Since the 1970s witchcraft has been spreading, exponentially each year. It is currently the fastest growing ideology (where?).Yet this idea of ‘witch’ is as ephemeral as magic itself. What do we identify with when we call ourselves ‘witch’? What do we mean when we call someone else a witch? Witchcraft itself is more diverse in recent years than in the past; contemporary witches can be hedge witches, kitchen witches, chaos witches, shadow witches or follow any number of magical paths. The rising popularity of the craft is also expanding the definition of witchcraft. There is no central authority for witches, it is truly a folk-lore, a crowd-sourced ideology that is constantly being defined and redefined by its practitioners - Wiki-Witchery if you like. 

over the season The cauldron will host panel discussions between different practitioners to explore the nuances and the diversity in the craft, speak with historians who are revisiting history to unpack how current ideas of witchcraft emerged, look at what makes a witch a witch, and what makes witchcraft unique as an ideology. 

Episode one will be available on your favourite podcast player June 20th, or listen at intothecauldron.org. 

If you want to participate in the discussion of ‘what is a witch’, consider joining The Cauldron as a member. For a mere $7 a month you will be supporting the podcast, our panel discussions, and The Cauldron platform an ad free space to share ideas about witchcraft, magic, and meaning. Visit intothecauldron.org to learn more.

MUSIC: Imaginary Friend V1 by Dresden The Flamingo - soundstripe.com

Cover art: Study of a Witch by Luis Ricardo Falero, 19th century