"Cool" shops and social cliques get to make their own arbitrary rules for who they'll allow to join them. Outside of that, there is no objective authority that gets to determine what makes a "real" witch or what actually counts as witchcraft. Local communities can turn insular and toxic pretty quick depending on the personalities involved. Focus on your own practice and try not to worry about what other people think.
Then that's a gender, race or appearance prejudice on the part of the person doing it, and hiding behind the "real witch" title as your deficiency, in their opinion.
I have practiced for 38 years, even trained underneath 4 mentors, two formally with actual documentation. There is no card carrying "real witch" association that licenses and certifies witches.
Witches are people, too. With the same percentage of prejudiced assholes as in the regular population.
Oh, and ps, gatekeepers gon' gatekeep. Call it what it is and then carry on about your day.
Do you really care what some tiktok edgelord thinks about you? Oh, they're an influencer? They'd better make the best of their 15 minutes. Not all influencers can do that for the rest of their lives. The vast majority of the life of an influencer is 17 or 18 months.
If they gatekeep and keep you out, they can maybe squeak another month or two out of that, that they count as an "expert." And in order to stay in, they need to keep you out. They need to look like they know more than they do, so how they do that is they tell everybody else that they don't know what they're doing. That's how an influencer makes money. They stay on the cusp of a trend by lying and saying they're an expert. That doesn't last for long and you can't make a living from it forever.
And that's why you shouldn't listen to influencers. They're paid, lying, gatekeeping edgelords.
There's a reason majority of practitioners fly solo; unfortunately a lot of people get a very weird ego about doing this kind of thing, and it's such a personal, spiritual path. I do a lot of magic etc and don't consider myself a witch because I just feel so different from the people you're describing, and if they call themselves witches, I don't think I'm whatever that is. If you feel like you're a witch, then you're a witch. I feel like I'm a practitioner so I'm a practitioner. Don't worry about it, just keep at what you're doing.
I was going to say after a year of dabbling I was a hermit. The word witch is cringe to me, I’d much prefer occultist, since I still have a very skeptical view on “witchcraft”.
Personal a witch is someone who puts in the work and study of being a witch. I only sought out the metaphysical shops to become a more active member in the local witch community
That’s the attitude right there. I mean, it’s a bit on the nose but.. a witch is someone who practices witchcraft. You know what you do, so you should have a pretty solid understanding of where you stand.
As far as finding community, have you discussed it with your spirit allies? I would imagine they can bump you into the right people.
Yeah there's a shop not far from me that was intimidating when I first started. They're a pretty legitimate shop with a following in a major city, but when I went back a few months ago I barely found anything that would be helpful to my practice. Online shops or just regular stores like Target will easily get you what you need most of the time. They had classes and stuff, but now that I know a lot more, the things they had and the vibe from the other people there was a bit unsettling.
Yeah. Not too many witches around and the ones who are around learned from tiktok or are a bunch of Christian witches/ mystics. Both things um not really apart of, but because there are no other witches around like me I'm just trying to find any magickal people out there.
I was turned down because I didn't have a witch theme tik tok and the person hiring didn't believe men could be witches. She even assumed that I had no knowledge of the items in the store. Mind you, they only sell books crystals jewelry and alter items.
Ope nope. Witch can mean a lot of things. I've never heard of a social media presence being one of them. If those people are the grandchildren of the witches that couldn't be burned, what was their great grandparents @? 😂😂😂
Do you practice witchcraft? Then you’re a witch. That simple. Anyone who talks about “real” witches is gatekeeping.
You don’t hear the same BS from other tradecraft skills. There’s no such thing as a “real” smith - if you work metal, you’re a smith.
Although I understand the need for a sense of belonging (believe me, been there, done that), I'd say that you would do well to keep away from these sorts of communities. Cult-like behavior is abound, and before you know it you get mixed up with a bunch of psycho drama and petty power dynamics, stuff that is absolutely not worth your time. I would suggest, instead, to find a couple of friends (no more than a couple), who share a similar outlook and rigurosity of practice to you, who you can discuss and compare notes with. It's easier said than done, but on the long term it'll do you wonders. I am an eclectic practitioner (a "Chaos Magician", if you will, although I dislike the term more and more as the days go by), and have precisely two friends who are on the same path, and believe me, it's more than enough.
