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“Witch” has always been a taboo word in my world. I was raised in a very conservative evangelical family. Witchcraft and the occult were always portrayed as evil. If I were to follow either, I would be sinning, and that could lead me right down the path to spending an eternity in hell. And yet I was always drawn to those types of subjects. In fact, a look at my natal chart shows that I am drawn to all things mystical, spiritual, witchy, and occultist. But my religious background kept me in fear of coming out as a witch for a long time.
Honestly, I was dabbling in the craft for more than a couple of decades. But most of what I was doing, was being done in secret. I was firmly in the broom closet. But that didn’t stop me from buying far too many oracle card decks, playing with crystals, working with energy healing, learning about herbs, and setting lots of intentions. I even taught a couple of my friends who were open to learning about some of these things.
My inner witch was calling for me to be loud and proud about who I am. But the fear of rejection kept me from my gifts and abilities for far longer than I should’ve been.
Are you in the broom closet? It’s okay to come out as a witch!
Here’s the thing…I know I wasn’t the only one who was afraid to tell the world that they were a witch. And rightfully so! Witches have endured thousands of years of persecution. Even in the modern world, there are some countries where witches are not safe. And many of us carry witch wounds without even realizing it. Many of us carry the soul remembering our ancestors and even previous lives as witches when we faced not only persecution but imprisonment and even death because of who we were.
Even now, the term witch is seen as something bad or evil. But those of us who have reconnected with our true witchy side know that isn’t true.
If you’re feeling hesitant or afraid to come out as a witch, whether to yourself or others, it might manifest in subtle or obvious ways. Here are some common signs:
Internal conflict
You may be conflicted about whether or not you should come out as a witch to family and friends. That was certainly the case for me! You may fear judgment or rejection from people you care about. People that are important to you may perceive you differently. Others may not understand or may judge you because of their own religious conditioning and beliefs.
Second-guessing your beliefs
You may second guess your beliefs. Perhaps question your practices or spirituality, wondering if you’re “doing it right” or if it’s valid. But just because your path may be different from what is accepted in mainstream society does not mean that it’s the wrong path. It’s just a different path. Only you can know if the witch path is right for you.
Hiding your interests
This is something that those who are curious about witchcraft often do. I hid my interest for decades. When you hide your interest you allow yourself to openly explore witchcraft behind closed doors. You may buy books or tools. Or you may join online groups where you can discuss witchcraft with others.
Feeling shame
You feel guilty or “weird” engaging in rituals, divination, or energy work, even in private.
Keeping It Secret
You feel a calling to embrace being a witch. And you may have secretly used tools like tarot cards, crystals, or spell books. But you are firmly in the “broom closet” and hiding who you are. Not only do you keep that part of you secret from others, but often time you live in denial about your witchy side as well.
Downplaying Your Beliefs
You frame your spirituality as “just a hobby” or say you’re “just curious” when discussing it with others. For me, I would talk about elements of witchcraft that are more palatable to society, such as using herbs for natural healing.
Avoiding Labels
You hesitate to identify as a witch, opting for softer or less definitive terms like “spiritual” or “nature lover.” This is definitely something I did for a very long time. It was common for me to talk about being spiritual. I wouldn’t talk about having psychic gifts, but instead talked about “intuition” or “my spidey sense”. I often talked about “setting intentions”, but would never talk about casting spells.
Avoiding Conversations
You steer clear of topics like witchcraft, spirituality, or metaphysics in conversations, even if others seem interested. There are only a few people in my life that I can genuinely talk about these subjects with. I live in a very conservative area, and so I will continue avoiding these types of conversations simply because most people in this area aren’t open to talking about it.
Fear of Religious Pushback
If you’ve deconstructed from a traditional religion, you may worry about being judged or ostracized by those from your past. This right here is a big reason why I wasn’t comfortable coming out as a witch for so long. I worked in church ministry for over 20 years. It didn’t bode well for your job if you started talking about witchy stuff. Especially since biblical teaching is against anything occult or witchcraft-related. But what can I say, I’ve always been a rebel, which is why I finally came out and am being true to myself!
Anxiety about being “found out”
You have some great crystal jewelry you love to wear. But you experience fear when someone notices it, because you don’t want to explain the jewelry if they ask. Someone saw a deck of tarot cards in your bag and they asked you about it. Now you feel anxious because you’re afraid they will judge you. This comes from being taught that being a witch is somehow “bad” or “wrong”. It is a fear-mongering narrative that needs to be kicked to the curb because it’s simply not true.
You have impostor Syndrome
You feel like you’re not “witchy enough” or worry that you don’t fit the stereotype. Here’s the thing…there is no one size fits all esthetic or way that you should be or act as a witch. Your practice is very personal to you. You do not have to dress is dark flowy dresses or robes or wear evil eye jewelry. You can be just as much of a witch wearing bright sparkly clothes and wearing a tiara. Be you!
You are concerned about stereotypes
You’re wary of being labeled as “evil” or “crazy” due to misconceptions about witchcraft.
Tension Around Tradition
You struggle to balance your witchcraft practices with family or cultural expectations that may conflict. This can be especially true if you have a religious upbringing with traditions that are important to it. One example of this are religious holidays and the sabbats of witchcraft. There may be tension about traditional religious celebrations. Will you still celebrate Easter or Christmas? Will you focus primarily on Ostara and Yule?
This is about what works best for you. I don’t celebrate Easter, but I have always been a big Christmas lover and still celebrate a more secular version of Christmas. I’m definitely NOT giving that up! It is a personal choice for your practice.
No Community
You feel isolated because you haven’t found others who share your beliefs or practices. This is a real issue, particularly for those who live in areas that are very religious. The good news is that it is possible now to connect with other witches online. There are even online covens that you can join if you don’t wish to have a solitary practice. You don’t have to be alone as a witch!
Fear of Losing Relationships
You worry that coming out as a witch could alienate loved ones or friends. Not everyone will understand or approve. But having to hide behind a mask and pretend you’re someone you aren’t is far worse in the long run.
These fears are normal, especially if you’re still navigating your path or have grown up in a society that stigmatizes witchcraft. Remember, coming out as a witch is a personal journey—you don’t owe anyone an explanation until you’re ready! 🌙
Would you like tips on how to embrace your identity or navigate these challenges?
