The Archetype of the Witch

Depictions of chaotic feminine power are present throughout history in many countries and cultures. The archetype of these wild and independent women tells stories that have inspired much of the modern belief structures that Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans carry today. The divine roots that connect us to the natural deities worshipped by our ancestors also carry the stains of bloodshed through fear and control.

Due to the growth of anti-witch propaganda served by christian and catholic influences, many believed that such natural traditions were considered devil worship. The patriarchal systems that had converted pagan festivals into religious holidays and sacred divinities into demonic followers of hellish creations led to the evil connotations that the archetype carries today.

Nonetheless, the negative overtone has been a concept that witches have tried to abolish for centuries to come. Traditionally, witches were mainly women who existed on the margins of society—outsiders who restrained themselves from accepting the trending normalities. Both men and women fell under this demographic when they went against the order of authority that had promised love and light from a male god. There was even a time when pagans were accused of being heretics by the church due to their non-conformity, which caused many to experience physical harm, social expulsion, and (most of the time) death.

Like Bridget Bishop during the Salem Witch Trials or Isobel Gowdie from 17th-century Scotland, these women are role models for strong-willed and confident activists. The liberation of witches and pagans alike during the past few decades has allowed many believers to transcend into spiritual experiences and personal purpose. The freedom to follow our own sacred and interconnected path continues to ebb and flow like the innate rhythmic cycles of the Earth and the cosmos.

All ancient religions and spiritualities were created to allow humans to hope for what came after death as well as to cope with the complexities of the world around them. However, many religions were developed to control the masses. We all want to believe in the natural and divine—witch or not, but our modern belief structures are greatly impacted by corporate decisions on earthly resource allocations, materialistic measures, and differing opinions.

The archetype of the Witch may hold numerous stereotypes, such as the green-faced hag with the broomstick or the old woman with the pointy hat and the drive to hex all who fool her. The idea that witches are evil derives from years and years of stepping beyond the boundaries of the status quo. Today, there are numerous beholders of truth who aim to speak on behalf of those discriminated against. Blessed be the constitutional right that gives us our religious and spiritual privileges. Although many witches do not face legal repercussions for participating in the contemporary craft, there are a lot of us who are criticized by those who are blinded by offensive characterizations and stereotypical farces.

True witches have always been naturalists, nurturers, and intellects. They draw power from within and through the use of symbolism. These worshippers thrive through the natural and divine world. Today, anyone can claim to be a Witch because their truths remain in the depths of their intuition. It is a genuine gift to embrace the craft. Come one, come all—for we are the creators of our own destinies. Blessed Be ~