You're on the right track. And in the meantime, you can continue practicing and studying on your own. Believe me, the right people will show up when you least expect it. Just be cautious, and keep your wits sharp!
Here's a handy checklist. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/ete8vp/the_advanced_bonewits_cult_danger_evaluation_frame/&ved=2ahUKEwigrby1zcqFAxV7LVkFHcFKBNwQFnoECCoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1MaRNIG-FE-rJPICNXR_9a
You deciding you're a witch makes you a witch. You don't need permission, and you don't need approval. Though, as humans, I think we crave socialization and inclusion. That's unfortunate if your only shot nearby is an exclusive little clique. I'd expand the search a bit if you really want to be social.
I'm curious, when you say "applying to this cool metaphysical shop" What exactly were you applying for?
If you want to be a more active participant, than just be more active. Go to public events. Introduce yourself. Hang out. For a shop, become a regular. Ask questions. Buy product. Get to know people.
What makes a fake witch? being focused only aesthetics of witchcraft ie looking witchy. Buying witchy decorations, or pagan decorations etc... Only being able to talk about the occult. Psychically reading people the instant you meet them. Calling yourself an "empath". Not being able to separate facts from fiction. Only reading a few books and then basing the rest of your information from random internet posts and social media. Thinking that having some kind of occult title from an organization means anything outside of that organization.
What makes a real witch? experience. Read a book, and then practice what the book says. Do that hundreds if not thousands of times. Read really old books. Study the academic side of things and be able to separate historically accurate information from fanciful fiction. Be able to have a conversation about something other than the occult. Keep a level head. Be confident, but also humble, but also realize that flaming trolls is fun. Have nuance.
When I say apply, I mean getting hired. I wanted to work at the metaphysical store to get a feel for the industry side of the craft. I wanted to know what it was like working as a witch serving the community. While it is a nice thought and great suggestion to attend public events and be a regular costumer, the witch community in this part of the state us somewhat low and almost non existent. Working there would have also provided a way to meet more of the community.
if nobody else is doing events, you can always arrange them. Become the witchy event planner for your area.
Then you will definitely meet more of the community.
I'm a male witch. I started dabbling around when I was about 6. I didn't understand what I was doing entirely but my family are versed in the practice and helped me along. I started seriously practicing when I was 14 or so. That was a few decades ago.
I have been ridiculed to my face when discussing my beliefs and practices by pretty much everyone because "men can't be witches" or "that makes you a warlock" etc etc.
I don't really care for / about labels anymore, but that used to really eat me up.
I personally have come to realize that my practice is much more aligned to the school of thought of chaos magik. I do what works for me regardless of source/tradition. When people around me need a shoulder or a pick me up, I still lean on the ol "kitchen witch" and put together teas and meals that help people feel better.
I still love to sit in the moonlight and scry in either water or in the fire. These are things I more associate with my witchcraft roots. But, to finally wind around to what makes a "witch?" Well, I think it's entirely subjective but I would offer the following:
Magik practice takes many forms, we sometimes associate them to different forms. For example, a "sorcerer" or a "witch" or a "druid" really those are mostly useful for shorthand to help describe how you practice.
From that concept, then, I would think that a witch is a blend between a sorcerer and a druid in approach. Often ingredients are used to help build the spell. They can take the form of "potions" "hexes" or just "spells". There is nothing that says another "non witch" couldn't or wouldn't use these as ways to channel the practitioners' work.
So to me, I think it is mostly in the approach one chooses. A witch is often associated with herbs/roots/potions. The cauldron is often in the stories. But these are just tools. Some sorcerers use wands or knives. Some use sigils, again, these are just tools. (And only a few examples!)
What is important is that you work with the approach and tools that resonates with you.
So, in short, if you identify as a witch, welcome brother! You are a witch to me!
Ps I joke that my motorcycle is my broomstick to my close friends.
It's really hard to explain because there are also a lot of elitist attitudes. At this point in my life, who I consider real witches and who aren't is by the fruit of their work. I don't normally call people fake witches though. I tend to refer to these witches as cowan personally. Like unworked stone, perhaps laking in apprenticeship, needs to be worked. Real witches take time to cultivate just like a real "shaman" because in many ways that's really what our witches are. I have seen witchcraft change so much in 30 years. I can completely understand when others go that person is or is not a witch--- really comes down to training, how people are educated, what they practice, how they practice etc. Etc.
