Witchcraft and Feminism: a Powerful Spell for Change

Every time I light a candle for a spell or whisper an incantation, I feel this connection; not just to the elements or the moon, but to generations of women who came before us. Women who dared to be powerful in a world that feared their strength. In this way, witchcraft and feminism have always been intertwined.

In this post, I want to explore the connection between witchcraft and feminism with you. We’ll look at how our history as witches is tied up with the fight for women’s rights. We’ll talk about how casting a circle can be an act of feminist rebellion and how fighting for equality can be its own kind of magic.

As witches, we’re often drawn to our craft because it feels like coming home – a return to something ancient and powerful within us. This feeling isn’t just personal; it’s deeply rooted in our collective history. The story of witchcraft is inseparable from the story of women’s struggle for power and autonomy.

Throughout history, women who showed independence, wisdom, or power were often labeled as witches. This wasn’t just name-calling – it was a death sentence. The witch hunts of Europe and colonial America were, at their core, a way to control women who didn’t fit into the narrow roles society had carved out for them. Midwives, healers, widows and any woman who dared to live on her own terms could find herself facing accusations of witchcraft.

But here’s the thing – what was once used to oppress us has become a source of strength. In reclaiming the title of ‘witch,’ we’re not just playing dress-up. We’re tapping into a long lineage of women who refused to be silenced or controlled. We’re saying, “Yes, I am powerful. Yes, I am wise. And no, I won’t apologise for it.”

This reclamation didn’t happen in isolation. It came hand in hand with the feminist movements of the 20th century. As women fought for the right to vote, to work, to control their own bodies, many also turned to witchcraft as a spiritual expression of that same desire for autonomy.

Today, when we cast a circle or work our magic, we’re not just practicing a craft. We’re participating in a long tradition of resistance and self-empowerment. We’re picking up the threads left by our foremothers and weaving them into something new – a witchcraft that honours the past while looking firmly towards the future.

Witchcraft as Female Empowerment

You know those moments when you’re in the middle of a ritual, or maybe just sitting quietly with your crystals, and suddenly you feel it? That surge of power, that sense that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be, doing exactly what you’re meant to do? That’s what we’re talking about when we say witchcraft is female empowerment.

Let’s start with autonomy. In a world that’s always trying to tell us who to be and how to act, our craft gives us a space that’s entirely our own. When we cast a circle, we’re creating a sacred space where we make the rules. Our altars? They’re reflections of our innermost selves, not what society tells us we should be. Every spell we cast, every ritual we perform, is an act of self-determination. We’re saying, “This is what I want, this is what I need and I have the power to make it happen.”

Then there’s our connection to nature and the divine feminine. Remember when you first felt the moon’s pull, or sensed the changing of the seasons in your bones? That’s not just poetry – it’s power. By aligning ourselves with nature’s cycles, by honouring the goddess in her many forms, we’re tapping into something ancient and profound. We’re remembering that the divine isn’t some distant, male figure in the sky, but something wild and feminine that lives in every cell of our bodies.

And let’s be real – a big part of why witchcraft feels so empowering is because it’s a big, magical middle finger to patriarchal religious structures. For centuries, we were told that spirituality had to look a certain way, that it had to come from books written by men and be led by male authority figures. Witchcraft says, “Thanks, but no thanks.” Our power comes from within, from the earth, from each other. We don’t need anyone’s permission to connect with the divine.

So every time you practice a grounding ritual, read your tarot cards, or create a spell to manifest change, remember: you’re not just practicing witchcraft, you’re reclaiming your power, you’re honouring the divine feminine, you’re carrying on a tradition of women who dared to be powerful, no matter the cost.

And if that’s not feminist as hell, I don’t know what is.

Feminist Themes in Modern Witchcraft

Sometimes I look at my altar – with its curves and spirals, its celebration of cycles and change – and I think, “Damn, witchcraft was feminist before feminism was even a word.” But the way we practice today? It’s like we’ve taken those ancient feminist vibes and cranked them up to eleven.

Let’s talk body positivity and sexuality. In a world that’s always trying to make us feel ashamed of our bodies, witchcraft says, “Screw that.” Our bodies are powerful, magical vessels. Whether you’re dancing skyclad under the moon or simply honouring your menstrual cycle as a time of heightened intuition, witchcraft teaches us to love and respect our physical selves. And sexuality? It’s sacred, powerful magic. Feminism fights for our right to control our own bodies and sexuality, and witchcraft gives us rituals and spells to celebrate and empower that control.

Then there’s the emphasis on personal power and self-reliance. Feminism tells us we don’t need a man to complete us, and witchcraft shows us we don’t need an intermediary to connect with the divine. We are the source of our own magic. Every time we cast a spell or perform a ritual, we’re exercising our personal power. We’re saying, “I have the ability to change my reality.” If that’s not feminist, I don’t know what is.

