Trading Pink for Black: Why Do So Many Girls Go Through A Witch Phase?

“Why does every teenage girl go through a ‘witch/occult phase?’” I saw the comment as I was scrolling down Tumblr. Images of tarot cards, spell books, and brilliant crystals and stones brewed up from the thought of the supernatural-loving phenomenon. I thought back to my own childhood where the game light as a feather—stiff as a board would be played at sleepovers and how an Ouija board would help girls pass the time on a particularly spooky night. Some parties would even have a round of screams that resulted from girls whispering, “Bloody Mary,” into the dark. But why would anyone who grew up identifying as female be attracted to the occult when society was so busy shoveling Barbies in pink clothes and small kitchenette sets down their throats?

The same Tumblr post had a theory. “Witches are one of the few cultural figures of female empowerment that don’t derive power from their relationship to a man.” It made sense. It wasn’t about the broomsticks, the black cats, or even the typical black pointy hat. It was about power, and if society made it easier for people who identified as women to share their voice then those who do practice witchcraft could just practice as their preference and not out of necessity in order to be heard.

There is a feeling of absolute power behind the ability to manipulate the world that surrounds you with a simple brew, some candles, and your own words. To be able to be in charge of and change the course of your own future through fortune telling is power given to young women, who society dictates for them to follow a specific path of marriage to a man and motherhood. It prompts young women, especially queer women who do not fit within what society defines as the “norm,” to trade the pink that was shoveled down their throats for black.

Last year, witchcraft was catapulted back into the spotlight in the hopes to save the country. Witches around the world had come up with a binding spell that they believe would help protect the world from Trump’s agenda, as mentioned in The Hill article by the owner of a prominent occult store in Hollywood. Many sought, not to harm, but to stop Congress from passing legislation supporting his agenda on issues including immigration and the environment. When they felt powerless to the dangerous changes of the political climate, they turned to the craft, and once a month on the waning moon they hoped to regain their power.

Perhaps witchcraft for many isn’t just a phase we grow out of. The ability to be heard during a time when women’s voices, like Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, are not heard over the whines of men like Brett Kavanaugh is alluring. It is enticing enough to convert to paganism or follow other important and history-rich nature-based religions such as Wicca, Voudou, Armanism, or Druidry. Perhaps we wouldn’t see as many people who identify as women feel that they need to draw their only source of power from the occult or nature-based religions. As society makes the necessary changes to come closer to reaching total equality, these women could practice whatever religion, creed, or lack thereof free of needing it to fight oppression.