Throughout history, the concept of witches has been both fascinating and feared. Many have wondered if their ancestors were involved in witchcraft, either as practitioners or victims. It is important to note that determining whether one's ancestors were witches requires extensive research and understanding of historical context. Witchcraft trials and persecutions occurred in various parts of the world, but perhaps the most well-known are the European witch trials, which took place predominantly between the 15th and 18th centuries. During this time, thousands of people, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and were subjected to horrific tortures and executions. To determine if your ancestors were witches, it is crucial to examine historical records, such as court documents, trial proceedings, and genealogical records.
To determine if your ancestors were witches, it is crucial to examine historical records, such as court documents, trial proceedings, and genealogical records. These sources can provide insights into whether any of your ancestors were accused or implicated in witchcraft-related activities. It is important to approach this research with an objective mindset, taking into account the biases and prejudices of the time.
The Witch Whose Stiletto Manicures Take 8 Hours
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“My name is Bri Luna (@yungkundalini). I’m a Los Angeles native who now resides in Seattle, and being a witch IS my real job. Some people have misconceptions of what a witch is or what witches do—they’re either very intrigued, or frightened due to religious convictions. But most just have a lot of questions: about astrology, tarot readings, and my business. I am the founder and creative director of The Hoodwitch, which provides everyday magic for the modern mystic. I’m also a soon-to-be-published author. (Harper 2023!)
I don’t care if it sounds self-indulgent—self-worship is great healing magic. For me, beauty is a ritual (and my favorite ritual at that). I find no greater pleasure than adorning my body in fragrances, makeup, oils, and jewelry. My mother’s immaculate vanity table was my favorite altar. I loved looking at her gorgeous lipsticks and dousing my Barbie doll’s hair in her expensive perfume. And now, my work is all about autonomy and self-affirming beauty ritual practices. I even designed and co-created my own makeup collection with Smashbox. I was also born under the sign of Taurus, which is ruled by Venus, the planet of art, beauty, and sensuality. I use glamour as an act of resilience in a world that wants you to feel guilty for loving and pampering yourself. I am dedicated to honoring my physical vessel, and that means I’m the friend who’s always going to encourage you to get that Botox, buy the $5,000 boots, eat pasta in a new set of Egyptian cotton sheets, and take a bubble bath in the afternoon just because.
I find most of my beauty inspiration from ancient gods and goddesses, nature, horror movies, and all the weirdos of the world: Little Richard, Eartha Kitt, Divine, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Grace Jones, Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, vampires, and other villains. I’m all for personal transformation and reinventing your look as many times as it takes to feel like your most authentic self. If you don’t have it naturally, buy it. Who gives a shit what anyone else thinks? My true form is a sexy demoness who loves taking naps—half succubus, half cozy. I only wear black, and stick to hyper-feminine looks with some tomboy elements: skintight latex with oversized sweats, a vintage coat and sexy undergarments underneath, extra long eyelashes and long nails.
Beauty can be really connected to your spiritual and your emotional state, and I use makeup to set an intention. If I’m doing public speaking, and I don’t really feel that confident, I’ll do something bold with my makeup. I want to feel that power, and I want people to pay attention to what I’m saying. My eyes are my favorite feature, and I love to bring them out with lashes and a black cat eye. I've purchased nearly every black eyeliner ever made—waterproof, smudge-proof, everything—and I kid you not, the best is Wet n Wild’s H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner. The wand is perfect, and the formula has this really pretty matte finish. It dries beautifully, and then you could literally go swimming in it. Eyelashes are another thing where price doesn’t always mean quality—at the end of the day, Ardell strip lashes are the best. They photograph so beautifully. I’ll get lash extensions for big events or long trips, which means I’ll have them for a couple months at a time a few times a year. I’m obsessive about getting them filled, because I really don’t like the look when they start to fall out.
