The Problem with “Real Witch”

One of the biggest issues with calling someone a “fake” witch is how judgmental it feels. Who gets to decide what makes someone “real” or not? Other than actually existing (there’s a whole new AI influencer situation happening now where people don’t actually EXIST and are fictional characters but that’s a whole different issue). There’s no single authority on witchcraft, no official licensing, and certainly no exams you can take to get a “Certified Witch” badge (at least, none we can agree on)! Witchcraft is such a personal journey, and it looks different for everyone.

Do witches all cast spells? We can’t even all agree on what a spell is! For some, a spell can be as simple as setting an intention. For others, it’s a whole ritual with candles, herbs, chanting, and tools. Who’s to say one way is more “real” than the other? There are also different ideas about energy—whether it’s just a metaphor for something unseen, the scientific energy we all learned about in school, or even something spiritual, like a spirit, soul, or connection to a divine source. Witchcraft is incredibly broad, and that’s what makes it so special!

The Diversity of Witchcraft Practices

Witches today come from all sorts of backgrounds. Some are Christian witches, some are atheists, some believe in multiple gods, and others focus more on psychology and mindfulness than any sort of deity or divine magic. There’s no one right way to be a witch, and that’s the beauty of it.

What makes a witch isn’t about following a strict set of rules; it’s about self-identification, sincerity, and respecting the journey of others. The witchcraft community needs to be about embracing diversity, from ancient traditions to modern practices. If there’s one thing that binds all witches, it’s that we’re witches

Why Defining Witchcraft Rigidly Doesn’t Work

Historically, witches were healers, wise people, and sometimes just the weird ones on the edge of the village or outcasts no one wanted to associate with or were perhaps even prosecuted. It’s ironic, then, that in modern times, some witches try to set hard boundaries on what makes a “real” witch.

We should remember that many witches were people who didn’t belong to the mainstream and often still don’t, and trying to put rigid rules around witchcraft can feel like betraying that spirit of inclusivity. In the end, what matters most is respecting other people’s experiences and trusting that they’re being authentic in their path.

The Struggles of Being a Modern Witch

Witchcraft might look glamorous on social media, but in reality, it can be tough. Despite the perception that witchy influencers make easy money, there are still real-world challenges. Discrimination in housing and employment happens more than people realize – I’ve faced this personally plenty of times. Even most payment processors refuse to work with witches, treating spiritual services as risky business.

And being an (non-witchy) online influencer isn’t easy, either! There’s the endless need to maintain an online presence. Running a social media account, posting consistently, and managing a community takes a lot of work. And of course, influencers (and especially women, but not only women) often face harassment.

Moving Towards Inclusivity

At the end of the day, witchcraft is a personal and evolving practice. As the witchy community continues to grow, we need to remember inclusivity. The beauty of witchcraft is in its diversity. There’s room for all kinds of witches—whether they use crystals, pray to gods, see magic as a way to focus their mind and energy, or simply say that they’re a witch. The more we embrace the differences between us, the stronger our community becomes.

(Adapted from the Gathering Crows Podcast “Are You a Real Witch” – listen here: https://www.crowsonglodge.com/are-you-a-real-witch/)