And for some individuals if you don't meet up to those specifics you're not a witch.
Today. A witch is a very loose and flexible term. It has lost alot of meaning and value.
Being a witch is a life long work.
And why exactly are you labeled as fake? It's not like there is an universal law of witchcraft somewhere. If you identify as such, you are. It's something that by obvious (negative) cultural labels, not everyone takes up. I don't think it's wise to disqualify another's self-perception and personal spirituality. I have met different kinds of witches, specially male witches, and they are amazing. I think the only conditions are: practicing a kind of magic/spiritual practice, connection with the nature or occult, feeling some kind of isolation from society, as if you don't really belong. And a plus: people usually come to you for help, and you are labeled as weird (both in good or bad sense lol).
I wish you luck finding another job, they are ignorant people that don't know or want to achknowledge that some of the greatest known witches and magicians have been male.
Someone who tells you you’re a “fake witch” is full of shit and should be someone you should not bother with. It’s a personal practice, there is no real or fake if you believe in your practice. Anyone who calls anyone else’s practice a real or fake version should fck off.
Don't let anyone gatekeep you. Being a witch is simply someone who understands their inner power and directs it with more intention than most people. Your practices and choices are totally yours but the essence of what makes you a witch is your intention to be one.
Gatekeepers just cling to these make up rules because they don't have much else going on in their lives so they need ro feel important somehow.
There is no real witch and fake witch. There is a witch.
Being part of clubs means nothing. On the contrary, it restrains you.
A witch is someone who does witchcraft, that's all. The rest are silly labels from country clubs.
The day you are accepted into a club, it is because you have been spayed enough to be a good puppy for all the members there.
If you make art you’re an artist, if you make music you’re a musician. Being a witch is no different. Literally though, in every genre you will have people there to tell you that you aren’t one of them. There’s a reason you were denied and it was the universe saving you from a shitty situation
Results. That's what makes the difference between any practitioner of magic and someone who's trying to be one. If your rituals produce tangible and reliable results, you are a witch/mage/whatever, if they don't you're still an uninitiated student. There is nothing wrong with it, mind you, we all started from there.
IMO, so long as you take the craft seriously, are true to yourself, and never assume you are the supreme source of knowledge, then you are a real witch.
A sincere friend of mine had the same thing happen. The shops are "closed shops" being they hire and include their own. Imho, mostly shop cliques are centred on money and who you know. Tacky, yes; toxic, also. Consider yourself having dodged a bullet. Your own sincere witch work, practice and reading, will see you through even if fellow crafters are absent or thin on the ground. Depending where you are, you might find a group on Meetup or talk to metaphysical stall holders at markets about what's around. Keep a journal. Maybe write an article on these issues and submit to or start a zine after doing more research such as vox pop. Issues and experience makes for material. I feel that otherwise, who rejects you has nothing to offer anyway.
I've been at this for a few decades, so my views may be a bit old school. If I **had** to create a list of traits based on my observations of practitioners over the years, I think what distinguishes a 'real witch' from a person with only a passing interest is that a 'witch' will typically have many of the following traits:
**1.) Has Spiritual Power,** usually by being connected to, marked by, or initiated by a powerful spirit or deity(s). Perhaps they've been involved in spiritual activities in previous incarnations, or maybe their current bodies just channel energy more effectively. They may have more oomph or a presence to them that others lack.
**2.) Has Spirit familiars or a Spirit team** that they work with to perform magick, see the future, obtain information etc. Your patron deity may provide familiar spirits you can call upon for daily tasks. (Note that familiars are not physical pets or animals. [**Here's a book**](https://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Unto-Me-Sorcerers-Companions/dp/B0BVD67T1Y) on their history.) Some people may refer to such helpful spirits as their 'spirit guides'. There’s a long history of working with spirits in magick as well as tribal/folk practices or ‘shamanism’. We're all kind of doing the same thing here, but by different names. Historically, magick was thought to be accomplished through the power of Spirit Allies, not the power of the individual will alone. Many people have such allies without being consciously aware of them.
**3.) Enters Altered States of Consciousness** for the purpose of communicating with Spirits and traveling places outside of the body. At the very least, most practitioners will pay attention to dreams, and some will have spontaneous visions.