I never leave the house without doing my brows. I got really good at drawing them on after I shaved them off in high school—though surprisingly, they actually grew back. Most of the time I use MAC’s Brow Styler Pencil in Stud and their powder in Espresso, and sometimes I'll add Glossier Boy Brow. If I’m running errands and don’t want to look tired, I put some Glossier Stretch Concealer under my eyes. I also like Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moisturizer—I use their Tan shade when I’m in LA, and Almond in Seattle. I dust on a little KVD Lock-It Setting Powder after, but because I don’t like to look too powdery, I spray a little rosewater spray from The Heritage Store, at the end. I like to keep it in the fridge.
I use all sorts of skincare, from high-end to handmade, but I do try to stick to products that are cruelty-free, even if that means spending more money. I don’t ever use coconut oil on my face. Ever! If I do, I get such bad acne. And I don’t care how sleepy, drunk, or tired I am, I have to wash my face at night. I’m very picky about makeup remover, and love using organic grapeseed oil to melt it away. My grandmother swore by it. After that I just use a gentle cleanser, because I don’t want to strip my skin’s natural oils. One of my favorites is from a small, organic, Latina-founded brand called Brujita Skincare. The Santa Limpia Facial Scrub is creamy and whipped, made with palo santo and maca root to cleanse the negativity from your day. It’s also antibacterial and has vitamin C in it.
I get a micropeel facial from my dermatologist once every four months or so. It’s a version of microdermabrasion that also includes an acid peel, and it makes my skin look amazing. I also love vampire facials, obviously. If I’m exfoliating on my own, I use Sunday Riley Good Genes when I’m in LA. It gives me what I need in warm, humid weather, but the lactic acid is too rough for Seattle. Instead, I keep a humidifier in my bedroom and use the Herbivore Botanicals Pineapple + Gemstone Mask mask every so often. It is the best thing ever. No matter how much I travel, this stuff makes my skin look like magic. I’ll also mask with the Aztec Secret Healing Clay Mask, which I partly love because it makes me feel like I’m doing something ancient, mixed with apple cider vinegar. And if my skin is problematic, I’ll make a mask out of organic Manuka honey or spot treat with Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.
I have five million lotions, potions, oils, and perfumes. People always tell me I smell good and ask what I’m wearing, but. I don’t share my exact fragrance combinations. I like to keep some things a secret! I will tell you that I love perfumes from Byredo, Creed, and Le Labo. I'm obsessed with the Le Labo Rose 31 shower gel. I always carry Frederic Malle hand cream in my bag, and love their travel-size perfumes too. The Heritage Store makes a body oil called Aura Glow, which I love. And, along with my deodorant, I also wear a little patchouli oil blend from a local store called The Vajra in my armpits. Their prices range, depending on the size of the bottle and the blend—some of the essential oils are really rare, like a Moroccan rose oil that’s almost $70. My friend Sarah used to work there, and she’d make me custom blends depending on my mood. All I’d have to say was ‘I’m feeling down,’ and she’d say, ‘OK, then you need something citrusy, and something to ground you’ and whip up something incredible. I swear she is like a fairy.
When I've been heat styling my hair a lot, I use the Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo and Conditioner. Their deep conditioning mask is great too. If I’m wearing my hair naturally curly, I’ll twist it up, wet, with organic coconut oil. Sometimes I’ll add a little Kérastase Sérum Oléo Relax Hair Oil. When my hair is blown out and straightened, I love adding beach waves with a curling wand and Kérastase shine spray. When I’m somewhere tropical, I absolutely have to have Moroccanoil Hairspray. And Drybar makes a fantastic dry shampoo.
My nails feel like a true extension of myself. Nails were historically used to show power—goddesses adorned their fingers and hands, and long nails have always been associated with vampires, witches, and even aristocrats. That’s what I’m tapping into with my stiletto nails. My nail designs are always very well thought out, which is a fun way to express myself and my moods creatively. I’ve worked with the same nail artist, Peka Grayson of Impekable Nails, for five years now. She’s one of the best in the game! I see Peka every three weeks, and because her designs are so intricate they can take up to eight hours. (We usually end up ordering Uber Eats!) Since we spend a lot of time together, it’s important that we really vibe and connect—she’s also a Black woman and a business owner.
