So You Want to Be a Witch

by Skye Alexander

What image comes to mind when you hear the word witch? If you see an ugly old woman with a long nose, pointy black hat, flying across the sky on a broom and turning people into toads, you’ve had your head in the sand for way too long. If you envision drop-dead gorgeous babes like the stars of The Vampire Diaries, and think witches battle vampires, come from a long line of wizards and sorcerers, or live forever, you’ve been watching too much TV.

The truth is, witches come in all sizes, ages, colors, and personalities. They’re doctors, computer programmers, teachers, landscapers, bartenders, and flight attendants. The person who cuts your hair or repairs your car might be a witch. Witches can be male or female––no, a male witch is not a warlock. Warlock comes from an Old English word meaning “oath breaker” or “liar.” The simple fact that you’re reading this suggests that you think you have witch potential. Guess what? You do. And with a little training, you can uncover your magickal power and learn to use it to improve your own life and other people’s.

Why Are Wicca and NeoPaganism Gaining Popularity?

A Pew Research study in 2014 determined that about 1 million Wiccans and Neopagans lived in the United States at that time (that number is undoubtedly larger now). Wicca is considered the fastest-growing religion in America. Even the military recognizes it as a bona fide religion and lets military personnel list it on their dog tags.

More than a fad, Wiccan and Paganism speak to some key issues of today: respect for the environmental, gender equality, and overcoming religious biases and narrow-minded thinking. They also encourage those who follow this path to discover and develop their own, unique powers, so they can take charge of their lives and be everything they choose to be.

We’re all magickal beings. Witchcraft and magick aren’t “hocus pocus.” They are your birthright. They already exist deep within you. You already have the power to tap into the energies of the natural world and the cosmos––you just need to recognize that power and learn to direct it. This involves gaining a greater appreciation and awareness of the cycles of the moon, the energies of the seasons, your links with the animals, birds, and other creatures who share this planet with you. It means living in harmony with the universe, working for the greater good––often through the use of magick––and harming none.

True magick lies in reconnecting with your magickal self and with the Divine. Everyone’s experiences contribute to the development of the whole. Each witch is a torchbearer whose flame, when joined with others’, lights up the world.

Excerpted from The Modern Guide to Witchcraft, by Skye Alexander (published by Adams Media/Simon & Schuster, copyright 2014)