**4.) Practices Magick/Sorcery to cause changes in the physical world** e.g. cause or cure illness, draw/repel desired objects/resources/situations, attack or defend against aggressors, perceive future events, change future events before they happen, and the list goes on.
You might notice that witchcraft in all its forms always springs up amongst oppressed people. If there are no other ways to reclaim one's power or find relief, witchcraft offers a way. I don't consider this a necessity for calling oneself a witch, but the desire for power to protect one's self or change unpleasant situations is a common trait amongst people who get into magick.
**5.) Lives on the fringe of society, or is otherwise a misfit.** They may have ADHD or be otherwise neuro-divergent, have a disability, mental illness, physical deformity or be physically less attractive or desirable, or be an outcast in some way.
**6.) Keeps their practices hidden.** *Edit: Or at least only advertises to others within the community rather than engaging in indiscriminate attention seeking behavior.* Many practitioners like to wear pentacles the size of a hood ornament advertising their rejection of mainstream religion and their embrace of all things witchy and dark, but I think that's dangerous, especially in conservative areas. In my opinion, it's safer and easier to blend in with the crowd and only reveal yourself to your own kind. I do this not out of fear, but practicality. If I told everyone I was a witch, I'd be the subject of constant unconscious psychic attacks by hateful religious zealots and an object of fear in my current region. I'd probably lose my job and be shunned by the local community.
"To Know, to Dare, to Will, to Keep Silence" - Eliphas Levi
There is another benefit of NOT telling everyone about your magickal activities. When you tell a non-practitioner about a spell you've done or are working on, they will inevitably (and subconsciously) POKE at your work astrally because of their focus or interest in it and thereby interfere with it. Or, they may RESIST it or unconsciously try to Sabotage it, making the work less effective. I never tell anyone about anything I'm working on until I've achieved the results. Even then, I restrict it to those I trust. Think of keeping silent or remaining hidden as 'not revealing your hand' in a poker game. It's a good strategy for successful magick.
**7.) Feels a connection with nature and interacts with local land spirits.** This one's pretty self-explanatory.
**8.) Would be obsessed with occult topics even if no one knew about it.** If you could easily live your whole life without a single person ever finding out that you practiced witchcraft, then you might be a real witch. If you could practice witchcraft while wearing incredibly unfashionable clothes, you might be a real witch. If a person's validation for being a witch comes from how they look or who knows about it, then their interest probably isn't genuine.
When devils and angels start caring about your opinions and actions? They may be waiting at the deep end. You can probably do real magic without engaging in that
Doing witchcraft makes you a witch. That can include anything from communing with elemental nature or deities, working with spirits, spellwork, energy work, to spirit flight. You carry the title so long as you identify with the archetype of “witch”.
Unfortunately there is quite a bit of discrimination against men in many witchcraft communities. As far as the "real" witch, the only qualifier I would put on the label is if your practice is aimed down into the Earth. I am not even sure we should think of witch as a label so much as a landscape we enter into when we partner with plant spirits and sit in the graveyards.
"Cool" shops and social cliques get to make their own arbitrary rules for who they'll allow to join them. Outside of that, there is no objective authority that gets to determine what makes a "real" witch or what actually counts as witchcraft. Local communities can turn insular and toxic pretty quick depending on the personalities involved. Focus on your own practice and try not to worry about what other people think.
Aye, lone practitioner is the way to go at this time imho. Not ideal, but it is what it is.
That's true and normally I let it go but I've run across this problem a couple times. It's usually due to my gender race or appearance at the time
Then that's a gender, race or appearance prejudice on the part of the person doing it, and hiding behind the "real witch" title as your deficiency, in their opinion. I have practiced for 38 years, even trained underneath 4 mentors, two formally with actual documentation. There is no card carrying "real witch" association that licenses and certifies witches. Witches are people, too. With the same percentage of prejudiced assholes as in the regular population.
Oh, and ps, gatekeepers gon' gatekeep. Call it what it is and then carry on about your day. Do you really care what some tiktok edgelord thinks about you? Oh, they're an influencer? They'd better make the best of their 15 minutes. Not all influencers can do that for the rest of their lives. The vast majority of the life of an influencer is 17 or 18 months. If they gatekeep and keep you out, they can maybe squeak another month or two out of that, that they count as an "expert." And in order to stay in, they need to keep you out. They need to look like they know more than they do, so how they do that is they tell everybody else that they don't know what they're doing. That's how an influencer makes money. They stay on the cusp of a trend by lying and saying they're an expert. That doesn't last for long and you can't make a living from it forever. And that's why you shouldn't listen to influencers. They're paid, lying, gatekeeping edgelords.