To relax, I love to drink wine and bathe in virgins’ blood. Some of my favorite activities include collecting rare, out of print beauty and esoteric books, indulging in jewelry and fragrances, sex, magic, psychedelics, and eating lavish meals alone. I hate the gym, and I don’t like people watching me work out, but I do like running. Some people go for long runs on the beach; I go for long morning runs in the cemetery. The ghosts can watch me.”
Photos via the author
“My name is Bri Luna (@yungkundalini). I’m a Los Angeles native who now resides in Seattle, and being a witch IS my real job. Some people have misconceptions of what a witch is or what witches do—they’re either very intrigued, or frightened due to religious convictions. But most just have a lot of questions: about astrology, tarot readings, and my business. I am the founder and creative director of The Hoodwitch, which provides everyday magic for the modern mystic. I’m also a soon-to-be-published author. (Harper 2023!)
Additionally, studying the socio-cultural context in which your ancestors lived can provide valuable clues. Witchcraft accusations often arose from social tensions, conflicts, or personal rivalries. Understanding the dynamics of the community in which your ancestors lived can shed light on whether witchcraft accusations were prevalent during their time. Genealogy research can be a useful tool in discovering any ancestral connections to witchcraft. Tracing your family tree back several centuries and identifying any individuals who lived in regions or communities known for witchcraft accusations can help paint a broader picture. However, it is essential to approach this topic with caution. Witchcraft accusations were often based on superstition, ignorance, and hysteria, and innocent people became victims. Even if you discover evidence suggesting that your ancestors were accused of witchcraft, it does not necessarily mean they were practitioners. Historical records must be analyzed critically to separate fact from fiction. Ultimately, determining if your ancestors were witches requires comprehensive research using various historical sources, genealogical records, and a deep understanding of the context in which they lived. It is crucial to approach this topic with sensitivity, recognizing the terrible injustices that occurred during the witchcraft trials and understanding that the label of "witch" does not define the entirety of an individual's identity..
Reviews for "Witchcraft in the Blood: Searching for Ancestral Magick in My Family Tree"
1. Jane - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "Were my ancestors witches". The book promised a captivating exploration of family history and witchcraft, but I found it to be lacking in substance. The author seemed more interested in providing the readers with fictional stories rather than delving into any real historical research. The writing was also very amateurish, with a lot of grammatical errors and inconsistencies. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth and accurate examination of the topic.
2. Mark - 1/5: This book had so much potential, but it fell flat on its face. "Were my ancestors witches" lacked coherence and structure, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. The writing was meandering and unorganized, which made it hard to stay engaged. Additionally, I was hoping for some expert insights into witchcraft, but instead, I got a mishmash of personal anecdotes and fictional stories. I would suggest skipping this book if you're looking for a well-researched and insightful exploration of the subject.
3. Sarah - 2/5: I was excited to read "Were my ancestors witches" as I have always been fascinated by the subject. However, the book didn't live up to my expectations. The author relied too heavily on subjective interpretations and conjecture, rather than providing solid historical evidence. I felt like I was reading a compilation of personal opinions rather than an objective analysis. The writing style was also dry and lacked any real depth or engagement. While there were some interesting tidbits here and there, overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book.
4. Michael - 1/5: "Were my ancestors witches" was a huge letdown for me. The author's writing was convoluted and riddled with unnecessary jargon, making it difficult to grasp the main points. I was hoping for a more accessible and concise exploration of the topic, but instead, I struggled to understand half of what was being said. Additionally, the book lacked any real substance, relying on superficial anecdotes and unsupported claims. Overall, this book was a waste of time and money, and I would not recommend it to anyone.