Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - Witch Stereotypes - ENTRY
In todayâs world, I feel more and more people are excepting âMagickâ. It is in our childrenâs cartoons, advertisements on TV, The Nightly National New had a topic stating how we are not alone. I have mentioned this to some of my friends and they came back to tell me that I was right. One saw an advertisement for a new car and Magick.
This statement below, in my opinion, makes quite a statement and one that I believe will help explain some of the stereotyping that we deal with in todayâs society.
âWitchcraft is NOT a religion. Wicca is a religion. Asatru is a religion. There are atheist witches, agnostic witches, Christian/Catholic/Hindu/Buddhist/Wiccan/everything-else witches. Witchcraft is a spiritual path and practice, NOT a religion.â (Chloe on October 30, 2020)
Below is a list of stereotypes I found in this article by: (ANDREA ROSE, JUL 14, 2012)
1. Witches are naturally evil.
This is pure nonsense. Simple as that. A large portion of the witch craft religion is in fact doing good for others and for nature. They plant gardens, go out in nature, Help those in needs, and many other things that other religions also consider good. Elderâs in witch craft are highly regarded, serving as a high priestess or priest. We respect those in our circle as well as those outside our circle. Some members of other religions donât even do that.
- Witches are not human but rather an evolved form of humans.
This is also not true. We are not some other species, some other form of humans like a vampire or something. In fact we are as much human as you or the next person. We feel like you, desire like you, think like you, and live like you. We have jobs like normal shmucks. The only real difference, which isnât really a difference (Seeing how some other people also do this) is that we try to think before we act and make sure no one is harmed by our decisions. We care for the oneâs, and things around us. In other words we treat everything around us how we wish to be treated.
3. Witches do not look like regular people.
Also wrong. What do you expect when you see a witch? Green skin and warts, or some goth kid who worships the devil. Both those assumptions are wrong. Witchâs donât look like Halloween decorations or Satanist (Which are WAY different than a witch). We look just like the next person.
4. You must be born into a family of Witches to become one.
WRONG. Witch Craft is a belief, a religion. Christians donât need to be born into a Christian family to be Christians. Same goes for Mormons, the Jewish, Jehovahâs witnesses, and so on and so forth.
5. Witches can steal âpowersâ from each other.
Wrong again. Can Christians steal each otherâs faith in God? No. Their faith doesnât grow stronger by stealing other faith. Same thing goes for witchâs powers.
6. Witchcraft and Christianity are opposites.
Also not necessarily true. Christians believe in one God. One all mighty power. Witchâs believe in a higher power, the only real difference is that we have more than one God. We in fact have Gods and Goddesses. Some Indian cultures believe in more than one God. Does this make them Witchâs? No. Christians strive to do good, so do witchâs. They have prayerâs and hymns. We have spells and songs. Which are almost the same thing except for the wording and the intentions put behind them.
7. It is difficult to hurt a witch.
This is wrong and stupid. We are humans and get injured just like a human.
8. Witches are resistant to spells.
How would this even be possible when witches cast spells on themselves from time to time?
9. Witches always dress in black.
It is true that many gothâs say they are witchâs but not all witchâs are goth. Black is a color of protection so if a witch does wear black it is for protection. But no witchâs do not always were black.
10. Witches can change their form and appearance at will.
We are not werewolves or ShapeShifterâs. We are normal Humans like everyone else.
11. Witches can change the form and appearance of others at will.
Wrong again. All living things are made up of a certain cell structure. Take into consideration when alchemists tried to turn ordinary metals into gold. Did they succeed? No. So we can not change somethings form.
12. Witches can manipulate time.
13. All Witches engage in ritualistic orgies.
Some do, but it is highly frowned upon in most circles. Most witchâs follow the rules of common human decency.
14. Witches can fly on broomsticks
Hahaha, That only happens in Hollywood movies.
15. Witches can fly without broomsticks.
Once again only in the movies.
16. A witch is a female with super powers.
We are not super heroâs people. And we are not a sexist religion. There are both maleâs and femaleâs that follow our religion.
17. A male witch is called a Warlock.
Wrong, Male witchâs are not known as warlocks. In fact Warlock is a degrading term for a male witch.
18. Witches worship Satan
Satanists worship Satan. Most witchâs donât even believe that Satan.
19. Witches have made a deal with Satan to attain super natural powers.
How can this be when we donât believe in Satan?
20. Witches perform animal and human sacrifices.
This is sick and wrong. Murder is not something we condone. In fact we try to protect life, from plants, to animals, and yes human life as well.
21. Witchcraft has no rules.
This is a lie. In fact we have many rules to follow. For instance, âanything you put out you will get back.â This basically means what you do will come back at you. Karma.
22. Witchcraft is the same as Satanism
We donât believe in Satan so this whole stereotype is inaccurate.
23. Witches hate Christians
Why would we hate Christians? Sure we may not particularly favor them but they are like any other person so hating them would be wrong. it would be like racism.
24. Wicca and Witchcraft are the same thing.
Wicca is a modern religion belief system founded by Gerald Gardner. Witch Craft is an old religion that predates Christianity.
25. Wicca has nothing to do with Witchcraft.
Wicca is a nature based religion. Wiccanâs participate in some forms of witch craft such as, spells and having an alter. Witch Craft is basically the craft of witchâs. It was the original craft (It predated wicca).
26. Witches promote Abortion as a form of human sacrifice.
WE DO NOT. Like any other human being we hold our own beliefs. Just because one person promotes abortion does that mean the person standing next to him also promotes it? Most likely not.
