Introduction
In the 1996 movie entitled, The Craft, it portrays four troubled high school women who holds the power to control their own realities and the people around them by the practice of black magic. Each woman is having some negative issue within their own life, including low self-esteem, trouble fitting in with other classmates, lack of family dynamics and poor relationships. These problems temporarily go away when the teenagers all come together to call the four corners of East, West, South and North to their deity that will grant them unlimited power and control. Although the magic ritual worked for a short time, three of the four women began abusing the power which led to a series of consequences like a boy at school being murdered, hallucinations, paranoia, bad decisions, spells backfiring and one of the girls being committed to a mental institution in the end of the movie (Feasey, Rebecca).
Millions of young women worldwide are influenced by movies such as these because it sends the message that witchcraft will fix your problems by making the women have power over everyone and everything that is troubling in one’s own life (Kearney, Mary Celeste). To a troubled woman who is experiencing a setback, such as a boyfriend cheating, or financial problems, movies in Hollywood tend to make a woman believe that by casting a spell on the full moon; then life’s problems will be corrected after the completion of the spell. The witchcraft is also considered an outlet for women to make them stronger and more independent without be perceived as weak and dependent upon others for strength. This is similar to the concept of feminism which believes that both the male and female are created equal on the levels of politics, social aspects mentally and economic.
Thesis
The concept of witches is symbolic for empowerment, gender based stereotypes, feminism and stronger women in general who has the capabilities to make their own decisions without the help of the opposite gender, but instead the woman has the power to control their own destiny. Additionally, it is the notion of glamour that makes these sorts of movies and witchcraft seem appealing to feminists, or stronger independent women in general. Glamour is defined as “a magic, enchantment or spell which is a delusive beauty that is an alluring charm” (Moseley, Rachel). Some women would go as far to classify witchcraft as a career or an art to go after one’s dreams and desires to achieve whatever it is that she wants. The modes of witchcraft glamourize the spells by having beauty spells, sexual spells, get money quick spells, find your soulmate spell, among other spells that are captivating and intriguing to experiment with as young women want to attain more power throughout their life.
Using the above previously mentioned movie, The Craft in the context of glamour and witchcraft, the main characters were engaged in glamour spells and this was one of the primary reasons for being involved in the black arts in the first place. For instance, the character, Rochelle was an African- American teenager who wanted to be Caucasian, or Nancy, the leader wanted a smaller rear-end. These are examples of the superficial beauty that manifests itself as the conventional signs of femininity because it grabs the audience attention (Moseley, Rachel).
Lilith: The First Witch and Feminist
Therefore, it is essential to understand that glamour produces confidence, validation and it makes a woman assured of herself, despite how others might feel. Witchcraft, whether if it is in the movies, or in the media has always been celebrated as a goddess-centered religion that goes hand in hand with feminism. For example, take the Lilith fair in 1996 which featured many prominent female musicians like Sarah McLachlan, Paula Cole, among others who were fed up with the concert promoters and radio stations not giving their material the appropriate airplay like is should receive, so they created a music festival which was named after Lilith, Adam’s first wife, or the first Eve in the Bible who rebelled against man ("Lilith - Biblical Archaeology Society").
Lilith has always been a prominent figure in both witchcraft and feminism because she struggled to break free for her independence from Adam in the Garden of Eden which was not heard of in the Biblical era. She is a representation of seduction, chaos, ungodliness and she cursed mankind for women to act aggressively towards males because she is the opposite of any sort of masculine order in our society. Feminists and witches alike understand that the symbol of Lilith is also a symbol as a succubus, which is a demon that resorts to sex and other promiscuous behaviors to get what they need out of men because this deity is an embodiment of both a demon and a lover ("Lilith - Biblical Archaeology Society"). Lilith is a reminder to women who engage in witchcraft with their feminist ideologies that whenever a spell is cast, then there would be a backlash as seen in the movie, The Craft. But also, because Lilith may use sex as a weapon to get what she wants; she would also sacrifice male infants and children because she felt rejected and angry by men who did not want anything to do with her. This is one of the reasons why society glamourizes witchcraft to use as a last resort when a woman is unable to get her way with the man her heart desires, but there is always a consequence like he might become a stalker and will not leave the woman alone. This behavior amongst the two genders has been commonly witnessed since the Biblical era because men are unable to cope with a woman’s desire to have her own freedom, and women will not settle for anything less than autonomy and independence. Nevertheless, both modern witches and feminists hold Lilith in a new perspective that depicts a different image than what was believed in the Bible. These female groups believe that Lilith does not like being a servant to Adam, and the only reason that Eve was created was due to Lilith absence. One day, Eve sees Lilith on the other side of the gate of the Garden of Eden waiting, then the two women begin talking and realizes that they have many characteristics in common. Thus, the women develop a friendship that blossoms into something that frightens deities and men which births the concept of feminism.
Witchcraft and Feminism Intersects
Witchcraft and feminism are both politically driven doctrines of practices and their beliefs (Nelson, Kris). Witches and feminists believe that their beliefs are special and political because everything is united on this planet which consists of plants, the supernatural, etc. It is crucial to call on these aids for help when dealing with the opposite gender because plants, or trees, for instance has a spirit to it and an energy source. As weird as this may sound to someone else who does not understand these sorts of doctrines, this could be used as the same analogy for many revolutionary political events such as Women Voting Rights, women becoming the primary breadwinners of their households, among other important milestones and revolutions that occurred over time because it is the community, and the equity is what binds that gives them the motivating force to go after their beliefs and stand up for what they believe in, even if they are radical to some degree. Witches feel that they are obligated to align themselves with many feminist ideologies because women are treated harshly and as if they are sexual objects in both the movies, media and everyday in life (Nelson, Kris). Witchcraft and feminism enables a woman to seek alternative ways for healing, rather than resorting to the usage of modern medicine by utilizing crystals, herbs, chakras and healing energies.
