A group of witches offering wax effigies to the Devil in a 17th-century woodcut.
Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy
Only five witches were executed in Wales, while thousands were sentenced to death in Scotland and England.
Three women executed as witches in Derneburg Germany in October 1555.
Everett Collection
Witchcraft is an enduring source of fascination but also prone to popular misconceptions.
Mystic Meg in a promotional image.
Victor Watts/Alamy Stock Photo
Critics of superstition have often painted openness to magical interpretations as weakness or moral failing.
Stories about witches are having a resurgence.
Subbotina Anna/Shutterstock
These new witches are rarely comparable to traditional dirty hags. The new witch is often beautiful, at once dark, gothic, ethereal and wild.
WitchTok is the subculture of pagans who use TikTok to share spells, learn about mythology and connect with co-religionists.
(northeasternherb, showthe8thhouse, greenwitchmystics/TikTok)
Whether someone is scrolling mindlessly or actively conducting research, WitchTok connects witches to their practices and community.
For many witches, the internet offers a community and the opportunity to practice with like-minded people.
Pexels/mikhail nilov
Beyond the fairy tales, mythical stories and stereotypes, there are many ways to be a witch.
‘The Craft: Legacy,’ to be released this fall, is a remake of the 1996 teen witch film ‘The Craft’ and suggests the continued relevance of punk and goth influences for rebellious teens. Here, detail from the 2020 poster.
(Sony Pictures/Blumhouse Productions)
Some horror films explore women’s struggles for empowerment, sexual freedom and self-fulfilment. Six movies show the ghost, bride, mother, vampiress, witch and monster as guises of vengeful women.