Modern Witchcraft
Witchcraft; a term used in the 9th century to describe the practice of harmful powers or acts of maleficium. Immediately, images of pointed hats, brooms, cauldrons and black cats fill your mind. However, witchcraft has evolved throughout history and now consists of many different practices.
Wicca
Wicca is a type of magic based on rituals and experiences, rather than religion. These “experiences” boil down to eight
major holidays, the most important being Samhain, which falls on Oct 31. This holiday represents the thinning of the veil between living and dead, making it the easiest time to communicate with the deceased. A core value of this practice is to harm none, meaning no violent spells against your ex! This version of witchcraft aligns with more mainstream traditions like Dia de los Muertos which falls around the same time, representing similar ideas.
Dia de los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos, or day of the dead in English, is a celebration of the deceased, rumored to be the best time to
commemorate with past loved ones. Though witchcraft is not directly linked to the holiday, many blended mystics have contributed to the spiritual practice throughout time. The craft has also become a trend within the Latinx community more recently, specifically with women in the community. From the Latinx community, forms of nature based mysticism, brujerism, and magic have all worked their way into the Dia de los Muertos celebration.
Samhain
Similar to Dia de los Muertos, Samhain takes place on Nov. 1 and marks the end of the
harvest with the beginning of winter. This event marks the direct middle between autumnal equinox and winter solstice. Further mimicking the day of the dead, Samhain was originally celebrated with feasts and deceased spirits coming back from the “Otherworld.” The following day was known as All Saints Day, which served as remembrance of the loved ones that returned to the land beyond. Both Samhain and All Saints Day combined make Halloween. This is why witches have been a centerpiece to the festivities.
So this Halloween as you’re watching “The Craft” or “Hocus Pocus,” and you start feeling inspired to participate in witchcraft, you now know a few celebrations you can partake in. Aside from Wicca, Dia de los Muertos, and Samhain, there are many other forms of newer magic. Some of these forms include Eclectic Witchcraft, Ceremonial Magick, Divination and Psychic Magic, to name a few.
Modern witchcraft: Empowerment, feminism, and rituals | October | 2023 | Brandeis Stories
How brujas use spirituality to honor the ancestors on Día de Muertos
