A crom witch is a term used to describe a specific type of witch or sorcerer in folklore and mythology. The concept of a crom witch originates from the Celtic culture, particularly in Ireland and Scotland. Crom witches were believed to possess supernatural powers and were often associated with dark magic and malevolent intentions. The term "crom" or "cromm" itself is derived from the Irish Gaelic word "crom dubh," which means "dark, bent one." This name is believed to signify their connection to sinister forces and their inclination towards performing evil deeds. Crom witches were often depicted as old women with haggard appearances and long, unkempt hair.
From this point until the end of the 01700s, being accused of witchcraft was often a death sentence, with an estimated 60,000 people — mostly women — killed.
From this point until the end of the 01700s, being accused of witchcraft was often a death sentence, with an estimated 60,000 people mostly women killed. The second historical definition was newer, and construed witches as people organized and somehow directed by the devil, a concept that gets inserted around the 15th century.
Crom witches were often depicted as old women with haggard appearances and long, unkempt hair. They were said to possess knowledge of ancient rituals and spells that could bring harm to others. They were believed to have the ability to curse individuals, manipulate events, and even summon demons and other malevolent entities.
From Witch Trials to WitchTok
Long persecuted and marginalized, witches are suddenly center stage in online culture.
Something strange is happening on TikTok. In one video, a white candle labeled “Her” and a black candle labeled “Him” are tied together with rope. They burn simultaneously until the rope catches fire, dropping between the candles and igniting the remaining length of the black candle. Another video shows a woman with bright green hair telling you to turn your broom upside down to make someone unwanted leave your home, or to put cinnamon sticks on top of your doorframe to bring abundance to your life. In yet another a woman sits on an armchair with a spoon spinning in her cup of tea while her hand makes circles in the air without touching the spoon. This is just a small sample of what you can find on WitchTok, an online community of witchcraft practitioners. It’s not fringe, either: the #witch and #WitchTok hashtags have tens of billions of views — more than #kimkardashian, #beyonce, and #donaldtrump. WitchTok provides a supportive group that Raven the Witch, a community member, describes as a place where “Everyone can be a witch, and every witch is beautiful.”
A few screenshots from the Witchtok Tag on TikTok. Courtesy of TikTok users b6byd6ll, eclectickarma, & emilyriboflavin
When most people think of “witches”, images of witch trials and innocent women burning at the stake come to mind. For centuries, witches were seen as evil, associated with the devil, prosecuted, and killed in the thousands. So how did the cultural meaning of witches change so significantly, enough that a generation of young witches could take over the internet?
To answer this question we must examine the history of witchcraft and the use of the word “witch.” In doing so, we’ll see how the seeds of today's WitchTok community were sown back in the 01960s, when a group of people known as Wiccans set out to revive what they perceived as an ancient witchcraft religion. In doing so, the Wiccans set in motion a process of reclaiming a term of oppression and giving it a new life, allowing the modern-day witches of WitchTok to build a positive and welcoming spiritual community.
In Celtic mythology, crom witches were sometimes associated with the Morrigan, a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignty. The Morrigan was often depicted as a trio of goddesses, one of whom was Flidais, a shape-shifter associated with witchcraft and sorcery. It is believed that this association with the Morrigan further cemented the crom witches' reputation for dark magic and dangerous powers. In some stories, crom witches were said to inhabit sacred sites such as ancient burial mounds or stone circles. These locations were believed to amplify their magical abilities and serve as a gateway to the spirit realm. It was believed that crom witches could communicate with spirits and draw upon their energy to perform their spells and rituals. Like many witches and sorcerers in folklore, crom witches were often feared and believed to be responsible for misfortunes and calamities that befell communities. They were sometimes blamed for illnesses, crop failures, and other disasters. As a result, crom witches were often ostracized and persecuted, with communities taking measures to protect themselves from their perceived malevolence. In modern times, the concept of the crom witch has been embraced by contemporary pagans and practitioners of witchcraft. Some view the crom witch as a symbol of feminine power and wisdom, reclaiming the negative associations and presenting a more positive image. In this context, the crom witch represents a connection to nature, ancestral wisdom, and the ability to harness energy for healing and for the greater good. Overall, the concept of a crom witch is deeply rooted in Celtic mythology and folklore. Whether seen as a symbol of darkness and malevolence or as a source of feminine power and wisdom, the idea of the crom witch continues to captivate and intrigue..
Reviews for "what is a crom witch"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "What is a crom witch" to be incredibly confusing and disjointed. The plot was all over the place and it felt like the author was just throwing random ideas together without any coherent structure. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with them or care about what happened to them. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "What is a crom witch" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, which made it hard to follow the story. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of slow and uneventful sections followed by rushed and confusing action scenes. I struggled to stay engaged with the narrative and found myself not caring about the outcome. It's a shame because the concept had potential, but the execution was lacking.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "What is a crom witch" was a confusing and frustrating read for me. The world-building was convoluted and difficult to grasp, with a multitude of unexplained rules and concepts thrown in without any clear explanation. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. Additionally, the character motivations were unclear, and their actions often felt inconsistent and forced. Overall, I struggled to connect with the book and found it to be a frustrating reading experience.