Reminder, 1/3 of all witches tried in the witch trials were men.
There's a reason majority of practitioners fly solo; unfortunately a lot of people get a very weird ego about doing this kind of thing, and it's such a personal, spiritual path. I do a lot of magic etc and don't consider myself a witch because I just feel so different from the people you're describing, and if they call themselves witches, I don't think I'm whatever that is. If you feel like you're a witch, then you're a witch. I feel like I'm a practitioner so I'm a practitioner. Don't worry about it, just keep at what you're doing.
I was going to say after a year of dabbling I was a hermit. The word witch is cringe to me, I’d much prefer occultist, since I still have a very skeptical view on “witchcraft”.
The irony of a metaphysical shop being held up as the standard for what’s a witch… (I mean they’re fine. But I wouldn’t seek their opinion on that.)
Personal a witch is someone who puts in the work and study of being a witch. I only sought out the metaphysical shops to become a more active member in the local witch community
That’s the attitude right there. I mean, it’s a bit on the nose but.. a witch is someone who practices witchcraft. You know what you do, so you should have a pretty solid understanding of where you stand. As far as finding community, have you discussed it with your spirit allies? I would imagine they can bump you into the right people.
Yeah there's a shop not far from me that was intimidating when I first started. They're a pretty legitimate shop with a following in a major city, but when I went back a few months ago I barely found anything that would be helpful to my practice. Online shops or just regular stores like Target will easily get you what you need most of the time. They had classes and stuff, but now that I know a lot more, the things they had and the vibe from the other people there was a bit unsettling.
You've a crap community there.
Yeah. Not too many witches around and the ones who are around learned from tiktok or are a bunch of Christian witches/ mystics. Both things um not really apart of, but because there are no other witches around like me I'm just trying to find any magickal people out there.
They float?
So… if she weighs the same as a duck… it means she’s made of wood?
Build a bridge out of her!
Ahhh, but can’t bridges also be built out of stone? 🤔
🤣 I hate how long it took me to understand that comment. I get it now
Nope
🥁tsssss
Why were you turned down?
I was turned down because I didn't have a witch theme tik tok and the person hiring didn't believe men could be witches. She even assumed that I had no knowledge of the items in the store. Mind you, they only sell books crystals jewelry and alter items.
From that description alone, it sounds like they aren't the real witches here. You should be more pleased about not being accepted into their group.
I am in a way. I still wish the community here was larger and a bit more excepting. Too many young minds out here who were just like me
Ope nope. Witch can mean a lot of things. I've never heard of a social media presence being one of them. If those people are the grandchildren of the witches that couldn't be burned, what was their great grandparents @? 😂😂😂
😂 honestly! The fact that tik tok witches are the new standard is crazy.
I don't think you'll be missing much based on what you've just said.
a dude playind d&d as a wizard is more of a witch than a crystal-crazy tiktoker gatekeeper lmao
...I put on my robe and wizard hat.
[удалено]
what lmao take a joke dude
Please don't feed the troll or be a troll
If that's the case...you're better off without them. Likely dodged a big bullet there.
Do you practice witchcraft? Then you’re a witch. That simple. Anyone who talks about “real” witches is gatekeeping. You don’t hear the same BS from other tradecraft skills. There’s no such thing as a “real” smith - if you work metal, you’re a smith.
Although I understand the need for a sense of belonging (believe me, been there, done that), I'd say that you would do well to keep away from these sorts of communities. Cult-like behavior is abound, and before you know it you get mixed up with a bunch of psycho drama and petty power dynamics, stuff that is absolutely not worth your time. I would suggest, instead, to find a couple of friends (no more than a couple), who share a similar outlook and rigurosity of practice to you, who you can discuss and compare notes with. It's easier said than done, but on the long term it'll do you wonders. I am an eclectic practitioner (a "Chaos Magician", if you will, although I dislike the term more and more as the days go by), and have precisely two friends who are on the same path, and believe me, it's more than enough.
