🤔 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Witch Stereotypes

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Thank you once again to everyone who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Anointing Candles

With the Coven candles burning brightly after all the beautiful candle magick last week, it’s time to sit back and ponder. We’re doing a thoughtful deep-dive this week- come join in for a Covenly chat!

The theme for this week’s challenge was suggested by the lovely @Kasandra and is…

Witch-conceptions: Stereoptyes in the Craft

What’s the word about witches?
Are there any stereotypes that hold true, or are they misconceptions?

From horoscopes in the daily paper to New Age and metaphysical stores popping up like seeds on the map, magick is all over the menu here in the 21st century. Take a look at the explosion of WitchTok and other forms of witchy media- while not always clearly labeled as “witchy”, there are references and depictions of witches, pagans, and all other kinds of practitioners are being featured across the media.

Art by Martin Davey: Happy Halloween Witch

Sometimes depictions of witches are positive, while other times witches and magick users are shown in negative ways. Other times have witches shown in a neutral or fact-based light. The vast diversity of depictions across the media has led rise to a wide variety of stereotypes popping up.

(Definition from Oxford Languages)

In your own personal journey, what stereotypes have you encountered? How did your idea of what a witch was influence your own practice? There’s a lot to explore here about the witchy community at large, the public’s idea of witches and magick, and your own personal identity as a witch- so let’s jump in!

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This week’s challenge is all about magickal stereotypes - but as always, how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

From the Aesthetics Wiki: Witchcore

STEP 1 : Witch-conceptions

This challenge is about witchy stereotypes- but how you choose to take on this theme is up to you!

Still not sure where to begin? To help you get started, here are a few ways in which a witch might approach this challenge.

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A Reflection on Witches

Take some time this week to sort through your own thoughts about experiences around the Craft The things you have experienced have likely influenced your identity as a practitioner- reflecting on them can help you to connect with your own personal identity as well as the witchy community as a whole.

Prompt questions to meditate on or journal about:

• Can you think of any stereotypes about witches/pagans/magick/spirituality/etc?

• What did you think about witches and magick before you began your magickal journey?

• Have any stereotypes influenced your own identity (around labels, titles, actions, dress, etc)?

• How do you feel about witchcraft and magick as a “trend” or “aesthetic” affecting how people view witches?

• Do you think stereotypes around witches are improving, getting worse, or staying the same over time?

A note that this Monday (July 17) is a New Moon- as the skies go dark, it’s a great time to look inwards for meditative reflection and thoughtful writing in your Witch’s Journal

From Girl Boss: 10 Modern Witches Debunk Halloween Stereotypes

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… And More!

The journal prompts above are just one way that you might explore stereotypes in the Craft. From art magick to music, crafting, spellwork and more- as you think on this theme, feel free to be creative with how you choose to express yourself!

As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge

Art by Unknown, shared on Pinterest: A Male Witch

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience

Getting Your Credit

In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!

Where Should I Share My Entry?

Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry

You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!

Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)

Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!

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Deadline

This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2023-07-18T11:00:00Z

(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)

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Prizes

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

From Women’s Day: 17 Easy DIY Witch Costumes

A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

From The Conversation: What You Need to Know About Real Life Witchcraft

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From warty and green to cute cottagecore,
Wise village healers to so much more-
Witches are seen in so many ways
Some true, some false, with lots of cliches.
So take a step back and look at the whole-
To learn more about your own witchy soul.

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Blessed be!

[tracyS]

Mmm. this’ll get me thinking. First thing that comes to mind, is Dean from Supernatural who says, “I hate witches, uurgg”, as he walks face first into a dead chicken hung from a ceiling.

[jan_TheGreenWitch]

Challenge Entry:
Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Witch Stereotypes

I thought I’d kick it off since I had a good hour for lunch today. I decided to write up a list like they do in those challenges:

Tell me you’re a witch without saying you’re a witch:

• I have a crystal for that!!!

• The Mercury retrograde made me do it!

• That’s so interesting….tell me now…what sign are you?

