On Being A Witch
“you are magic. magic has always been misunderstood.”
I’m a witch.
I’ve been thinking about this for a long time, and have undertaken my own personal research about what this means for me, particularly over the past couple of years.
What does the word ‘witch’ mean to you?
Does it conjure up darkness, maleficence, evil curses? Natural healing or plant medicine? People riding on broomsticks or stirring cauldrons? The original feminists? People being burned at the stake? A silly costume or a wonderful musical? (Wicked is my favourite, which is no surprise!)
Does it have any personal meaning for you?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A WITCH?
I think the term witch and those who identify with it are often misunderstood. Perhaps this is the defining description of witches, to be misunderstood. The images out in the public domain are fairly comical: a mixture of caricatures from demonologies, tortured confessions and Hollywood movies. Although the stories of all of the real people behind the witch-hunts is no laughing matter, of course.
The other essential element is power. To me, witches hold power. Power as knowledge, as healing, as knowing how to transform energy, as the art of alchemy, as female energy and feminine power (whether male, female or other). Even the word is powerful when spoken: witch.
Witch: one who carries power.
From this description, it could be said that we all hold this archetype, and indeed it is one of the archetypes identified by Jung. Perhaps you name yours differently, depending on the type of power you wield?
I think the third element is connection to the supernatural. This is probably the part that has created so much fear in the past. Connection to the supernatural can be scary even for those who do it - I have felt this myself. It takes courage to open up to supernatural energy beyond the physical, visible, or easily explainable, world.
Being in touch with the supernatural, is to be in touch with death. To be open to something beyond death. To be open to Great Mystery. Again, it is a power we all have, though some of us choose not to connect with or use it.
THE DARKNESS AND LIGHT OF A WITCH
Some people have seen me as strange, different and unusual. Some people have even judged me, seen me as evil, playing with the devil. Someone to be avoided, rejected or scorned. “Weird” has been a code name for “witch”. A refusal to be anyone other than myself.
Others have seen my light, seen my abilities without flinching, judging or name-calling. They have seen my ability to make magic through energy work, listening and using my psychic senses. Others value my belief that anything is possible. Even celebrate my capacity to bring healing into the world, because it brings more beauty into the world too.
Darkness and light, the essence of being a witch. Consorting with the devil, or dancing with the angels. These are both choices. I work in the light - what is sometimes known as a ‘white witch’ - while being mindful of integrating the shadow aspects of human nature. To ignore them is to inflict harm on self and others, to remain in fear or shame rather than live with freedom and acceptance.
I think the witch has been cast into the shadows for many people. For me, she has been following me, sometimes walking alongside me, talking with me, sometimes walking ahead and sharing her wisdom. At other times I have felt scared of owning that power. She is oppressed female power, she is knowledge of the natural world, and also of the supernatural worlds.
The essence of being human is that we all contain dark and light. We each make choices about how we want to live, what we choose to put our energy and faith in. As I write about the witch I wonder what the big deal is… this is simply being human - we all have darkness and light within us, we all choose how to behave, where to put our energy, and how we want to envision the world. We must all integrate our own darkness, as well as our light, in order to be whole.
Kali. by Jerome Naselli
THE ARCHETYPE OF THE WITCH
The witch is an archetype, an idea, as well as a lived experience for many. For me, my journey to understand the term witch in relation to myself has meant so many things. Sometimes it means nothing - I’m not one for labels, and who I am isn’t defined by any label. At other times, it has been a term which has lead me on a journey to uncover more of myself through the archetype, or through other people who have been called, or call themselves, a witch.
The archetype of the witch as an outsider is true - of living outside of the mainstream somehow, on the edge. I’ve certainly felt far-from-normal often in my life, and a desire to be closer to nature or spirit, farther from the centre of the humdrum of human life.
But other features of those who identify as witches - a desire to create balance and harmony in life, to live in balance with nature, to promote justice, equality and freedom - suggest a much more central and pivotal role that ‘witch’ has to offer us all. I feel these desires strongly: that I wish for my thoughts, words and actions to contribute to an informed, balanced and equitable world.
I think that the archetype is very closely connected to, if not completely fused with, feminine power. And what is more dangerous (to the status quo) than celebrating, promoting and advocating feminine power in leaders and thinkers. For people who will think with compassion, lead with foresight, attune with nature, dedicate themselves to equality. No wonder, historically and in the present day worldwide, that feminine power had to be cast out, brutalised and burned - it is a threat to the patriarchal systems we live in.
Coming to own myself as a witch, to feel comfortable using that specific word to describe myself (as it very accurately does), has been a difficult process because of the fate of those named ‘witches’. It risks rejection, hatred, judgement and death - though I think underneath all of these is fear. Fear of power, fear of the unknown, fear that has passed down through many centuries without being consciously considered.
RECLAIMING WITCH POWER
I think it’s time to reclaim the word witch. To use it if it speaks to you; to process your feelings if you have a reaction to it. To reclaim the word in a long history of persecution and intolerance; this is an important step in any movement. To become conscious of the true meaning of witch.
It’s time to let go of the rejected elements of this female archetype, which when cast out manifest themselves instead in people pleasing, being “nice”, being untrue to one’s own self and inner feelings.
It’s time to speak with truth, love, justice and power. For me, this archetype lives within me, in the back of my throat, on my tongue, ready to speak. This is part of my magic and power.
As a strong, loving woman, and as a healer, one with psychic abilities to see or know, to connect with the world of spirit, I certainly consider myself a witch. I see signs and have a strong connection with my intuition, I know how to work with energy and transform it positively. I listen to the seasons, to the cycles of nature, and I listen to the cycles of my own body and soul. I listen to my womb, to my dreams, for knowledge and understanding. I’m still learning of these matters.
But these don’t have to be your criteria. Do your homework, read, talk, listen. Figure out what the word means to you, and whether it is useful, or not, in your identity.
It’s been a long and interesting journey for me with these thoughts, these differences. And what it all boils down to (excuse the cauldron pun!), is that being a witch is so utterly human and alive: being passionate about nature, people, the mystery of life and love. And of being of service in the world, in my own unique way.
Step into your feminine power, courage and truth with bryony@creativesoultherapies.com
Pendle Hill by Terry Madeley