Are Witches Real? 5 Myths About Modern & Secular Witchcraft Debunked!
If you’ve ever wondered “Are witches real?”, the answer is YES! But probably not in the way you’ve been taught to think.
Modern witches are all around us- people of all genders who feel connected to energy, nature, or intention-based practices that help them change their lives. Some follow spiritual paths, while others are completely secular, atheist, agnostic, or science-minded. The modern witch is probably not wearing pointy hats or flying around on broomsticks- but they’re very real!
Unfortunately, pop culture and outdated ideas have created a lot of confusion. So let’s set the record straight. If you’re curious about starting your own path (especially as a secular witch, eclectic witch, intuitive witch or chaos magic practitioner), here are some common myths to avoid.
What Is a Modern Witch?
A modern witch is someone who believes in their own power to affect change- often through practices like intention-setting, energy work, journaling, or ritual. Some modern witches work with deities or supernatural elements, while others keep things completely grounded in psychology, self-development, or science.
There’s no single rulebook. That’s the beauty of it!
Myth #1: You Have to Be Wiccan or Believe in the Supernatural to be a Witch
Let’s clear this up: Witchcraft and Wicca are not the same thing.
Wicca is a modern pagan religion that includes specific rituals, deities, and beliefs. Many witches are Wiccan, but many are not. In fact, secular witchcraft is growing- centered around personal empowerment, intention-setting, and energy focus without religious or supernatural beliefs.
You can be a witch and:
Be atheist, agnostic, or logic-driven
Believe in psychology and energy without mysticism
Create your own rituals that feel personal and powerful
You don’t have to believe in magic, gods, or ghosts to be a witch. You just need to believe in your own power.
Myth #2: You Need a Witch Aesthetic to Be Legit
The black hats, moon tattoos, and crystal grids? Cool and vibey AF… But not required!
Some witches love the aesthetic. It feels empowering or symbolic! But witchcraft isn’t about how you look. It’s about how you live, how you think, and how you connect to your own inner compass!
The yoga mom down the street? The guy in your philosophy class? The coder with a planner full of moon goals? Yep. They might be witches, too.
Myth #3: You Need All the Tools—Crystals, Tarot, Herbs
You don’t need to spend a fortune on metaphysical supplies to be a witch. Witches existed LONG before metaphysical shops and modern capitalist self-care.
Crystals, tarot cards, and herbs can be beautiful tools- but they’re not required. Tools are optional extensions of your focus. If journaling, meditation, or affirmations work for you? That’s also valid witchcraft and should be incorporated into your practice!
The most powerful tool a witch has is belief in their own focus and intention.
Myth #4: Witchcraft Must Be Passed Down or “Earned”
Let’s talk about gatekeeping… and how boring and wrong it is!
You do not need to come from a family of witches, be initiated into a coven, or follow a specific lineage. Your practice is yours alone, and it doesn’t need permission to exist.
Books, podcasts, personal research, trial and error- all of this counts. Your intuition and experimentation are just as valid as any “formal” tradition.
Myth #5: Witches Worship the Devil or Are Dangerous
Nope, not even close.
Most modern witches are into nature, personal growth, intention, self-healing, and sometimes spirituality. Sure, some practice deity or spirit work, but many don’t believe in any higher powers at all.
In short:
Not all witches are religious
Not all witches are spiritual
And very, very few worship any sort of “devil”
The idea that witch = evil? Outdated, patriarchal nonsense perpetuated by people who do not understand witchcraft beyond what’s shown in the media, or feared by the church.
🌱 What most witches believe in:
Stewardship of the Earth
Empowerment through self-awareness
Love of ritual, nature, and community
So… What Does Secular Witchcraft Really Look Like?
It looks like:
Tracking moon cycles and your moods
Writing intentions and setting goals
Honoring nature through small daily actions
Tuning into your own rhythms
Being curious, open-minded, and self-reflective
It’s not about what you believe in fitting a prescriptive set of “rules”, t’s about how you direct your energy.
Whether you call it self-care, manifestation, secular magic, or witchcraft… it’s yours.
Final Thoughts: There Are No Rules—Only Resonance
There are a million ways to be a witch, and none of them require permission.
If you’re exploring your own path, keep this in mind: the only thing you truly need is the belief that you are powerful and capable of transformation. That’s it.
Trust yourself. Start small. Keep learning!
You’re already more magical than you know!