• One question….did you draw the four corners first?!!

• You know you need to do a whole cleansing ritual on that before you try to use it, right?!

• My cat is my familiar…. no, really!

• I just love all hallows eve…. I mean er… Halloween.

• I’m an empath……

• You know… everybody always thinks they are an empath but I really AM one!

• Can’t you feel that energy right now when we stepped into this room?

• Black is my color…no, wait…purple….no wait…. (Bwahaha)

• Witch… plllleeeaaassseeeeee.

• He can’t be a witch…he’s male, wouldn’t that make him a warlock? (Tee hee hee)

• Does this pointy hat make my ass look big?

• I just really like candles!

Summarize:
I think each person’s witch stereotype is down to where in the world they live, what decade/how old they are, family and culture where they grow up, and exposure or not to any witches / their own experience. There are as many types of witches as there are stereotypes, so I thought I’d ust give it a bit of humor above.

Light and love, Witches!!!

[tracyS]

@jan_TheGreenWitch Fabulous. “Does this pointy hat make my ass look big?”, Now that’s classic.

[tracyS]

CHALLENGE ENTRY

I think I’m going to handle this one from my personal experience with my family.

I’ll start with my sister in law.
“Trace, can you send me a spell so I can make money, I got the candle.”
Me, “Sure, just a sec … Here you are” as I send her realms of info for my books, correspondences, colours, timing, moon phases etc.
Andrea " oh, I thought I’d just have to light a candle "
Then there’s my youngest son, when we go to Kingswood, to my favourite witchy shop.
Me, “You coming in?”
Him, “erh, na it’s ok. It’s feels weird in there, I’ll wait outside”
Then there’s my friend, who’s not a witch who says to me
“How is it you always know what’s going to happen before it does?”
Then a neighbor who whispered to me not long ago, “you know Tracy, there’s witches everywhere, they look normal you know, like you and me, but they’re everywhere.”
And finally my dad, who’s terrified of anything to do with Magick. He used to live in Utah, and his house was haunted. I didn’t know that at the time, but when I visited and stayed for a week or so. When I got back to England, he contacted me and said,
“Whatever it is you do, keep doing it. We had no hauntings when you were here.” He hasn’t mentioned it since.
And one more, back to my fabulous sister in law, when I asked her, how she knew I did magic or “that stuff” as she calls it. She said,
“Well when I come to your house, you got all those herbs and plants and crystals and stuff. It’s magickal.”
Happy days

[marsha]

@jan_TheGreenWitch
I love it!

[marsha]

“Trace” (love your nickname)
Your family & friends are interesting…
Thank you, love your entry!

[Heav3n]

Challenge Entry

I like @tracyS way of going about it, so I think I will do the same. I hope you don’t mind.

I will start with my bestfriend who is also my Spritual Advisor.
“Kiki, are you still using your Pendulum/ I have a couple of questions for you to ask it.”
Me, “No I stopped I don’t know how many times I have to keep telling you I am not ready for this. Espcially when she told me things that scared me off the path.”
Met a friend thru my partner who is into little things here and there. Everyone tried to keep us apart but we were meant to be.
“Kiki, can you ask you Pendulum some questions for me?”
Me, “sure I had took a break but I will give it a go.”
After this I went into my Sprituaul Awakening, it was a very scary thing to go thru but I am glad I did. I had met my twin flame and on top of that was going thru some traumas as well. It all hit me like a ton of bricks. Talked to my spritual advisor about what happened and she reassured me that is what was going on with me.
Jess, “Kiki can you ask Pendulum some questions?”
Me, “sure what you got for me?”
Felt awesome that I could help her with her questions and she was able to get clarity and make sure my allignment was with hers because she does Tarot.
Another friend of mines, Kiki, “can you do a spell for me?”
Me, “sure what you need?”
My mini mini me, “mom can you get me one of these, and one of those, and can we get rain water?” LOL, she will be learning soon enough when she is ready.
I have always been a helper no matter what I do and even in the Craft I am glad I can be of assistance for others.

