The occult revival has been a topic of fascination for many people, especially those interested in alternative spirituality, mysticism, and the supernatural. This phenomenon has been widely covered by various media outlets, including Time magazine. Time, a renowned weekly publication, has provided significant coverage of the occult revival, exploring its history, beliefs, and impact on popular culture. The magazine has recognized the growing interest in astrology, tarot cards, witchcraft, and other occult practices, which have reemerged in contemporary society. One of the main ideas highlighted by Time is the increasing acceptance and interest in these practices. While once considered taboo or even devilish, the occult has become more mainstream and accepted in recent years.
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While once considered taboo or even devilish, the occult has become more mainstream and accepted in recent years. Time points out that people are now more open to exploring alternative spiritual paths and seeking mystical experiences. This shift may be attributed to a broader cultural longing for connection, meaning, and transcendence in an increasingly secular world.
'In Defense of Witches' is a celebration of women
At the start of Mona Chollet's In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial, readers are asked to think of the first witch that made an impression on them.
For me, this was an interesting exercise because while all the witches mentioned in those first few pages come from literature, in my case, it was my maternal grandmother.
Very old, divorced decades, known for brewing bizarre concoctions for whatever ailed you, and perennially surrounded by dogs, my maternal grandmother spoke to the dead when we drove past a cemetery, had an "off-limits" bathroom that housed spirits, and carried pounds of laminated prayer cards and milagritos — small metal religious charms — strapped to her bra. She also had about five teeth left after a life of fearing the dentist. To me, she was powerful, a real witch, and I loved her. I also ended up loving In Defense of Witches because it celebrates that power.
Today we often hear "witch hunt" in a variety of contexts, but none of them are remotely close to the original witch hunts, which were almost entirely focused on women — and regularly included torture, rape, and death, always at the hands of men. While we no longer burn women at the stake, some of the anti-woman sentiment at the core of witch hunts is, unfortunately, alive and healthy. As author Carmen Maria Machado says in the book's introduction, we no longer burn, hang, or drown as many women now as we did in the past, "but there is no shortage of ways women's lives continue to be destroyed. Women are abused, assaulted, economically disempowered, raped, shoved into the margins, pressured, silenced, ignored, treated as guinea pigs, co-opted, stolen from, misrepresented, forced into pregnancy or servitude, imprisoned, and, yes, sometimes murdered."
In Defense of Witches takes witches — unmarried, childless, strong, independent women in control of their future, their time, and their sexuality — and uses those elements to explore how women who possessed those attributes, or who simply failed to comply with what men wanted of them, were accused of witchcraft and persecuted. Then the book focuses on how modern women who are independent, childless, and elderly must still deal with some of the same pressures as the witches of old did.
At its core, this is a book that deconstructs modern ideas that come from a much more misogynistic time and shows how they are still incredibly common. From religious reasons throughout history — "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18) — to contemporary events in which witches "take part in the Black Lives Matter movement, put spells on Donald Trump, protest against white supremacists and against those who question a woman's right to abortion," Chollet explores not only how anti-women sentiment is still prevalent but also how some of the ideas that were in vogue hundreds of years ago still oppress women today — and contribute to the perpetuation of patriarchy.
Chollet has a knack for entertaining prose, and that makes this dense narrative easy to read. She looks at the work of researchers, psychiatrists, actors, writers, sociologists, journalists, some of her friends, and even her own experiences and enters into a conversation with them, and with herself and the reader, to make her points. In the process, she asks important questions with a historical perspective — "What if this Devil were in fact independence?" — makes scathing observations about what many call "social institutions" --"It seems that single people dream only of marriage, while the married dream of nothing but escape" — and makes strong declarations that, given the amount of evidence presented, are impossible to argue with:
"Self-sacrifice remains the only fate imaginable for women. More precisely, it is a self-sacrifice that operates by way of abandoning one's own creative potential rather than by its realization."
