When we hear the term “witch” we tend to think of a woman in a pointy hat with a black cat.
The term “witch” came from the Old English word wicce or wicca. Originating as early as the 15th century the term described a woman who practices magic. “Witch” was described as an “evil woman married to Satan.” The term was also used to describe a woman that another person felt contempt for.
Other terms like striga, hex or hexa, occultist and crone exist for magic practitioners. This is because witches are like snowflakes– they come in all shapes and sizes, and no two are the same. Witches can be men or nonbinary too. Today, witch refers to any person who practices magick, regardless of race, gender, or any other demographic.
But the media has misconstrued what it means to be a witch. For instance, the Scarlet Witch and Agatha from the Marvel Cinematic Universe are depicted as smokey-eyed spell-casters with flowing skirts. The female-oriented witch media in society doesn’t encapsulate a diverse group of non-female witches.
I spoke to some IWU community members about this misconception, and I’ve had to explain that witches are not just women. The reaction of disbelief makes me sad.
I have been a witch for over three years now, but I was very curious about witchcraft long before that. I have encountered an equal amount of men and women in witchcraft and a good amount of those who identify as neither.
I’ve spoken with witches spanning generations. I’ve spoken with witches from all cultures and styles of dress. Witches are not just the image of elderly women over a cauldron.
Popular media should work to get the term “witch” correct, and society needs to educate itself before making assumptions about witchcraft and witches.
Witchery and paganism have faced many misconceptions because of their history. They aren’t getting the recognition they deserve or the understanding they need.