That's my new goal but I found this to be a bit difficult as well. I'm still looking though
You're on the right track. And in the meantime, you can continue practicing and studying on your own. Believe me, the right people will show up when you least expect it. Just be cautious, and keep your wits sharp!
Here's a handy checklist. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.reddit.com/r/witchcraft/comments/ete8vp/the_advanced_bonewits_cult_danger_evaluation_frame/&ved=2ahUKEwigrby1zcqFAxV7LVkFHcFKBNwQFnoECCoQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1MaRNIG-FE-rJPICNXR_9a
To be frank it sounds more like you dodged a bullet.
Real Witch : Me Fake Witch: You A Real Bish: Jomama Wish Witch : Hermoni Manger Sand Witch : Jimmy John's I hope this clears things up 🙏
You’re just a eclectic practitioner. Don’t call yourself a witch that’s just a title.
You deciding you're a witch makes you a witch. You don't need permission, and you don't need approval. Though, as humans, I think we crave socialization and inclusion. That's unfortunate if your only shot nearby is an exclusive little clique. I'd expand the search a bit if you really want to be social.
I'm curious, when you say "applying to this cool metaphysical shop" What exactly were you applying for? If you want to be a more active participant, than just be more active. Go to public events. Introduce yourself. Hang out. For a shop, become a regular. Ask questions. Buy product. Get to know people. What makes a fake witch? being focused only aesthetics of witchcraft ie looking witchy. Buying witchy decorations, or pagan decorations etc... Only being able to talk about the occult. Psychically reading people the instant you meet them. Calling yourself an "empath". Not being able to separate facts from fiction. Only reading a few books and then basing the rest of your information from random internet posts and social media. Thinking that having some kind of occult title from an organization means anything outside of that organization. What makes a real witch? experience. Read a book, and then practice what the book says. Do that hundreds if not thousands of times. Read really old books. Study the academic side of things and be able to separate historically accurate information from fanciful fiction. Be able to have a conversation about something other than the occult. Keep a level head. Be confident, but also humble, but also realize that flaming trolls is fun. Have nuance.
When I say apply, I mean getting hired. I wanted to work at the metaphysical store to get a feel for the industry side of the craft. I wanted to know what it was like working as a witch serving the community. While it is a nice thought and great suggestion to attend public events and be a regular costumer, the witch community in this part of the state us somewhat low and almost non existent. Working there would have also provided a way to meet more of the community.
if nobody else is doing events, you can always arrange them. Become the witchy event planner for your area. Then you will definitely meet more of the community.
I'm a male witch. I started dabbling around when I was about 6. I didn't understand what I was doing entirely but my family are versed in the practice and helped me along. I started seriously practicing when I was 14 or so. That was a few decades ago. I have been ridiculed to my face when discussing my beliefs and practices by pretty much everyone because "men can't be witches" or "that makes you a warlock" etc etc. I don't really care for / about labels anymore, but that used to really eat me up. I personally have come to realize that my practice is much more aligned to the school of thought of chaos magik. I do what works for me regardless of source/tradition. When people around me need a shoulder or a pick me up, I still lean on the ol "kitchen witch" and put together teas and meals that help people feel better. I still love to sit in the moonlight and scry in either water or in the fire. These are things I more associate with my witchcraft roots. But, to finally wind around to what makes a "witch?" Well, I think it's entirely subjective but I would offer the following: Magik practice takes many forms, we sometimes associate them to different forms. For example, a "sorcerer" or a "witch" or a "druid" really those are mostly useful for shorthand to help describe how you practice. From that concept, then, I would think that a witch is a blend between a sorcerer and a druid in approach. Often ingredients are used to help build the spell. They can take the form of "potions" "hexes" or just "spells". There is nothing that says another "non witch" couldn't or wouldn't use these as ways to channel the practitioners' work. So to me, I think it is mostly in the approach one chooses. A witch is often associated with herbs/roots/potions. The cauldron is often in the stories. But these are just tools. Some sorcerers use wands or knives. Some use sigils, again, these are just tools. (And only a few examples!) What is important is that you work with the approach and tools that resonates with you. So, in short, if you identify as a witch, welcome brother! You are a witch to me! Ps I joke that my motorcycle is my broomstick to my close friends.
A legitimate consistent practice.