27. Witches are allergic to water.
STUPID. Human bodies are mostly composed of water so if this were true when a witch was born the would automatically die. They wouldnât last five seconds in the world. Also we have to bathe just like the next person. If we didnât all witchâs would smell horribly. Some people need to think before they make something like this up.
28. Witches hate being called Witches
Not necessarily true. if it is used in a bad way, like a negative, sure we would be a little upset but so would a christian if someone sneered ,âChristian,â in the cruelest way they could.
29. No man can be a witch.
I already said that there are plenty males that follow and practice witchcraft and in fact my teacher of the craft was a male.
30. Witches are the same a Gypsies.
Gypsy beliefs and Witch beliefs vary in many ways so this is also not true.
31. Witchcraft is not a religious practice.
It is as much a religious practice as Christianity. We hold a faith in our beliefs. We have faith in our Gods and Goddesses. Thus doesnât that mean it is a religious practice. There are even metaphysical churchâs floating around the USA.
32. Being a witch means not believing in any higher power.
We believe in our own Gods and Goddesses, isnât that belief in a higher power?
33. Witches can possess people.
We are not ghosts or demons people.
34. Witches get sick or hurt when Jesus Chris is mentioned or a crucifix is shown to them.
This is false. They are not going to get sick for one, the only reason they would get hurt would be an emotional hurt if they began to think about all the burningâs the Christians did against witchâs way back when. I will also like to point out that from time to time I myself were a crucifix and maybe once in a while attend a Christian church service.
35. All witches practice âBlack Magicâ
No, sure there is black magic but it is not a bad magic. We have many types of magic associated with color. Thereâs White magic, Black Magic, Green Magic, Red Magic, etc. Just because it is titled, âBlack,â does not mean that it is a bad form of magic.
36. Witches and Genies are always communicating.
Only a Witch knowledgeable in spirit communication is even capable of communicating with a genie.
37. Witches can levitate
Levitation is a very difficult psychic ability. Most witchâs canât even do it.
38. Witches become a witch by having another witch cast a spell on them.
Witchcraft is a religion people. Some covenâs may have an initiation but think of this. Christianâs Baptize.
39. Witches grant wishes.
We do seek to good for others but we can not make something happen instantly.
40. Witches can turn into ghosts.
We can project ourselves as an astral body but that is way different from a ghost. A ghost is a spirit that has departed from the physical universe that has yet to move on.
41. Witches can make things âfloatâ
Once again this is a psychic ability, which let me point out can be learned by anyone, but not all witchâs know it.
42. Witches do not come out during the day.
We are not the Hollywood vampire. Most of us have day jobs people. That means sunshine and UV rays.
43. Witches avoid public and live in the woods.
That my friends is what we like to call a cottage witch. This basically means that this particular witch devotes themselves wholly to the craft. They do this to basically reach the witchâs form of enlightenment. But there are many witchâs that live in the cities. Hinting your local Witchcraft store.
44. Witches have no worries and are always happy.
We have to pay rent, utilities, get to work on time just like other people. We do strive to have a happy life, but who doesnât.
45. Witches can bring pictures âto lifeâ
If you mean we can make the pictures alive like in Harry potter then no.
46. Witches summon demons and then take control of them for future use.
No true witch would ever work with a demon.
47. Witchcraft is not a religion.
Already covered this. We believe in forms of higher power. Making it a religion.
48. Witches put curses on priests.
We have our own priests. Why would we do that?
49. The Pentagram is a sign of Satan
Donât believe in Satan. The pentagram is a symbol of the divine and the five elements, earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.
50. Witches do not existâŚ
Why would there even be these stereotypes if we didnât exist.
Growing up, I remember the Wizard of Ozâs Witch and that is how I envisioned/stereotyped witches. In an article by Jackie Chirco, Oct 10, 2016, she explains how stereotypes came about through TV:
If you google âwitchâ, the first definition that appears is: a woman thought to have evil magic powers; witches are popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat, and flying on a broomstick. This is not the case, though. Despite how âunrealisticâ or âridiculousâ it soundsâwitches are real. In movies, television, and popular culture where witches are portrayed, they can be seen in a negative light. However, most of the time the portrayal of witches is unrealistic. Through such movies and television shows, people have been altered to view witches negatively, often based on stereotypes. These stereotypes include the pointy black hats, flying on broomsticks, black cats, and spell books. There is also a certain ââinhumanâ look witches are seen asâthe pointy chin, wart-nosed, raggedy woman. But in reality, witches look like everyone else and you probably walk amongst them daily. Witches also arenât evil, and arenât linked to Satanism. In short, people who identify as witches can practice witchcraft: a spiritual practice that focuses on the individual, and encourages the understanding of nature and earth. People can be witches and practice only witchcraft, but some can be witches and be Wicca. Wicca is a religion associated with witches. Wiccans believe in âthe spirit of the One, Goddess and God exist in all things.â They treat all objects on Earth with respect. Some witches are both Wiccan and practice witchcraft. As I said before, these truths behind witches are twisted in popular culture through movies and television shows. (Jackie Chirco, Oct 10, 2016)
I actually enjoyed doing this Challenge. It has helped explain the topic of stereotyping and how I can reply back to the non-believers.
Source
https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/Stereotypes-Of-Witches,
Stereotypes Of Witches, ANDREA ROSE, JUL 14, 2012
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/how-popular-culture-inaccurately-portrays-witches, Jackie Chirco, Oct 10, 2016
I hope you enjoy your new badge 
. My fiancee finds it odd but doesnât really care and certainly doesnât try to convince me to change or anything which is a refreshing change.