The Complexity of Witches

Power, Persecution, and Representation

Witches are one of the symbols that have long been associated with Halloween; besides, they have been portrayed as symbols of empowerment and fear across history and media.

“A classic image of the English witch: old, decrepit, surrounded by her animals and her cronies, and yet maintaining a defiant posture. From The Wonderful Discoveries of the Witchcrafts of Margaret and Phillip Flowers, 1619.” (Federici, 2004)

Historically, women have been scapegoated and persecuted as being witches during times of social upheaval, their knowledge and independence threatening the patriarchal systems that sought to control them. Through this figure, we can explore deeper themes of colonization, feminism, and, perhaps most tragically, the modern-day femicide — the killing of women because of their gender — which continues to claim the lives of women across the globe.

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The Image of Witches

Witches: Flowing hair (sometimes gray or wild), pointed hats, and dark, flowing robes; they frequently carry magical implements like wands or broomsticks, and their appearances are often accentuated by elements like cauldrons, potions, and mystical symbols, creating an aura of both mystery and power.

This culturally created image maintains an image of the witch as a monster, a scapegoat onto whom society can project its fears and anxieties.