That is what also brought me here to Spells8 as well. I feel so much love here and am so happy to have found others on the same journey or starting theirs.

[Heav3n]

Loved your entry and it is funny no matter how you try to conceal things people can put two and two together, lol.

[TheMuslimWitch]

This will be a challenge to find something related to stereotyping. I mean people definitely have said or implied stereotype attitudes but to put it into a reference will need some more thinking from me

[Artemisia]

Another challenge to stretch my brain and my practice! Gotta do some thinking tomorrow and see if I can come up with something.

[tracyS]

@Heav3n This is great. I love the pendulum story. And when somethings meant to be, nothing can stop it. It’s magick

[CelestiaMoon]

Challenge Entry

This is a fun challenge, and brings us back to the fundamental question… what or who really is a witch? I’d say the very first requirement is that you call yourself one… it might even suffice. But when you start calling yourself a witch, other people definitely start expecting witchy things out of you! It can feel like pressure to fit in a mold, but it can also be a fun opportunity to explore the stereotype and see which parts agree with you and which you might subvert instead.

It’s funny how I’ve been running into people who love doing some or all of these stereotypically witchy things, but wouldn’t call themselves witches… Such as

• loving the Moon and following her cycles
• connecting with the nature
• grounding and meditating
• doing visualizations, including energy
• setting intentions
• planning out complex rituals
• talking about crystals and their spiritual properties
• thinking in elements
• connecting with Goddesses
• using all kinds of cards
• talking astrology
• doing shadow and dream work

Though in the context of tantra and other body and energy work, even psychology, there are many kindred spirits, whether they call themselves witches or not

@BryWisteria

Prompt questions to meditate on or journal about:

I like these questions and it’s always fun comparing answers!

@BryWisteria

Can you think of any stereotypes about witches/pagans/magick/spirituality/etc?

Hmmm…

• the evil hag, or the fairy tale villain witch: old, powerful, has warts and a crooked nose, cackles, flies on a broom, lives in a forest, mixes up evil potions, turns people to animals and usually not the cute kind
• the beautiful enchantress: is quite tired of the above stereotype, is stunningly beautiful, does charms and illusion and love magic, alignment can vary, can be extremely good hearted or petty and jealous
• the nature witch: loves nature and wants good for all living beings, wears simple clothing made of natural materials, has deep knowledge of herbs, is often a healer, often prefers non-human company, is an animist, either is vegan or hunts, paying their respects to the animal spirits
• the shaman: much like the nature witch but with underworld and fire connections, has their own drum and a very personal connection to it, works with spirit guides and plant medicine, a soul guide
• the Wiccan witch: wears pentacle jewelry (to the horror of their neighbors who think them a Satan worshipper), follows the Wheel of the Year, casts circles, worships the Lord and the Lady, either belongs to a coven or does solitary practice.
• the Instagram witch: takes pretty pictures of their rituals and themselves, wears a lot of witchy jewelry and makeup, has to constantly justify that they’re a real witch and aren’t doing it all for attention

There are probably lots more, but those off the top of my head.

When it comes to tantra… oh dear, most people think it’s just all about sex There is a lot of that, and intimacy and sensuality in general so it isn’t completely unfounded. Most people just tend to be kinda squeamish when it comes to getting very close and physical So it gets sensationalized a lot. Not that the same doesn’t apply to (other) witchcraft.

@BryWisteria

What did you think about witches and magick before you began your magickal journey?

I’ve always loved fantasy, fairy tales and role playing games, and wished that the magic could be real… until I learned it totally is I bought into the whole scientific materialism stuff for a while… I still love science, maybe even more than before. It’s all about curiosity after all. Closed-mindedness and dry sarcasm when someone mentions anything spiritual ain’t it.

@BryWisteria

Have any stereotypes influenced your own identity (around labels, titles, actions, dress, etc)?

Right now I describe myself as a tantric witch. I can also think of myself without the label, as I don’t like getting too attached to any one identity, but right now I’m happy with it.

