I want to be a wutcg. What does that even mean, you ask? Well, wutcg is not a real word. It's a made-up word that I just came up with. But in my mind, being a wutcg means being unique, different, and one of a kind. It means not following the norms and expectations set by society, but instead, creating your own path and defining your own success. Being a wutcg means not being afraid to stand out and be different.
Meet Mauverine, a brave nine-year-old girl eager to become a witch. She decides to take control of her fate and pays a visit to the three witches ruling over her town, feared for their terrifying spells. Willing to find an heiress, they train Mauverine to become one of them. Magic potions, steaming cauldrons, flying brooms and spooky spells…
Inner Witch demonstrates why spellwork and ritual aren t mysterious traditions only to be used by the chosen few, but vital and necessary tools for everyone who might want or need to connect with nature, call in feminist community, or conjure self-care. If you re interested in other forms of witchcraft and or ready for a deeper dive, pick up Drawing Down the Moon Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by the late journalist and Wiccan priestess Margot Adler.
Being a wutcg means not being afraid to stand out and be different. It means embracing your quirks and celebrating your individuality. It means having the confidence to be who you truly are, without worrying about what others may think or say.
How to Become a Witch: A Beginner’s Guide
Everything you need to know about witchcraft, covens, and the risks.
Oct. 30, 2018Welcome to W’s Witch Week, a celebration of all things witchy. In the days leading up to Halloween, we’ll be boiling up a wicked brew of all things occult, from pop culture’s favorite new witches to the real women practicing Wicca today.
Halloween is right around the corner, but that’s not the only reason witches seem to be everywhere as of late. Increasingly, they’ve been popping up all over the place, from pop culture—see: Luca Guadagnino’s remake of the horror film Suspiria, Netflix’s remake of Sabrina the Teenage Witch—to the runways of Fashion Week (Celine and Burberry were just two of the seemingly dozens of brands that served up witchy vibes this past season alone). There are, of course, deeper things at play: Witchcraft and covens have also proven to be a source of solace and solidarity for some in the #MeToo era, following an increasing association between witches and feminism.
Alas, one doesn’t simply become a witch by wearing Burberry and accessorizing with a black cat, or buying some crystals and altering their Instagram aesthetics. (Just ask one of the estimated one million Americans who currently practice some form of paganism.) Get acquainted with some of the preliminary steps for joining their ranks, here.
Know the risks.
Witchcraft isn’t just fun and games; perks like hexes and love spells can come with a price. The infamous Salem witch trials may seem far in the past, but the persecution of witches (or those suspected of witchcraft) continues today. Despite the mainstream’s growing fascination, the past few years have also seen, for example, a whopping 900 percent rise in (at times lethal) child-abuse cases linked to suspicion of witchcraft and demonic possession in the U.K. There are, of course, methods of protection, like carrying an evil eye. The easiest one, however, is to simply not go around shouting about your newfound identity.
Choose your path.
There’s no shortage of types of witchcraft, meaning there’s also no shortage of choices for an aspiring witch. Rather than get overwhelmed, get your bearings by having at least a basic understanding of the terms below.
Paganism: An umbrella term for religions other than the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam that typically places emphasis on the earth and nature. Its modern-day practitioners are known as neo-pagans.
Wicca: A religion that’s perhaps the popularized form neo-paganism, thanks in large part to the so-called Father of Wicca, Gerald Gardner, who cultivated his specific ideology, now known as Gardnerian Wicca, in the mid-1900s. Whereas witches are typically thought of as women, many Wiccans are men and worship both a god and a goddess. What was initially thought of as an anti-monotheistic gesture, though, has more recently been criticized for espousing heterosexuality and the idea of a gender binary, which was, in part, what led to the emergence of Dianic Wicca, in the 1970s, for those who chose to only worship the goddess and to do so only in the presence of women—a policy that’s since proven to be problematic, as many of its covens prohibit transgender women.