In In Defense of Witches, witches only make occasional appearances, but they are always there in spirit as Chollet explores what society expects of women. For example, witches were healers and knew things about nature that others ignored. They had the freedom to pursue knowledge because they weren't married and had no kids. In modern societies, we encourage girls to get educated — and then push on them the idea that they are supposed to have children to fulfill their roles as women and to have a full life. Once they have "achieved" motherhood, they should take care of the house and the babies, cook, clean, and make sure their children get an education, but that all happens — and there are plenty of writers talking about that in the book — at the expense of the time these women could spend working on their passions, pursuing more knowledge, or, as in some cases here, writing masterpieces.
"There is room for every view, it seems to me," states Chollet. "I only struggle to understand why the one I subscribe to is so poorly accepted and why an immovable consensus persists around the idea that, for everyone, to succeed in life implies having offspring." This line, simple and personal yet, to some, very problematic, sums up the spirit of In Defense of Witches.
In Defense of Witches celebrates women, offers a plethora of reasons to accept a variety of viewpoints, and shows how women are still expected to act certain ways or be ostracized. Despite all that, the element that overpowers all others is the celebration of feminist minds and their work, our modern witches. Yes, this book will make you angry at the staying power of misogyny, but it will also make you scream "Long live witches!" — and that makes it a must-read.
Gabino Iglesias is an author, book reviewer and professor living in Austin, Texas. Find him on Twitter at @Gabino_Iglesias.
Time magazine also highlights the impact of the occult revival on popular culture. The occult has become a prevalent theme in movies, books, music, and fashion, influencing the arts and entertainment industry. Shows like American Horror Story and movies like The Craft and The Witch incorporate occult symbolism and themes, appealing to audiences with an interest in the occult. Musicians like Lana Del Rey and Zola Jesus incorporate occult imagery and references in their music, adding a mystic and captivating element to their artistry. The magazine examines the history of the occult revival, tracing its roots back to the spiritualism movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It discusses key figures and organizations involved in this revival, such as Aleister Crowley, Thelema, and the Golden Dawn. Time magazine explores how these individuals and groups influenced modern occult practices and shaped the contemporary occult revival. In conclusion, Time magazine has provided comprehensive coverage of the occult revival, shedding light on its history, beliefs, and impact on popular culture. The magazine recognizes the increasing acceptance of occult practices, attributing it to a cultural longing for meaning and connection. Furthermore, Time highlights the occult's influence on popular culture, with its themes and symbolism permeating various forms of art and entertainment. Overall, this topic has captivated public interest, and Time magazine has effectively documented and analyzed this phenomenon for its readers..
Reviews for "The Power of Intuition: The Reemergence of Psychic Phenomena in the Modern Age"
- John Smith - 1 star
I found Time magazine's coverage of the occult revival to be shallow and sensationalized. It seemed as though the writers were more interested in generating buzz and clicks than in providing balanced and thoughtful analysis. The article failed to delve into the complexities of the occult movement, focusing instead on superficial and clichéd portrayals. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of depth and journalistic integrity displayed in this piece.
- Emily Brown - 2 stars
Time magazine's take on the occult revival was disappointingly cursory. The article attempted to cover a broad range of topics within a limited space, resulting in a shallow analysis that glossed over important nuances. Additionally, the writing style was overly sensationalized, bordering on sensationalism, which detracted from the credibility of the piece. I would have preferred a more in-depth exploration of the subject matter, accompanied by a more nuanced and balanced approach to reporting.
- David Johnson - 1 star
Time magazine's depiction of the occult revival was woefully misinformed and biased. The article perpetuated stereotypes and misconceptions about the movement, failing to provide a fair and accurate representation. Instead of conducting proper research or consulting experts, the writers seemed to rely on sensationalized anecdotes and outdated generalizations. As someone with a genuine interest in the occult, I was highly disappointed by this shallow and poorly researched article. It would have been more beneficial to the readers if the magazine had provided a comprehensive and unbiased account of the occult revival.