Exploring the Core Tenets of Witchcraft: What Witches Truly Believe.

Witches, throughout history, have been known for their beliefs and practices that are often considered unconventional and esoteric. These beliefs can vary among different witchcraft traditions and individual practitioners, but there are certain common ideas that many witches accept as true. Firstly, witches believe in the existence of energy and its influence on the world. This belief is at the core of many magical practices, as witches work with this energy to manifest their intentions and bring about desired outcomes. They believe that everything in the universe is interconnected and that they can tap into this universal energy to create change in their lives and in the world around them. Another important belief held by witches is the power of intention and thought.

Cropper said the broad social and cultural scope of witchcraft is accepting of people from any walk of life and any form of practice.

Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together. Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together.

Another important belief held by witches is the power of intention and thought. Witches affirm the belief that their thoughts and intentions have the ability to shape their reality. They believe in the power of positive thinking and visualization, using these techniques to manifest their desires and bring about positive changes in their lives.

On Halloween, real witches set the record straight

PHOENIX – Flying broomsticks, evil spells and pointy hats usually come to mind when people think of witches. But Rosemary Szymanski-Lockett, a retired elementary school teacher, and Stefani Michelle, who has a communications degree, don’t fit that description.

Halloween is here, and so are the classic images of haggard green faces with big warty noses toiling over bubbling cauldrons. But practitioners of witchcraft want to set the record straight.

Szymanski-Lockett is the high priestess of the Sacred Spiral Pagan Church of Arizona, where witchcraft is about using the energy in the universe to help people acquire and achieve their goals.

“The craft is more about healing and just being thankful and being grateful for this beautiful planet we live on,” she said. “It’s not anything like you see in the movies.”

Negative images of witches in Western society go back as far as the 12th century, when religious leaders began to view the long, benign practice as dark and devil-worshipping. Over the centuries, the condemnation grew into witch hunts and trials, which led to the current stereotype of witches as scary, black-clad creatures emerging on Halloween to cast spells.

Witches in popular culture often are depicted as evil sorceresses, but some real witches embrace the stereotype and dress up that way for Halloween. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“I don’t have a wart on my nose,” said Michelle, a psychic witch, Reiki master and yogi who works at Vision Quest Psychic Bookstore in central Phoenix, where there’s no indication of the coming holiday – nary a tombstone or zombie in sight.

Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, “because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together.”

Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

“They think of witchcraft as what you see in the movies; that we all dance around at midnight and summon the devil and all this stuff,” she said on a Zoom call from her kitchen, which is adorned with a spice rack and magnets on the refrigerator. “When in reality, we don’t even believe in the existence of the devil.”

Codey Cropper, local practitioner of witchcraft, was raised to believe that mysticism was evil, but he said he found love, acceptance and personal power through practicing.

“For the first time in my entire life, this was the first time I was able to pray and feel comfort in the divine,” Cropper said. “It is a little frustrating to see that at times, and it does suck to always see it be painted in such a negative light.”

Cropper said in any form of religion or practice there will always be people who take it too far.

Stefani Michelle, psychic witch and author, says one misconception of witchcraft is that it focuses on controlling energy in a negative way. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“Anything can be used to manipulate,” Michelle said. “There is a very small percentage of people who use it (witchcraft) in a manipulative way.”

There are many ways to practice, she said, including divination, prayers, spells and crystals. There’s green witchcraft, fairy witchcraft and kitchen witchcraft, to name a few.

Cropper said the broad social and cultural scope of witchcraft is accepting of people from any walk of life and any form of practice.

“I feel like it’s a perfect practice for people to grow and learn and fall into themselves,” he said.

And they don’t mind if you dress up like a witch on Halloween.

“If it makes you feel cool and it gives you empowerment, do it,” Cropper said.

“I love to see it,” said Michelle, adding that even her daughter is planning to dress as a witch. “I think it is wonderful.”

Olivia Munson expects to graduate in spring 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in women and gender studies. Munson, who has reported for the D.C. Bureau, Times Media Group, The State Press and The Arizona Republic, is working in the Phoenix News Bureau.

Breanna Isbell expects to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in fashion. Isbell, who is interning with RightThisMinute, is working for the Phoenix sports bureau.

Sierra Alvarez expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Alvarez is assigned to Cronkite News this semester.

Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

This belief is closely connected to the concept of the Law of Attraction, which holds that like attracts like and that focusing on positive thoughts and intentions will draw positive experiences into one's life. Witches also accept the existence of spiritual beings and entities. Many witches believe in the existence of deities, such as gods and goddesses, and work with them in their magical practices. These deities are often seen as embodiments of specific energies or aspects of the natural world, and witches may call upon them for assistance and guidance. Additionally, witches believe in the existence of spirits, including ancestors, faeries, and other supernatural beings. These spirits are seen as active forces in the world and can be interacted with through rituals and offerings. Another commonly accepted belief among witches is the power of nature and its cycles. Witches often revere and work closely with the natural world, seeing it as a source of wisdom, balance, and healing. They believe in the importance of living in harmony with nature and strive to honor and protect the environment. Many witches celebrate the cycles of the moon and the seasons, as these natural rhythms are seen as opportunities for growth, transformation, and magic. Overall, witches hold a variety of beliefs that center around the concepts of energy, intention, spiritual beings, and nature. While these beliefs may differ among individual witches, they provide a framework for the practice of witchcraft and serve as a foundation for personal growth, magical work, and spiritual connection..

Reviews for "Beyond Stereotypes: The True Beliefs Held by Modern Witches."

1. John - 2/5 stars - Unfortunately, "What do witches accept as true" did not live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and muddled, making it difficult to fully understand and appreciate the story. The characters lacked depth and development, leaving me feeling disconnected from their experiences. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointing read.

2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "What do witches accept as true" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The writing style was lackluster and failed to engage me as a reader. The story lacked originality and felt like a poor imitation of other popular witch-themed novels. I struggled to maintain interest and ended up skimming through the latter half of the book just to finish it.

3. David - 2/5 stars - I was expecting "What do witches accept as true" to be a captivating and thrilling read, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and dragging moments followed by rushed and confusing sequences. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.

4. Emily - 3/5 stars - While "What do witches accept as true" had an intriguing premise, I found the execution to be lacking. The world-building and magical elements were underdeveloped and left me with more questions than answers. The writing style was average, failing to evoke any strong emotions or draw me in completely. It was an okay read, but not something I would highly recommend.

5. Michael - 2/5 stars - "What do witches accept as true" had the potential to be a compelling and thought-provoking novel, but it ultimately fell short. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking depth and complexity. The plot lacked coherence and felt disjointed at times, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.

The Inner Workings of Witchcraft: What Witches Accept and Embrace.