Ceremonial: The by-the-book practice of placing the highest value in—not to mention expertly executing—ceremonies and rituals.
Brujería: An umbrella term for African, Caribbean, and indigenous Latin American witchcraft, dating back centuries, if not thousands of years. Increasingly, though, the word bruja, Spanish for witch, has been reclaimed by Latinx women interested in their heritage—and made contemporary by, say, using the gender-neutral term brujx.
Solitary: This group is made up of those who choose not to find a coven, but instead operate on their own with the type (or mix) of witchcraft that they choose.
Eclecticism: A more social route for those who choose not to stick to a particular category but instead mix traditions as they please.Learn the terminology.
You can get a more comprehensive guide to definitions via Shelley Rabinovitch and James Lewis’s The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism, a good portion of which is available on Google Books. Before that deep dive, though, any beginner should have at least cursory knowledge of the terms listed below.
Initiation: The rites that put a budding witch on the path to making things official, by joining a coven after studying its practice, traditionally for a year and a day. The initiations that follow eventually allow the initiate the opportunity to become a high priest or high priestess; those with enough knowledge, experience, and dedication can become the leader of a Wiccan coven.
Coven: A gathering or community of initiated witches, usually led by a high priest and/or high priestess. If a coven is Wiccan, their meetings often involve sabbats, which are celebrations of the annual cycle of seasonal festivals known as the Wheel of the Year. (Non-sabbat meetings, such as the observation of a full moon, are known as esbats.)
Salem in a scene from season three of *Sabrina the Teenage Witch*, with the titular character played by Melissa Joan Hart—and dealing with the repercussions of the insults Salem let loose during an online game of chess.
Randy Holmes/Getty ImagesFamiliar: An animal-shaped spirit that serves as a witch’s spy, assistant, companion, and protector—the classic example of which is Sabrina’s black cat, Salem.
Altar: A surface that a Wiccan uses solely for activities such as casting spells, chanting, and worshipping the god and goddess. Typically, the altar is covered in a symbol-adorned cloth, which protects it from ash, liquids, and candle wax, as well as religious and ritual items like incense, wands, chalices of water, and cauldrons.
Pentacle: A magical tool such as an amulet or talisman that often appears on an altar, and is also often confused with a pentagram—a symbol popular in Wicca and, confusingly enough, the Church of Satan, which has pretty successfully taken ownership of its inverted version. (Inverted pentacles aren’t necessarily satanic, though Wiccans have recently largely strayed from using them to avoid that association.)
A Wiccan pentacle, made up of a pentagram (a symbol used for protection and directing magic), versus the original goat pentagram, dating back to 1897, which later served as inspiration for the Sigil of Baphomet, aka the Church of Satan’s official insignia.
Black Magic: A form of magic used with dark, malevolent, and harmful intentions, commonly associated with satanism. Spells have been used for a variety of purposes ever since the days of the Magi of Zoroastrianism and Ancient Egypt, but those that are specifically used for negative and/or harmful purposes are known as hexes and curses.
Séance: A ceremony used to contact spirits, including the dead, usually with the help of a medium.
Grimoire: The umbrella term for a magic text, ranging from diaries to textbooks.
Book of Shadows: A Wiccan’s personal grimoire, used to store information they need, such as thoughts, recipes, and instructions for spells, rituals, and hexes.
Study up.
Even if you think you’re sure you want to proceed, it’s best to find out what exactly you’re signing up for. Before paging through your spell books, it’s wise to do your research—particularly since the modern-day idea of witchcraft has been pieced together by a mix of legends and existing translated historical documents, leading each of the pros to have a slightly different take on the subject. Going back to the first step of knowing the risks, The Penguin Book of Witches, written by Katherine Howe, a descendant of some of Salem’s accused witches, is a helpful guide to witch-related history (and tragedy), dating back to the 1600s. (For a more firsthand—and definitely lighter—read, Stewart Farrar’s What Witches Do recounts his experience of being a witch and part of a coven led by Alex and Maxine Sanders, who cofounded Alexandrian Wicca in the 1960s.)
