In many cultures and societies around the world, the belief in the existence and practice of witchcraft has been present for centuries. These individuals, known as witch practitioners, are thought to possess supernatural powers and abilities that allow them to manipulate the natural world for either good or evil. Many people are fascinated by the idea of encountering a witch practitioner and discovering their true powers. In some cases, these individuals claim to have the ability to communicate with spirits, cast spells, and heal diseases. This has led to a growing interest in finding nearby witch practitioners and learning more about their practices. However, finding nearby witch practitioners can be challenging as their existence is often shrouded in secrecy.
“It was scary to be like, ‘Hey, by the way guys, I identify as a witch. I don't know exactly what that means,” Fjuna said. “But that's kind of the road I’m going down.’”
We ve never had a time where even celebrities are actually able to talk freely about being in practicing witchcraft or keeping crystals and manifesting. Garden Grove and Glendale weren t far behind, ranking above voodoo queen Marie Laveau s New Orleans which seems wrong somehow while Moreno Valley was almost dead last, at 199 out of 200.
However, finding nearby witch practitioners can be challenging as their existence is often shrouded in secrecy. Many practitioners prefer to keep their identities hidden due to the negative connotations associated with witchcraft in certain societies. They may choose to practice their craft in private or only share their knowledge with a select few.
Nearby witch practitioners
The Golden State is actually home to six of the top 10 “Best Places to be a Witch” in the United States of America, according to a rather singular data crunch by a company called Lawn Love that measured access to tarot readers, astrology classes, covens, natural healers, herbalists and metaphysical supply stores in the nation’s 200 largest cities. (Photo by Getty Images/iStockphoto)
By Teri Sforza | [email protected] | Orange County Register PUBLISHED: October 28, 2021 at 5:42 p.m. | UPDATED: October 29, 2021 at 9:04 a.m.Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog … Disney apparently isn’t alone when it comes to making magic in California.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
The Golden State is actually home to six of the top 10 “Best Places to be a Witch” in the United States of America, according to a rather singular data crunch by a company called Lawn Love that measured access to tarot readers, astrology classes, covens, natural healers, herbalists and metaphysical supply stores in the nation’s 200 largest cities.
Los Angeles ranked No. 2 in the nation — behind New York City — while Pasadena came in at No. 3, San Francisco ranked No. 5, Orange was No. 6, Torrance ranked No. 9 and Fullerton was No. 10.
Garden Grove and Glendale weren’t far behind, ranking above voodoo queen Marie Laveau’s New Orleans — which seems wrong somehow — while Moreno Valley was almost dead last, at 199 out of 200. Only Laredo, Texas, was worse.
High marks for health, spirituality
“Wellness, spirituality and harmony with nature are central to the tenets of the modern witch religion and synonymous with California (and the L.A. area, in particular), the national leader in wellness trends,” said a statement from the editors who worked on the study.
“If we zoom in on the individual categories … we find that those are precisely the areas — health and spirituality — where the Golden State dominates.”
The Golden State is actually home to six of the top 10 “Best Places to be a Witch” in the United States of America, according to a data crunch. (Photo by Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It’s important to note here that we’re not talking about Shakespeare’s witches, stirring cauldrons and chanting “Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, lizard’s leg, and owlet’s wing.” We’re talking about pagans, who believe that nature is sacred and the natural cycles of birth, growth and death have profoundly spiritual meanings. And about the adherents of Wicca, a modern-day, nature-based religion, as History.com explains. Adherents often celebrate solstices and equinoxes, and incorporate herbalism and other natural objects into their rituals.
‘Perfectly normal people’
“Witches are perfectly normal people — we just have a spiritual path that is pagan,” said the founder of Bewitched OC, who goes by the name Zelda Twinkletoes. “We are your workmates. We are your neighbors.”
She lives in Garden Grove — one of America’s best cities for witches — and is not a Wiccan, but a pagan.
They do spells, but it’s not quite like what you see on TV, she laughed. “It’s about personal growth. That’s the aim of the majority of the work that I do.”
Groups of Wiccan practitioners are usually called covens, and the practitioners themselves are usually called witches, whether they’re male or female. Los Angeles ranked high in covens — No. 2 — and was No. 3 in supplies, meaning there are plenty of fellow witches to meet and stores to fulfill witchcraft needs.
Pasadena ranked second in both the health and spirituality categories thanks to an abundance of healers, herbalists, tarot readers and supernatural experts.
Orange also ranked ranked high in spirituality (No. 4) and health (No. 5) — thanks to plenty of psychics and reiki healers — while Torrance placed first in the health category by virtue of its many healers and yoga classes.
The Antique Street Faire in downtown Torrance in 2018.
Mayor confirms health focus
Some city leaders were taken aback by the rankings.
“Any time our city is on a top 10 list, it gets my attention. And ‘Best Cities for Witches’ sure piqued my interest — especially at this time of year!” Torrance Mayor Patrick J. Furey said by email.
