I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft. It all started when I stumbled upon an old book of spells at a flea market. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I felt an inexplicable connection, as if something was calling out to me. With a sense of curiosity and excitement, I purchased the book and brought it home. Little did I know, this book would become my obsession. I would spend hours studying its pages, deciphering ancient incantations and learning about the mystical world of witchcraft.
Reading this was also saddening because we’d be shown how single women were treated during those times, especially women like Maria, who was skillful, knowledgeable and most of all, knew the art of healing. Life for women like Maria, wasn’t easy, all because they were different.
Maria was born with a star tattoo on the inside of her arm, marking her as a witch , making her a natural in healing and curing , while being guided by her kind, adoptive mother, Hannah Owens , who was a master of the Nameless Art and green magic , but whose life met with a tragic end. Heresies The Greek word hairesis carries the idea of a group of people who adhere to the same doctrine or who ardently follow the same leader and are sectarian.
I would spend hours studying its pages, deciphering ancient incantations and learning about the mystical world of witchcraft. It was as if a whole new universe had opened up before me, offering endless possibilities and untapped power. I began by experimenting with simple spells, trying to harness the energy that permeated through every word on those pages.
Broomless, cauldron-less witches bring hope
Witches have been portrayed fictionally within pop culture, Halloween decorations, halloween costumes and even some music. Because imagery of witches is so extremely common, I was far from surprised when I saw people claiming to use witchcraft on my TikTok For You page. Although I may not have been surprised to see it, I was very confused upon closer inspection. The video featured a user claiming that the witchcraft they were performing was, in fact, real.
I was dumbfounded and immediately went to the video’s comment section to confirm my disbelief. I discovered an entire community I had never known existed — the comments were filled with other self-proclaimed witches cheering the user on. From that moment forward, I have been engrossed in books and books of research on the topic. My research soon revealed the naturalistic beliefs and simplistic unifying nature that belongs to a global community of people using Wicca to soothe their fears and drive their lives.
The topic I found myself researching wasn’t “witchcraft in 2020,” but rather I began researching “Wiccans in 2020.” Wicca is a predominantly Western movement whose followers practice witchcraft and nature worship and who see it as a religion based on pre- Christian traditions of northern and western Europe, according to Britannica . The Wiccan religion focuses on giving back to nature and involves natural practices implementing those ideas similar to the woman in the video I saw.
The witchcraft that the witch claimed to be doing was not anywhere close to what I had imagined witchcraft to look like. The TikToker filled a small bottle with different herbs, crystals and oils, and sealed it with candle wax. I had always assumed that witchcraft was uniform and all it included was women on brooms, bubbling cauldrons and levitating objects. Current day witchcraft truly is formed off of the belief that nature can be used to impact one’s life.
Spells, like the one that Tik Tok user was showcasing, are made by Wiccans and are created with natural ingredients and peaceful mantras. Post my extensive research, I decided I would visit a witch store in Chicago, again something I had previously not known existed.
When I entered I was hit with the strong smell of burning incense, and as I looked around, I saw colorful tapestries, decorations and an entire section filled with different crystals. I was amazed by the selection and a bit overwhelmed at the same time. I ended up buying a couple of beginner items like an incense holder, incense, a couple of crystals and some different colored candles. As I was leaving with my little bag full of new treasures, the store owner said “so mote it be.”
The moment I returned home, I Googled that term and found that it functions as a positive blessing or as a Wiccan way to wish blessings on somebody, according to an article on the Learn Religions website . As I continued on with my night, I set up my new materials and found some more TikToks on beginner’s guides to modern witchcraft.
It was a bit confusing at first, but some of the incense sticks I bought claimed to get rid of stress and negative feelings. I found myself constantly cleansing my room with burning incense and I honestly started to feel a lot better. I discovered this subcommunity back in July and have been using incense and crystals ever since. With the coronavirus bringing on more stress than most people can handle, I found peace with connecting to nature.
