The Thing About Witches

 

It’s that time of the year again where witches are portrayed as all things wicked and evil. We used to be revered, invited into peoples’ homes for food and conversation. Sometimes we even would share some divination as well..or some herbal remedies, or perhaps deliver a child into the world. What we weren’t was feared. We were welcomed.

We’re not green, ugly, or warty. Witches are beautiful creatures. Period. No matter how old we are, no matter how we look, we’re beautiful creatures. At least we were until the church saw us as a threat. Then we became victims of a destructive patriarchy, out of control to this very day. Anything and anyone who worshipped nature was demonized and became the Devil’s legion. Not that a Devil even exists, mind you, except in the troubled minds of the patriarchy, but they used that lie along many others to strike fear into the hearts of everyone. They couldn’t understand that we were a necessary part of the community. Instead, they tortured and killed us, some accounts say nine million over the years. I have no idea, but given the church’s misogynistic attitude toward women, it wouldn’t surprise me if that estimate were true. We were imprisoned, sometimes beheaded, sometimes burned. In the end, we went underground, protected by the people, eventually resurfacing, quietly, to once again give succor to the village.

But we’ve always been a wary bunch. You see, women never forget. We never do. We can’t, for if we do, it happens all over again. We must be vigilant in the face of patriarchy and lies. We must align as one, supporting each other as patriarchy raises its ugly head, day after day, as our children are shot by police, neighbors, other family members, in schools, shopping malls, and all too often, in our homes. Violence in all forms is a function of patriarchy. It’s an expression of a way that’s been lost. Power and control is all they know.

The way of the witch, on the other hand, is of peace and harmony, of oneness and loving kindness. We are the Blessed Conduit, the inbetween essence expressing All That Is, Above and Below. We are the pivotal point of creation. We are Maiden, Mother and Crone, the expression of the Triple Goddess in physical form. We are not to be trifled with, but to be loved, always. We are here to heal, to provide solace from the storm, and our message is one of truth.

To say that nature is our church is simply an expression of immanence with all of creation. Witches feel that oneness with nature and all of its inhabitants, so it’s natural that we would seek out what nourishes our heart and soul. Everything is an expression of Source Energy, whether we refer to the essence of All That Is as Goddess, God, Allah, or any other name one might use. The surroundings matter not. It’s simply who we all are that matters. The rest is an illusion.

Witches are beautiful creatures. We’re your Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, Wives and Friends. We’re here to love and be loved and to express the immanence we feel with everything and everyone.

~ Tis the season of the witch. Goddess Blessings to all!