Witch, Please!

Just this morning, I was scrolling through my news feed and found the headlines “Florida ‘witch’ swindled victims out of $100K, police say.” There was even an article claiming that a “Witch Hunt” was underway. I would be lying if I did not admit my temperature immediately started to rise. Here was another opportunity to blame witchcraft, but was witchcraft even afoot? NO! Not even in the slightest.

Just because someone calls themselves a Witch, it does not make it so.

You’ve seen the fancy bumper stickers, even tattoos and black clothing but just because someone is bragging their declaration to the world, just because you say you are a witch, does not necessarily make it so. Hold up, let me explain. I think when someone announces that they identify with being a witch, it IS wonderful. BUT… witchcraft is not just an announcement.  It is months, years, decades, basically a whole life of study, practicing and learning. It is true that many come to the craft because they are hoping to cast a spell and make their life better. Whether said spell is for love, money, what every else, it does not matter. If you get lucky, that spell will work and give you curiosity to want to learn more.

Most Witchcraft Traditions require a degree system when teaching the craft. Laurie Cabot’s Kent Hermetic Tradition, like many others requires three levels of training. The Temple of Witchcraft with Christopher Penczak requires five levels. Typically, each degree is a year and a day but some are shorter or longer depending on multiple things, but you are starting to get the idea on how much work goes into learning. Typically, the degree training is just the beginning. As a witch, we typically want to learn everything, from spells and potions to reading tarot and talking to spirits. Of course there is much in between. Not only is it reading every book you can get your hands on, it is taking what you read and applying it, practicing it, getting comfortable with it. You see it is as much knowing how to cast that spell as it is on what to do if something goes wrong with is as well. This is also the reason that witchcraft is for sale at a price. It takes years to perfect your craft. (Yes, I am also aware that some folks believe that one should do the magick for free but I believe that there needs to be some sort of energy exchange and the most common these days is money.)

Florida’s Witch Hunt

So what is the deal with Florida’s Witch Hunt? Apparently a woman who called herself Rosalie claimed to practice Witchcraft and could be hired to use it to help folks with problems. She made colorful hand written flyers that she would tack up in places such as laundromats. The story tells of a man who came to her and she gave him eggs to lace under his bed for the night. He then was instructed to return the next day with eggs in hand. When she cracked them open, there were worms, needles and less desired items, at least the story goes. She then claimed that the man had a curse or bad luck and she needed to bless all the money that he had. He returned to her with thousands, she blessed the money but said she needed to do something further and needed to take his money to her Temple. The man let her and of course she was never seen again. This allegedly happened to multiply people.

Okay, remember what I mentioned before? Just because someone calls themselves a Witch, does not mean they are indeed a Witch. This woman is not a Witch. She is a Scam Artist! The police sketch reflects a woman who is attractive, seemingly young. I am quite certain if these people who gave their money to her, would have researched (google people) her, they probably would have found not much about her. I can only hope that they asked  for references but who knows if those would have been part of the game.

Am I sad that people were swindled ? Yes! I am also upset that they are calling out that it is witchcraft. This is nothing to do with Witchcraft. It just sounds like the old Tarot Reader scams where they tell you that you have a curse and offer to help for more, significate money, over and over again.

Witchcraft for hire

There are many Professional Witches out there (yours truly included.) Some are great, some not so. How do you figure out who is worth your time and money?

1. Do some research. It takes two seconds to pop a name into Google. You may not find exactly what you are looking for, but reviews and information will often pop up.
2. Check Reviews and Testimonials. If you do not see any, ask for some. Make sure they are actual people you could talk to.
3. How long have they been in business? What does that look like? There are some new businesses that are notable but make sure you are checking them out. The longer they have been in business, the more likely they are to be legit. Do they have professional business cards? A professional to some extent website? Do they list their address and phone number, not just an email address?
4. What is their training? Witchcraft is the hot topic. When people get desperate, they call upon a witch. Do not be so desperate that you forget to ask where they learned how to do what they do. Even ask about their own practices. Have they done any public events? Do they know other witches that you follow and trust?
5. What is their price range? It should not cost you all of your savings to hire a witch. It just doesn’t. We typically are called and want to help people. Many of us even will barter some of the time. I once had an interview at a local witch shop. I was dumbfounded to learn that the owner did not practice or even believe in it. She strictly had the shop to make money, and boy did she.

The point here is that you would not likely go to a doctor without knowing that they went to school for years. The same applies to many professionals such as hair stylists, dentists, car mechanics and so forth. You know that they have been through some sort of training. Now ask yourself, why would you not do that for anyone that you are giving your money to, especially if it is a crazy amount. It does not matter if they are a witch, tarot reader, herbalist or psychic. Do your research.

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