There’s an upward spike in those practicing witchcraft whenever trust in the “establishment” falls and instability rises, according to an Atlantic article . I quickly related to what Bianca Bosker wrote as she found through different interviews that oftentimes when there’s a rise of mainstream witchcraft some large event is simultaneously occurring as people are searching for hope or new answers.
Currently, the coronavirus has proven to correlate with a rising interest in witchcraft, not only on TikTok, but within many popular commercial chains. Urban Outfitters has started selling tarot card kits, magic books, astrology guides and palm reading guides; it’s among many other stores, like Anthropologie and Sephora, that have taken notice of a growing interest in witchcraft and in response created products catering to those interests.
While I have taken more interest in the researching and reading aspect of Wiccan culture to subdue some of my coronavirus and school-related stress, there has been some backlash from the Wiccan community regarding people treating their practices as a trend. Many practicing witches feel that newcomers should get true experiences with learning about witchcraft instead of buying a mass-produced retail version of the real thing, according to an article in Vox magazine .
I’ve only bought my materials from Chicago witch shops like Alchemy Arts , located in Edgewater, but I am continuously learning about Wiccans and their different practices from a respectful perspective. While modern witchcraft has brought me some peace of mind during these trying times and a better connection with nature, I don’t see it as a trend. Rather, witchcraft has begun to reach more popular platforms, educating more people and bringing light to a topic often misconstrued in different facets of pop culture.
Be warned. This isn’t a happy book. It’s about sadness and spells, loss and love, deaths and despair, crushed hopes and dreams, and yet for me, the pages flew by and I didn’t want the story to end. Like a spell, I was enchanted by the writing and storytelling. I mean, what can I say, it’s Alice Hoffman, and I’m already a fan of the Owens after reading Practical Magic and Rules of Magic, both of which I loved.
I would light candles, draw symbols, and chant in unintelligible languages, hoping to invoke the spirits and make my desires come true. And slowly but surely, I started to see results. The more I practiced, the more I became aware of the immense power within me. I could manipulate emotions, bend reality to my will, and even foresee events yet to unfold. It was both intoxicating and terrifying, knowing that I held such power in my hands. But as time went on, I realized that there was a price to pay for delving into the world of witchcraft. The lines between the real world and the supernatural became blurred, and I found myself losing touch with reality. My relationships suffered, and I became isolated from those I once held dear. Working with dark forces has its consequences, and I was not prepared for the weight it would place upon my soul. The once alluring glow of power now felt like a shackles, trapping me within my own desires and fears. In the end, I realized that the practice of witchcraft had consumed me. It had taken over my life, enveloping me in a world of mystery and darkness. And as I look back on those days, I can't help but feel a sense of regret and longing for the innocence and simplicity I had lost. **The practice of witchcraft may hold great power, but it comes at a cost. It is a path that one must tread with caution and mindfulness, lest they become engrossed in its dark allure.**.
Reviews for "Witchcraft in the Modern Age: A Deep Dive into its Practices and Traditions"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft". The writing felt choppy and rushed, and I couldn't connect with the main character at all. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The book lacked depth and failed to explore the nuanced aspects of witchcraft. Overall, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft". The writing was amateurish and the characters felt one-dimensional. The story lacked any real substance or unique perspective on witchcraft. It was predictable and cliché, without any surprises or intriguing plot twists. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Michael - 2.5 stars - "I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft" had an interesting premise, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing in others. The author didn't fully develop the magical elements, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The ending felt rushed and didn't provide a satisfying resolution. Overall, it had potential, but it failed to deliver a compelling witchcraft story.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was hoping for a captivating exploration of witchcraft, but "I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft" missed the mark. The characters lacked depth and their motivations felt shallow and unconvincing. The writing style was dull and didn't engage me. The plot twists were predictable and the story failed to build any real suspense or tension. I would recommend looking for other books if you're interested in a more immersive witchcraft experience.
5. David - 1.5 stars - "I was engrossed in the practice of witchcraft" was a major letdown. The writing was bland and the dialogue felt forced. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real development. The storyline was disjointed and difficult to follow, with random events thrown in without any real purpose. I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't deliver what it promised. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted witchcraft story.