Witches are often associated with the color black. In popular culture and folklore, witches are commonly depicted wearing black clothing and using black magic. The color black symbolizes darkness, mystery, and occult practices, which are often associated with witches. This association may stem from the historical persecution of witches during the witch trials, where those accused of witchcraft were believed to make pacts with the devil and perform evil spells. The color black also represents the unknown and the hidden, which aligns with the secretive nature of witches and their mystical abilities. While not all witches are depicted as wearing black, the color has become strongly associated with them in the public imagination.
While black, red, and white hair have strong symbolic associations in witchcraft, other hair colors possess their own magickal significance as well. For example:
While witches portrayed by women of color finally began to enter popular culture by the end of the twentieth-century, these depictions also frequently portrayed these witches as evil or problematic figures. So, when you come across modern witches, do not be surprised to see them rocking various hair colors, be it natural or dyed, because in the end, it is their personal choice and connection to their craft that matters.
While not all witches are depicted as wearing black, the color has become strongly associated with them in the public imagination..
In Praise of Black Witches
This year we are focusing on some of the incredible pop-culture witches created and portrayed by black artists over the past 50 years.
In 1900, author L. Frank Baum began to alter the image of the witch with his wildly popular children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, giving America its first famous good witch. By the mid-twentieth century, good witches became hugely popular in American media, featuring prominently in film, music, television, and comic books. While this was a notable change in the depiction of the witch, becoming a popular figure in the feminist and Neopagan movements of the 1960s and 70s, it is also important to recognize the good witches of this period were almost always exclusively white. For the majority of this century, the good witch, a newly important figure of female empowerment, was portrayed more often than not as a white woman. It was not until the latter half of this century that the depiction of a good witch began to grow, portraying a more diverse array of women. While witches portrayed by women of color finally began to enter popular culture by the end of the twentieth-century, these depictions also frequently portrayed these witches as evil or problematic figures.
In this blog series we are seeking to explore some of the unique and diverse portrayals of black witches and the incredible actresses that have taken on these roles over the past 50 years. While some of these characters unfortunately retain certain problematic characteristics, we hope this series brings attention to the work of these talented actresses and helps to open a conversation about the need for a more diverse portrayal of witches today.
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Reviews for "The Witch's Color Wheel: Understanding the Relationship Between Colors"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars
I was really disappointed with "What color are the witches known for". The story felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. The concept had potential, but it was not executed well. The plot was predictable and the dialogue was cheesy. I also found the writing style to be overly simplistic. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars
I didn't enjoy "What color are the witches known for" as much as I had hoped. The storyline seemed promising, but it fell flat for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and I had trouble connecting with them. The pacing was also off, with some parts dragging and others feeling rushed. The author missed the opportunity to explore the magical world of witches in a captivating way. Unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars
I had high expectations for "What color are the witches known for", but it failed to meet them. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The character development was weak, and I found it hard to care about their outcomes. I was also disappointed by the lack of world-building. The magical elements were not well-explained, leaving me confused at times. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.