Witches Among Us: Understanding Contemporary Witchcraft and Wicca

by Thorn Mooney

Overview

Everything You Wanted to Know About Witchcraft

(But Were Afraid to Ask)

Occult references ripple frequently through mainstream culture, Wiccan and witchcraft movements appear trendier than ever, and chances are that you're unknowingly acquainted with at least one witch. Drawing on her expertise as a magical practitioner and religious studies scholar, Thorn Mooney pulls back the curtain, introducing you to this complex world and helping you understand why it holds such intense appeal for so many.

Thorn answers all your questions and dispels common misconceptions while delving into what it means to be a witch, including beliefs and practices. Discover what magic really is and what casting it entails. Gain insights into Wicca's distinctions from witchcraft and how these communities are structured. With this fascinating yet concise guide, you can better understand the witches in your life and the reasons why magical thinking thrives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738777375
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	10/08/2024
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Thorn Mooney  is a Wiccan writer and academic who holds graduate degrees in both religious studies and English literature. Thorn writes and lectures about magic, new religious movements, and spirituality in the United States, and has been creating blogs and videos about witchcraft and Paganism through her popular online platforms for more than a decade. Thorn has been featured on NPR affiliate WFAE’s Charlotte Talks, Anthony Padilla’s popular YouTube series I spent a day with…, and has also served as an academic advisor on the National Endowment for the Humanities funded podcast Magic in the United States. Visit her at ThornTheWitch.com.

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1: What "Witch" Means … 9
Making Witchcraft a Religion 13
Spiritual but Not Religious 18
Witchcraft as a Practice 20
Witchcraft as an Identity 24
Suggested Reading 28

Chapter 2: Witchcraft in Context … 31
Separating Wicca and Witchcraft 32
Related Movements 35
Suggested Reading 52

Chapter 3: Many Types of Witchcraft … 55
The Influence of Wicca 58
Traditional Witchcrafts 63
Blended Traditions 70
Suggested Reading 76

Chapter 4: What Witches Do … 79
Doing Ritual 81
Doing Magic 84
Casting Spells 88
Divination 92
Healing 92
Sacred Time 94
Suggested Reading 99

Chapter 5: What Witches Believe … 103
A World Full of Spirits and Energy 104
Relationships with Gods 106
Ancestors and the Dead 112
Sacred Nature 114
Suggested Reading 118

Chapter 6: The Witch's Materials … 121
Altars and Sacred Space 123
Working Tools 127
Keeping Magical Books 132
Magic in the Mundane 137
Suggested Reading 139

Chapter 7: The Rules of Witchcraft … 141
Redes, Principles, and Oaths 143
Individualism and Personal Responsibility 145
Community and Sincerity 148
Witchcraft as Work 149
Suggested Reading 153

Chapter 8: Witch Communities … 155
Covens 157
Solitary Practitioners 161
Festivals and Conferences 165
Social Media and the Internet 167
Authority and Influence 168
Suggested Reading 172

Chapter 9: Witches in Conversation … 175
Belonging and Authenticity 176
Selling Witchcraft 178
Social Justice 180
Suggested Reading 182

Conclusion 185

Bibliography 193

Index 195

Editorial Reviews

"This is the most thoughtful, intelligent, and sophisticated survey of contemporary witchcraft on both sides of the Atlantic available at present and also wonderfully concise. Newcomers will be perfectly served, and practitioners understand themselves and their fellows better."
—Ronald Hutton, historian and author of The Witch and The Triumph of the Moon

From the Publisher