I would kinda like to dress more witchy to signal my interests to others around me

I think stereotypes aren’t a bad place to start with something new. Wear a role and see how it fits, which parts fall gracefully on you and which ones quickly start to chafe. Then personalize from there.

@BryWisteria

How do you feel about witchcraft and magick as a “trend” or “aesthetic” affecting how people view witches?

I’m kinda feeling it’s being overly demonized… sure it can be difficult to tell who’s interested about practicing magick, and can even feel like appropriation, but I feel that shaming makes just about everything worse and casts more attention on it. What you resist persists and all that… if the aesthetic is the part someone enjoys, sure, why not let them have it? It’s all part of each of our personal development, I feel.

@BryWisteria

Do you think stereotypes around witches are improving, getting worse, or staying the same over time?

I feel that they’re ever changing and get superseded, but the old stuff is still there. Like the evil fairy tale witch. Being a witch, of whatever kind, has definitely become more mainstream though. So we see things like crystal vending machines and Instagram witches. But with the interest many people are getting deeper into the spiritual side of it too, and that’s definitely a good thing. Challenging many old beliefs and stereotypes, and creating new ones. It’s a feedback loop. Mostly I’m liking what I see, but then I tend to avoid places like Reddit where there’s also plenty of toxicity.

[crystal59]

Witchcraft Is My Full Time Job. Ask Me Anything.

I thought this was the perfect time to post this episode from utube by Jubilee. It’s random people asking a witch about all the misconceptions of witchcraft and I think you all might really enjoy it.

[tracyS]

@CelestiaMoon This is so precious. I like it. It’s nice how you say we can identify how we want to be in our practice and keep what works, drop what doesn’t. My favourite fairytale witch though is Disney’s cartoon Maleficent and her big black raven. I always wanted to be her, now I am (but the nice one from Angelina Jolie’s version)

[Phoenix_Fire]

**challenge entry **
I figured that i should keep this entry simple this week. Just found out my dad was hit by bus ( while in car)… the bus took out two cars, hes ok, just banged up but car ridden off. Scary to get that phone call today. So im a bit all over the place so my apologies if i jump around a bit, but ill try to focus for this n post. Ive been trying to focus on tasks so not getting upset esp since my 18m old nephew could of been in car but luckily he stayed hone today. My clan was watching over my family today cause it could of been so much worse.

But anyways, sorry… for challenge entry i was thinking about a song by sarah j Tucker. Its called not the villian. Ill put lyrics below.

Not the Villain Lyrics
( found on S.J. Tucker – Not the Villain Lyrics | Genius Lyrics)

True names, stopped clocks, wildest dreams
Time’s up, darling; let it be [x2]

Let it be

Who’s the wicked queen and who’s the princess here?
The truth is far from plain, or how you think it should appear
I tell you there’s a spindle that is sure to prick my hand
Who is good and who is wicked all depends on where you stand

You may call [my truest name]
and fling it to the floor
But [ticks and tocks from broken clocks]
can’t hurt me anymore
Let’s be done with fairytales and how they’re meant to end
The truth is that I lost my way and found it here again

Mustn’t try to hide behind [a clock no longer chiming]
Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing

But I am not the villain in this tale!
No, I am not the villain in this tale!

[Call me what you like,]
I’ve been as kind as I can be
Set off the alarms and bring the sky down upon me
You’d think this was the ending; we both have come so far
It’ll break your heart how very much alike we are

I never meant to hide behind [a clock no longer chiming]
Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing

But I am not the villain in this tale!
No, I am not the villain in this tale!
Oh, I am not the villain in this tale!
I am not the villain in this tale!

If you want the very truth
I’ll lay it down before you:
Everybody’s got a story
If you want the very truth
It’s here before your eyes:
Every witch was someone’s princess
In some other once upon a time

(True names, stopped clocks, wildest dreams
Time’s up, darling; let it be) [x2]

Mustn’t try to hide behind [a clock no longer chiming]
Fairyland will have its due, regardless of the timing
I fed you all my sweetness but it wasn’t to your taste
I may have lost this battle, but I will not be erased!

