Witchcraft is booming online. On social media platform TikTok the hashtag #witchtok has had more than 11 billion views.
And over on Instagram there has been a 50 per cent rise in followers of witches in the past year alone.
The modern witch community is thriving online, says British witch Leanna Greenaway, author of The Witch’s Way.
“Witches live-stream spell tutorials and post content on everything from candle magic to creating an altar,” she says.
Leanna, who’s been a witch for 31years, adds: “For older practitioners like me, it’s refreshing to see witches coming out of the closet and exploring their magical journey with people worldwide.”
Here, three very modern witches reveal why so many are under their spell.
Lindsay Squire, The Witch of the Forest
Lindsay, 37, from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, has more than 470,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook
( @thewitchoftheforest ) and is the author of Natural Magick
I began my witchcraft journey at 22. At the time, I was a “witch in the broom closet” where I stayed for 10 years because of Christian family members.
I started my Instagram account in 2012 as an anonymous way to explore the craft.
Social media has played a huge role in my magical journey. It’s given me a safe place to express myself, meet like-minded people and learn about the craft in a discreet way.
But four years ago, after a relationship break-up and move back home to Yorkshire, I felt able to come out as a witch.
My Instagram feed changed from posting snapshots relating to the craft to content about my own practice and beliefs. It felt liberating to be my true self.
I understand how hard it is to hide the magical part of yourself from the people around you. This is why I want to help other witches who don’t have the option to come out of the broom closet to practise their craft in a way that’s both fulfilling and subtle.
For example, there are so many ways to perform magic that aren’t obvious to the untrained eye. On Halloween, you can honour a loved one by placing their photograph on your mantlepiece with some flowers, and lighting a candle to create a little altar.
Crystals are another magical tool. You can tuck an amazonite crystal in your bra when going for a job interview to help with nerves, or pop a black obsidian in your pocket to ward off negative energy.
Over the years, Instagram and Facebook have helped me to meet wonderful people. But social media can give the impression that to be a witch you must wear black, have a cauldron and a candle of every colour – this isn’t true.
Being a witch is more than your tools or the clothes you wear. It’s the power and focus of your intention that matters.
Melanie Clowes, The Celtic Witch
Melanie, 46, from Endon, Staffordshire, has more than 866,000 followers on social media. Find her on Facebook @TheCelticWitch
When I was growing up, my mum was spiritual and my father was a full-on pagan. While other kids were watching TV, I was in the woods with dad learning about trees like the oak and its magical connection to druids.
By 14, I was reading the tarot and three years later I was casting spells for protection and luck using salt, incense and essential oils. I heard about a coven through word-of-mouth and I was invited to join.
I was initiated in the woods when I was 23 and found it thrilling at first. But I soon discovered I didn’t like coven life – it was too hierarchical – so I started doing rituals on my own for myself and friends.
I’m still a solitary witch but I’m connected to hundreds of thousands of people around the globe through social media. I joined Facebook in 2011, and Instagram in 2014, because there wasn’t a safe space for witches to meet online.
I wanted to provide an outlet for people to chat and share rituals without fear of ridicule. These days, I still post spells, chants and content about the moon, often with a Celtic theme.
But I never give advice on casting spells that interfere with another person’s free will, like bringing a partner back. Magic shouldn’t be used to control other people, that’s the dark side.
For me it’s about empowering yourself through cleansing, healing and protection.
However, a big part of my time on social media is spent helping witches who are going through a tough time. People message me and I give them free counselling. I listen, offer support, and give them the magical tools to empower themselves.
I might suggest a self-love spell using a rose quartz crystal or cleansing their home using smudging (burning herbs) and salt to remove negative energy.
I worked as an NHS nurse and clinical support worker until I was 30, so I have the skills and experience to provide this counselling service. I’ve also suffered with anxiety and I don’t ever want another witch to feel alone and in a dark place.
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Frankie Castanea, Chaotic Witch Aunt
Frankie, 23, from Colorado, US, has more than one million TikTok and Instagram followers
@chaoticwitchaunt
I became interested in witchcraft when I was 16. I’d been reading tarot cards for a year, and it was a natural progression to explore the craft.
At first, I sourced information online, then I started reading books like Wicca by Scott Cunningham. I learnt how to work with herbs and crystals, and do simple magic.
The first spell I cast was to influence the weather.
I wanted a snow day so I could stay off school. I said a chant and put a spoon under my pillow, which is folk magic, and to my delight, it snowed. I was so happy it worked.
I came out as a witch to my parents soon after this spell and they didn’t react, which was great. Both my parents grew up as Christians, although they’re agnostic now, and very supportive.
I joined YouTube, Instagram and TikTok around May 2020 for something fun to do during lockdown.
My TikTok posts are short and funny.
However, I go into more detail about the craft on YouTube with longer videos. I cover everything from how to create an altar, to spells and the basics of protection.
Protection spells are used to keep negative energy out of your personal space, and they’re one of my most popular posts.
I’m not a witch for hire, though, I only do banishing and protection spells for myself and my friends.
I did a spell recently for a friend who works in construction, working with machinery. I did a ritual and blessed a cornicello pepper, which provides protection from the evil eye, and gave it to him to hang in his car. And when I moved house a few months ago, I made little bags filled with oregano, which I blessed and hung by the doors.
Oregano is a wonderful protection herb.
I wasn’t expecting my social media profile to get this big. I think witchcraft has become so popular online because it’s inclusive and the practice can help to empower people.
Being a witch for me is about making changes in your own environment and making a change in the world for good.
After seven years in practice, I’m still learning new things every day and will be for the rest of my life.
