The Season of the Witch

The Season of the Witch

It’s 4 AM on October 27th, and although this blog finds life in these early hours, the path leading to it has been forming for weeks. Fall is my favorite time of year—the crisp air, cider in hand, and vibrant leaves that create a colorful farewell to warmer days. It’s also the season when even those who normally reject the mystical lean into the unknown. There’s a collective fascination with life beyond death, the restless spirits caught between realms, and the questions about demons, poltergeists, and the meaning of it all.

But this post is about witches. Specifically, what it means to be a witch—and yes, I am one. I’ve known I was a witch before I ever knew what the word meant. Society paints witches in extremes: the mischievous housewife from Bewitched who summons elephants with a nose twitch, or the evil, seductive villainess of fairytales. Hollywood entertains, but it misses the point.

Legends tell of witches stealing children, dancing with the Devil, or serving dark purposes. Organized paths like Paganism or Wicca offer structure and legitimacy to some witches, which can be helpful in a world that dismisses what it doesn’t understand. But my definition of a witch is far more fluid—one rooted in the concept of energy.

A Witch is an Energetic Being

Everything is energy—whether it’s a crystal, a tree, or a thought. We are energetic beings, shaped by and capable of shaping the energy around us. A witch is someone aware of this flow and chooses to engage with it intentionally. We are not passive participants in the world’s energy exchange; we harness it, shift it, and align it to manifest our desires and intentions.

In this sense, anyone can be a witch. Prayer is simply another form of energy work—asking a higher power to influence outcomes. But witches understand that the energy available to them isn’t limited to divine sources. They tap into natural forces, aligning their intentions with the flow of the universe.

Labels, Rules, and the Problem with Defining Witchcraft

I often see people label themselves as “green witches,” “kitchen witches,” or “chaos witches,” and while these labels might offer clarity, they also feel restrictive. I resist rules—whether in life or spirituality. It’s why I don’t align with organized religions like Wicca or Paganism. Rules are cages to me, and when someone tells me, “No,” it only fuels my defiance. My husband knows this well. Instead of telling me “no,” he’s learned to ask, “How would that work?”—giving me space to explore on my own terms.

True witchcraft requires deep self-awareness. You must confront your shadow—the part of yourself driven by fear, ego, or past pain. When you ignore your shadow, it controls you, causing your energy work to backfire. A spell cast from a place of anger or insecurity can yield unintended results. Shadow work is the process of understanding and accepting these parts of yourself, so you can act from a place of power and clarity.

The Power of Intention—and the Challenge of Action

Many people misunderstand spells because they fixate on specific outcomes. For example, if you cast a spell to get a certain job and don’t get it, you might think the spell failed. But spells are rarely about things—they are about desires. Maybe that particular job wasn’t right, but something better aligned with your needs is coming. The key is to be open to possibilities you didn’t expect.

Manifestation requires action. If you cast a spell for a new job, but you don’t apply or explore new opportunities, nothing will change. Comfort zones are powerful traps. Many love spells fail for this very reason—people call forth partners who align with their deepest desires but cling to familiar, toxic patterns. True transformation demands that you step into the unknown.

When you engage with magic, you must be ready to walk a new path when it reveals itself, even if it feels uncomfortable. As the saying goes in Practical Magic: “Be careful what you wish for.”

Ethics of Spell Work and the Importance of Consent

A word of caution: never cast a spell on someone without their knowledge or consent. Consent matters because every soul has the right to their own journey. Manipulating another person’s life path is a violation. Magic becomes dangerous when it forces outcomes on others. 

Hexes and curses are often the result of someone acting from their small self—lashing out with anger or fear. Cutting energetic ties, or “cord-cutting,” is often seen as a quick fix, but it’s not always the answer. True growth comes from recognizing your role in a dynamic and choosing to evolve, rather than simply severing connections.

Choosing Peace

I’ve had to make hard decisions in my own relationships, including with family. Two of my sisters and I no longer speak, not because I don’t love them, but because our interactions bring more harm than peace. I didn’t cut cords; I chose peace. I set the intention for healthy, respectful relationships, and when the behaviors that didn’t align with that intention revealed themselves, I let them go.

The same has happened in friendships. I lost a dear friend when I stopped playing the role I had always taken in that relationship. It hurt deeply, but it was necessary for my growth. I had to walk away from patterns that left me feeling unvalued. Transformation is not easy, but it is essential.

Two Spells to Empower Your Path

If you’re exploring your intuition and stepping into your own power, here are two spells that can help strengthen your connection to spirit and self.

Spell 1: “It’s All Real”
Find a quiet space where you can be alone. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and invite your spirit guides to sit with you. Imagine their energy as warm, welcoming lights beside you. Then call forth your highest self—your intuitive self—and say, “For the next 30 days, I will pay attention. Every coincidence, sign, dream, or message that resonates with me is real. I will record these experiences and reflect on what they mean.”

Keep a journal and document everything. At the end of 30 days, review your notes. You’ll find that the universe has been speaking to you all along.

Spell 2: “Show Me the Way”
This spell is perfect for times of transition. Once again, find a quiet space and invite your spirit guides and highest self to join you. Set your ego aside and focus on what isn’t working in your life. Then say, “Show me the way to a better state.” You don’t need to know the specifics—just trust that the path will reveal itself. When opportunities arise, take action.

Embrace Your Power

Being a witch is about more than spells or rituals—it’s about knowing yourself, owning your power, and being willing to change. Magic is not about controlling others or forcing outcomes. It’s about aligning with the energy of the universe and taking action when the time is right.

If you’re not willing to grow, then spell work won’t help you. But if you’re ready to step into your power, embrace change, and engage with the energy around you, magic will meet you. The universe will always respond—it’s up to you to take the first step.

So as we move deeper into this season of transformation, remember: Magic is Real. Your Power is Real. The question is, are you ready to use it?