Macabre witchcraft is a term used to describe a specific genre of witchcraft that focuses on dark and eerie elements. This form of witchcraft often includes rituals, spells, and practices that are designed to evoke feelings of fear, horror, and unease. It is not necessarily associated with evil or malicious intent, but rather seeks to explore the darker, more mysterious aspects of the supernatural realm. One of the main characteristics of macabre witchcraft is its emphasis on the macabre and the morbid. Practitioners of this form of witchcraft may incorporate symbols of death, darkness, and decay into their rituals and ceremonies. This can include using animal bones, graveyard dirt, or other items associated with death and the afterlife.

Kat Von D says she's throwing out books about witchcraft and the macabre after a series of other major life changes

Facebook Email icon An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.

Email Twitter icon A stylized bird with an open mouth, tweeting.

Twitter LinkedIn icon The word "in".

LinkedIn Link icon An image of a chain link. It symobilizes a website link url.

Kat Von D at Los Angeles Fashion Week on March 20, 2022. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images

• Kat Von D shared an Instagram post about throwing out books that "don't align" with who she is.
• According to a photo she shared, those books discuss witchcraft and the macabre, among other topics.
• Von D has made other major life changes recently, like selling her home and covering her tattoos.

Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview

Kat Von D has made another significant life change.

The tattoo artist shared in an Instagram post on Thursday that she's throwing out books about witchcraft, magic, and the macabre because they "don't align" with who she wants to be.

This seems to be a major departure for Von D, since these themes have long been a part of her aesthetic and brands. Von D's former beauty brand offered a tarot-inspired collection and a black lipstick color named "Witches," for example, and her current shoe line offers a coffin-shaped wallet.

This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in .

"I've always found beauty in the macabre, but at this point, I just had to ask myself what is my relationship with this content?" she wrote on Instagram. "And the truth is, I just don't want to invite any of these things into our family's lives, even if it comes disguised in beautiful covers, collecting dust on my shelves."

A post shared by Kat Von D (@thekatvond)

Von D included photos in the post of the books she tossed and opened up about having "pretty meaningful realizations" in recent years, with "many of them revolving around the fact" that she says she "got a lot of things wrong" in her past.

The former makeup mogul also noted that she didn't want her post to seem critical of people who enjoy those topics, despite her feelings about them.

"But right now, it's never been more clear to me that there is a spiritual battle taking place, and I want to surround myself and my family with love and light," she continued.

Kat Von D shared this photo of books she's throwing out via Instagram on Thursday. Kat Von D/Instagram

Von D's announcement might seem surprising since she's widely known for her gothic aesthetic, but the controversial figure has previously discussed other transformations she's made in recent years.

Weeks after selling her shares of her namesake beauty brand in January 2020, Von D started covering tattoos on her arms with black ink. At the time, she said the tattoos "meant nothing" to her, as she got them before becoming sober.

Von D announced in December 2020 that she bought a home in Indiana to escape California's taxes, "terrible policies," and "tyrannical government."

Representatives for Kat Von D did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Death Witchcraft: A Look Into the Macabre Side of Witchcraft

Religion is constantly evolving, especially in recent years. As far as religious preferences go, it’s more common for people to practice magic than go to some form of church. Many of these religions are under the neo-paganism class of religions. Neopaganism is an umbrella term for multiple neopagan religions such as (but definitely not limited to) Wicca, Jainism, and Heathenry, as well as many others. Typically, neopagan religions are polytheistic, meaning that the followers tend to believe in more than one deity.

This recent trend may be because of the Harry Potter craze beginning in the late 1990s or because neopaganism appeals to those with a deeper connection to the natural world. The reasons are as varied as for those who follow any other kind of religion, but spiritual fulfillment must be key. Some people find it more fulfilling to cast bones into a fire or read tarot cards to determine the trajectory of their career path, rather than get such advice from the clergy. There is much to say about a life following one of the many paths under the neopagan umbrella, a life in many cases devoted to the practice of magic. Perhaps one of the most interesting paths of neopaganism is death witchcraft.

This can include using animal bones, graveyard dirt, or other items associated with death and the afterlife. These elements are believed to have a powerful energy that can be harnessed for magical purposes. Another aspect of macabre witchcraft is its focus on the shadow self and embracing the darker aspects of one's personality.

What is Death Witchcraft?

Death Witchcraft, not to be confused with necromancy, has varying definitions within its own following. One definition is that death witchcraft is a spiritual practice that centers on working with the dead and honoring the spirits of the deceased. It is a spiritual practice that draws the focus on death’s ultimate power over the natural world, coming to terms with both the practitioner’s personal death and the death of everything else. Death witchcraft also focuses on non-physical deaths that happen during a person’s life, and practitioners work with the deceased to heal them and receive help in magical manifestations in return.

Photo by Devin H on Unsplash

This form of witchcraft acknowledges that there is both light and darkness within each individual, and that it is important to explore and integrate all aspects of oneself in order to achieve personal growth and spiritual empowerment. This can involve confronting fears, traumas, and negative emotions in order to transform them into sources of strength and wisdom. Macabre witchcraft also often incorporates elements of divination, such as tarot cards, scrying, or necromancy. Divination is used as a tool to communicate with the spirit world and gain insight and guidance. It is believed that by embracing the darker aspects of existence and exploring the unknown, practitioners of macabre witchcraft are able to tap into hidden depths of knowledge and power. While macabre witchcraft may seem unsettling or disturbing to some, it is important to note that this form of witchcraft is not inherently evil or negative. It is a personal and individualized practice, and each practitioner may have their own beliefs, intentions, and ethical guidelines. As with any form of witchcraft or spirituality, it is important to approach macabre witchcraft with respect, knowledge, and a strong sense of personal responsibility. In conclusion, macabre witchcraft is a genre of witchcraft that focuses on the dark and eerie aspects of the supernatural. It embraces the macabre and the morbid, and encourages practitioners to explore their shadow selves in order to achieve personal growth and spiritual empowerment. While it may not be for everyone, macabre witchcraft offers a unique and thought-provoking approach to the practice of witchcraft and spirituality..

Reviews for "The Witch's Brew: Delving into the Macabre Side of Potion Making"

1. Samantha - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy "Macabre Witchcraft" at all. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. The characters were underdeveloped, and it was hard to connect or care about any of them. The pacing was extremely slow, and there were multiple unnecessary scenes that didn't contribute to the plot. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity with an interesting concept. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written witchcraft story.

2. Michael - 1 star - I found "Macabre Witchcraft" to be a complete disappointment. The writing style was overly descriptive to the point of becoming tedious. The author seemed more focused on painting a detailed picture of every scene rather than advancing the plot. It became repetitive and hard to follow, leaving me uninterested in the story's outcome. The lack of character development made it difficult to relate or empathize with any of the characters. I regret wasting my time on this book.

3. Emily - 2 stars - "Macabre Witchcraft" fell short of my expectations. The promising synopsis led me to believe it would be a thrilling and atmospheric read, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was sluggish, and the story felt disjointed. The plot twists were predictable and lacked impact. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. I would advise others to look for better witchcraft novels out there.

4. Benjamin - 2 stars - "Macabre Witchcraft" was frustrating to read. The writing style was pretentious and convoluted. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their vocabulary than telling a coherent story. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with any of them. The plot took too long to unfold, and by the time it did, I had lost interest. I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. Not a book I would recommend to anyone seeking an engaging witchcraft tale.

Macabre Alchemy: Uncovering the Dark Secrets of Witchcraft