Why Witchcraft is Political: Reclaiming Power, Feminism, and the Spirit of Resistance on international women's day

Quick disclaimer: careful, the witch is out today and this text is not for fragile male egos or fundamental Christians who fancy dogma. If you still read on, consider yourself warned. 😉

That being said, let's dive into today's topic.

When we talk about witches on The Urban Mystic, we usually explore the spiritual, the everyday magic, the rituals that make life feel richer. But the witch has never been just about personal practice — she has always been political as well. From medieval Europe to today, she has symbolized women claiming autonomy and resisting control. Claiming that power has always been a radical act. On a day dedicated to celebrating women, it’s worth asking: why does this figure still matter for feminism, equality, and social change in 2026?

The Socio-Political History of the Witch

The words “witch” and “witchcraft” have never meant just one thing. Depending on time, place, and perspective, they have referred to spiritual practices, folk knowledge, healing traditions — but also to accusations, projections, and fears. In many historical contexts, being labeled a witch had little to do with what a person actually believed or practiced. It had everything to do with power, conformity, and control.

Especially from the late Middle Ages onward, a dominant image of the “evil witch” began to take shape — entangled with the devil, accused of demon worship and dark conspiracies. But this was far from the only understanding of magic. In fact, earlier cultures held ambivalent views around words like witch, witchcraft and magick: magick could heal or harm, protect or threaten, and its practitioners occupied complex, liminal roles within their communities. Alongside fear and suspicion, there were also elements of respect, reliance, and in some cases even deep reverence, as magical practitioners were understood to stand in relationship with forces beyond the ordinary, including the divine — relationships shaped by proximity, necessity, and lived experience rather than a cosmic battle between absolute good and evil.

What changed in the late Middle Ages was scale, system, and intention. Through Christian demonology, diverse magical figures were gradually folded into a single, standardised narrative. This process was codified and amplified by texts like Heinrich Kramer’s infamous Malleus Maleficarum, which spread the idea that women were especially prone to work with the devil and do witchcraft (which was seen as evil) and therefore must be interrogated (read: often also tortured and murdered if plead guilty) by any means necessary.

And so, the once complex and ambivalent figure became systematically demonised, transformed into a convenient vessel for collective anxiety: fear of non-conforming women, of bodies that resisted regulation, of people who for whatever reason just didn't fit well into society, of knowledge that existed outside sanctioned religious and political institutions, and of women who held economic or social power — such as widows with property. Church and secular authorities were not opposing forces in this process; they worked hand in hand, reinforcing each other’s narratives, legitimising violence, and consolidating power — spiritual, social, and economic alike.

From History to Modern Reclamation

But hold on — this was centuries ago, right? So why should we care about witches when we talk about feminism and equality in 2026?

If history taught us anything, it’s that the witch has never been just about superstition. She has always been a symbol of (mostly) women claiming their own power, autonomy, and knowledge — and that makes her inherently political. From the start of her demonisation in the late Middle Ages to the witch hunts of the early modern period, which punished independence and property, the witch embodied the fear of women who refused to conform. Today, that same tension persists: claiming your voice, your body, your work, and your intuition is still a political act.

Worldwide, the term “witch” is now being reclaimed in two intertwined ways. On one hand, as a spiritual practice—often, but not exclusively, nature- and earth-centered. People who live in harmony with natural cycles, notice change, and understand themselves as part of a larger whole. On the other hand, as magickal craft¹—in the sense of a practice-oriented witchcraft: people who work with natural cycles, symbols, and recurring rhythms. Not as a belief system, but as an experience-based practice that cultivates attention, intention, and self-efficacy—regardless of whether it is interpreted spiritually or not.

Witchcraft as Feminist Resistance

While in the past, women who were independent, knowledgeable, or powerful were labeled “witches” against their will — a tool to diminish, demonize, and control them — today, the word has been reclaimed. To call oneself a witch is to embrace independence, self-determination, and the role of a changemaker.

Modern witches stand in their power, using their craft to transform (create change), protect communities, and advocate for justice, equality, and care for the world around them. Some use their craft to advocate for climate action, social justice, and community care. Others engage in “activist witchcraft” — collective spells for justice, rituals to protect communities, and symbolic acts that challenge oppression. Witchcraft today is still not just spiritual; it is political, ethical, and intentional. It’s about showing up, lifting others up, and fighting back against centuries of systemic control and erasure.

Modern witchcraft reminds us that feminism and equality are not abstract ideas — they are lived, embodied practices. The witch, once silenced and feared, now stands as a figure of resistance — a walking middle finger to systems that try to control and harm people.

International Women’s Day and the Witch Today

So, on this International Women’s Day, we honor the countless people who have fought for our rights, our freedom, and our voices. Today, we also reclaim the witch — the symbol of rebellion, empowerment, and strength. To be a witch is to be unapologetically yourself, to assert autonomy, and to fight for justice, equality, and liberation. The witch, once silenced and feared, is now a figure of solidarity, resistance, and embodied feminism.

And therefore, yes, Witchcraft has always been political, and it always will be. The revolution starts with claiming your own power — and lifting others as you rise. Being a witch isn’t just about magick — it’s about radical, intentional, transformative action.

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¹ Witchcraft as understood by modern Witches and Pagans: Witchcraft is a practice — a “craft” — rooted in intention, focus, and connection to the natural world. It can involve spiritual beliefs, but it doesn’t have to; at its core, it’s about creating change in your life through mindful, symbolic actions. Magick, in this context, is the use of rituals, symbols, or tools to focus your mind and energy toward a desired outcome. Modern witchcraft often draws inspiration from nature, the cycles of the seasons and moon, and the elements. Lighting a candle, working with herbs, or performing a simple ritual isn’t about supernatural powers — it’s about clarifying intention, cultivating awareness, taking meaningful action and connection with the world around us. In this way, witchcraft is both a personal practice and a way to connect with the world around you, combining reflection, creativity, and empowerment.