The beauty of it all? Witchcraft and feminism feed each other. Our feminist beliefs inform our practice, making it more inclusive and empowering. And our practice, in turn, gives us tools to manifest our feminist ideals in the world.

So next time you’re working your magic, take a moment to appreciate how feminist it really is. We’re not just casting spells – we’re casting off patriarchal bullshit and reclaiming our power. And that, my fellow witch, is a beautiful thing.

Intersectionality in Witchcraft

Alright, let’s get real for a minute. If you’ve been in witchy spaces for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that they can be pretty damn white and straight. And while that’s changing, we’ve still got work to do. Because here’s the thing: magic doesn’t discriminate, so why should we?

Intersectionality isn’t just some fancy academic term – it’s about recognising that we all have multiple identities that intersect and influence our experiences. As witches and feminists, we need to be at the forefront of making sure everyone’s voice is heard and respected in our circles.

Just as feminism has evolved to recognise that women’s experiences aren’t all the same, modern witchcraft embraces diversity in all its forms. Whether you’re practicing in a coven or going solo, there’s room for everyone in our community. Black witches, queer witches, disabled witches, female, male or gender non conforming witches – our differences make our magic stronger. We’re moving away from the idea that there’s only one “right” way to practice, and instead celebrating the unique magic each of us brings to the circle.

Let’s talk about including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other marginalised voices in our craft. It’s not enough to just say “everyone’s welcome” and call it a day. We need to actively seek out and amplify these voices. Have you read any books on witchcraft by BIPOC authors lately? Attended a workshop led by a trans witch? If not, why not? Our magic gets stronger when we learn from experiences different from our own.

And while we’re at it, let’s address the elephant in the room: cultural appropriation. Yeah, it’s a touchy subject, but we need to talk about it. Just because something looks “witchy” doesn’t mean it’s ours to use. When we borrow practices from other cultures without understanding or respecting their origins, we’re not being good witches or good feminists.

This doesn’t mean we can’t incorporate diverse practices into our craft. It means we need to do it mindfully. Research the history of that ritual you want to try. If it’s from a closed practice, find alternatives that align with your own heritage. And for the love of all that’s magical, please stop calling yourself a “gypsy witch” if you’re not Romani.

Intersectionality in witchcraft isn’t about limitation – it’s about expansion. It’s about recognising that magic comes in all colours, genders and forms. It’s about creating spaces where a black lesbian witch feels just as at home as a white straight one. It’s about understanding that our differences don’t divide us – they make our magic richer and more powerful.

So next time you’re planning a ritual or building your altar, ask yourself: Whose voices am I including? Whose experiences am I honouring? Because true magic, like true feminism, leaves no one behind. And that, my fellow witch, is a spell worth casting.

Let’s get one thing straight: being a witch isn’t just about casting spells in your living room. It’s about changing the world, and I’m not just talking about manifesting a new job or a hot date. I’m talking about real, radical, society-shaking change.

Think about it. We’ve got all this power at our fingertips. We can bend energy to our will, commune with nature, and tap into the wisdom of the ages. So why the hell wouldn’t we use that to fight for justice?

Using magic for political and social change isn’t new. Our witch ancestors were often at the forefront of social movements, whether they were fighting for women’s rights or standing up against oppression. And today? We’re keeping that tradition alive and kicking.

Ever heard of magical activism? It’s a thing, and it’s powerful. I’m talking about binding spells to stop corrupt politicians, protection spells for protesters and rituals to amplify the voices of the marginalised. Some people might scoff at these ideas, but here’s the thing: magic works on multiple levels. Even if you don’t believe in the woo-woo stuff, these practices help us focus our intentions and give us the courage to act in the physical world.

And let’s not forget about eco-feminism and environmental activism. As witches, we know in our bones that the Earth is sacred. We feel her pain when forests are cut down and oceans are polluted. It’s no coincidence that so many witches are also fierce environmental advocates. We’re casting spells to protect endangered species, doing rituals to heal polluted lands and using our platforms to raise awareness about climate change.

But here’s the kicker: our magic isn’t separate from our mundane actions. If you’re casting a spell for clean oceans but still using single-use plastics, you’re kind of missing the point. Real magical activism means aligning our magical practice with our everyday choices. It means voting, protesting and making sustainable choices in our daily lives.

So the next time you’re crafting a spell or planning a ritual, ask yourself: How can I use this to make the world a little bit better? How can I extend the circle of my protection to include not just myself, but my community and the Earth itself?

Because that’s what being a witch is all about. We’re not here to just accept the world as it is. We’re here to envision what it could be, and then use every tool at our disposal – magical and mundane – to make that vision a reality.

Remember, every act of magic is an act of change. So let’s make sure we’re changing the world for the better. That’s not just good witchcraft – it’s good feminism, and it’s how we honour the legacy of every witch who came before us.

I hope you have enjoyed this post. I’d love to hear your thoughts on witchcraft and feminism, so please leave a comment below. And please consider sharing the post, it really helps me keep City Witch going.

Blessed be

Eva x