Hexing stereotypes

Nick Copenhaver, Staff Writer
December 15, 2015

How Witchcraft is Portrayed Interviewees What Witchcraft is
Junior Madison Pedigo has little knowledge of what witchcraft is. She said she believed it was based off of how media has
portrayed it online, in books and in movies and television shows. Below are some of the things she believed.		 Sophomore Tristyn Elks likes to spend her time studying the
beliefs of a branch of witchcraft: Wiccan. Elks was shown the beliefs of her peers and responded by clarifying and
defending wicca.
“When I think of a witch, I think of spells, cauldrons and worshiping the devil,” Pedigo said. Who or what do you think witches worship? “There are multiple gods and goddesses that can be
worshiped yet you may choose whichever is most fitting for you,” Elks said.
“They use big cauldrons right? And fly around on brooms. They use their magic in order to harm others,” Pedigo said. What do you think they do to practice their beliefs? Elks clarifies that this is all fictional. “I wish I could fly!” Elks exclaimed. While casting a spell is real,
harming others isn’t a part of Wicca practice. Wiccan beliefs include respect for peers and people around you. “You wouldn’t hurt someone unless you use something like a protection spell,” Elks said, “if you are defending yourself then it kind of gives you the right to.”
“They probably use the forces of nature to cast spells,”
Pedigo said.		 Wicca worship and practice mostly with nature, how do they use nature? Elks said Wicca use physical things in nature like crystals and gems. “We draw energy from the world around us, but we don’t gain power. We use what we can
collect ,” Elks said.