A male witch, also known as a "nale witch," is a term used to describe a man who practices witchcraft. In many cultures, the image of a witch is often associated with women, but male witches have existed throughout history. Nale witches have diverse beliefs and practices, and they may identify themselves with various traditions such as Wicca, Paganism, or other forms of witchcraft. Nale witches follow similar principles as their female counterparts. They believe in harnessing natural energies and connecting with the spiritual world to manifest their desires and intentions. Like all witches, nale witches work with magical rituals, spells, and herbs to create positive change in their lives or the lives of others.
Stepping back a bit, the question for us as parents is this: How do we help our families navigate this topic, given the fact that there’s so much content on the big screen and small that our kids might potentially be interested in (or have friends who are interested in it).
Each decade since then has featured a continually growing list of shows and movies that prominently feature witches and witchcraft as core parts of their plot and worldview. Regardless of where on the spectrum you fall and one could spend many years mining the internet for articles on both sides I couldn t help but think about it when I came across some news related to actress Emma Watson.
Like all witches, nale witches work with magical rituals, spells, and herbs to create positive change in their lives or the lives of others. Male witches may form their own covens or practice as solitary practitioners. They can also participate in rituals and ceremonies alongside female witches or other practitioners of witchcraft.
The Rise of Witchcraft & Popular Culture: Is There a Connection?
When the Harry Potter franchise exploded into the popular culture in 1997, Christians hotly debated the series’ cultural influence. Specifically, its potential connection to the occult—whether it glorified witchcraft in a way that might make people in the real world curious about it.
The story featured young wizards and witches gifted in magic and learning how to wield it against a dark spiritual enemy, Voldemort. Many Christians voiced the need for extreme caution about a story where witchcraft featured so prominently and positively, even if it was a high-stakes battle between good and evil. Others argued that the story (and subsequently, the movies) had little connection to a classical connection to the occult, and that there were valuable spiritual parallels and ideas to be mined here. Author J.K. Rowling herself later said that she had intended her story to be a Christian allegory.
Regardless of where on the spectrum you fall—and one could spend many years mining the internet for articles on both sides—I couldn’t help but think about it when I came across some news related to actress Emma Watson.
On April 15, 2023, Watson sang the praises of her coven in an Instagram post: “Thank you to the witches in my coven who were so pivotal in helping me arrive at where and who I am now. ❤️🧙♀️,🌻,🧜🏽♀️, 🥷, 🦌,👁, 🌸, 🦉,🏜,🥋and 🌹. You are my Avengers and you inspire me and kick a–. It takes a village, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” And that’s not the first time she’s given a public shout-out to witches, either. In 2022 at the BAFTA Awards, she said, “I’m here for all the witches,” a not-so-subtle jab at J.K. Rowling’s even more controversial conviction that biological women and trans women aren’t the same (a stance that has made her perhaps an unlikely hero among many who’d once criticized her).
I find Watson’s affinity for finding meaningful community among witches curious. Could growing up playing a witch have predisposed her toward, it seems from her statements, calling a coven her spiritual home? Apart from a conversation with her, there would be no way to know for sure. But I think it’s telling that perhaps the most famous witch of our recent pop culture past seems to embrace witchcraft IRL—in real life.
Indeed, that connection is one that deserves scrutiny. There’s no denying that we’ve seen an enormous surge in interest in Wicca in our culture—a trend that’s been well documented. How does pop culture influence a trend like our culture’s growing interest in Wicca?
Youth culture expert Walt Mueller, president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (a Christian ministry) teaches that popular culture is a mirror and a map. With regard to being a mirror, entertainment—such as movies, music, TV, social media, etc.—reflects our culture’s current moment. But it does more than that. It’s also a map, pointing us in certain directions, reinforcing certain cultural trends and worldviews.
I believe that’s certainly the case with this issue. Interest in the occult began to grow in the cultural turbulence of the 1960s. The June 19, 1972, issue of TIME Magazine featured a cover story titled “The Occult Revival.” Simultaneously during that era, we began to see popular television shows such as Bewitched and The Addams Family that dealt lightly and humorously with ideas about witchcraft, horror and the macabre.
Each decade since then has featured a continually growing list of shows and movies that prominently feature witches and witchcraft as core parts of their plot and worldview. It’s a long list of both. Parade.com recently updated its article “Conjure Up a Scary Good Halloween Season With the 26 Best Witch Movies Ever,” a list that included The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Hocus Pocus (1993) Practical Magic (1998), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001), Into the Woods (2014) and The Witch (2015), among others. On the small screen, the list of witchcraft-themed shows through the decades is similarly lengthy, including Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018), A Discovery of Witches (2018), Good Witch (2015), Salem (2014) and—again—many others.
Netflix even gives witchcraft its own genre category: “Witchcraft & the Dark Arts.”