Still interested? If so, start with the basics (and praise your deity of choice you made this decision after the invention of Google). For those interested in Wicca, Lisa Chamberlain has become a go-to source; her book Wicca for Beginners is basically Wicca 101, and there are plenty more books where that came from, both by Chamberlain and also on her recommended reading list. If you’re interested in other forms of witchcraft and/or ready for a deeper dive, pick up Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today, by the late journalist and Wiccan priestess Margot Adler. The first sociology of contemporary paganism in the U.S., it still holds up since its first publication, in 1979, thanks in parts to its three more recently revised editions.
Stock up.
Depending on what type of witchcraft you decide to pursue, you’ll likely need at least a few supplies from an occult store, like candles, oils, roots, and herbs for rituals; spell books; tarot cards; potion ingredients; cauldrons; and, for those drawn to psychism, a crystal ball. (Some supplies won’t need to be purchased—the so-called Feces Spell, for example, is definitely chief in that category.)
Practice, practice, practice.
Some places to start are learning how to do a candle dressing, trying out some basic rituals, and familiarizing yourself with the different uses of crystals and candles—all of which you can keep a record of in your Book of Shadows.
Initiation: The rites that put a budding witch on the path to making things official, by joining a coven after studying its practice, traditionally for a year and a day. The initiations that follow eventually allow the initiate the opportunity to become a high priest or high priestess; those with enough knowledge, experience, and dedication can become the leader of a Wiccan coven.
Being a wutcg also means constantly challenging yourself and pushing your limits. It means never settling for mediocrity and always striving for greatness. It means being curious, open-minded, and always eager to learn and grow. But being a wutcg is not just about self-expression and personal growth. It's also about making a positive impact on the world around you. It's about using your unique talents and abilities to make a difference in the lives of others. Whether it's through art, music, writing, or any other form of creative expression, being a wutcg means using your passion to inspire and uplift others. It means spreading love, positivity, and joy wherever you go. So, even though wutcg may not be a real word, I believe that we all have the power to be wutcg in our own way. It's all about embracing our uniqueness, following our passions, and using our talents to make a positive impact on the world. In a world that often tries to mold us into something we're not, being a wutcg means staying true to ourselves and staying true to our dreams. It means embracing the journey of self-discovery and never giving up on our dreams, no matter how unconventional they may be. So, let's all strive to be wutcg. Let's break free from the chains of conformity and embrace our true selves. Let's celebrate our individuality and use it to make the world a brighter and better place. Let's be wutcg!.
Reviews for "Exploring witchcraft in different cultures and traditions around the world"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "I want to be a witch" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt underdeveloped. The plot was predictable and the writing style was mediocre at best. I struggled to stay engaged and ended up feeling unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written witch-themed story.
2. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
"I want to be a witch" had potential, but it fell short for me. The pacing was off, often dragging on unnecessary details while rushing through important events. The protagonist lacked complexity, making it difficult to connect with her journey as a witch. Additionally, the world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers. It could have been a much better story with stronger writing and more attention to character development.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
Although the concept of "I want to be a witch" intrigued me, I was ultimately disappointed by the execution. The writing style was simplistic and repetitive, and the dialogue felt unnatural. The plot lacked originality, relying heavily on clichés and predictable tropes. The ending left much to be desired, as it felt rushed and unresolved. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆
"I want to be a witch" was a complete letdown. The story was dull and uninteresting, failing to capture my attention from the start. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was average at best, and the plot seemed to wander without a clear direction. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating witch-themed read.
5. Laura - ★☆☆☆☆
I must say that "I want to be a witch" did not live up to my expectations. The storyline lacked originality and felt like a recycled version of other witch-themed novels. The characters were one-dimensional and failed to evoke any emotional connection. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to fellow readers.