Gender Inclusion in Witchcraft: Historical Perspectives

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The history of witchcraft is deeply connected to feminine magic and women's power. The witch trials, which spanned 350 years, predominantly targeted women. However, it's important to note that misogyny was not the sole reason for the fear of witches. Christian and pre-Christian societies alike were terrified of magic and its grassroots, anarchistic power. The body of the witch has always been associated with femininity and queerness, as depicted in woodcuts and art from that era. The fascination with the witches' sub-at has inspired many beautiful pieces of European art, showcasing the ungendering and boundary-dissolving nature of witchcraft.

IT’S HERE. Witches. Not just a witch expert, but also a witch. Author Fio Gede Parma is a practicing witch and highly respected writer, speaker and teacher. They cover witch history, different types of witches, intersectional witchcraft, forest covens, teen movies, witch trials, witch fashion, midnight myths, lunar pratfalls, spells, cheerful nudists, awkward Uber rides and more. Also: how does one…become a witch?

And just a warning: we touch on some stigmas and physical and emotional harm suffered by those observing religions considered fringe. Your own spiritual or religious beliefs are yours to keep, but the nature of some conflicts are discussed.

(Science note: this specific episode of Ologies is a little different; not the norm. Unlike vampires or monsters, there are *real* witches among us and I wanted to include their voices in this deep dive of their beliefs. So you may not agree with everything they say and a lot of it can’t be qualified, but this episode is about culture, history and the ideology of a certain spiritual group. So listen with that in mind and you'll learn about religious beliefs —that you may not agree with and that science has not fully figured out or upheld — but you'll get to know the real people and lifestyles behind the tropes we’ve seen in fiction. Then the rest of Spooktober we’re back to genetics and statistics and Google scholar research papers and such. Relax, and enjoy.)

Visit Fio Gede Parma’s website and follow them on Instagram, Patreon and YouTube

Browse books by Fio including The Witch Belongs to the World: A Spell of Becoming, Elements of Magic: Reclaiming Earth, Air, Fire, Water & Spirit, and Ecstatic Witchcraft: Magick, Philosophy & Trance in the Shamanic Craft

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