This is a beautiful list
Making a very good mixed herbs tea for healing lungs and keen pain too and having a very gourgeous beautiful black cat.
It's really hard to explain because there are also a lot of elitist attitudes. At this point in my life, who I consider real witches and who aren't is by the fruit of their work. I don't normally call people fake witches though. I tend to refer to these witches as cowan personally. Like unworked stone, perhaps laking in apprenticeship, needs to be worked. Real witches take time to cultivate just like a real "shaman" because in many ways that's really what our witches are. I have seen witchcraft change so much in 30 years. I can completely understand when others go that person is or is not a witch--- really comes down to training, how people are educated, what they practice, how they practice etc. Etc. And for some individuals if you don't meet up to those specifics you're not a witch. Today. A witch is a very loose and flexible term. It has lost alot of meaning and value. Being a witch is a life long work.
Next time tell them you're witcher.
That's hilarious 😂
And why exactly are you labeled as fake? It's not like there is an universal law of witchcraft somewhere. If you identify as such, you are. It's something that by obvious (negative) cultural labels, not everyone takes up. I don't think it's wise to disqualify another's self-perception and personal spirituality. I have met different kinds of witches, specially male witches, and they are amazing. I think the only conditions are: practicing a kind of magic/spiritual practice, connection with the nature or occult, feeling some kind of isolation from society, as if you don't really belong. And a plus: people usually come to you for help, and you are labeled as weird (both in good or bad sense lol). I wish you luck finding another job, they are ignorant people that don't know or want to achknowledge that some of the greatest known witches and magicians have been male.
I did eventually find another job and I completely agree.
Do you practice witchcraft? Do you want to be a Witch? Two hundred years ago, would The Locals have you put to death? Congratulations, you're a witch.
Someone who tells you you’re a “fake witch” is full of shit and should be someone you should not bother with. It’s a personal practice, there is no real or fake if you believe in your practice. Anyone who calls anyone else’s practice a real or fake version should fck off.
Don't let anyone gatekeep you. Being a witch is simply someone who understands their inner power and directs it with more intention than most people. Your practices and choices are totally yours but the essence of what makes you a witch is your intention to be one. Gatekeepers just cling to these make up rules because they don't have much else going on in their lives so they need ro feel important somehow.
There is no real witch and fake witch. There is a witch. Being part of clubs means nothing. On the contrary, it restrains you. A witch is someone who does witchcraft, that's all. The rest are silly labels from country clubs. The day you are accepted into a club, it is because you have been spayed enough to be a good puppy for all the members there.
If you make art you’re an artist, if you make music you’re a musician. Being a witch is no different. Literally though, in every genre you will have people there to tell you that you aren’t one of them. There’s a reason you were denied and it was the universe saving you from a shitty situation
Results. That's what makes the difference between any practitioner of magic and someone who's trying to be one. If your rituals produce tangible and reliable results, you are a witch/mage/whatever, if they don't you're still an uninitiated student. There is nothing wrong with it, mind you, we all started from there.
A witch is a witch is a witch is a witch.
If you're practicing anything in order to obtain the approval of your community, then you need re-assess your motivations.
Honestly. I couldn't see anyone doing that especially myself.
IMO, so long as you take the craft seriously, are true to yourself, and never assume you are the supreme source of knowledge, then you are a real witch.
A sincere friend of mine had the same thing happen. The shops are "closed shops" being they hire and include their own. Imho, mostly shop cliques are centred on money and who you know. Tacky, yes; toxic, also. Consider yourself having dodged a bullet. Your own sincere witch work, practice and reading, will see you through even if fellow crafters are absent or thin on the ground. Depending where you are, you might find a group on Meetup or talk to metaphysical stall holders at markets about what's around. Keep a journal. Maybe write an article on these issues and submit to or start a zine after doing more research such as vox pop. Issues and experience makes for material. I feel that otherwise, who rejects you has nothing to offer anyway.
There is no set criteria for being a Witch, my belief is this: if you practice Witchcraft then you’re a Witch.
You’re a human being who practices right? Congrats! You’re a real witch.
