A practical witch is someone who embraces the principles of witchcraft in their everyday lives. Unlike those who may focus solely on the spiritual or mystical aspects of witchcraft, practical witches aim to utilize their magical knowledge and abilities to bring about tangible and practical results in their lives. A practical witch understands that magic is not solely an otherworldly force, but rather a natural and innate power that exists within all individuals. They believe in the interconnectedness of all things and that they have the ability to influence and manipulate their surroundings through their thoughts, intentions, and actions. Practical witches often incorporate various tools and rituals into their practice, such as spells, divination, herbalism, and energy work. They may use these methods to heal themselves and others, manifest their desires, protect themselves from negative energies, or gain insight and guidance.
Taoism (also known as Daoism) traditionally is said to have been founded in the 6th century B.C.E. by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Adherents live predominantly in China and Taiwan. The World Religion Database estimates there are more than 8 million Taoists.
Yet it must be emphasised that there is a diverse spectrum of views and practices, and there are practitioners who beg to differ with the views espoused by Gardner, Murray and Sanders. Reliable regional data on the median age of followers of other world religions is available only for Asia and the Pacific, where it is 33, four years older than the overall regional median 29.
They may use these methods to heal themselves and others, manifest their desires, protect themselves from negative energies, or gain insight and guidance. What sets a practical witch apart is their focus on using their magical abilities to effect change in the physical world. They may use spellwork to manifest a job opportunity, attract a romantic partner, or enhance their overall well-being.
Other Religions
Worldwide, there are an estimated 58 million members of other religions, accounting for nearly 1% of the global population. The “other religions” category is diverse and comprises groups not classified elsewhere. This category includes followers of religions that are not specifically measured in surveys and censuses in most countries: the Baha’i faith, Taoism, Jainism, Shintoism, Sikhism, Tenrikyo, Wicca, Zoroastrianism and many others. Because of the paucity of census and survey data, the Pew Forum has not estimated the size of individual religions within this category, though some estimates from other sources are provided in the Spotlight on Other Religions sidebar below.
Members of other world religions are heavily concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region (89%). The remainder is divided among North America (4%), sub-Saharan Africa (3%), Latin America and the Caribbean (2%), Europe (2%) and the Middle East and North Africa (less than 1%).
Although the majority of members of other religions live in Asia and the Pacific, only about 1% of the people in the region adhere to these faiths. In the remaining regions, members of other religions make up less than 1% of the population.
India has the largest share (47%) of all members of other religions, including millions of Sikhs and Jains. Outside India, the largest shares of people who belong to faiths in the “other religion” category are in China (16%), Japan (10%), Taiwan (7%), North Korea (5%) and the United States (3%).
Adherents of “other religions” do not make up a majority of the population in any country.
Median Age
Globally, members of other religions are older (median age of 32) than the overall global population (median age of 28). Reliable regional data on the median age of followers of other world religions is available only for Asia and the Pacific, where it is 33, four years older than the overall regional median (29).
Spotlight on Other Religions
The “other religions” category is diverse and comprises all groups not classified elsewhere. It includes followers of religions that are not specifically measured in most censuses and surveys, including but not limited to the faiths listed below. Estimates of population sizes for these groups generally come from sources other than censuses and nationally representative surveys.
The Baha’i faith began in Persia (now Iran) in the 19th century. Baha’is are widely dispersed across many countries, with significant populations in India, the United States, Kenya and elsewhere. The Baha’i International Community reports more than 5 million adherents.
Jainism originated in India and dates back to at least the 6th century B.C.E. Today, the vast majority of Jains live in India, though significant numbers also are found among Indian immigrant communities in Kenya, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The 2001 Indian census enumerated more than 4 million Jains in India, but some Jains have contended that number is a substantial undercount. According to estimates by the World Religion Database, there are fewer than 250,000 Jains outside India.
