Redefining Our Ideas of Witches

We are all familiar with the typical witch stereotypes. Since the 1600s, witches have been labeled as ugly, evil, and outcasts in society. In the media and film, witches are green, old, and have moles. They fly on brooms, eat children as snacks, and only come out on Halloween. When you read these things out loud, they sound ridiculous. Nonetheless, it is further proof that we have been conditioned to believe that witches are bad and that we should fear them. 

​Contrary to society’s beliefs, witches are pretty badass. The thing that is so intriguing about witches is how diverse the community is. Each witch has their own eclectic style and ways to go about their own practices and specializations. In addition to being magical, witches also have the ability to exist naturally in everyday society. “I have treated people with eating disorders, diabetes, heart problems, cancer, chronic back problems, hypertension, and just about anything that a medical doctor treats.” (Avila, Chapter 1) Unlike the portrayal that is reiterated time and time again, witches continue to exceed society's expectations. Witches are all around us, whether we realize it or not, and it’s better for us than we think.

​Because witches' spiritual practices vary, they can show up in society through certain career fields like mental health, natural medicine, yoga, sound healing, etc. A prime example of a spiritual practitioner that we’ve studied in this course would be Elena Avila. Avila refers to herself as a curandera (spiritual healer) and has prior experience in the nursing field. “Curanderismo treats problems that are recognized as illnesses in Western medicine as well as many that aren’t.” (Avila, Chapter 1)  In her book Woman Who Glows In The Dark, Avila discusses the importance of using healing practices in tandem with Western medicine. “By coming to a curandera, they are acknowledging that medical science can take them only so far and that some diseases will only heal when the wounds of the heart and soul have been healed as well.” (Avila, Chapter 1)

​While Elena Avila uses her magic within the medical field, there are witches like Roxy Talks who help coach and motivate women with manifestation. Roxy has a more new age approach to her practice, and it involves honing in on your own individual power. Roxy talks a lot about turning your desires into reality by simply putting in the work. She believes that reframing your limiting beliefs and turning them into thoughts that align with the life you desire to live will lead you to the life you so rightfully deserve. Roxy has her own podcast as well as a successful YouTube channel. One thing that Avila and Roxy have in common is their shared ideals on tapping into alternative sources to come back home to oneself. “By coming to a curandera, they are acknowledging that medical science can take them only so far and that some diseases will only heal when the wounds of the heart and soul have been healed as well.” (Avila, Chapter 1) Much like Avila, Roxy believes that the problems that show up in our external realities start from within. 

In her podcast episode, Eliminate Jealousy and Manifest Unshakable Confidence, Roxy states, “Listen, I understand what it’s like to see other people having what you want. Having the body that you want. Having the bank account you want, the career you want. The status you want. The partner you want. I get it! The friends you want, the life you want. The confidence you want. But unfortunately, jealousy and envy don’t get you any prizes in this space-time reality.” (Roxy Talks, Episode 301) Roxy went on to explain that if you present jealousy and envy to the mirror, that is what you’ll receive back. Roxy believes that there is more to life than comparison, and to find your inner power, you must stop looking outside of yourself for validation. 

​More recently, the film industry has become more open to portraying identities through a more inclusive approach. Hocus Pocus 2 did a great job at bridging the stereotypical idea of a witch and the redefined modern version. In the film, three young women unintentionally bring the Sanderson sisters back to modern-day Salem, and they have to figure out how to stop them from eating children and bringing chaos to the world. At the end of their quest, the young women realize that they are also witches and possess powers of their own. However, they didn’t think to hone in on their powers because modern-day witch practices look very different than those back in the day. “When people talk about curanderismo, they often say that healers must study, but they must also be born with the healing gift.” (Avila, Chapter 2)

There is a scene in the film when the young women trap the Sanderson sisters in a circle of salt to prevent them from going out and eating children. Having been familiar with witchcraft from the 1600s, the Sanderson sisters felt outsmarted and did their best to adapt to modern-day witch practices. Elena Avila’s perspective on adapting to get a step ahead can also be applied to one of the themes in this film. “As a trained nurse and curandera, I explain the nature of their problem and how it is manifesting in their individual physiology. I refer them to articles and books and internet web pages that talk about their disease and tell them what their alternatives are.” (Avila, Chapter 1) Sometimes, outdated practices add no value to the progress of society. We must continue having conversations about the realities of witchcraft and spirituality, its positive effects on society, and how we can incorporate these beneficial practices in society without the stigma attached to them. 

​There is no one way to define a witch because the community is forever evolving. It is extremely harmful to continuously have one image of witches reiterated in society. Witches are all-encompassing, and they deserve to shed their light and knowledge on humanity. Witches should also have the freedom to progress alongside each generation; they deserve to step outside of the box society and history has placed them in. Witches are not bad; they have many amazing qualities and attributes. Witches can heal people. Witches can support and protect their communities. Witches are beautiful and want to inspire the youth. The more that we continue to redefine our idea of a witch, the easier it will be to intentionally include them in society. They should be able to exist in society without having to do so quietly.

Works Cited:

Avila, Elena, and Joy Parker. Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health. Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2000. 

Fletcher, Anne, director. Hocus Pocus 2. 

“Roxy Talks .” Created by Roxy Talks, Episode 301, Eliminate Jealousy and Manifest Unshakeable Confidence.