witchcraft
The Horror of Being the Target of a Witch Hunt in India
In many villages in rural India, the practice of witch-hunting continues today—despite local laws. Several women who were accused of witchcraft in the state of Rajasthan describe how their lives changed after being branded as witches.
The Hoodwitch Is Changing the Face of Modern Witchcraft
We speak to Bri Luna, the bruja behind the wildly successful Hoodwitch account, about showcasing the diverse history of mysticism.
The Young Brujas Reclaiming the Power of Their Ancestors
Long stigmatized by colonizers and the Catholic Church, indigenous forms of spirituality and witchcraft are experiencing a renaissance among Latinx millennials.
The Victorian Occultist Accused of Killing Men With Her Mind
Pioneering feminist and animal rights campaigner Anna Kingsford was one of the 19th century's most remarkable women. Then she was charged with using black magic to murder two vivisectionists.
Screw Santa Claus and Celebrate Befana, Italy's Kidnapping Christmas Witch
Say "ciao" to the Yuletide legend who rides a broom and brings naughty kids to her cannibal husband for dinner.
The Strange, Freakish Story of Britain's 'Last Convicted Witch'
Helen Duncan was one of the last people convicted under the archaic Witchcraft Act of 1735. She was also a renowned medium known for spewing ectoplasm out of her nose.
Fed Up With Mortal Men, Women Are Having Sex with Ghosts
Two women came out about their sexual experiences with ghosts, but they're not the first to claim they've gotten intimate with the paranormal.
I Visited a Forest-Dwelling Witch to Cure My Crushing Existential Dread
I have been drinking Susun Weed's calming herbal tinctures for months in an attempt to stave off my impending mental breakdown. But I knew it was not enough; I needed to meet the wood witch to receive her blessings directly.
Trying to Escape Our Hellish Reality with Motherwort, a Very Chill Herb
It's hard to ignore the fact that everything is awful. Recently, though, a group of witches told me about an herb that would make me feel like I'm "being embraced by Mother Earth."
The Enduring Allure of Baba Yaga, an Ancient Swamp Witch Who Loves to Eat People
Baba Yaga is a fearsome character from Russian folklore who lives in a hut that walks on chicken legs, and either cannibalizes her visitors or offers them help. In recent years, she's become a sort of aspirational figure on the Internet.
What Happened When Romania's Most Powerful Witch Moved to LA
Mihaela Minca is one of the most powerful—and feared—witches in Eastern Europe. In 2017, she relocated to California to work with some clients. We spoke to her about living out her American dream, which of course included hexing Donald Trump.
A Brief Timeline of Magic in Music
From Welsh witches to ambient incantations via David Bowie's goblin leggings.