In this installment of Practical Magic, Lisa Stardust speaks to witches about what magic really is.
Sabrina Spellman said “witches are having a moment,” on an episode of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. With shows like that one, and the increasing presence of tarot, sage, and other forms of magic in both pop culture and mainstream life, it seems like Sabrina may be right. But for witches, brujas, brujos, and warlocks who have dedicated their whole lives to understanding themselves through their spirituality and magic, it’s not just a trend, but a way of life.
As usual, the things we see on television aren’t quite realistic. So, to get a more realistic sense of what magic is, how it’s used, and why people are so afraid of it, let’s talk to the experts — witches themselves.
What is magic?
Bri Luna, creative director and owner of The Hoodwitch, defines it simply: “Magic is creating change by connecting with the energies of nature at will.”
In modern times, witches are a symbol of power—those who can see beyond the superficialities of the universe and embrace the four elements of the world (earth, air, fire, and water) to help make declarations surrounding desires and passions, as well as liberation from the restraints of society.
Contrary to pop culture stigmas,like the Wicked Witch of the West, Hocus Pocus, and The Blair Witch Project, witchcraft and magic bring people together, as well as closer to nature and spirituality. Magic practitioner and astrologer Annabel Gat believes magic is, “the chemistry between me and my favorite people, it’s nature, it’s the gift of life. Magic is a spark,” she said. "When you can affect the world around you with your will, you can make amazing things happen. I love seeing magic used in communities as a way to bring people together. The best application of magic is always toward peace of mind and peace between people.”
Why is it so taboo?
Beyond the obvious fear of the unknown making magic marginalized, magic is extra badass because the patriarchy frowns upon it. This is perhaps due to xenophobia, religious concern, and weariness of people who challenge society’s core beliefs.
Covens, which serve as a sacred bond between people who share the same views and allow for witches to meet in numbers and enable their force, seem to spark extra fear. Witches join together to fight against the patriarchy, to implement rights for the LGBTQ community, and for feminist beliefs. The fear of witches is hedged in the patriarchal society’s fear of giving political, mystical, healing, and sexual power to those do not fit in the cisgender male status quo.
Even the W.I.T.C.H. (Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell) movement of the late 1960’s was aimed to breakdown walls and structures imposed by the patriarchy through magic. W.I.T.C.H. is still around today, standing strong and fighting against those who tear women and the LGBTQ community down.
What does magic do?
You can't do just anything with magic. You can certainly tilt the scales in your favor with magic, but the most important thing to consider is that the energy for personal wins has to be already in the ether. Meaning, if you light a candle for a promotion at work, the spirits will tell you through candle magic what obstacles stand in your way and how to change your current path for success.
Color magic conjurer and tarot reader, Sarah Potter says, “Magic requires work in every realm. You cannot just light a candle and wish for things and then get them. That would be so nice, though! Anything worthwhile requires major effort and dedication so you must get very clear with your intentions and then put in the work on the astral plane as well as in the physical realm.” Magic is sacred and acts as a double edged sword. Therefore, it’s essential to only manifest your truest intention. Understanding ones deepest yearnings is hard. However, magic allows us to see past the surface and within our subconscious.
Is there only one kind of magic?
No! Magic is a personal relationship and should be used at one’s will. Finding the mix that works best for you is a life-long journey. Luna said she calls on her culture to find her ideal magic. “I infuse elements of both of my cultures, and I find that I’ve really enjoyed utilizing aspects of traditional folk healing from my indigenous Mexican and African-American ancestors, as well as working with practices from others that I feel resonate with me, whom I’ve met and learned from on my path, she said. “I practice energetic clearing rituals (i.e using herbs to cleanse my home or workspace), beauty rituals, which I guess fall into self-care. I love meditation in the sun, or listening to the waves of an ocean. I actually just love being in nature, so taking off my shoes and burying my feet into the soil is very therapeutic for me. Relaxing ritual baths that are infused with aromatic essential oils, with rose or flower petals. I celebrate the new and full moon and share suggested rituals for them on my site. I also love to burn candles.”
“I don’t call my magic by any name, it’s a little bit of this and a little bit of that, I’ve learned, and implement many useful rituals from witches and healers I’ve met along my spiritual journey,” Luna said. “‘Does this FEEL right?’ I trust my intuition, and let it guide me. The best application of magic is knowing thyself. If you can believe in yourself, you’re capable of doing anything. And I’ve learned a wise saying from an elder witch many years ago, ‘If you can’t hex, you can’t heal’ so I’ll leave it at that.”
According to Brujo, tarot reader, and owner of Olde Ways Apothecary, Michael Cardenas, necromancy— or communicating with the dead— is a natural part of every living being. “Magic is a natural force that comes from within, through, and around us. There are many forms of it but I personally believe that ‘Mind Magic’ is the most important to learn and master,” Cardenas said. “As a daily practice I try to remember my favorite affirmation that came to me in meditation: ‘Words are spells, thoughts become things.’ With this level of awareness that we are constantly creating our reality as we go along, it helps me tap into my inner witch and keep myself in check so that I’m manifesting the best possible day and life. All you need to cast a spell is yourself. You are inherently magical.”
Odds are, if you believe in yourself and see the world beyond beliefs imposed by society, then you are a magical being. Embrace your inner witch. Dare to see life beyond what’s immediately in front of you. Allow yourself to awaken the parts within which have been asleep for so long and step into your power through the hidden unseen knowledge the universe holds.