Historical Context of Witchcraft
Traditionally, the term witchcraft refers to the use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others, a definition that remains the most common and widespread meaning worldwide.
In medieval and early modern Europe, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have secretly used black magic against their own community.
Historically, these figures represented society’s fear of women who existed outside social order and challenged expectations, often facing prosecution and punishment if found guilty or simply believed to be guilty.
The Evolution of the Witch Archetype
For centuries, witches were seen as terrifying, demonic figures who made deals with the devil and brought misfortune to everyone around them, serving as a symbol for society’s problems.
However, since the 1930s, some modern pagans have embraced the term witch, redefining it as an expression of neopagan beliefs and practices rather than malevolent magic.
The 2003 Broadway musical Wicked asked what if the Wicked Witch wasn’t truly wicked at all by portraying Elphaba as an outsider judged for her appearance.
The film adaptations in 2024 and 2025 brought this re-imagining to an even wider audience, giving viewers another reason to question everything they thought they knew about the Wicked Witch.
Celebrity Adoption of the Identity
Lana Del Rey confirmed rumors she placed a hex on President Donald Trump during his first term using waning crescent moon phases.
Heather Graham revealed she and friends wished for Barack Obama to be elected, joking about forgetting to wish for Trump’s election.
Vanessa Hudgens stated in her 2023 documentary that witchcraft is beautiful, empowering, and about sisterhood rather than evil.
Gisele Bündchen called herself a ‘witch of love’ known for using healing powers to help injured animals.
Reflection of Contemporary Social Issues
We no longer need every female character to be innocent, agreeable, and conventionally likeable in modern storytelling.
Modern media representations now root for women who are complicated, ambitious, and misunderstood rather than just innocent or agreeable.
The record shows that the witch has shifted from a villain to a woman who refused to conform, making her dangerous to the people who wanted to control her.
This evolution reflects contemporary social issues by questioning why women were considered evil for stepping outside society’s expectations and challenging power structures.
Global Beliefs and Protective Practices
While the article focuses on European history and modern Western pop culture, belief in witchcraft as malevolent magic is attested from ancient Mesopotamia and has been found throughout history in a great number of societies worldwide. Anthropologists use the term “witchcraft” to describe similar beliefs about harmful occult practices in different cultures, noting that these societies often use the term when speaking in English. The belief in witches is not limited to the West; many indigenous belief systems that include the concept of witchcraft likewise define witches as malevolent figures.
In response to these perceived threats, most of these societies have historically used protective magic or counter-magic against witchcraft. Suspected witches were often shunned, banished, imprisoned, physically punished, or killed. In Europe, witch-hunts and witch trials in the early modern period led to tens of thousands of executions, although magical healers and midwives who were sometimes accused of witchcraft made up a minority of those accused. It was thought that witchcraft could be thwarted by white magic provided by ‘cunning folk’ or ‘wise people,’ though accusations were mainly made against perceived opponents of the Church.
Specific cultural variations exist in how the source of this power is understood. For instance, some African and Melanesian peoples believe witches are driven by an evil spirit or substance inside them. These communities seek healers, such as medicine people and witch doctors, to ward off and undo bewitchment. Despite the gradual dwindling of European belief during and after the Age of Enlightenment, modern witch-hunting still takes place in parts of Africa and Asia, indicating that the fear of witchcraft remains a significant social dynamic in specific regions today.
Witchcraft as a Tool for Social Commentary
Beyond simply redefining the witch archetype, modern pop culture utilizes these figures to critique systemic oppression and historical injustice. The narrative shift allows storytellers to explore how societies have historically scapegoated marginalized groups. By portraying witches as victims of persecution rather than instigators of chaos, contemporary media highlights the dangers of conformity and the consequences of fearing those who differ from the status quo.
This perspective is particularly relevant when examining the historical context where accusations often stemmed from social tensions among neighbors. The article notes that in medieval and early modern Europe, accused witches were usually women believed to have used black magic against their own community. Modern adaptations challenge this by showing that these “black magic” accusations frequently targeted individuals who existed outside established social orders or challenged power structures.
Furthermore, the evolution of the witch symbolizes a broader cultural move toward empathy and understanding rather than fear and exclusion. Instead of viewing magical healers and midwives as the primary targets, which historically made up only a minority of the accused, current storytelling often centers on their contributions to society. This reframing questions why women were considered evil for stepping outside expectations, aligning with the observation that we no longer need every female character to be innocent or agreeable.
The enduring appeal of these stories suggests a collective desire to acknowledge the complexity of human nature. By rooting for women who are ambitious and misunderstood, media reflects a society ready to accept diverse identities. The witch becomes a vessel for expressing resistance against unjust authority, transforming a figure once feared as demonic into an icon of liberation and truth.
Sources
- Witchcraft
- I Put A Spell On You: Why Pop Culture Can’t Quit Witches
- 17 Famous People/Celebs Who Are Also Proud Witches (And Warlocks)
Photo: Joanna Kosinska / Unsplash (Unsplash License)
