Herstik, G. (2019) Modern witches from Japan to Mexico explain what the craft means today, British Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/modern-witches-experience (Accessed: November 6, 2022).
"The modern witch... has emboldened herself with fierce feminism" and "personal empowerment".
- Author (Herstik, G, 2019) has background from Mexico City.
- Reformed Rabbi father and mother shared practices such as yoga, crystal healing and meditation.
- She grew up in the bible belt, where it was considered "evil" to partake in witchcraft
- Her personal practice is being devoted to the Divine Feminine - working with cycles of the moon, seasons, sexuality, daily meditation, tarot, breathwork, therapy, energy healing and ritual. Sees herself and power to heal as part of the collective consciousness.
Bere Patta, 39 from Guanajuato City, Mexico:
- Incorporates principles from LaVeyan Satanism, Luciferianism and some Wiccan traditions.
- Often works with the powers of the moon and with the aid of the goddess Lilith.
- Stems from a matriarchal lineage of healers. Great Grandmother was a "curandera" (traditional folk healer) from Oaxaca in Southern Mexico.
- Although Mexico is steeped in catholicism, magick is often a heavy part of the culture.
- Many follow astrology, tarot or visit "brijas" for "limpias" (cleansing).
- Satanism is still very taboo in Mexico
- LaVeyan Satanists don't worship any specific deity as they are athiests.
- Theistic Satanists will engage in different rituals that involve worshiping but don't adhere to a specific canon.
Madoka, 29, Tokyo, Japan + LA
- Her experience with witchcraft began after a friend showed her tarot cards.
- She practices a lot of ritual spells, vision quests, invocations and meditation.
- She works with eastern and western divination, like Ching (ancient Chinese text), tarot, feng shui, four pillars of destiny (Chinese fortune telling).
- Witchcraft is stepped into the energy of Mexico
- In Japan, the majority of the population is polytheist (many gods), so witches are not "counterculture" in Japan
"Japanese people believe that there are eight million deities in the world - stone, wood, soil, seas, rivers..."
- Paganism and buddhism are the majority religions there
Taylor Cordova, 31, Sonoran Desert, Arizona
- Personal practice involves a lot of communication with the spirit of Gaia (Mother Earth goddess)
- Uses altar work and cultivation of sacred space
- Engages in rituals rooted in the divine feminine (works with sexuality, menstrual blood etc)
- As an afro Latina, Cordova's culture intermingles with the wisdom of the desert in myriad of ways.
"Each of my cultures are present in the way I offer my devotion. The Sonoran Desert, the South Pheonix community and African ancestry."
All very nuanced and blend together very well.
My understanding is that these three women approach their magick very differently. Although they sometimes engage in the same kind of practices, their devotion is a personal experience and is derivative of their cultures. As I understand it, their witchcraft is a tool to communicate with their mind, body and spirit.
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