Shintoism is a Japanese faith that has been part of religious life in Japan for many centuries. Although Shinto rituals are widely practiced in Japan, only a minority of the Japanese population identifies with Shintoism in surveys. The World Religion Database estimates there are almost 3 million Shintoists worldwide, with the vast majority concentrated in Japan.
Sikhism was founded at the turn of the 16th century by Guru Nanak in the Punjab, a region now split between India and Pakistan. More than nine-in-ten Sikhs are in India, but there are also sizable Sikh communities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. The World Religion Database estimates there are a total of about 25 million Sikhs worldwide.
Taoism (also known as Daoism) traditionally is said to have been founded in the 6th century B.C.E. by Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu. Adherents live predominantly in China and Taiwan. The World Religion Database estimates there are more than 8 million Taoists.
Tenrikyo was founded in the 19th century by Nakayama Miki in Japan. The faith is one of many new Japanese religions; others include Shinreikyo, Mahakari, Omoto and PL Kyodan. Reliable estimates of the number of followers of Tenrikyo and other new Japanese religions are not available.
Wicca is a Pagan or neo-Pagan religion that gained popularity in the 20th century. It is practiced mostly in the United Kingdom and the United States. Reliable estimates of the number of Wiccans around the world are not available.
Zoroastrianism traditionally is said to have been founded by Zarathustra in Persia sometime before the 6th century B.C.E. Adherents live mainly in India and Iran. The World Religion Database estimates there are about 200,000 Zoroastrians worldwide.
Other faiths in the “other religions” category include Cao Dai, I-Kuan Tao, Mandaeism, the Rastafari movement, the Rātana movement, Scientology and Yazidism, to list just a few.
They may also utilize divination tools to gain insight and clarity when making important decisions in their lives. Practical witches also understand the importance of ethical considerations and responsibility in their practice. They follow a code of ethics that ensures they do not harm others or manipulate situations for personal gain. They utilize their magical abilities for the highest good of themselves and those around them. Furthermore, practical witches often have a deep connection to nature and the cycles of the earth. They may engage in earth-based rituals and celebrate the changing seasons and lunar phases. They view nature as a powerful teacher and draw inspiration and wisdom from its rhythms and cycles. In summary, a practical witch is someone who integrates witchcraft into their daily lives to bring about tangible and practical results. They use their magical knowledge and abilities to effect change in the physical world, while also adhering to ethical considerations and maintaining a connection to nature..
Reviews for "Practical Witchcraft: Transforming Your Home into a Sacred Space"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who has a strong interest in witchcraft and practical magic, I was really looking forward to reading "What is a Practical Witch". However, I found myself extremely disappointed with the book. The author's writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it hard for me to stay engaged with the content. Additionally, the book lacked depth and substance, merely scratching the surface of what could have been a rich exploration of practical witchcraft. I was hoping for more practical tips, techniques, and spells, but instead, the book felt like a repetitive and basic introduction. Overall, I don't recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and insightful guide on practical witchcraft.
2. Mark - 1 star - "What is a Practical Witch" was an absolute waste of time. I am fairly new to witchcraft and was hoping to find a beginner-friendly book that would offer me a solid foundation. However, this book fell short in every aspect. The information provided was vague and lacked any practicality. It felt like reading a poorly researched Wikipedia article rather than a well-thought-out guidebook. The book failed to explain essential concepts and left me with more questions than answers. I was looking for clear instructions for rituals and spells, but instead, I found myself skipping through pages of tedious history lessons. Don't bother with this book if you are genuinely interested in understanding and practicing practical witchcraft.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - I was intrigued by the title of "What is a Practical Witch" and expected to find a fresh perspective on witchcraft practices. Unfortunately, this book fell flat. The writing was dry and lacked any personal anecdotes or engaging storytelling that could have made it more relatable. The author seemed disconnected from the content they were presenting, making it difficult for me to connect with the material. Additionally, the book was overly simplified, focusing on basic information without tackling any complex or advanced topics. It felt like a shallow introduction to witchcraft, failing to provide any practical guidance or insight. I was hoping for a more engaging and enlightening read, but this book didn't deliver.