The rise of modern witchcraft notes

O'Sullivan, C. (2021) 'something Wicked': The rise of modern witchcraft, Cherwell. Available at: https://cherwell.org/2021/02/11/something-wicked-the-rise-of-modern-witchcraft/ (Accessed: November 23, 2022).

 This article offers an interesting and contemporary perspective on modern witchcraft. The writer contextualises it during the pandemic, where physically we were cut off from so many people. This meant that online communities on TikTok and Instagram flourished, and WitchTok gained a lot of traction.

People used TikTok to learn new skills - even witchcraft. It meant that people could engage with a global community - which meant that many different paths of witchcraft and paganism were suddenly more accessible to people who might not have otherwise engaged with it.

The writer also attributes the interest in witchcraft to political struggle and the upheaval caused by the pandemic. It suggests that the modern witch evolved in the perception of the public and became more about protecting oneself, each other and the balance of power in the world.

 "studies have shown that minority ethnicities and the LGBTQ+ community also – identify with the world of witchcraft, particularly during moments of political struggle"

"In the face of patriarchal resistance, witchcraft seems to provide a sense of power and community to those who are so often marginalized and oppressed."

 "the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown has resulted in a flourishing of modern witching activity. On TikTok, the ‘WitchTok’ community grew exponentially"

 "There is even a teaching element to the community, under the hashtag #babywitch, where anybody new to the world of witchcraft can learn more about the spiritual practice"

"during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations, many WitchTok accounts posted tutorials for spells that could be used on people for protection before they went out to protest"

"It is impossible, however, to deny the surge across social media that witchcraft has experienced in the past year. At a time when the world seems more uncertain than ever, young people in particular are turning to witchcraft in order to find a sense of stability."

"as social interaction is increasingly limited, the world of online witchcraft provides a strong sense of community to witches across the globe"

"the witch figure spends less time howling at the moon and baring their false teeth. Instead, you are most likely to encounter their inclusive community online using spells, crystals, and Tarot cards, as they harness inner strength and engage with the tumultuous world around them"