So what are we to make of all this witchy programming?
As Walt Mueller wisely noted, Hollywood both reflects our culture and reinforces it—a feedback loop that seems to be accelerating. It’s impossible to say with absolute clarity exactly how one is influencing the other. Is Emma Watson enamored of her coven because she spent most of her life playing a witch? Making that connection doesn’t seem like a huge leap to me, even though it’s not one we could necessarily prove.
Stepping back a bit, the question for us as parents is this: How do we help our families navigate this topic, given the fact that there’s so much content on the big screen and small that our kids might potentially be interested in (or have friends who are interested in it).
Here are a few thoughts.
- Recognize the reality of influence when it comes to worldview: Our culture is deeply invested in the lie that our entertainment choices don’t affect us, that we’re in control of how entertainment influences us. But when we look at this particular issue, I think we can say that entertainment affects culture and culture affects entertainment. That link seems undeniable, and we ignore it at our peril. So when we choose to engage uncritically with a story whose worldview is at odds with our faith, the possibility that it may influence us or our children to embrace ideas contrary to our convictions is a real possibility.
- Know your kids: Some children are particularly suggestable, sensitive or otherwise prone to be influenced by the ideas they see in entertainment. But every child, even within the same family, is different. So we need to become students of our kids to have a clear sense of where and how we need to protect and guide them through the many landmines that lay buried in the sand in the world of entertainment. If we notice them withdrawing or see abrupt changes in habits, it’s important that we consider what role, if any, ideas or suggestions that they’ve been exposed to via entertainment may be influencing them.
- Teach your children to identify and recognize spiritual counterfeits. At its core, witchcraft and Wicca (which we define and explain the Focus on the Family Parenting articles here and here) embody seductive belief systems that promise control and place the individual at the center of reality. It’s an idolatrous counterfeit to Christ-focused faith that supplants His rightful place as the One whom we trust and worship. As we help our children grow spiritually, talking about these key biblical principles helps to give them a foundation of truth and spiritual discernment.
Our culture has largely jettisoned belief in a God who is good, loving and sovereign. It’s also largely turned its back on the notion that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and are in need of a Savior outside of ourselves. Wicca, especially, rejects these truths, elevating the worship of self in its place. Those ideas, to greater and lesser extent, can often be found in the popular movies and TV shows I’ve talked about above. It’s our job as parents to equip our kids with the ability to see these deceptive-but-seductive deceptions for what they are.
©2023 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.
Abby is an editorial assistant at Seventeen, covering pop culture, beauty, life, and health. When she's not busy watching the latest true crime docuseries, you can find her strolling through Sephora, thrifting the perfect dress, or jogging with her pup.
Nale witches do not necessarily have different roles or responsibilities within their practices solely because of their gender. They often study and adhere to the same traditions, symbolism, and magical practices as their female counterparts. Historically, male witches faced more scrutiny and challenges due to the prevalent belief that witchcraft was solely practiced by women. They were often accused of sorcery and faced persecution alongside female witches during the witch trials of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. However, in contemporary times, the perception of male witches has shifted, and they are more widely accepted as legitimate practitioners of witchcraft. Overall, nale witches are an integral part of the witchcraft community, bringing their unique perspectives and practices. They play an active role in creating and maintaining the rich tradition of witchcraft, regardless of gender. Whether male or female, all witches share the common goal of developing their spiritual connection, harnessing their magical abilities, and living in harmony with nature and the spiritual world..
Reviews for "The Male Witch's Guide to Witchcraft: Spells, Rituals, and More"
1. Carol - 2/5
"I must admit, I was extremely disappointed with 'What's a Nale Witch'. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The writing style seemed amateurish, with awkward sentence structure and lackluster dialogue. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book if you're looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel."
2. Mark - 1/5
"I couldn't finish 'What's a Nale Witch' - it was just that bad. The premise seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The characters were unrelatable and their actions made no sense. The pacing was uneven, with unnecessary scenes dragging on while important moments were rushed. The world-building lacked imagination and left me wanting more. I regret spending my time on this book and would advise others to steer clear."
3. Sarah - 2/5
"'What's a Nale Witch' had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story seemed rushed, and there were too many loose ends left untied. The magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and uninterested. The protagonist, Jane, was difficult to root for as her decisions lacked depth and rationale. Additionally, the writing style was bland and uninspiring. I was hoping for an engaging fantasy read, but sadly this book missed the mark."
4. Ryan - 1/5
"Unsatisfying and forgettable, 'What's a Nale Witch' was a complete waste of time. The characters were forgettable, and their development felt forced and unnatural. The dialogue was stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the story. The plot lacked originality and failed to offer anything new to the fantasy genre. Overall, I was severely disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking an enjoyable reading experience."