No, I am not the villain in this tale!
No, I am not the villain in this tale!
No, I am not the villain in this tale!
I am not the villain in this tale!

Oh, I wish you your wildest dreams
As I go to mine
May we meet again within
A better story line
I wish you your wildest dreams
As I escape to mine
May we meet again within
The perfect storyline

The thing about this song that sticks out is the idea that ‘every witch was someones princess in some other once apon a time’. It not only shows the idea in fairytales that the witch was portrayed as being the villian in fairytales but just being a witch doesnt make someone bad.

The other thing is that idea that the witch or the person painted as the villian in the story was once seen as the princess in a different story. It made me think of the musical that saw over a decade ago, way back when called wicked which showed the back story of the ‘wicked witch of the west’ from wizard of oz. It showed how the mistreatment from others was what turned her against the rest. It doesn’t mean getting revenge is right, but it showed that there was more to the story. That in another story she had been a good witch.

Movies do tend to paint witches a certain way. In some they are the villians of the stories. Others show them doing things that witches dont or cant do. The whole wiggle your nose to clean the house or turning people into animals etc etc or flyingba broom through the air… i mean, if you throw a broom, yes it will fly but laws of gravity say it will come down but you sit om the broom and try fly ut like in movies, nope. Be nice, but yeah, not realistic.

I think that misunderstanding about witches amd what they do do tend ro come from movies and fairy tales. Theyre painted as villians and evil, or believing in unrealistic or impossible things like turning people into frogs or visa versa. Where witches are generally not the villians, and are normal everyday people who practice earth based practices n connect with nature. They dont have warts n pointed hats ( though some might like to wear pointed hats which is totally cool) they look like everyday people, maybe some dress different or wear makeup and jewerely to connect or show their path n practice or honor deities if follow them. Some are more out there with presentation or sharing while others just wear normal clothes and dont sjow outside ppl their practice. But we aren’t evil beings or worshipping evil or brewing poisonous apples, or curses etc, and sometimes i think that how witches are portayed on tv or in movies means that unless people have an open mind or understand a bit about what a witch practice might really look like, people had have the wrong idea or a certain stereotype in their head about a person if someobe was to say theu were a witch.like either ppl are devil worshipping or they are just engaging in make belief. Or that just using spells for evil like in fairytales. Which simply isnt the case.

Sorry i think i might of carried on a little much there talking.ill shut up now lol

[tracyS]

@Phoenix_Fire Firstly sorry for the accident, that must have been frightening for you all. Glad your dad ok. Sending love your way.

[tracyS]

@Phoenix_Fire This is excellent and so true. I love the poetry/lyrics. What resonated with me were the lines, “Who is good and who is wicked all depends on where you stand, and The truth is that I lost my way and found it here again.” People’s perceptions of us in their eyes make us good/bad, and many of us were once lost and found our way to this craft in the first place . Magick.
Take care of yourself and family

[tracyS]

@crystal59 This video was brilliant. I liked particularly his statement that we, “hold value and have a place in the world.” They asked him some great questions

[Amethyst]

Weekly Witchy Challenge Entry for Amethyst.

I love some witchy jewelry. Mostly pendants and rings. My Mom bought me my first pentacle which means so much to me. But for years and years, I didn’t like to wear them where people could see them, because I was afraid to be called a devil worshiper.

I just had that a symbol for unity and love gets caught up in hatred. Then again I understand why true Satanists use it too. It’s mostly the idiots pretending to be Satanists that have given it a bad rap.

A few years ago I grew bold and wore my pentacle though, and nothing happened to my surprise. It was mostly my own fears being reflected back at me. I’m glad I faced that shadow.

So now I wear my pentacles and enjoy them. Still, I wonder if today’s the day I’ll have to explain but I’ve decided I’ll do it from a position of love and the understanding that others are afraid too.