

Isn’t it ironic that white cishet patriarchy burned women at the stake 400 years ago for being too outside of mainstream culture, and now that same cishet capitalist patriarchal system is turning around to mass-market and sell the aesthetic of witchcraft back to women as mainstream culture?  In either case, who benefits?  (Hint: it’s not witches.)

Not only that, but we tend to look at persecution of witches through a long lens – thinking of 400 years ago as ancient history that shalt not be repeated.  But guess what: it is being repeated to this day, all over the globe. Marginalized women  – and men!!! – are still being tortured and killed under the guise of “being a witch”.  In Africa, toddlers are turned out and left to die in the streets for the crime of being witches and bringing curses on their families.

So if you’re interested in witchcraft, holy hell keep it up.  Own that shit.  Dive deep into your own shadow work of self-excavation, unpack the shame that’s been fed to you, and be eternally curious.  Learn all that you can.

But remember that witchcraft isn’t produced in a sweatshop.  It’snot a fashion choice.  It’s not cutesy hats on IG, athleisure jokes about brooms, cultural appropriation, or anything else that you need to purchase in order to fit in or keep up.  Extricate yourself from the Spiritual Wellness Industrial Complex ©, support your local artisans if you need supplies.  Decolonize your practice and your tools.  Find your local BIPOC witch and ask if they teach any classes (*cough* www.amazongrove.com *cough*)

And don’t forget that if you’re going to claim the title of Witch then you also claim every man, woman and child who has been killed for it as your brothers and sisters in arms, and you damn well better spare some time, talent and trea$sure for organizations that are working to eradicate the persecution of witches.

Much love, witches.