“I must confess that I was relieved that our ranking was based on health. We do have an active, healthy population with many, many yoga studios and health clubs. Match that with our two major hospitals within our borders and two more just outside, it is no surprise that Torrance ranked number 1 in the health category.
“I don’t think I want to know what it would take to move up in the rankings!” he added.
Lawn Love compared the 200 biggest U.S. cities and drew its data from sources such as the American Herbalists Guild, Facebook, Find a Grave, Findastrologer.com, Gemstone Well, Herbalists Without Borders, Meetup, The Real Yellow Pages, Unitarian Universalist Association and Yelp, said spokesman John Schmidt.
Why, exactly, would a lawn care matchmaker crunch data on witch havens?
“We have an in-house data team whose knowledge extends beyond lawn care and has access to all of this data, so we figured why not?” Schmidt said. “We’re just having fun while hopefully providing useful insights to the public through (our other, more serious) data-driven stories.”
Thankfully, the company says, you don’t need magic to have a nice lawn. “Lawn Love pros across the country are ready to cast a spell on your landscape and transform your backyard into a haven for relaxation or your favorite late-night rituals,” it punned.
Some events
Seeking more magic? There’s a Dia de Los Muertos ceremony and celebration at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Golden Lotus Oasis in Garden Grove, and there will be a Pagan Pride Day Los Angeles/Orange County from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 7 in El Dorado Park, Area III, Golden Grove, Long Beach. It’s a family-friendly event with children’s activities and food trucks, organizers say.
It’s about getting back to nature, adherents say, and has given birth to the goddess movement. Schmidt quotes Quartz writers Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz and Dan Kopf: “The mainstreaming of mysticism makes sense when you consider how it overlaps with the interests of the millennial women. … (W)itchcraft is the perfect religion for liberal millennials who are already involved in yoga and meditation, mindfulness, and new-age spirituality.”
And that’s so California.
2.) That all witches are white. In every culture and in every tradition, there is a witch. The folk healer, the medicine woman, the midwife; these women would have all been considered dangerous at some point in time. They would have been labeled as witches. Witches come in all colors, shapes, backgrounds, and beliefs. The only requirement is that you feel it on the inside. It is not a path for everyone.
Nevertheless, some communities have a strong belief in witchcraft and openly embrace and seek the services of witch practitioners. These communities may have designated areas or individuals who are known for their expertise in witchcraft. Local folklore and word of mouth play a significant role in discovering these practitioners, as their existence is not typically advertised openly. It is important to note that not all witch practitioners may adhere to the same beliefs or practices. Witchcraft is a diverse field with various branches and traditions, each with its own rituals, spells, and customs. Some practitioners may follow ancient traditions passed down through generations, while others may have adapted their practices to modern times. When seeking out a nearby witch practitioner, it is essential to approach the subject with an open mind and respect for their beliefs and practices. It is important to remember that witchcraft is often deeply personal and sacred to practitioners, and any interaction should be approached with sensitivity and consent. In conclusion, finding nearby witch practitioners can be a challenging task due to the secrecy and diversity of their practices. While some communities openly embrace witchcraft, others keep it hidden from the public eye. However, with proper research, respect, and an open mind, it is possible to discover and learn more about these fascinating individuals and their practices..
Reviews for "The Stories of Nearby Witch Practitioners: Ancient Wisdom in Modern Times"
1. John - ⭐️ - I was really disappointed with "Nearby witch practitioners." The tour guide didn't seem knowledgeable at all, and it felt more like a scam than an actual tour. The places we visited were underwhelming and not what I expected from a tour about witch practitioners. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this tour to anyone looking for an authentic and informative experience.
2. Sarah - ⭐️⭐️ - I had high hopes for "Nearby witch practitioners" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The tour lacked structure and seemed disorganized. The group was large, making it difficult to hear the guide, and there was little interaction or engagement with the participants. The locations we visited were not particularly interesting, and the information provided was lacking depth. I expected more from a tour about witch practitioners and their history.
3. Mark - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I found the "Nearby witch practitioners" tour to be quite average. While the guide had some interesting anecdotes, I felt like the overall experience was lacking. The tour felt rushed, and we didn't have enough time to fully explore each location. Additionally, the organization of the tour could have been better, as there were instances where we had to wait for extended periods of time. Overall, I don't think it lived up to its potential and would suggest looking for alternative tours if you are genuinely interested in witch practitioners.
4. Lisa - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I had mixed feelings about the "Nearby witch practitioners" tour. While it wasn't exactly what I expected, it was still an enjoyable experience. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable, but at times it felt like they were rushing through the tour. The locations we visited were interesting, but I would have liked more in-depth information about each place. If you're looking for a quick introduction to witch practitioners, this tour might be worth considering, but if you're seeking a more immersive experience, you may want to look elsewhere.