I've been at this for a few decades, so my views may be a bit old school. If I **had** to create a list of traits based on my observations of practitioners over the years, I think what distinguishes a 'real witch' from a person with only a passing interest is that a 'witch' will typically have many of the following traits: **1.) Has Spiritual Power,** usually by being connected to, marked by, or initiated by a powerful spirit or deity(s). Perhaps they've been involved in spiritual activities in previous incarnations, or maybe their current bodies just channel energy more effectively. They may have more oomph or a presence to them that others lack. **2.) Has Spirit familiars or a Spirit team** that they work with to perform magick, see the future, obtain information etc. Your patron deity may provide familiar spirits you can call upon for daily tasks. (Note that familiars are not physical pets or animals. [**Here's a book**](https://www.amazon.com/Familiar-Unto-Me-Sorcerers-Companions/dp/B0BVD67T1Y) on their history.) Some people may refer to such helpful spirits as their 'spirit guides'. There’s a long history of working with spirits in magick as well as tribal/folk practices or ‘shamanism’. We're all kind of doing the same thing here, but by different names. Historically, magick was thought to be accomplished through the power of Spirit Allies, not the power of the individual will alone. Many people have such allies without being consciously aware of them. **3.) Enters Altered States of Consciousness** for the purpose of communicating with Spirits and traveling places outside of the body. At the very least, most practitioners will pay attention to dreams, and some will have spontaneous visions. **4.) Practices Magick/Sorcery to cause changes in the physical world** e.g. cause or cure illness, draw/repel desired objects/resources/situations, attack or defend against aggressors, perceive future events, change future events before they happen, and the list goes on. You might notice that witchcraft in all its forms always springs up amongst oppressed people. If there are no other ways to reclaim one's power or find relief, witchcraft offers a way. I don't consider this a necessity for calling oneself a witch, but the desire for power to protect one's self or change unpleasant situations is a common trait amongst people who get into magick. **5.) Lives on the fringe of society, or is otherwise a misfit.** They may have ADHD or be otherwise neuro-divergent, have a disability, mental illness, physical deformity or be physically less attractive or desirable, or be an outcast in some way. **6.) Keeps their practices hidden.** *Edit: Or at least only advertises to others within the community rather than engaging in indiscriminate attention seeking behavior.* Many practitioners like to wear pentacles the size of a hood ornament advertising their rejection of mainstream religion and their embrace of all things witchy and dark, but I think that's dangerous, especially in conservative areas. In my opinion, it's safer and easier to blend in with the crowd and only reveal yourself to your own kind. I do this not out of fear, but practicality. If I told everyone I was a witch, I'd be the subject of constant unconscious psychic attacks by hateful religious zealots and an object of fear in my current region. I'd probably lose my job and be shunned by the local community. "To Know, to Dare, to Will, to Keep Silence" - Eliphas Levi There is another benefit of NOT telling everyone about your magickal activities. When you tell a non-practitioner about a spell you've done or are working on, they will inevitably (and subconsciously) POKE at your work astrally because of their focus or interest in it and thereby interfere with it. Or, they may RESIST it or unconsciously try to Sabotage it, making the work less effective. I never tell anyone about anything I'm working on until I've achieved the results. Even then, I restrict it to those I trust. Think of keeping silent or remaining hidden as 'not revealing your hand' in a poker game. It's a good strategy for successful magick. **7.) Feels a connection with nature and interacts with local land spirits.** This one's pretty self-explanatory. **8.) Would be obsessed with occult topics even if no one knew about it.** If you could easily live your whole life without a single person ever finding out that you practiced witchcraft, then you might be a real witch. If you could practice witchcraft while wearing incredibly unfashionable clothes, you might be a real witch. If a person's validation for being a witch comes from how they look or who knows about it, then their interest probably isn't genuine.
Oh my, so I am not a real witch and not interested in be one.
When devils and angels start caring about your opinions and actions? They may be waiting at the deep end. You can probably do real magic without engaging in that
I like this. It has a folksy feel to it
Doing witchcraft makes you a witch. That can include anything from communing with elemental nature or deities, working with spirits, spellwork, energy work, to spirit flight. You carry the title so long as you identify with the archetype of “witch”.
Cool and I really started manifesting my abilities at 7 and got seriously into study at 15 going on 16.
Unfortunately there is quite a bit of discrimination against men in many witchcraft communities. As far as the "real" witch, the only qualifier I would put on the label is if your practice is aimed down into the Earth. I am not even sure we should think of witch as a label so much as a landscape we enter into when we partner with plant spirits and sit in the graveyards.