**In honor of Halloween, I am posting this piece that was previously published in The Goddess Portal, earlier this year**

Witch: a person thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as a woman wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

That’s the definition you’ll find when you google the word Witch. There’s so much stigma attached to that word with one of the most famous occurrences being The Salem Witch Trials – the prosecution of people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft back in 1692. There were more than 200 accused. 30 were found guilty and 19 were executed.  While we’ll see memes online of witches being burned at the stake, all of the executed were actually hung. Here we saw the patriarchy blame women and witchcraft for what started as unexplained fits in several young girls within a village. Anyone who didn’t fit in with the Puritan values and church politics were thought to be a witch.

But witch goes back even further than that – you can read about a witch in the Bible, in the Book of Samuel written sometime between 931 BC and 721 BC. It tells a story of King Saul seeking the Witch of Endor to summon the dead prophet Samuel to help him defeat an army. And still even further, before witch was even a term, you had the Oracle of Delphi in Greece who served under the God Apollo. Medicine women + men along with Shamans in Native American Culture. There are so many other references I can use, but that would fill up these pages and not leave space for the message. I invite you to do your own research here; you’ll find it fascinating.

There was a time when “witches” were revered and sought after and treated with great respect. A time when a medicine woman, shaman, guide or oracle was believed to be the wisest amongst all. For the purpose of this piece, I’ll be referring to the feminine. Once the patriarchy entered and decided they didn’t like the power we held,  we were persecuted, executed and silenced. We fell back into the shadows to avoid being outcasted. Think about how many stories you here about a witch living in the woods – Hansel and Gretel is one that comes to mind. Witches are made to be evil creatures, nasty and mean who use their magick to spread darkness. I’m of the belief that even today, for every woman out there who uses her power for ego, darkness and self-advancement there are 5 other women who are using their gifts for community, healing the collective and self-empowerment. Because we’ve been taught to stay in the shadows, you can’t see us, but we’re there.

Notice I’ve been saying we. I identify as a witch wholeheartedly. Witch is NOT what you see in the movies, but in a way, it IS. There are spells, I just may not wave a wand around and make something disappear or change before your eyes. Instead it’s affirmations and being careful with how I use my words since I know how powerful a word can be. There are herbs and cauldrons. Instead of eye of newt and frogs legs, it’s sage, lavender, thyme and other herbs that suit the petition. Think about how you cook – you put ingredients into a pot, all for a specific reason and take care stirring and tending to your recipe for a specific intention. How can you tell me that’s not witchcraft?

Witchcraft, spells, intentions, praying, whatever you choose to call it is all about living in ceremony. We do everyday things with specific intentions knowing that spirit is listening to us. We have reverence for all living things from the smallest bug to the biggest animal. We carry respect and love for our earth mother Gaia trusting and knowing she will provide and hold us safe if we allow her to and take great care of her in return. We speak our minds, and aren’t afraid to go against the grain in society while the rest of the world remains asleep and does what they are told. Never afraid of our bodies, we know the power our vessels hold and embrace our sexuality, beauty and strength. THAT is the true definition of witch. Every woman reading this, and even the ones who don’t, have an inner witch waiting inside of them. You have an unlimited power inside of you if you’re willing to look deep enough to find it. Don’t be intimidated by what’s right and what’s wrong – that’s the beauty of this. There is no right or wrong. There is only you, your power, and your intuition. Not sure where to start? That’s also okay. If I could give you any advice, it would be to start where your heart leads you. If it’s as simple as talking to an animal, touching a tree with love and respect, googling ceremony, or the moon phases, go with wherever your intuition guides you. You’ll find that once you start, you’ll know where to continue from there.

I’m taking back the word witch. I use that title with the honor, respect and love that it deserves. I call in my sisters to do the same. We don’t need black pointy hats (even though they can be cool) or brooms. We are eclectic and beautiful in our diversity. From the young girl who talks to animals in the forest, to the teenager who makes her own perfume oils and does her makeup differently than everyone else, to the mother who takes the time to research holistic health for her babies, to the grandmother who sits with her grandbabies and passes down family rituals and stories, we are one. Let us stand united together and reclaim this moniker to the glory she once had.

Always Love, T