Witchcraft 101: Frequently Asked Questions

[Updated March 19th, 2026]

What do witches believe?

Anything! Some don't even actually believe in magic and see it more as a theraputic thing (ie placebo effect). Witches can be of any religious background (or no religion), any political ideology, et cetera. Witchcraft is more a collection of behaviors and practices than a belief system.

How do I know if I was born a witch?

People are not born witches. I don't know the origin of this belief, but it's very...odd. You can be "born" a witch in the same way somebody is "born" Christian, I suppose (ie your parents are witches), but you don't magically gain an identity and expertise based on what blood you have, this sort of idea can progress into something very dark.

If people aren't born witches, how do I become one?

You choose to be one. If you want to be a witch, you can be a witch. The "how" is usually where people get stuck. Luckily, that's what the witchcraft 101 pages are for. Hopefully I can give you some good leads.

Do witches worship Satan?

Not typically, but some do.

How do I find my witch type?

I honestly would recommend against limiting yourself to a specific archetype. Some people find that they naturally fit into one "type" (or more!), but that is often not the case.

What are white magic and black magic?

The way most witches conceptualize it, white magic is magic that is used to help and black magic is magic used to harm. A spell for healing, for example, would be considered white magic and a curse to make somebody sick would be black magic.

Is cursing bad?

It comes down to personal ethics. I personally don't see an issue with cursing, but it shouldn't be taken lightly or done frivolously.

Is witchcraft dangerous?

Whether or not it's spiritually dangerous is up to personal interpretation, but I do personally think most people are exaggerating. I do think some people end up psyching themselves out and that is what causes most of the negative effects of witchcraft. The worst that I've personally experienced was anxiety and maybe a nightmare. Physically, though? It can be. You should always make sure you aren't working with plants that are poisonous (at least not without learning how to handle them safely). If you have any candles or incense lit, you shouldn't leave it unattended. No open flames near things that might catch fire, watch your sleeves and hair, make sure pets won't knock it over. If you're using knives, be careful not to cut yourself on accident. If you need blood, make sure you're using something sterile...et cetera.

It is generally good practice to ward or use some sort of protection (amulets, protective spells, etc) and that might make you feel safer while performing witchcraft if you still find yourself nervous.

Do I need to cast spells all the time to count as a "real" witch?

No! You do not need to constantly practice to be considered a witch. I personally think doing spells just for the hell of it isn't particularly useful anyway, it really only makes sense to do spell work if there is a specific outcome you're looking for. Consistent practice comes with time and knowledge. Many people who have been witches for a long time just natually engage with their spirituality without even thinking about it.

Do I have to cast spells to be a witch?

No! Not every practice will appeal to everybody. Aside from the fact that you may find a specific type of spell work that appeals to you since spell work is an incredibly diverse category of practices, you do not actually have to cast spells if it isn't something you find enjoyable or fulfilling. Much like how spell work is incredibly diverse on its own, witchcraft is very diverse. Many witches focus on divination or astral projection or any number of other practices.

Is witchcraft a religion?

You might think this is addressed by the first question, but I'd like to remind some people who may be reading that there are many people who practice more than one religion (e.g. Pagans who also practice Shinto, Jewish Buddhists, et cetera). However, witchcraft is not a religion in and of itself. There are many witches who are religious and incorporate it into their practice, but there are also new religious movements where witchcraft is central to their religion (Wicca being the most popular and well-known).

Short answer: No, but witchcraft can be an important part of religious practice for some people.