These groups believe that it is best to use everything at one’s disposal to holistic healing which demands to find alternative ways to heal sickness and pain. Some of the reasons for doing this and not to say to avoid modern medicine altogether, but it is for those individuals who are unable to afford medical services, or for those individuals that suffer from afflictions and resorted to all levels of what modern healthcare services can offer. Radical perspectives from both witchcraft and feminism believe that it is a responsibility to always pursue alternative ideas that could be shared with the community and for its overall well-being.
One of the final reasons why witches and feminists intersect is due to these groups both being affiliated with radical political identities. These groups have both been categorized with a concept known as “the burning times” (Nelson, Kris) because women throughout history who challenged the system and had beliefs different than the rest of society are often persecuted and like in the Salem Witch Trials, they were hunted down and killed off. If the feminist groups of today’s modern society lived in the 16th and 17th centuries, then they would have been deemed as witches as we have seen in our previous example with Lilith, the first Biblical wife.
Nevertheless, both witches and feminists are perceived as outsiders by the rest of society, no matter how glamourizing it is made out to be. Additionally, this would be pointed out in two distinctive ways. First, for the witch to be an outsider to the rest of the society is due to the fact that the individual who practices witchcraft is not willing to conform or change their own identity to fit the idea of Christians, among other religious groups who do not agree with witchcraft practices. This rebellion is what makes the witch a feminist in her own right. Secondly, the feminist is like the witch because they carry a political ideology that proudly rejects any oppression or discrimination that may occur against them in society. Both a witch and a feminist would never fully fit in with the rest of society’s modern way of thinking and there would always be some sort of backlash that they will all experience (Theriault, Anne).
Witches have always been the original fighters of oppression and other forms of hate since the beginning of time (Johnston, Hannah). Many tribes and civilizations resorted to a witch for many needs including as an advocate, to heal pain and afflictions, cleanse one’s life or home of evil spirits, communicate with the deceased, etc. Just like in modern times, feminist groups are consulted for women discrimination, advocacy, support, and alternative ways to look at common women issues. Although there are some witches depicted as evil and bitter, there are good witches too which could be witnessed in many movies and reading literature such as The Wizard of Oz, for instance. Both the witch and the feminist alike are metaphors for resistance fighters who must undertake three biological stages in their lives that consist of a) the maiden, b) the mother and c) the crone. These stages are linked to the moon which is a sacred representation for female fertility and the source which gives them their abilities and their strength (Kearney, Mary Celeste).
Conclusion
In conclusion, witches have been glamourized in Hollywood movies as possessing ancient knowledge to conquering life’s problems, while being beautiful and knowing the key to eternal youth. While these movies may depict this, they are sending the message to not only promote feminism, but to show that women have been strong fighters of resistance since the beginning of time. The image of the witch is oppressive, yet at the same time liberating. This gendered language will always stay with women no matter the generation, or sort of acceptance that society may bring over time. Witchcraft and feminism will always go hand in hand because it is a representation of power for a woman, who is perceived as powerless. Everything in society would always divide gender. Such examples of this include categorizing the sun or fire as masculine, or the moon and water as feminine, among other characteristics that will continuously divide genders.
Most importantly, this societal divide can cause mental damage to both men and women, especially to those individuals who are dealing with identity, or sexual orientation issues such as transsexual and gay (Hodgkin, Katharine). While on the other hand, girls are affected in those families who are a member of politically charged families, but have radical perspectives and philosophies that are similar to witchcraft and feminism. Magic will forever be a shortcut that leads to some sort of spiritual power and affirmation for a young and older woman. Additionally, witchcraft brings a sense of belonging to a woman when other outlets are either too stressful, or closed off altogether. The religion of witchcraft will forever appeal to a woman, especially to the female audience who is reviewing a movie that is affiliated with witchcraft because no other religion recognizes and validate their worth quite like witchcraft.
References
Feasey, Rebecca. "Charmed: Why teen television appeals to women." Journal of Popular Film and Television 34.1 (2006): 2-9.
Hodgkin, Katharine. "Gender, mind and body: feminism and psychoanalysis." Palgrave Advances in Witchcraft Historiography. Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2007. 182-202.
Johnston, Hannah E., and Peg Aloi, eds. The new generation witches: Teenage witchcraft in contemporary culture. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2007.
Kearney, Mary Celeste. "Girlfriends and girl power: Female adolescence in contemporary US cinema." Sugar, spice, and everything nice: Cinemas of girlhood 29 (2002): 125.
"Lilith - Biblical Archaeology Society". Biblical Archaeology Society, 2014, http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/lilith/.
Moseley, Rachel. "Glamorous witchcraft: gender and magic in teen film and television." Screen 43.4 (2002): 403-422.
Nelson, Kris. "3 Exciting Ways Witchcraft and Feminism Intersect - Everyday Feminism". Everyday Feminism, 2015, http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/11/witchcraft-and-feminism/.
Theriault, Anne. "The Real Reason Women Love Witches". The Establishment, 2016, https://theestablishment.co/the-real-reason-women-love-witches-647d48517f66#.tngz2opmk.
