"Rekindling Wisdom: Embracing Rituals, Challenging Oppression, and Rediscovering Our Ancestral Heritage"

There is a growing realization of the importance of reviving ancient rituals and herbal knowledge, embracing our connection to magical practices, and acknowledging witches as part of our ancestral heritage. Unfortunately, witches have endured unjust persecution and were victims of a genocide. Even today, while some may believe that women no longer need to fight for equality and emancipation, we are still navigating treacherous waters. In certain European countries, midwives are being arrested, and abortion clinics are being targeted. These issues extend beyond reproductive rights and touch upon the wider scope of healthcare, where scientific research predominantly focuses on men, leaving the female body relatively unexplored. Additionally, the burden of contraception typically falls on women's shoulders.

It is evident that we require a shift in perspective and a renewed emphasis on caring for our surroundings, promoting equality, embracing horizontal structures, and prioritizing our bodies. Perhaps rituals can serve as a pathway for change, offering immersive experiences that encourage introspection and draw attention to the often unseen or overlooked aspects of life. Creating intimate spaces and fostering togetherness can help cultivate protective spells and empower us collectively. Sorcery can be viewed as a tool to challenge the oppressive forces of capitalism. Exploring the historical roots, we see how colonialism initially sought plants, leading to the need for expansion and the subjugation of other lands. This pursuit birthed capitalism, and women, deemed as witches, were persecuted or forced to conform to patriarchal norms.

Before the era of witch hunts, society consisted of landowners and workers who, though not entirely free, enjoyed a more egalitarian access to land. This enabled them to sustain themselves independently by growing food and herbs. However, with the advent of capitalism and the dominance of monetary systems, access to land became limited. Women became reliant on their husbands for survival, devoid of independence, work opportunities, or access to land. Simultaneously, the witch hunts commenced, targeting women who were unable to fit into this new system. Widows, elderly women, or those found in unconventional situations were labeled as witches and ostracized. Women had no choice but to conform to a system that made them dependent on men.

It is crucial to acknowledge the phenomenon of "witch washing," where the witch archetype is commercialized, sexualized, or reduced to a terrifying stereotype. Cultural objects are appropriated and exploited for profit by capitalism. Furthermore, the locations where witch hunts occurred have transformed into tourist destinations, perpetuating the image of the witch while glossing over the atrocities committed against these women.

By reclaiming and normalizing sorcery, we can reclaim our bodies and the knowledge that has been lost. To find solutions, we must embrace locality, transience, and the act of giving back to the Earth. Collaborating with the elements and working in harmony with them can help us reimagine a future that breaks free from oppressive structures. It is essential to explore and develop protective spells that empower us individually and collectively.