Whether she’s in a black cape stirring a bubbling pot or a teenager discovering her magic for the first time, witches have been a part of pop culture since humans began writing stories, even before. We’ll tell you all about the history of the witch, including the infamous trials in Europe and Salem. Learn about how the witch became a feminist symbol and check out spellbinding places to see. Practicing witches let you know how to get in touch with your inner witch and let you in on what really goes on in contemporary covens. There’s even a primer on spellwork—no cauldron required.
THE TRUTH BEHIND THE LEGENDS & LORE WITCHES
HOP ON THE BROOM • With everything going on today, the world could sure use a few good witches.
AN ENCHANTED HISTORY
The First Spellcasters • Make no mistake: Witches go way back.
THE Burning Times • It was the supposed Age of Reason, yet tens of thousands of accused witches—almost all of them women—were executed.
DANGEROUS WHORES • How far have we actually come since the witch trials? BY EMILIA HART
SPIRITUALISM & Slime • How ectoplasm and dated laws led to the last witch trial in the U.K.
HEALERS AND PRIESTESSES AND ACTIVISTS… OH MY • Discover the legacies of these seven famous faces of the craft.
THE CRAFT TODAY
The Words of Witchcraft • Every aspiring enchantress should know these terms!
CONTEMPORARY COVENS • When witches gather together, the results can be pure magick.
WITCHES ON THE WEB • Social media is bringing practitioners out of the woodwork.
STIRRING The Cauldron • Witches have long been disrupting oppressive social systems, and that legacy continues today.
Let’s Celebrate! • Discover the eight Sabbats of the Wheel of the Year.
YOUR INNER WITCH
Manifest Your Best • Tips for getting your practice off the ground.
TAROT TUTORIAL • Ready to read the cards? Here’s a beginner’s guide.
Natural Wonders • Green witches forge an eco-friendly path that utilizes and honors the elements.
THERE’S A PLANT FOR THAT • For many practitioners, working with herbs is an important component of the craft. Here are some of the basics.
Page Perfect • An insider’s guide to creating and keeping your own book of shadows.
GET YOUR Sex Magick On • Unlock your power—and your pleasure!—by connecting with the divine erotic.
IN POPULAR CULTURE
ENCHANTING Evolution • From myths and fairy tales to movies and television, the witch in pop culture has seen some spellbinding shifts.
THE WITCHING HOUR IS NIGH
Playing THE Part • Lotte Verbeek (Outlander’s Geillis Duncan), Carice van Houten (Game of Thrones’ Melisandre) and Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Tara Maclay) discuss their enchanting roles and all things witchy.
OUTLANDISH • Lotte Verbeek clears up some of the mystery behind Outlander’s most notorious witch.
SEEING RED • Carice van Houten looks back at Game of Thrones and ahead to new projects.
BOOK OF SHADOWS • Amber Benson has gone from portraying a witch to writing about them.
LANA HARPER’S Literary Spell • The bestselling author of Payback’s a Witch opens up about her enchanting supernatural rom-coms.
BROWSE OUR Mystic Market • From decor to divination tools, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite products for your practice.
Witches - The Truth Behind The Legends & Lore
