Things that changed my view on witchcraft…
I have been practising witchcraft, or some variant of it, for most of my life. My Mother is incredibly spiritual and talented, so I was lucky enough to be surrounded by tarot cards, crystals and manifestation since I was born. My sisters aren’t as spiritual, but that doesn’t stop the Universe from giving them their fair share of ‘paranormal experiences.’ Witchcraft has always been a big part of my life and my views on it have changed and expanded as my personal practice has grown. Here are a few things that changed my view on witchcraft…
It is personal, not performative.
In a world where so much spirituality is shared online, it can start to feel like your practice needs to be aesthetic, impressive or meaningful. But most real spiritual practices happen quietly, in small moments that no one else sees. The thing about online videos is you only see what they want you to see. They won’t show the messy, chaotic side of their rituals because they want to curate a space that has a certain witchy aesthetic. But that isn’t REAL. Then baby witches come along and think their practice needs to look like theirs (I was a victim of this.)
Not everything about your practice has to be elaborate to be meaningful, intention is everything! Your practice doesn’t become more valid because it looks good online or matches what other witches are doing. Witchcraft doesn’t need an audience to be real.
Simple is still powerful.
One of the biggest misconceptions around witchcraft is that power only comes from complexity, long rituals, expensive tools, complicated spell work, or perfectly planned ceremonies. In reality, some of the most meaningful practices are often the simplest.
A quiet intention, lighting a candle, stirring herbs into tea, carrying a crystal in your pocket, or taking a moment to ground yourself can hold just as much meaning as an elaborate ritual. The strength of a practice doesn’t come from how impressive it looks, but from the intention, focus, and energy behind it.
When you first begin, it’s easy to feel like you need to do more in order for it to “count.” But over time, many people realise that simplicity often creates the strongest connection. A practice doesn’t need to be complicated to be genuine, personal, or powerful.
Rest is part of your practice.
There can be a lot of pressure to constantly learn, research, perform rituals, or always feel spiritually connected, especially when you’re first starting out. But your practice doesn’t have to be something you are always actively “doing” in order for it to matter. I can count numerous times where I have felt extremely disconnected from my practice and have needed to rest in order to grow.
There will be periods where you feel deeply connected, and others where you feel distant, unmotivated, or simply tired. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed, lost your abilities, or drifted away from your path. Sometimes rest, reflection, and stepping back are just as important as action.
Witchcraft is meant to fit into your life, not consume it. Allowing yourself space to pause, reset, and simply exist without pressure can be part of the practice itself. Rest creates room for clarity, intuition, and reconnection when you’re ready to return.
There is no right way.
One of the first things many people realise is that every practitioner approaches their craft differently. What feels meaningful, powerful, or aligned for one person may not resonate with someone else at all, and that’s completely normal.
It’s easy to fall into the mindset of trying to follow the “correct” methods, especially when you’re surrounded by so many different opinions online. But witchcraft is deeply personal and shaped by your own beliefs, experiences, intuition, and connection to your practice. Your rituals do not have to look like anyone else’s to be valid. I thought this for a long time, until I came across one page on TikTok and it was the most chaotic practice I had ever seen! It was a mess, but she was so happy with her practice and that’s when it dawned on me. Her practice is disorderly, but it works for her. Much in the same way my practice ‘works’ for me. Its a personal thing no one can take away from you.
Over time, many people move away from trying to copy other practices exactly and start building something that genuinely feels like their own. That’s often where the strongest connection comes from, not perfection, but authenticity.
