Short answer
When someone practices witchcraft, it usually means they use ritual, intention and symbolic acts, often alongside nature-based or spiritual beliefs, to bring about change, find meaning or connect with something larger than themselves. Beyond that, it varies a lot. Some practitioners see it as a religion, others as a craft or a personal philosophy, and some treat it as a cultural or folk tradition.
What practitioners actually do
Day to day, practicing witchcraft may involve:
- Lighting candles or creating a small altar.
- Marking the phases of the moon and the changing seasons, including the eight pagan sabbats.
- Working with herbs, teas or household items with a symbolic purpose.
- Divination, such as tarot cards.
- Meditation, journaling or reflection.
- Casting spells, meaning rituals performed with a focused intention.
Many of these are quiet, private and ordinary. For more detail, see witchcraft practices and rituals.
What it does not necessarily mean
- Devil worship. Most modern witches do not believe in or worship the Devil. This idea comes largely from historical accusations.
- Being Wiccan. Wicca is one religion that includes witchcraft. See Wicca vs witchcraft.
- Wanting to harm anyone. Many practitioners follow ethical guidelines, though these differ from person to person.
- Supernatural powers. Some practitioners believe magic is literal, while others see it as symbolic or psychological. People hold a range of views.
Why people are drawn to it
Reasons people give include a desire to connect with nature, an interest in ritual and symbolism, a sense of personal empowerment, ancestral or cultural interest, or a wish for a spiritual path that is flexible and not tied to institutions. Whether magic works in a literal sense is not something science has demonstrated, and practitioners differ on how they understand it.
Religious and cultural views
Perspectives differ. Some Christian, Jewish and Muslim authorities discourage or forbid practices they classify as witchcraft or sorcery, citing scripture. Others take a more tolerant view. Pagan religions generally accept witchcraft. For more on how the Bible is read, see witchcraft explained. In some countries, accusations of witchcraft still lead to serious harm for those accused, which is a very different thing from the chosen practice described here.
If someone you know practices witchcraft
The most useful step is usually to ask them what it means to them, since the term covers so much ground. If you have concerns about a person’s wellbeing, such as a sudden isolation or someone pressuring them for money, treat that as its own issue and not as something caused by the practice itself.